We stayed at this resort during christmas 2010 after research looking for something more upscale but yet genuine. First of all the positive about this resort is the fantastic location with beautiful scenery and the ecological touch. We could also have some understanding for the not so good service level since the staff are picked from the local villages around (Yao Island has no experience from tourism). Slow, very poor english skills and sometimes a little bit lazy and rude.

However this bad review is more based upon the facts that happened after we had come home from Thailand and I looked at my Amex bill. This took place the 26th of january and there I could see the resort had debit my card three times with the amount of 37 000 THB = 111 000 THB total. I immediately sent an email to my previous contact at the resort Mr Pornthip and told him about this. The next day I got a reply where they told me they were sorry about this, it was a mistake and they would credit my card with 111 000 - 37 000 = 74 000 THB. The money would come to me in the middle of February. My first thought was I had to wait quite long to get my money back (26/12 -> 15/2) then I looked what happened with the exchange rate Swedish Crowns vs Thai bath during the time. I realized that there had been dramatic difference to my disadvantage and this operation would cost me 1200 SEK or 5000 THB. So I sent an email to Mr Pornthip and told him that i think this is unacceptable. Now the big silence began from the Koh Yao Yai resort. No answer so I sent the same email again the next day and then another time 4 days later with CC to their sales@ adresses they have at their website. Still no answer. Then I tried all their email adresses I could find and sent it again the 8th of february and asked for help from the manager. Still no answer.

Finally I got help from American Express to get compensated for the exchange rate loss but got no more excuse or explanation from the resort. I think this behaviour is strange for a resort which have upscale ambitions and tries to compete with other great resorts in Thailand. My advice for other travelers to this resort is to check your credit card balance to be sure you will not get in trouble. if you do their willingness to help you is not good at all.

The Koh Yao Yai Village was the destination of choice after being recommended by the owner of pyramid bar (see Koh Yao Noi blog). We booked through expedia and it worked out at £40 a night including buffet breakfast.

As soon as we drove in we realised this was likely to be a good choice. This is a resort style hotel with numerous bungalows set into a wooded hill, a short stroll from the beach. We were welcomed with a mocktail (not my ‘cup of tea’ but a nice gesture) from the bar and some cool towels before being shown to the bungalow. Our bungalow was set back about 200 metres from the sea but the views, like all the bungalows were obstructed by dense trees. However, the forest setting gives plenty of atmosphere and the area is well lit. The bungalow had a large patio, descent sized double room, large bathroom complete with outside shower. Although the shower is outside it is still private, but if you are like me and spend many minutes in the shower you run the risk of getting sunburnt. The bungalow itself is decorated very nicely in a rustic theme and includes a flat screen TV with the usual array of channels. The patio holds a large sofa and two sun loungers.

For the price the bungalow is top notch, great value when we considered where else we stayed in Thailand. Officially this hotel is 3.5 stars, however this was a much better hotel than the majority of the 5 star hotels I have stayed in. The facilities though are expensive; wifi, transfers and scooter hire included. However, the restaurant is competitive and the cocktails are good.

When we walked down for a swim our opinion of Koh Yao Yai Village only improved. The pool was beautifully designed and was set on a cliff next to the sea. The hotel was not very busy and for the first hour we had the pool to ourselves, very relaxing floating around and taking in the scenery.

As always a couple of negative points: Our bungalow became infested with hundreds of flying ants. We reported this to reception who promptly sent up a handy man. He bumbled about flicking them off the wall with a dustpan and brush. Once he had collected 50 in his pan he would dump them outside in front of the bungalow, I’m not sure whether he was a follower of Jainism but I wish he would have killed them. Anyway his approach was totally pointless – this room needed fumigating! We were moved bungalow but we felt that staff were not overly sympathetic to our request. I appreciate these things happen in this sort of surrounding but the stings of these ants are pretty nasty. I had already been made a meal of by the mosquitoes so staying in the room was not an option!

The second negative was that it was very well staffed but the staff were not particularly attentive and service was slow. One example was when we were due to check out - There was four or five staff in the but it took us over 30 minutes to be sorted.

Finally the breakfast buffet was a little poor, the food was bland and the choice was limited relative to other places we stayed.

Overall the positive far outweigh the negatives. Well done Koh Yao Yai Village!