by 
The Santhiya Koh Yao Yai is fantastic resort. Between the amazing Villa Pool Suite, the gorgeous hillside location, beautiful beach, friendly Thai people and the sweet quiet Island of Koh Yao Yai it’s difficult not to give the resorts hard product 5-stars from a personal viewpoint.
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
Arial of resort
Amazing sea view pool villa
Great vista’s
Sweet associates
Fun little touches
The only shortfall that cast a blemish on our perfect visit were the few hiccups on the soft product. The resort is so large that breakfast can get crowded and service struggles with the volume. An additional breakfast location would help in this regard. The dinner service in the restaurants could be more attentive, and better on the adult beverages. Lastly they need to streamline the method of calling a wooden car for pickup.
These shortcomings are not failures, and Susan and I easily adjusted to them. They are mentioned because they were noticeable. Despite these hiccups, we both loved this resort and plan to return. Considering the cost per night and what is delivered, I would rate this resort a bargain.
I was packing my things and getting ready for our departure. It was a few minutes before 11am and we had about another hour before it was time to leave for checkout. As I stuffed another item into my bag, out of the corner of my eye I saw a resort associate walk onto the seaside deck. A little alarmed my thought was “they’re already scooting us out for departure!” As I turned and focused my vision on our guest I realized this was no person standing out on the deck, but instead a large adult macaque monkey! Excuse the low quality of the pictures but I was caught off guard.
Our guest dropping by
I gasped and Susan came into the living room to see what I was looking at. She was floored by the large primate looking right at us through the sliding glass window. “Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh” and “Hello Monkey” was all she could say. About 1 minute later our friend got bored and walked around to the back bathroom (the outside side access door was open) and started banging on the villa door. At this point Susan was overcome with excitement. “Should we let him in” she asked? “Hell No” was my answer! I had visions of returning home in bandages with a mauled face.
The monkey was banging to come in through the outdoor bathroom door
I grabbed a spare apple we had in the room and put it on the patio lounge chair and called for the monkey. I’m sure I looked ridiculous. A couple moments later our friend was back on the deck and found his prize. He slowly peeled the apple and was enjoying his meal. Susan was even more pleased watching him. About half way through the apple he set it down and walked off into the Thai jungle.
Definitely a him
Enjoying the apple – for a little while
We mentioned our story to one of the resort associates during checkout. He was genuinely surprised and stated they usually leave the resort guests alone, unless they think they can get into a room and steel the potato chips out of the snack basket. I thought, “Darn it! We should have given him the Pringles.”
