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After checking out of the Anantara Layan we had arranged for car service to the Ao Po Grand Marina Pier. The pier is on the north east side of Phuket Island and our car ride took about 30 minutes from the Anantara. At the pier we arranged to have our luggage transferred to the Santhiya group and waited in a small marina sandwich shop for 20 minutes, after which they called our group for boarding. Everyone walked down the dock and loaded onto the resort speed boat.
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
Loading from pier
All aboard
The boat ride on this day was on calm water and the entire trip lasted about 30 minutes.
In the marina
Ko Li Pe island
Ko sup island
Getting close
Once you arrive at Santhiya’s private pier the resort staff assists you off the boat and you take a leisurely walk down the dock and to the hotel check-in area. The walk takes just a few minutes and check-in area is a large room encased with natural teakwood finishes and furniture. This hand carved wood is used extensively throughout the entire resort. It’s a very handsome and rich look, that also epitomizes a decidedly Thai feel.
Approaching the pier
Disembarkment
Waking down the pier
On entering the receiving room, you remove your shoes and are escorted to small table for check in formalities. Before business starts you are given a cold towel that is scented with lemon grass and a cool welcoming beverage. The fans blow a cool breeze from above and there are bathrooms available if needed. The entire process was welcoming, fast, and civilized which is exactly what you want on a hot and muggy day after traveling.
Initial welcoming
Check in space
Cool beverage
Confirmation of check-in
After confirming a few check-in details and waiting a few minutes you are escorted through the resort to the wooden car pick up zone. These “wooden cars” are small pick-up trucks that have been converted into resort transportation. They would typically have 2 facing benches with a protective roof and they were made to match the resorts rich natural wood look. Although anyone can tell this is a converted pick-up truck, I thought jump-in jump-out nature of wooden car was charming. It worked well for the hilly sprawling nature of the resort.
Friendly neighbors at the resort
Road trip to Villa 1216
At the pickup zone and our resort associate joined us into our wooden car to accompanied us to our villa. After a short drive up and down the hilly roads we arrived at our suite, 1216.
Villa 1216
In Summary
Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resort makes the journey from Phuket to your room about as painless as possible. The boat ride was smooth and offered lovely sights on way to Yao Yai Island. Susan and I appreciated the friendly nature of the resort associates. We REALLY appreciated the efficiency and speed of checking-in. Many resorts (even 5-star resorts) sometimes overlook the most important detail of the check in process. Santhiya is not one of those resorts.
