The island of Yao Noi is a world away from the built up tourism of Phuket, just 35 minutes away by speedboat. Small beachside restaurants, a friendly fishing community and an interior of rice fields, palm trees and rubber plantations give the island a charmingly laid-back, unspoilt vibe.
On the east coast is stunning Koyao, a rustic-chic, back-to-nature resort that is encircled by exotic greenery and run by staff so calm and kind that you’ll feel instantly relaxed. The 15 open-sided villas are situated seconds from the beach. Inside they are large and luxurious, with beautiful rattan four-poster beds and plenty of space for families. Meanwhile, 10 luxe tented villas with private pools set up on the hillside occupy the perfect spot for couples to cocoon.
The stylish aquamarine infinity swimming pool and the powder-soft beach strung with hammocks mean that there are innumerable opportunities to soak up one of the best views in Thailand. If the moment takes you, cycle to a local batik community, pick your own coconut in the plantations or get up close to the extraordinary marine panorama with a longtail trip to discover islands inhabited by monkeys and lizards, where you can swim through caves and stumble upon deserted coves perfect for moonlit picnics.
Highs
- This is dreamy Thai scenery: sensational panoramas of craggy limestone karsts in the Phang Nga archipelago
- Great for both families and couples: book a child-friendly open-sided villa by the beach, or an adult-only luxury pool tent up the hill
- With over 200m of private beachfront, huge grounds and only 25-50 guests, there's masses of space for everyone
- We loved the intimate, friendly feel and the ever-smiling staff
- Magical evening walks through lantern-lit gardens to enjoy the seafood platter at the excellent restaurant
Lows
- A bit of a journey from Phuket or Krabi airport (30-40 mins by taxi and then a boat ride), but it's all arranged for you
- The spa is not particularly lavish or well-equipped but treatment prices are reasonable
- Due to currents, the sea’s visibility can vary, and some days it’s quite cloudy
- Mosquitos can be pervasive, but the resort puts great effort into keeping them at bay; bring repellent, and cover up in the evenings
Best time to go
High season is from November to May (though crowds are never an issue on this chilled island), and Yao Noi's dry season is between January and April. Monsoon season occurs mainly between June and November. Bird watching is great all year, while October to April is the best for diving. Thai holidays are also celebrated, such as the Songkran water festival in April and Loy Kratong in November.
Our top tips
Rising early to see the sunrise over the limestone karsts of the Phang Nga is nothing short of magical - watch the golden sun appear through the crags and set the sky alight with purples and blues.
If you're comparing costs, bear in mind that kayaks, bikes, yoga and snorkelling equipment are all free here; plus you'll generally get a complimentary car- and boat transfer from Phuket or Krabi (which saves both money and hassle), and a massage too (if you book through i-escape).
If you're comparing costs, bear in mind that kayaks, bikes, yoga and snorkelling equipment are all free here; plus you'll generally get a complimentary car- and boat transfer from Phuket or Krabi (which saves both money and hassle), and a massage too (if you book through i-escape).
- Boutique Beach Resort
- 25 rooms & villas for 2-6
- Restaurant and bar open daily
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa
- On the beach
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Bicycles Available
Rooms
There are 25 rooms at Koyao, 15 of which are Beach Villas that face the stunning vista of Phang Nga bay. Made from local hardwood and palm thatch, these spacious rooms are designed for indoor/outdoor living, with sliding doors, roomy verandas with daybeds and open-air bathrooms. Beach Villa Suites also have a tub-for-2 in their garden bathroom.
We stayed in one of the hillside adults-only Panorama Tented Pool Villas, a clutch of luxurious tents with private pools, four-poster beds, free-standing tubs, air-con and jaw-dropping views of the bay. Dubbed the 9 Hornbills Camp, you can really hole up here and be pampered - just call for a golf buggy to ferry you down to the restaurant whenever you want. If you like being closer to the action, we'd recommend splitting your time between the Tented Villas and the Beach Villas to get a mix of convenience and romantic seclusion.
For families, the two-bedroom Family Beach Villas sleep 4-6 people and have large bathtubs. For added seclusion, the Beach Front Family Villa is slightly set apart and opens out onto its own small stretch of beach - but this option books up fast.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Coffee / tea making
- Fan
- Hairdryer
- Minibar
- Mosquito net
- Safe box
- Toiletries
- WiFi
Eating
Breakfast is served at the breezy, open-sided restaurant Pum Pui. There are made-to-order waffles and eggs, and you can help yourself to exotic fruit, fresh juices and an array of tempting pastries. If staying in the Tented Villas, breakfast can be delivered to enjoy by your private pool with a view - they even offer a “Floating Breakfast” for the full honeymoon experience.
