Anantara Koh Yao Yai — a luxury resort on Phang Nga Bay on a Koh Yao Yai that's still quiet and untouched
Koh Yao Yai sits in the middle of Phang Nga Bay, between Phuket and Krabi — a quiet Muslim fishing island with a genuine local way of life and limestone cliffs rising out of the sea. Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas is a big-brand 5-star that opened in 2023 as the island's luxury landmark · 148 suites and pool villas run along roughly 1 km of east-facing beach · the largest kids' club in the south, 7 restaurants, a spa and several pools · from approx. ฿6,500/night · Scored 9.3 from 345 Booking.com reviews.
Anantara Koh Yao Yai opened in 2023 and became the island's luxury landmark almost overnight · what sets it apart from most resorts on the Koh Yao islands is its full big-brand scale — 148 suites and pool villas along an east-facing beach that runs roughly 1 km, facing a Phang Nga Bay dotted with limestone cliffs · even sitting on a quiet island, the resort has everything covered, from a spa and fitness centre to 7 restaurants and bars, ranging from Thai food and Japanese omakase to a beachside grill.
Rooms here are noticeably larger than the standard at many 5-star resorts · they start with the Deluxe Sea View Suite at around 70 sqm as the entry room, stepping up to the Premium Family Suite for families, the Beachfront Pool Villa with a private pool and direct access to the beach, and the two-bedroom beachfront villa for larger groups · 11 categories in all to suit your budget and party size · guests often note that the rooms and shared spaces are very clean and everything is kept in good order.
The one thing to be upfront about first is getting there — and it's both a plus and a thing to know in the same breath · Koh Yao Yai has no airport, so the way in is a roughly 20-minute drive to Laem Sai pier, then a further 35–40 minutes on the resort's private speedboat that runs straight to Anantara's own jetty · you can come from Phuket airport, or cross over from Krabi/Ao Nang · the feeling as the boat slowly nears the island is genuinely remote and private — yet it's still not hard to reach from Phuket.
"The moment the speedboat rounded into the bay and we saw the limestone cliffs lined up behind the beach, it felt like we'd slipped out of the real world — quiet and private, but with everything you need right there in the resort."
What people talk about most is how family-friendly it is · it has what's said to be the largest kids' club in the south, plus a teen club for older kids, and several pools including one with a slide and a family pool · at the same time it keeps an adults-only Tranquillity Pool for anyone who wants to sit quietly and watch the sea without the sound of children · it's a balance that lets both families and couples share the same resort without getting in each other's way.
On service and food, most guests praise the warm, attentive staff who look after you throughout the stay, and the excellent breakfast buffet with plenty of variety · beyond the in-resort restaurants, Anantara also runs signature activities like a tour of the island's fishing village and a cooking workshop with a local grandmother, which give you a real taste of Koh Yao life rather than just sitting inside the resort.
"The breakfast really impressed us, the kids stayed at the kids' club all day and didn't want to come back to the room, while the two of us went and lay by the quiet adults' pool — worth every bit of the family's holiday."
The trade-off to know before you book is that prices inside the resort are fairly high · many reviews agree that food, drinks, spa and in-resort tours cost several times more than off the island — the same massage or the same boat trip around the islands is far cheaper if you head outside the resort gates · but because you're on a remote island, there are few options within walking distance, so many people end up relying mainly on the resort's own services.
Another thing reviews mention is expectations of the Anantara brand · some feel the overall experience, or certain lagoon-view/garden-view room types, don't quite live up to the premium price and the Anantara name, and a few run into inconsistent service — slow luggage delivery, or confusion at check-out · it doesn't happen to everyone, but it's worth allowing for the fact that a newly opened resort is still fine-tuning some things.
And like every resort on the Koh Yao islands — the beach in front is shallow, and at low tide parts of it turn to mud or exposed rock · that's the nature of Phang Nga Bay, not a flaw of the hotel, but it means the appeal here lies in the views and the pools more than swimming off the beach all day · if you want white sand you can swim off at any time, the Koh Yao islands may not be the answer, but if it's about quiet, limestone-cliff views, and a full-service resort to unwind in — Anantara Koh Yao Yai delivers that in full · it suits both families and honeymooners, with rates from around ฿6,500/night in low season, rising to ฿20,000–฿34,000+ for pool villas and two-bedroom villas.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ A big-brand 5-star opened in 2023 with spacious beachfront suites and pool villas
- ✓ Warm, attentive staff, very clean spaces and rooms, and an excellent breakfast buffet
- ✓ The largest kids' club in the south + a teen club and several pools — great for families
- ✓ Quiet and private, with Phang Nga Bay and limestone-cliff views and a separate adults' pool
- ! Food, drinks, spa and in-resort tours cost far more than off the island
- ! Remote setting on a quiet island, with limited restaurant/bar options outside the resort
- ! Shallow beach that turns to mud/rock at low tide — more about views and pools than beach swimming
- ✓ Entry suites are spacious at around 70 sqm, with 11 categories to suit your budget and party size
- ✓ A private speedboat runs straight to the resort's jetty for a genuinely private feel
- ✓ Signature activities — a fishing-village tour and cooking with a local grandmother
- ✓ Everything covered — a spa, fitness centre, and 7 restaurants and bars, even on a remote island
- ! Some lagoon-view/garden-view rooms feel short of the premium price and the Anantara name
- ! Occasionally inconsistent service — slow luggage delivery / confusion at check-out
- ! You mostly rely on the resort or arranged transport to get out and about
- 💡If you want a white-sand beach for swimming all day — the Koh Yao beaches are shallow and turn to mud/rock at low tide → come here for the views and the pools, or choose a white-sand beachfront resort on the mainland side such as The Sarojin instead.
- 💡If you're watching your daily budget — food, drinks, spa and in-resort tours cost several times more than off the island, and it's hard to walk out to find alternatives → set aside budget for this, or pick a package with breakfast/meals included in advance.
- 💡If you'd rather not lose time getting there — Koh Yao Yai has no airport, so it's a 20-minute drive + a 35–40 minute speedboat → book the resort transfer ahead, allow time for the weather, and don't book a flight tight against check-out day.