Santhiya Koh Yao Yai — teakwood hillside villas on an island still quiet, between Phuket and Krabi
Koh Yao Yai is only a 20–30 minute speedboat from Phuket, yet it feels like another world — still quiet, still local, with no busy walking streets. Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resort & Spa is an eco-luxury resort whose teakwood villas and rooms climb a hillside above the bay, with sweeping sea views toward Krabi and Phang Nga. There are private-saltwater-pool villas, the Ayurvana Spa, and three restaurants. From approx. THB 4,500/night. Scored 9.5 from 309 Trip.com reviews.
Santhiya has been on Koh Yao Yai since 2012 and is the largest resort on the island. What people remember it for is the teakwood used throughout — from the lobby and pavilions to the in-room furniture, finished in a warm, contemporary Thai style that feels nothing like the usual white-block resort. All 226 rooms and villas are terraced up a hillside above the bay, so almost every one looks out over the sea toward Krabi and Phang Nga, with limestone islands dotting the horizon.
Rooms start with the Supreme Deluxe at 60 sqm — already larger than the standard room at most 5-star resorts. From there you can step up to the Grand Deluxe (72 sqm), the Seawater Pool Suite (135 sqm), and the private-pool villas from 150 sqm up to the Two-Bedroom Pool Villa (265 sqm) for families. The signature feature is the villa pools filled with filtered seawater rather than chlorine — guests often say it's gentler on the eyes and skin.
"We opened the curtains to the sea and limestone islands filling the window, swam in our own saltwater pool in the morning, and heard nothing but waves and birds — it felt like stepping out of the world."
Beyond the rooms, the resort has a large main pool by the sea, the well-regarded Ayurvana Spa, a kids' club, and plenty of complimentary activities — morning yoga, Muay Thai, Thai cooking classes, kayaking, paddleboarding, and snorkelling gear. There are three restaurants serving Thai and international food, plus a romantic dinner on the beach. Breakfast is included in most rates and praised for its variety, while in the evening some guests head out to local eateries to save money.
Honestly, there are two things to think through with Santhiya. The first is getting there — you take the resort's speedboat from Ao Po Grand Marina on the Phuket side, about 20–30 minutes, and it's a compulsory service at roughly THB 600 per person each way, which adds up for a family on the round trip. The second is that the resort sits on a steep hillside — walking up and down is tiring, so you call a resort buggy to get around, and at busy times you can wait a while for one. It scores 9.5 from 309 Trip.com reviews and 4.5/5 from over 2,700 TripAdvisor reviews — numbers few would argue with.
Santhiya isn't right for every trip. If you want a stay you can walk to the sea from easily, pop out for meals and a stroll outside the resort, or you'd rather not spend time on a boat, this isn't it. But if this trip is about cutting off from the noise, sleeping in a teakwood villa with your own saltwater pool, waking to the sea and the limestone islands, and not minding spending most of your time on-site — Santhiya delivers that experience and earns its rate. Rates start from approx. THB 4,500/night for a Deluxe in low season, climbing to THB 8,000+ in high season, with private-pool villas reaching five figures.
A tip from reading the reviews: if the budget stretches, upgrade to a Seawater Pool Villa for a private saltwater pool and an open view — it's worth it given the effort of getting to the island. Book the Ayurvana Spa and your buggy in advance during high season. And double-check that the speedboat schedule lines up with your check-in time, as the boats run on limited departures.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Beautiful teakwood throughout, with private saltwater pools in the villas
- ✓ Sea views toward Krabi and Phang Nga from almost every room; a quiet, peaceful setting
- ✓ Polite, friendly staff and a varied breakfast
- ✓ Lots of free activities — yoga, kayaking, paddleboarding — plus a kids' club
- ! Requires a speedboat in, with a compulsory boat fee per person each way
- ! The resort is on a steep hillside — you rely on a buggy and may wait at busy times
- ! Food and drink prices inside the resort are on the high side
- ✓ Spacious teakwood villas with warm, contemporary Thai decor
- ✓ The private saltwater pools in the villas are a real highlight for guests
- ✓ Ayurvana Spa treatments consistently praised
- ✓ Suits both couples and families, with activities for kids
- ! The hill is steep and hard to walk — you depend on the buggies
- ! Dinner inside the resort is pricey; some suggest eating at local spots
- ! Service can be slow at busier times
- 💡If you'd rather not spend time on a boat or pay an added boat fee — Santhiya requires a compulsory speedboat from Ao Po, Phuket, at about THB 600 per person each way → if you want a stay you can simply drive to, consider a Khao Lak resort in this roundup instead.
- 💡If you find steep hills hard or are travelling with older guests — the resort is on a steep slope and you call a buggy, which can mean waiting → ask for a room near the lobby/main pool and plan to call a buggy ahead.
- 💡If you're watching food costs — dinner inside the resort is pricey → pick a rate that includes breakfast and head out to local eateries for some meals to save money.