Our private paradise: Paradise Koh Yao resort Thailand

It was so early in the morning when we left behind a gloomy and rather chilly Hong Kong. The 3-hours trip seamed shorter, only because the final destination was supposed to be in paradise. We were going to spend 5 days at the Paradise Koh Yao resort Thailand, and I can’t tell you how much we were looking forward to that.

Especially since this was my first trip to Thailand, a country I had heard so many great things about. It felt like everyone has already been to a place or another, but I had other places to get to first.

We chose Paradise Koh Yao resort Thailand to celebrate 6 months of officially Mr. & Mrs. and we couldn’t have made a better choice, because this place was everything we were looking for. And more. Really one of the most beautiful places in Thailand. 

Sure, we didn’t experience the hustle and bustle Thailand could be in its more popular larger towns, but that’s not what we were looking for this time around. Because every now and then, you just need to take a break from constantly running around, and we wanted to experience Thailand off the beaten path. Just sit back and relax.

Our private paradise: Paradise Koh Yao resort Thailand

Where to book Paradise Koh Yao resort Thailand

Of course, when it comes to planning your trip no matter the destination, there are plenty of ways of doing it. This time around, we chose the easiest and fastest way: LuxuryEscapes.com

Plan your next amazing trip and get 30 EUR discount on your first booked trip. Check it out here

For us, it was the easiest way because the package was already created and we had to think only about the plane tickets and getting our visa.

However, the resort might not always be available on Luxury Escapes, thus one of the below could work better for you:

• Book directly with the hotel and create your package as you desire, let them guide and support you with any questions or requests you might have;
• Look for great offers on Booking.com; 
• Don’t book until comparing it with the offers on TripAdvisor. I also always check before booking, what others think about the place, and their experiences.

How to get to Paradise Koh Yao resort 

Paradise Koh Yao Resort is located on Koh Yai Noi island in Thailand. The island is the smaller one of the two Koh Yaos: Yao Yai and Yao Noi, sitting in the Andaman Sea.

Given its location somewhat at the middle distance between Phuket and Krabi, reaching Koh Yao Noi island would be easily done from both sides of Thailand. This is why a stop here would be easily included in a 3-week Thailand itinerary. 

Of course, you can always create your Thailand itinerary as you wish, and choose the best way of transportation for your travel style and needs, but since we were going to spend only 5 days here, we chose the easiest and fastest way.

We landed at Phuket airport and had a transfer included in our package booked through LuxuryEscapes.com. Thus a car was waiting for us at Phuket airport, took us to Phuket Yacht Haven, from where we took the speedboat directly to Paradise Koh Yao Resort.

They offer transfer options from Phuket or Krabi airport, and also from any hotel in the two Thai destinations. From the moment we exited the airport we forgot all about luggage or travel planning. They took the luggage and we only saw them in the hotel room once we did the check-in.

If however you prefer managing your own travel schedule and arrangements, here are a few extra tips.

Getting from Phuket airport to Koh Yao Noi island

From Phuket Aiport take a taxi to Bang Rong Pier which will take you about 25 minutes and will set you back roughly 600-650 THB.

From there, take the boat leaving from Koh Yao Noi island.

Check out the boat timetables here.

• Speedboat: Approximately 300 THB, 30 minute
• Long Tail Boat: Approximately 200 THB, 1 hour

Once on Koh Yao Noi island, take a taxi or arrange a transfer directly with the resort.

Getting from Krabi airport to Koh Yao Noi island

From Krabi Airport take a taxi to Tha Lane Pier, which will take around 45 minutes and set you back 700 – 800 from where you will take the boat to Koh Yao Noi.

Check out boat timelines and prices here!

From there, take a taxi or arrange a transfer directly with the hotel.

Accommodation

As soon as we approached the resort, we started to realize the name was indeed appropriate for the place. A secluded place tucked on a small hilltop, in the middle of a tropical forest right in the heart of a National Park.

We were welcomed with fresh cold lemonade and the check-in process was smooth and quick. A small cart ride and we were in our gorgeous room on the top of the hill, offering stunning views of the lush green forest.

I loved reading in bed while listening to the birds, insects and all the nature come to life once night fell. I think that’s what holidays are made of.

Waking up, drinking my coffee in the swing on the terrace, shortly followed by a refreshing and relaxing bath in our incredible jacuzzi, was just the right way of starting the day.

