Off the east coast of Phuket lies Koh Yao Yai, the larger of the two Koh Yao's. 'Yai' means 'big' in Thai.
Known for its coconut production and fishing, the island is mostly inhabited by locals. Main trumps? Everything about it exudes tranquility, there are particularly pristine beaches and it's barely a 30-minute boat ride (5 transfers/day) from Phuket's Grand Marina. On the west side, where the sun sets, is the beautiful Santhiya Resort & Spa.
This luxury eco-resort is built in the typical Santhiya style, finished in teak & rosewood. Built against a hillside, the hotel strives for harmony with nature.
The poolside waterfall, the use of teak wood and the pristine beach in front of the hotel bear witness to this. Four restaurants there pamper your taste buds, including Jettin Teppan on the pier, an absolute must-visit