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aaauuuoooo
Phuket, Thailand

Secluded. Perfect for nature lovers.

5.0 of 5 bubblesReviewed 10 May 2011
Koh Yao Yai is best for anyone seeking tropical getaway in beautiful settings that are far, far away from the crowds. Koh Yai Yai in general is dwarfed by the fame of Koh Yao Noi, and that island is often overlooked because of Phi Phi and Phuket. The end result is a beautiful island that's been allowed an escape from resort style colonialisation. Let's hope it stays like that. In short, there is no "nightlife" on the island. Party goers and Full Moon chasers should stick to the more developed tourist spots.

Koh Yai Yai Village is one of the few resorts on Koh Yao Yai. It's located on a nice beach on the northwest corner of Koh Yai Yai. You can find it on google maps (8.033012,98.601308). The nice thing about the beach is the small number of wooden beach chairs, the view of Bird Island and the lack of sand fleas (some of the beaches further north have them).

Every room is a private villa surrounded in trees, ferns and foliage. Each villa has an outdoor salla. The fridge is in the salla area. Each room has a flat screen television mounted to the wall. The pillows are amazing. The bathroom has an open air shower with a rain style shower head. The shampoo, soap and conditioner are herbal. If any of them smell funny, make sure you ask to replace them because herbal soaps don't always keep well in tropical environments.

Do go to Koh Yao Yai Village is you want a secluded getaway. Do not go to Koh Yao Yai Village if you are on a budget. Do your best to bring a scooter to the island if you want to explore. The scooters on the island are pricey. You can bring a scooter or car to Koh Yao Yai from Phuket. The resort can help you arrange a spot on the ferry. Finding the ferry can also be difficult, so ask if you're not sure.

If you come to Koh Yao Yai without your own transportation, the resort can pick you up at the pier. But I highly recommend you bring something to explore the island.
Date of stay: October 2010
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
4.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
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At Royal Yao Yai Island Beach Resort, we redefine luxury with our exquisite accommodations, world-class amenities, and personalized service. Each of our elegantly designed rooms with private balconies and suites provides breathtaking ocean views, and contemporary Thai decor that harmonizes with the natural surroundings. Whether you're seeking a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or a rejuvenating retreat, our resort offers the perfect setting for an unforgettable stay.
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Reviewed 30 April 2011

We were completely surprised on arriving to find the hotel was such a nice looking place. The website does definitely do justice and the rooms are, if anything, better than is shown. The staff were super helpful from the moment we arrived. It's a very well equipped place for one so relatively isolated. Because Koh Yao Yai is such a quiet island this is definitely not the place to go for parties or nightlife. But for peace and relaxation it's excellent. Compared to what you get in other hotels for the same money this one is outstanding. It's really elegant, the spa is very good, the store well stocked and the activities desk has enough to do. It's worth hiring a scooter and going out and about on the island also. The downside of the hotel is that it's not got a very good beach, though it has a very very good pool. But if you're looking for a beach resort, this may not be your best choice. But otherwise it was great. The food is average, it's not outstanding, but again, if you're exploring the island you can investigate a couple of good local restaurants also. But again, if fine dining is on your essentials list, then Koh Yao Yai as a whole, not just this resort, may not be the place for you. Also, the corals for most of the surrounding area were badly battered and damaged by the tsunami so don't expect glorious reefs. All that aside, it's a beautiful hotel, with exceptionally good bungalows with outdoor showers and outdoor terraced day areas which are not only visually beautiful but a great place to tuck up with a book.

Date of stay: March 2011
  • Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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2  Thank TheSinghs
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 30 April 2011

We stayed for 2 nights as part of our honeymoon on the way from Phuket to Krabi. We're not lying on beach people, but though that 2 nights/2,5 days lying by the infinity pool, looking at the islands (in the sun), would have been a great way to spend a few days. Unfortunately we arrived during unseasonal heavy rains , which obviously not their fault and which we've ignored for the purpose of the review. Assuming it was sunny, the pool was gorgeous , and the bungalows were excellent ( althought not sea view ), and the outside shower was interesing! the thing that left a bit of a sour taste in the mouth was when ( as we were desparate to get off the island on the second day), we were told that the ferry/speedboat wasn't running due to the bad weather. At this point the skies had cleared and the seas were much calmer than when they had brought us out to the island . The girl at desk persisted in telling there was nothing they could do and we were stuck on the island. On two counts this wasn't good 1. the seas were fine, and looked like they were being put off by a bit of drizzle 2. obvious that the private speedboat was just in fact public and the hotel was at the whim of the local boatmen. Not a lot of use if you're planning your few precious days annual leave around a chosen itinerary. While saying it was all due to the weather condititons, they then let slip that only a few couples were looking to leave,..and the they normally waituntil a boat is full!!! A new girl, Ruby, came onto reception, who was then very helpful and managed to get the boat sorted ( after us and another couple dug our heels in ). Could have been lovely, and sure it would have been if you don't mnd the chance of getting marooned. We will definiltely go back to Thailand, but will base ourselves in the Sala Talay in Krabi - can then visit all the islands, but in control of our own movements. A bit too obvious that trying to keep us on the island another night ( and chargedus 500 baht to hire a DVD player, despite it being ouring with rain! ) We cheered when we set foot on the mainland!

Date of stay: March 2011
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
3  Thank monkeyelf8472
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 29 April 2011

I have stayed in lovely hotels before but this one beats everything. The bungalows are very spacious, the place is very well maintained, the staff is very helpful and the swimming pool is just OUTSTANDING!
It is not a place where I would stay for a long period because there is not much to do but it is an ideal spot to relax for a couple of days. I would definitely recommend hiring a motorcycle or bicycle to discover the island. It’s a pity that they don’t have a more detailed map of the island…

Date of stay: April 2011
  • Trip type: Travelled with family
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3  Thank Mika_IOI
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 27 April 2011

These islands between phuket and Krabi are yet to be overtouristed so don't expect much to do. This is a place to hang out at and read books etc. They will do local tours but if you start to ask for interesting things you will find that you are sent back to phuket first (eg. Phi Phi island tour).The infinity pool is very very nice curving round staring out at the bay and this is where you will hang out. (The beach is shallow and tidal...it will not be stunning white sand with the mangroves but due to less people around might have less rubbish than the mainland..people explore the beach then swim in the pool. The villas have an airconditioned concrete mosquito proof box as the bedroom with the traditional thai thatched villa built around it. You can sit out under the fan in the open plan during the day but have an escape if it gets too hot or mosquitoes appear....maybe the best of both worlds. (I have stayed at the eco friendly Kohyaoislandresort and the romance of hiding under the mosquito net in the evening lasts only a couple of days). People complain about the food in some reviews. It is acceptable but the prices are what you would expect at a four star resort in thailand....starters around $6 simple mains $8 (european stuff upt to $20) soft drinks $2 (while the cheapest street pepsi bottle I saw was $0.33). There is variety enough to survive 4-5 days. The kitchen is small so expect to enjoy the view over a game of cards if you come last. There a little other options as this is a nice quiet island (bascially go to a different resorts restaurant) so I guess they could have charged anything they wanted but showed some restraint. They cook nicer food if you book a meal or are on a menu plan (told it was very very nice) as they know what to buy and can take time making it. I assume the australian beef steak and Lamb provencal is very frozen and best avoided.The transport in relies on the local speed boat ferry then the bus. ( A traditional long tail is three times slower). It is still only a couple of hours from an international airport. The spa is up and running with one busy therapist. The library have enough books to help pass the time. The rooms satelite TV normally works. There was no free internet (they will sell you access) but you are suppoesed to be on holiday anyway. For any nervous people nobody died on these islands due to the tsunami and the resort was high enough not to have any of the main buildings affected.

Date of stay: April 2011
  • Trip type: Travelled with family
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2  Thank benandlara
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 21 April 2011

The hotel grounds, facilities and rooms are all superb, with the best pool I've ever had the pleasure of using in a hotel. Rooms are also excellent, spacious, very tastefully designed and full of nice touches like classy dressing gowns, sarongs and a beach kit-bag, and very comfortable beds. The expansive and well tended hotel grounds included some small rice paddies and other crops and livestock which are fun to explore, especially with small children.

Service was also excellent, with every member of staff we dealt with friendly, polite and very helpful. I got the sense that they were perhaps a bit understaffed, but not ridiculously so.

The island of Koh Yao Yai is large but very undeveloped, and we had a fascinating tour around the island arranged by the hotel which included a delicious local lunch, a demonstration of how one of the island's main crops - rubber - is farmed and processed, a small jungle trek, a visit to a lobster and fish farm and plenty more exploration of the island and its various villages and industries.

The beach in front of the hotel is pretty far from the best Thailand has to offer though. The view from the hotel and the pool is absolutely stunning - but get down to beach level and it's pretty messy, muddy and rocky. This didn't bother us too much as we were happy to use the hotel's pool and sun-loungers - but those who like to sunbathe on a pristine tropical beach will be sorely disappointed.

The biggest letdown with the hotel was the food though. We looked at the menu on the first evening and saw a list of all the usual Thai fair: phad Thai, chicken green curry, etc. - but hardly any seafood, which was slightly odd given our position on a tropical Thai island! We explained our disappointment at the lack of seafood to the waitress, and arranged for the staff to go to the local pier to get fresh seafood from the fishing boats for us each day, which was excellent, beautifully fresh and cooked very well. But if we hadn't made this special arrangement we would never have known about this option and would have been stuck with chicken, beef, etc. every day - which is, presumably, what most of the other guests would have had. So why not advertise this 'catch of the day' thing to all customers? I can't imagine we were the only people who had longings for freshly caught seafood as we arrived on our beach holiday in Thailand.

Another example, breakfast was pretty good, but only had instant coffee, not really acceptable in a 4 star resort in my opinion. I think the worst thing of all was "fresh fruit shakes" being served with cartoned fruit juice! There were coconuts growing of dozens of trees throughout the resort, yet a coconut shake we ordered (which cost 120 Baht, by the way, about £2.40 and 50% more than the price of a small beer in the hotel) used canned coconut milk! Mango shakes used cartoned mango juice - we were right in mango season, fresh mangoes were served at breakfast, so this was also pretty poor form in a hotel of this standard.

So, food was a bit hit and miss but had touches of class here and there, such as the excellent seafood we arranged for.

Overall, the pool, hotel grounds, rooms and charming staff made this an enjoyable stay. We had some good meals - albeit with some effort needed, but things like the "fresh" fruit shakes and instant coffee do grate a bit. If they take a serious look at their restaurant and the food and drink which is served, this would become a great hotel.

Date of stay: April 2011
  • Trip type: Travelled with family
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1  Thank Dan T
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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