Don’t expect to find thousands of rooms in this resort. It is a boutique hotel, after all, choosing to offer a true escape for those seeking privacy and seclusion, without compromising comfort and convenience.

The room was spacious enough, with a soft large bed (enjoying a break from our small and hard Hong Kong bed), and a great terrace. The bathroom is a mix of indoor and outdoor experiences, which was a first for me.

If you choose this place alone for your vacation, you won’t have to ass lots of stuff on your packing list – the place offers many things you might otherwise need when traveling on the low-cost side.

The Beach

Maybe one of the things I loved most about Paradise Koh Yao resort Thailand was the beach. I honestly don’t think I could have ever had enough of this place.

A long strip of white sand, with hammocks and sunbeds, spread here and there. A private place available only to the people staying in the resort. Mainly because there’s no other way of getting to this secluded corner of paradise.

Throughout our 5 days spent at the resort, we’ve learned there’s no rule to the tides here. Usually, during the morning the water could be further away, which would not spoil the natural beauty of this place.

However, on a daily basis, we would get a letter with important information and activities scheduled for the next day, making it easy to organize our days based on the tides.

 

Dining

The resort has two restaurants ( Seafood Terrace and Al Fresco) and two bars (The Beach Club and Sundowners) which offer a lot of great food and drink options.

Throughout our stay, we tried the a la carte menu at Seafood Terrace, having mainly local Thai dishes, but also a pizza which was delicious. We also opted for the buffet menus for 2 of our dinners, and absolutely loved the diversity and taste of every dish we tried.

The last two nights, we splurged with delicious fresh lobster dishes at the Al Fresco restaurant, and I regret nothing.

How are the prices at the restaurants and bars? 

Before we left for our vacation, I made sure to check out (as I always do) impressions and reviews on TripAdvisor. And I must admit I was a bit scared and wasn’t sure what to expect as prices for food and drinks are concerned at the Paradise Koh Yao resort Thailand.

Now that we are back, I can say that this is not the place to go if you are looking for a low-cost vacation in Thailand.  If, however, you want to spend a few days in a blissful paradise, with delicious fresh food, you must be ready to pay something extra. For us, it was totally worth it.

I know Thailand is known for being a cheap destination, but trust me, it is well worth paying a bit extra when staying here. And if you’re traveling like us from Hong Kong, prices will look normal.

Just a few examples for you to get an impression: lunch for two with starter, main dish, and soft drinks was about 1500 THB (around 50 USD); our lobster splurge delight dinner, with starter, main dish, and soft drinks was 2500 THB ( around 85 USD).

When looking at prices make sure to remember there’s an extra 7% VAT applicable, and a 10% service charge on top of the menu prices.

The SPA

Working at the desk for many hours every day gets its toll on my back and hip, and I’m always happy to travel to Asia and experience some amazing SPAs and massages.

The SPA at Paradise Koh Yao resort Thailand did not disappoint at all. And I happily experienced both their 60 minutes outdoor Thai massage on the beach and their inside 90 minutes oil relaxation massage.

The SPA area is set up in some small huts, over the lotus pond and next to the rice paddies, in the lush tropical forest so quiet I could only hear birds singing and the wind blowing through the leaves during my treatment.

Activities – what to do in Paradise?

You would think such a secluded place could get boring after a day or two. It sure did not feel boring for us, and we got to spend 5 days in this hidden spot.

We had plenty of activities included in our package, and unfortunately, we even had to give some up because there was no time to do it all and not be on the run.

From relaxing Thai massages and procedures to kayaking our way to an even more secluded beach on the island, taking a traditional Thai boat trip to the beautiful island Koh Phak Bia, or even learning to cook a Thai dish with a local chef.

When you don’t forget to bring on your yoga pants (like someone did) you’ll be able to participate in one or even both yoga sessions taking place on the beach.

Having a romantic candlelit dinner on the beach, after a day of island hopping might be another way of spending your time in Paradise.  Or simply spend your time at the pool with a cold drink in hand. There’s so much you can choose to do.

Overall, our 5 days stay at Paradise Koh Yao resort Thailand was just right. And we would definitely recommend the place to people who want to have a perfect mix of relaxation, great food, and services, in a place where you can still be active. Link it to other destinations in the area and it would make the best one-week in Thailand itinerary. 

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