Dear friends, today I will be continuing our journey through Thailand. We left Ma Doo Bua Cafe in Phuket and headed to the marina. So far it has just been Terrance and I, but today we will be meeting up with Jess at Santhiya Resort over on the island of Koh Yao Yai.
As we pulled into the marina, we were warmly welcomed by the friendly Santhiya staff, who were already waiting in the car park to greet us. They took our bags and guided us to their office, where we completed some quick paperwork. While we waited for our speedboat to arrive, we relaxed with a refreshing drink, soaking in the excitement of the adventure ahead.
You can choose to sit inside the speedboat or right up front in the open. The weather was perfect, so we went to the front to soak it all in. We kept our laptop bags with us while the staff assured us they’d transfer the rest of our luggage straight to our villa. October in Thailand is just before peak tourist season, and I highly recommend it—the weather was spot on, and there were hardly any crowds anywhere. It was absolutely fabulous! We put on our lifejackets and sped off towards the island of Koh Yao Yai.
Zooming across the water on the speedboat felt like an adventure on its own. The views were absolutely stunning, with the twin rock formations stealing the show. At one point, we were convinced our captain was about to thread the needle right between them… But he didn’t – safety first, always! Our jaws dropped as we approached; the resort sits up in a tiered design which truly takes your breath away.
In true Thai hospitality, a Santhiya staff member was already waiting on the pier as our speedboat approached, ready to greet us with a warm welcome. After docking, we were guided through the resort, and with every step, it just kept getting more and more beautiful until we finally arrived at the reception.
What truly blew me away were the ornate carvings; they were everywhere. The entire resort is hand-carved, and the attention to detail is absolutely exquisite. To top it off, the air was filled with the rich, warm scent of sandalwood from the polished wood that was everywhere; it's delightful and puts you in a relaxed mood instantly.
As we sat in reception, waiting for our villa key, we were pleasantly surprised by a delicious spread of complimentary drinks. They offered a variety of herbal teas that were so good, and the best part? You could help yourself. While we were relaxing, we messaged Jess, who was already at the resort, and met in the reception.
The three of us go way back; we all worked on international cruise liners together and quickly became best friends. Now, once a year, we make it a point to meet somewhere in the world and adventure together, since we all live in different places. It’s a special bond that I am incredibly grateful for. After a tearful reunion, we headed over to one of the on-site restaurants to have some lunch.
After an amazing lunch, where I was too busy catching up to even take photos, we got the news—our villa was ready! We had chosen a private seawater pool villa, and let me tell you, it exceeded every expectation.
Since the resort is massive and seriously hilly, getting around is an adventure in itself. They have complimentary Santhiya trucks—and even these are partly hand-carved! Honestly, it was the most beautiful truck (or Songthaew, as they’re called in Thailand) I’ve ever seen. The ride up to the villa? Think Indiana Jones meets luxury resort—it was so much fun, but you definitely have to hold on tight, or you might just fall out!
Get ready for a next-level room tour, our private villa was absolutely massive! We couldn’t believe how much space we had. Our Songthaew pulled up right outside, and the moment we stepped off, we were greeted by intricately carved wooden doors that led into our two-storey villa. And the best part? Our own private seawater pool, perched on the edge of the resort, with unbelievable ocean views. It was beyond anything we could have imagined, and for the affordable price, just look at their website, and your jaw just might drop.
The seawater pool sits on the upper level of our villa, offering the most stunning views. As we stepped inside, our bags were already delivered and waiting for us—talk about seamless service!
Upstairs, we found a spacious lounge area, a beautiful double bedroom, and a huge shower room featuring both an indoor shower with a built-in seat and an outdoor shower for a true tropical experience. Oh, and an outdoor sunken bathtub for ultimate relaxation. There are also several outdoor seating areas, perfect for lounging and soaking in the breathtaking views.
