Despite the captivating beauty of the jewel encrusted Andaman coast, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find an island retreat that ticks all the boxes.
The ideal getaway has vision beyond the ‘superior sea view’ and offers guests an all-encompassing experience, as opposed to simply exploiting the natural backdrop.
While neighbouring islands parted with their virginity long ago, Koh Yao Yai remains unhurried in the rush to grow-up.
Just 30 minutes by speedboat from Phuket, Krabi and Phang Nga, Koh Yao Yai lies in the watery heart of one of the country’s most developed bays, yet the island remains pristine.
Approaching the island, visitors first catch sight of the vast quilt of forest green which covers the hillside without interruption. At the pier, a handful of thirty-something travellers eagerly eye up the verdant topography, their brows saluting the sky in praise.
Tucked away on a secluded bay, down a lane meandering through rice paddies and subtropical forestland, Koh Yao Yai Village Resort is the ultimate island hideaway.
If Mother Nature created an island resort, this is how it would look. All elements of design pay utmost respect to the natural landscape. From the layout to the materials used, the resort blends seamlessly with the surrounding environment.
Hidden under the dappled shade of the evergreen canopy, the tropical woodland village consists of 34 deluxe bungalows, generously spaced with more thought for guest experience than profit per square metre.
Despite their spacious 73 sq metre dimension, the tropical modern bungalows make no attempt to dominate the landscape; it is almost as if they sprang up from the forest floor with the rest of the abounding flora.
The interior features elegant wooden furniture, polished concrete floors and a spacious bathroom, complete with outdoor rain shower. Huge downy pillows, velvety bath towels and herbal toiletries add a luxurious feel, while the standard-size fridge and flat screen satellite TV are the perfect home comforts.
A myriad of local influences have been woven into the bungalow’s design, including splashes of rural-style sarong fabric in the soft furnishings.
The large terrace, with sunloungers and daybed, is the ideal place to spend balmy evenings listening to the soundtrack of the jungle.
Overlooking a 700 sq metre infinity pool, the resort’s thatched-roof restaurant enjoys a 180-degree panoramic vista of Phang Nga Bay. Sweeping from the curving sandbars on the west, across opaque islets silhouetted on the skyline, and to the forest-fringed shoreline on the east, the view showcases the region’s diverse landscape.
A selection of fresh and wholesome food is served, ranging from comfort fixes to healthy options, and everything in between. Themed barbeques have a regular slot and feature some of the island’s finest seafood.
Koh Yao Yai’s coast is adorned with gleaming-white, sandy beaches. Within the National Park area, Klong Son is widely considered the island’s most attractive beach. However, Laem Haad is the ultimate island paradise. Jutting into the sea, this narrow stretch of coconut grove is fringed with two shores that meet and merge into a perfect arc of sand.
Unlike the crowded beaches in Railay and Phuket, Koh Yao Yai’s shores are deserted and footprint free; visitors can have their own private beach for the day. In fact, the entire island is quiet and peaceful, which is a welcome escape from the pollution and overcrowding in neighbouring destinations.
The resort offers an array of tours which are personalized and casual, so despite delving deep into island culture, there is no intrusion on locals’ daily lives.
The village tour visits a rubber plantation, where visitors can view the various stages of rubber tapping, from its origin, as a milky, glue-like liquid dripping from the trees, to the pre-manufacture state, which, incidentally, resembles a bath mat.
Next stop is the fresh food market, to sample the rainbow of exotic fruits grown on the island. Markets are the social heart of any Thai village, so they are a great place to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy some friendly banter with locals
A visit to one of the rickety off shore fish farms is also part of the tour. These holding bays for lobster, snapper and shrimp, form the backbone of the island’s economy.
Although fresh flavoursome lobster isn’t a major feature in local diet; islanders enjoy the profit made from selling the coveted crustacean to mainland markets.
The last stop is at Fisherman’s Village, where a fresh catch of iridescent anchovies glint in the scorching midday rays as they are dried, in preparation for packaging and sale. Only the squeals of the local children break the peaceful silence, as they dash across the white-hot sand and dive into the sparkling sea.
It’s the simple encounters with nature, such as noticing a fruit-laden cashew nut tree or watching a hermit crab scampering across the shore under a beautiful shell, that enrich the experience of Koh Yao Yai.
Koh Yao Yai Village Resort is the epitome of ‘sabai’, which in Thai, means relaxing, comfortable and carefree. The resort doesn’t exploit the island’s beauty, but it enhances it by providing excellent service, facilities and a wide range of interesting activities. Few resorts score so highly in every area. This resort ticks all the boxes, and adds a few more that weren’t previously on the list.
Koh Yao Yai Village
Tel: +66 (0) 76 363700
E-mail: marketing@kohyaoyaivillage.com
www.kohyaoyaivillage.com
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