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As mentioned in the Introduction, our main stay in Thailand was going to be at the Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resort in the Koh Yao Island region of Thailand. In order to get to the Santhiya Koh Yao Yai you need to take a speed boat from Phuket to Koh Yao Island. Because of our later flight, we would arrive after the last boat transfer for that day. So, we needed to get a room for our one night in Phuket.
The Setup: Unforeseen Events
Introduction: Planning for Thailand
Review: Cathay Pacific Lounge SFO
Review: Cathay Pacific International First Class – San Francisco To Hong Kong
Review: The Pier, Hong Kong International Airport
Review: Dragonair International Business Class – Hong Kong To Phuket
Review: Anantara Layan Phuket Resort – Deluxe Seaview Suite
Boat Transfer & Check-in: The Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resort & Spa
Review: Santhiya Koh Yao Yai – Ocean View Pool Villa Suite
Review: Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resort
Day Trip: National Marine Park – Koh Hong Archipelago
Final Thoughts & Monkey Business – Santhiya Koh Yao Yai
Review: Thai Royal Orchid Lounge – Phuket
Review: Lux Pay In Lounge – Phuket
Review: Dragonair International Business Class – Phuket To Hong Kong
Review: Regal Airport Hotel – Superior Room
Review: Cathay Pacific International First Class – Hong Kong To Chicago
Review: American Airlines Flagship Lounge – Chicago
Review: American Airlines Domestic First Class – Chicago To San Francisco
After doing a little shopping we chose the Anantara Layan Phuket Resort. Anantara is a large luxury name in the Asia hotel market, and we were very happy with the deal we found through hotels.com. For the evening of our arrival the Anantara had a Deluxe Seaview Suite for $268 U.S. The room was 850sqft, had a king bed, and included breakfast for 2. Reviews were positive so we felt save in reserving this room.
The best part is we had a $216 redemption credit with hotel.com that we able to apply to the night. That brought our room cost down to $52 for the evening. Taxes and fees ran $51 so the grand total came to $103 for the room.
Once we cleared immigration at the airport we were meet by a friendly hotel driver that we had arranged for our arrival ride to the resort. The drive was about 40 minutes and we were taken directly to the check in lobby.
Main Reception
Reception desk
Open air lobby
Another view front lobby
This was our first trip to Thailand and one of the things that immediately struck us was how sweet, kind and hospitable the Thai people are. Smiles, wai gestures, and friendliness immediately relax you and give you a feeling of acceptance in a new land. This was also true of all the staff at the Anantara Layan Phuket. Immediately upon walking into the entrance of the lobby the welcoming gong is struck to announce your arrival. After a short check in process we were escorted to our suite.
Announcement gong
The resort is fairly spread out, and so carts (buggy’s) are used to transport you to your room. Once we reached our structure the hotel associate showed us inside and familiarized us with our suite. We had been traveling for the better part of 35 hours and after our orientation it wasn’t long before Susan and I went to sleep.
Entry 46
Susan loved the orchids and bed art
When you enter the suite is your step onto a small entry landing. It acts as a large hallway / transition room to the closet and the rest of the space. There is a small desk for working on and back wall with a minibar and furniture. The closet is walk-in and generous in size. The master space is separated by a solid wall with a framed see through.
Entry and landing area with desk
Walk in closet
Desk looking into the bedroom
Master bathroom
Commode
Shower
Bath
His and her sinks
In the morning we prepared to go to breakfast and then later to explore the resort. The hotel had instructed us to call for “buggy service” which we did. After a few minutes a cart with a friendly driver showed up in order to transport us to breakfast. We both enjoyed the views of the resort and grounds on our short ride to the restaurant.
We woke up to this view from our room
Buggy pickup
Carting to breakfast
At the hotel restaurant we were promptly seated with a sea view. I usually prefer a menu/order breakfast; Susan loves the buffets. This breakfast was a buffet and it was beautiful, and I really mean beautiful. The dining area was a shaded outdoor patio overlooking the pool and the bay. Inside the restaurant they had a main room with the majority of the breakfast on display. To the side of the main room was a wine and cheese room with an impressive cheese and cured meat display.
Breakfast view
Morning drinks
Wine and cheese room
Another view wine and cheese room
The main room had breakfast items included grains, fruits, smoothies, pastries and other assorted goodies. Most of the items were served in small “mason” styled glass jars. It made the food clean, fresh and stylish in its presentation. There was also a large fruit presentation table with a cutting station for preparation. To the right was an egg station with many hot breakfast items available. Again everyone working the service side was very friendly and helpful.
Egg station – so friendly
Fruit station
Fruit compotes
Smoothies, sticky rice and other breakfast goodies
Breakfast grains
After breakfast we decided to walk the beach and the grounds. The resort sits on Layan beach which lies in a small bay leading out to the Andaman Sea. The beach and back drops are lovely. I wouldn’t have described this as my favorite swimming beach, but it certainly was pleasing to walk around and enjoy the natural beauty.
Beach hammock
Resort beach at low tide
Beach bar
Gym area
Adult pool
The resort resides on a lush jungle hillside and grounds that are manicured and well maintained. There are 30 rooms and 47 villas spanning the grounds and small trails and roads weave around the hillside joining everything together. Because this was a 1 night stay we didn’t have the time to review the other restaurants, spas and facilities of the resort, but it all looked 5-star and consistent with what we had already experienced. After our short hike around the beach and resort we returned to our room to check out and proceed on the trip.
Grounds shrine
Pickup for check out
In Summary
Anantara Layan is a quiet, peaceful Phuket escape sitting on the beach at the edge of a jungle hillside. Both the architecture and grounds are beautiful. The outstanding service that is provided by a staff is friendly and genuine. The breakfast buffet was one of the most pleasing put on by a beach resort. For the rate we received, both Susan and I thought we could easily come back and spend more than one night at this 5-star property.