Downstairs, we discovered a beautiful twin bedroom, a relaxation room and another luxurious bathroom, adorned with intricate carvings and stocked with high-end toiletries. Every detail was thoughtful and elegant, making the entire villa feel like the perfect blend of luxury and traditional Thai craftsmanship. It is truly a masterpiece. It did not surprise me when I saw carvers working on-site on more traditional carvings; they truly are so talented.
After settling in and unpacking, it was time to dive into our private seawater pool. From the pool, we could see the twin rock formations we had passed earlier on the speedboat, which made the view even more special. But the best part was being able to disconnect from our devices and just reconnect with each other. I mean, it doesn't get much better than this.
After relaxing in the pool and watching a beautiful sunset, we freshened up and got ready for dinner. With 5 on-site restaurants, plus private dining and room service, we had plenty of options to choose from.
For lunch, we had dined at By The Sea, which was fabulous, but for dinner, we wanted to try something different, so we chose Titan. And if you’ve been following me, you’ll know that I chose to have a branded coconut which was fresh and delicious. What I loved about Titan was that the tables and chairs sit right on the sand with the ocean right in front of you. It really has a tropical vibe but not suitable for heels so be sure to wear flats for this one.
After a wonderfully relaxed evening, we woke up to the sunrise beaming into our room, a perfect start to the day. As we got ready, I treated myself to the outdoor shower—don’t worry, it’s completely private… except for the birds. Sorry, birds. Once ready, we headed up to breakfast, and let me tell you, this was possibly the best buffet spread I’ve ever had the privilege of enjoying. Every dish looked amazing, and the variety was next-level, it was the perfect way to fuel up for another day in paradise.
The buffet spread was massive, offering an incredible selection of pastries and cakes, along with plenty of hot plate savoury dishes catering to both Western and Asian palates. The best part? There was a separate vegetarian and vegan section, which was perfect for me.
All the breakfast essentials were there—juices, coffee, and tea—but the real highlight was my absolute favourite, Thai tea! And the fresh fruit station was amazing, with a chef constantly prepping and serving so that none of the fruit was ever sitting out too long. Everything was so fresh and beautifully presented; it was a breakfast dream come true. You better believe we fuelled up for the day ahead.
On top of the breathtaking view and the incredible spread of food, they even had a live Thai musical performance to serenade us while we happily stuffed our faces. It was the perfect touch, making the whole experience feel even more magical.
After an amazing breakfast (and about five glasses of Thai iced tea!), we headed back to our villa to change into our swimming costumes. Yes, we had our own private seawater pool, but this resort is just too stunning not to explore more! We made our way to the main pool, and wow, it did not disappoint! They have these incredible sunbeds shaped like traditional Thai longboats (I mean, come on, the attention to detail here is off the charts!). There’s also a beautiful waterfall cascading into the pool, making it feel like something straight out of a tropical dream. For those looking for a quieter spot, there’s a second public pool up by the breakfast pavilion, which is a bit more peaceful. And as you can see from my photos, visiting Thailand in October is a total win—perfect weather and no crowds. Absolute bliss.
As you can see, Santhiya on Koh Yao Yai Island is a tropical paradise. It seamlessly blends ultimate luxury (at surprisingly affordable prices!) with beautiful Thai traditions, creating a truly one-of-a-kind experience. I highly recommend staying here!
They offer a variety of accommodations, from regular hotel rooms to stunning seawater pool villas like ours. With multiple on-site restaurants that source their ingredients locally, you’re guaranteed fresh, delicious meals every day. And if relaxation is what you’re after, their incredible spa has everything you need to unwind and indulge. Whether you’re here for adventure, relaxation, or a mix of both, Santhiya is the perfect place for a memorable holiday.
Hopping on the speedboat back to Phuket was bittersweet—sad to leave such an incredible place, but beyond excited for what’s next on this epic Thailand adventure!
Join me as we continue exploring Thailand, with our next stop being possibly the most spectacular viewpoint ever—a true hidden gem. Want to know where? Stay tuned for my next blog in this Thailand series!
Thank you for reading—I hope you enjoyed this adventure as much as I did. Until next time, Vegoutt, everybody! 🌿✈️🌏
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