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.

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.

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!