The lunch-time menu has Thai and western specialties including satay chicken, Pad Thai and club sandwiches. Alternatively, rustic-chic Chaba Cafe, set about 200m from the resort, serves salads, kombucha and homemade vegan ice cream.
When the sun turns the limestone karsts orange, head to the Blowfish Bar for delicious Happy Hour cocktails, which use local ingredients such as lemongrass, chilli and coconut milk. Later, walk through the lantern-lit garden to Pum Pui for dinner. There are daily specials - like seafood platters with blue crab, seabass, tiger prawns and squid - or a mouth-watering selection of Southern Thai specialities. We had beef massaman, which was indulgent, rich and perfectly spiced, and morning glory and roast duck yellow curry - both excellent.
For a change of scenery, there are lots of local restaurants a short stroll away.
Occasionally, the resort hosts barbecues with freshly-caught fish from the Andaman Sea. Private suppers under the big frangipani tree can be arranged, or for added romance you can book a longtail boat to the island of Koh Nok for a star-canopied meal on the shore (weather dependent).
Features include:
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- Do some lazy lengths in the lovely infinity pool with its gorgeous backdrop of the Pakoh Islands and the limestone karsts of Phang Nga Bay
- Take a tuk-tuk tour around Yao Noi to a fishing village, and learn about rubber tapping in the plantations
- Hire a bike (free of charge) or moped and ride through shady palm plantations to find hidden beaches
- Marvel at the the awe-inspiring Phang Nga up close, snorkel around Chicken Island then relax on a sand bank
- Get active with one of the (complimentary) twice-weekly yoga sessions, or book a session with a Kick Boxing Muay Thai champion
- Re-align your spine with a firm oil massage in the outdoor spa sala overlooking the beach
- Take a sunset longtail trip to Koh Nok and let staff prepare you a candlelit barbecue dinner (weather dependent)
- Descend underwater and scuba dive around limestone Shark Point and King Cruiser wreck dive
- Learn about Southern Thailand cooking with island chef Mina in her traditional Thai house by the market
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Cooking classes
- Cycling
- Kayaking
- Private guided tours
- Scuba diving
- Snorkelling
- Spa treatments
- Swimming
- Well being
- Yoga
Kids
The layout of the resort means that there’s space for everyone. Families can spread out, without the worry of disturbing other guests. The pool has a step around 3 sides that is good for paddling, and the beach slopes gently into the sea and has a couple of swings too. There's a large grassy area, perfect for relaxed football games. Nothing is too much trouble for staff, from blankets at dinner for weary mini-travellers to beach toys appearing at your lounger.
Best for:
All ages
Family friendly accommodation:
The spacious Family Beach Villas are ideal for groups of 4-6, with 2 doubles and room for extra beds. Bathrooms are large with outdoor showers and tubs. We recommend the Beachfront Family Beach Villa (sleeps 4), as it has even more privacy and opens out onto its own private stretch of beach. Beach Villa Suites are also suitable for a family of 3. The rooms come with fans, air-con and mosquito nets.
Kids Activities on site:
- Sandy beach
- Main pool
- Kayaks to borrow
- Snorkels and masks
- Footballs
- Inflatables
- Swimming Pool (with step around 3 sides)
- Child’s massage
Kids Activities nearby:
- Snorkelling and diving trips
- Kayaking
- Kick boxing
- Cookery classes
- Boat trips to the islands
- Tour around Yao Noi
- Bicycling around Yao Noi
Families Should Know:
Arriving by speed boat is much faster than arriving by long boat. Mosquitoes can be a problem here so be sure to bring plenty of repellent and long sleeve tops/trousers from dusk onwards. Torches are handy/fun for evening crab hunting on the beach. There’s a small mini-mart 200m from the hotel for nappies, sunscreen and snacks, plus a pharmacy in the village.Distances:
- Airport: 1 hour 40 mins (Phuket or Krabi)
- Hospital: 10 minutes' drive
- Shop: 1km
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
The resort is on Koh Yao Noi island, in south-west Thailand, a shortish drive and then a boat ride from either Phuket or Krabi airport.
By Air:
Fly into Phuket or Krabi.
From the Airport
The resort can arrange a private transfer to the island: A private car pick up from Phuket airport (30 mins) or from Krabi airport (40 mins), then either a longboat ride or a speedboat ride to the local pier, and finally a private tuk tuk to Koyao Island Resort. The speedboat is much faster, with a journey time of just 35 minutes. There are also public boats to the island, and tuk tuks from there to the resort.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Phuket 50.0 km HKT
- Krabi 55.0 km KBV
Other:
- Beach 0.1 km
- Shops 1.0 km
- Restaurant 1.0 km
Need flights?
We recommend Skyscanner which compares all airlines in one easy step
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 4 independent reviews from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape