New resort offers a quieter slice of Thai life

Bangkok and other big cities are great, but when you really want to get away from it all and experience the real Thailand then there are plenty of delightful options.

Ko Yao Yai is a Thai island in the Andaman Sea, halfway between Phuket and Krabi, that's known for sandy beaches, mangroves, rubber plantations and fishing villages.

Visitors arrive on longtail boats or ferries and the surrounding waters are dotted with dive sites.

If you like some luxury with your tranquillity, the Anantara hotel group - with whom I have had several good experiences - has just opened Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas, which has been added to my "must do" list.

Anantara Koh Yao Yai has 148 suites, villas and penthouses, all reflecting Thai heritage.

The beachfront villas have been designed with eco-friendly grass roofing to blend into the natural surroundings without blocking the views of the beach for other guests.

Of special interest to groups are the family pool access suites with terraces opening directly onto the resort's family pool.

For those who want to splash out, the resort’s eight butler-attended sea view pool penthouses offer Andaman Sea views and outdoor living options. Think a covered cabana for al fresco dining as well as an oversized soaking tub with sea views

Koh Yao Yai is, right now, largely undeveloped and devoid of mass tourism.

Among the excursion options are vintage sidecar tours to a rubber plantation, batik-making, tie-dye classes, island-hopping, mountain climbing and scuba diving.

The resort offers several dining options with the signature Beach Restaurant showcasing local seafood, dry-aged steaks and sushi offerings. At Pakarang, the menu features contemporary Thai dishes, while there is also a Japanese eatery with panoramic ocean views.

The Kids’ Club is promoted as one of Thailand’s largest while Anantara Spa has five treatment rooms split between single and double suites.

For more information see www.anantara.com/en/koh-yao-yai-phuket.

A new Phuket resort to tantalise the taste buds

Phuket in Thailand is one of my favourite holiday destinations and the Melia Hotels group are known for running top-notch establishments. 

Good news, then, that Meliá Phuket Mai Khao, a 30-suite and 70-villa resort on eight acres of Phuket’s north-western coastline overlooking the Andaman Sea, is slated to open in December.

Fronting Phuket’s longest stretch of sand, the resort on Mai Khao Beach is close to several attractions such as Sirinat National Park, Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation, and Wat Phra Thong temple. 

Phuket International Airport is just a 15-minute drive away.

Authorities plan to open Thailand to fully vaccinated tourists from countries deemed low-risk from November 1.

Launched by Melia Hotels International and owned by residential real estate developer Phuket Villa Group, the five-star resort is part of a roll-out of the Meliá brand in key destinations across Thailand including Koh Samui, Chiang Mai and Bangkok.

The new resort has saltwater swimming pools, private villa pools, a reflection pond with sunken seating areas, water gardens, vertical falls and irrigation mist. 

The Mediterranean-inspired accommodations comprise 30 one-bedroom suites and 70 one-bedroom villas that each cater for up to two adults and two children. 

All feature outdoor bathtubs, open-air showers and outdoor terraces.

The 78sqm suites are complemented by cabanas and the 85sqm one-bedroom villas have private plunge pools. Fifteen “wellness villas” feature an open-air Vitamin C shower, daily massage, ultrasonic essential oil diffuser, GermGuardian air purifier, Tempur-Pedic pillows, fit ball and yoga mat. Which also sounds just a little tiring.

Meliá Phuket Mai Khao will feature four food and beverage outlets including the Gaia Beach Club eatery. 

There will also be all-day dining restaurant SASA, specialising in south-east Asian cuisine while Elyxr Café will serve fresh squeezed juices and some locally brewed liquors. There will also be a swim-up pool bar.

Meliá’s signature YHI Spa is home to five treatment rooms. In addition to its extensive menu of massages, facials, body scrubs and wraps, spa therapists also provide poolside and in-villa treatments.

The fitness centre is equipped with treadmills, ellipticals, exercise bikes and weights machines.

“Through our partnership with Spain’s leading hotel group, we are thankful that we can significantly contribute to Phuket’s recovery in the wake of Covid-19 by creating much-needed jobs for the local tourism sector and setting a new benchmark for hospitality on Thailand’s largest island,” said Maetapong Upatising, Phuket Villa Group's managing director.

As a Phuket veteran, I'm keen to check it out sooner rather than later.

See www.melia.com/en/hotels/thailand/phuket/melia-phuket-mai-khao/index.htm