Based on personal experience and professional opinion of an Á La Carte Premium employee.

What will an AI image generator return for the query “perfect view”? Perhaps something as unreal as the one that opened up from my balcony at a hotel on the Thai island of Koh Yao Yai near Phuket. The rugged cliffs of the Bird’s Nest Islands rise from the waters of the Andaman Sea just a few hundred meters from the shore, and the rising sun, like a hot copper penny, casts a shimmering scarlet path across the crystal water surface. And all this is framed by two palm trees swaying their leaves in the morning breeze.

Perfect view. Perfect resort. A few days before our arrival, Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas had the distinction of being the only hotel in Thailand to be included in Time magazine’s 2025 list of the world’s 100 greatest places. It and the once little-known island of Koh Yao Yai are two of the kingdom’s true hidden gems.

The resort opened in late 2023 after 10 years of preparation. Its conservation philosophy is embodied in the hundreds of species of native trees planted throughout the grounds, the buildings that blend into the natural landscape, and even the protection of the many sand crabs on the beach. These delightful creatures wave their bright white claws as if conducting a melody played only for them, and move sideways, quickly scurrying into deep holes in the sand as soon as you approach them.

The only flaw in this paradise is the shallow waters at low tide. It’s a bit of a walk to get to the deep end where you can swim, so many guests increasingly prefer the impressive pool with a sea view. But we did, and it was that oneness with nature!

However, the ebb and flow of the tides is no reason to be upset. A short bike, car or boat ride separates Anantara Koh Yao Yai from one of the most dazzling beaches in the country. As with that elusive place in the film “The Beach” with Leonardo DiCaprio, you may find yourself there completely alone.

Now – attention! – a secret place. Laem Had Beach begins as a narrow spit of white sand on both sides, sheltered in the shade of dozens of palm trees. During high tide, the beach ends at the last tree. At the lowest ebb, a vast sandbank is exposed.

And then, at low tide, a miracle happens: a long, curved spit gradually rises from the sea – a majestic white yataghan cutting through the turquoise water. You can walk along it for hundreds of meters, while the waves lazily lick your feet, and forest-covered limestone islands emerge from the misty distance. That’s what we did!

Koh Yao Yai is only a half-hour boat ride from either Krabi or Phuket. When leaving from Phuket, you can use the resort’s transfer: a luxury boat took us to a private pier, where we were given cool, damp towels, jasmine garlands and a welcome drink.

The whole ritual was reminiscent of scenes from “White Lotus”, which is understandable, because three Anantara hotels served as locations for the filming of the third season of the cult series.

More incredible details to follow.

BOOKING:

Mikail Gadiev
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Elina Shkolyarenko
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Svetlana Drozdova
[email protected]