Anantara Koh Yao Yai: A Destinationz Family Review & In-Depth Guide
Hey Destinationz family! Leonie here, with the final chapter from our incredible 24-day Thailand trip. After experiencing so many amazing hotels, we saved a truly special one for our last long stay: the luxurious Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas. We were ready for some serious pampering and family fun, and this highly-anticipated resort promised just that.
So, did it live up to the hype? Here is our in-depth family review of what it’s like to stay at this stunning new luxury resort on the beautiful island of Koh Yao Yai.
The Journey & Arrival: 5-Star Service from the Very Beginning
The Anantara Koh Yao luxury experience starts long before you even see the resort. We were taken to the private Laem Sai Pier in Phuket, and the waiting area there set the tone. This wasn't just a dock; it was a beautiful, air-conditioned lounge with free snacks for the kids, coffee and croissants for the adults, and lovely staff who checked us in right there. The journey continued on a private speedboat to the resort's private jetty. Every step was impeccable.
Upon arriving at the main reception, we were greeted with a fun tradition: every group that checks in gets to hit a large ceremonial bong. Of course, the kids loved this!
Our Family Accommodation: A Suite Designed for Comfort (and Two Showers!)
We stayed in a Family Sea View Suite, and it was fantastic. It was incredibly spacious, with a huge king size bed for us, and fun bunk beds that Sofija and Matija immediately claimed. The room also had a big private balcony (or breezy terrace), a walk-in wardrobe, a huge fridge, an oversized soaking bathtub, and not one, but two shower heads in the ensuite bathroom featuring a luxurious tub! A helpful tip for families: these rooms are located near the family pool, so while it's a "sea view," it's a partial one. The rooms with direct beach access have better ocean views, but for convenience with kids, this was perfect.
For the Kids: A Kids Club That's a Destination in Itself
This resort was a massive hit with our kids, largely because the Kids Club here is absolutely incredible. Honestly, it felt like a proper, big-city indoor play area, not just a small hotel room. It was huge, with slides, a ball pit where you can send balls up a tube to have them rain down on you (so much fun!), toys, books, video games, and a very welcoming team of staff.
Pools, Beach & Outdoor Fun
Pools: The resort features multiple swimming pools. There's a dedicated family pool with four fun slides and a shallow, shaded swimming pool section perfect for younger kids. Down by the main area, the huge, two-level main pool is one of the resort's freeform swimming pools, with an infinity edge overlooking the sea and a fantastic swim-up pool bar.
The Beach: The beach at this Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort is lovely. It's one of those pristine sandy beaches with no rocks and soft, golden sand. At low tide, it's perfect for long walks and looking for Ghost Crabs (a protected species!). At high tide, the waves were almost non-existent, making it great for swimming.
Activities: We loved using the complimentary bicycles to get around the sprawling property. Milos and I also rented mountain bikes (first hour free!) for a tough but rewarding ride up to the resort's viewpoint. The spectacular views of the Andaman Sea on one side and the entire resort on the other were so worth it!
Unique Anantara Experiences: From Bull Feeding to Breathtaking Viewpoints
Beyond the usual amenities, Anantara offered some truly special moments:
Bull Feeding: The resort has its own two beautiful bulls in a stunning area with a pond, fish, and ducks. Every morning, guests (especially the kids!) can help wash and feed them. Sofija and Matija absolutely loved this.
Breakfast Activities: There was always something for the kids during breakfast, like hand painting or mask making.
Complimentary Classes: We also took advantage of a free Thai towel art creation class and made our own towel bunnies!
Dining on a Half Board: Our Honest Experience
The breakfast buffet at The Pakarang Restaurant (the main dining room) was delicious, with endless options of international breakfast favourites prepared fresh and delicious Thai dishes. And when the staff bring you coffee without you having to ask, you know you're in a great resort!
My husband Milos is a big foodie and his favorite two meals were the Beef Massaman curry Ossobuco, potatoes, cashewnut, Pratha bread at Pakarang restaurant (image on the left) and the Salmon, Tuna Sashimi from Japanese Restaurant, Tomi (image on the right).
We had a half-board package and tried all the restaurants. The food was great, but our favorite was the Japanese restaurant (Tomi). The one thing that annoyed my husband was a bit of confusion among the staff regarding the half-board rules. It was a minor issue, but it felt like something that could be improved. However, the hotel more than made up for it with thoughtful touches, like surprising us with two beautiful cakes in our room to celebrate our anniversary and Matija's recent birthday!
The Vibe: Dubai Posh Meets Thai Paradise
Overall, Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas is a fantastic, impeccably clean resort with a high level of service, amazing amenities, and abundant natural beauty. The only other thing we'd mention is that, being from Dubai, the resort gave us a very "Dubai" vibe. It was almost too posh and polished for us compared to the more rustic Thai feel of other hotels. But that's a matter of personal taste! We still loved it and would highly recommend it for families seeking a seamless, luxury, hassle-free vacation.
A Room for Every Dream: Other Accommodation Options
While our Family Sea View Suite was perfect for our crew, one of the amazing things about this amazing hotel is the variety of accommodation it offers for different group sizes and budgets. For couples on a romantic getaway or those seeking ultimate luxury, the resort features stunning Yao Yai resort villas, some offering direct beach access so you're mere steps from the sand. For an even more exclusive experience, you can indulge in incredible Sea View Pool Penthouses with a private pool deck and panoramic views, or find a tranquil escape in their unique Wellness Lagoon Pool Villas. It’s this range of options that makes the Anantara Koh Yao Yai a great choice for so many different travelers.
The Destinationz Verdict
The fact that we didn't leave the resort a single time during our 4-night stay says it all! This resort is a self-contained world of family fun and luxury. They even granted us a late 2 PM checkout and arranged our private speedboat transfer to our next destination, Krabi.
If you are looking for a budget friendly 4 star resort in Koh Yao Yai check out our family review of Koh Yao Yai Village Resort:
Ready to indulge in a luxurious family escape to Koh Yao Yai? Destinationz can help you book the perfect accommodation, from a deluxe room to a stunning private pool villa, and craft an unforgettable trip.
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