4 days (Sept 27 - Oct 01) - Room 2401 (Penthouse)
Arrival experience
Picked up at airport by Anantara team, drove to pier lounge where checked-in occurs. As GHA Discovery Titanium members, we had to remind the team the benefits associated with the status before the upgrade was confirmed. but once clarified, the process was smooth and we were moved into the Penthouse from Beach Pool Villa. The shared boat ride was comfortable, and from that point onward our assigned host, Hanna, looked after us with attentiveness and discretion throughout our stay.
First day of our stay, we encountered a few hiccups: spotting a snake on arrival, locking ourselves out on the balcony, and two power outages. While inconvenient, what stood out was the remarkable speed of the maintenance team, and hotel staff and their responsiveness, even at 3.am. After I asked Hanna for a chance to share feedback, she quickly arranged a meeting with the Manager, Louise, who was gracious, sincere, and genuinely intent on turning our stay into a memorable one. First by offer a further room upgrade to crystal penthouse suite, when we politely turned it down, a free massage.
The Penthouse Suite
The Penthouse is impressively spacious, with a rooftop pool overlooking the ocean, a beautiful highlight. That said, the space could be better utilized with more furniture or decor to make it feel warmer and more inviting. Privacy between the two Penthouse units could also be improved, as the pool terraces are within sight of one another, also outdoor furniture became dirty quickly in the rain.
Facilities & Dining
Breakfast at the main restaurant offered a wide variety, though, I missed having smoked salmon. Due to the number of guests, the hotel also opened the Beach House for breakfast, where the atmosphere was pleasant but the selection less abundant. Across both venues, service was consistently friendly and attentive.
Views and Pools
The views from the property are truly breathtaking, with sweeping panoramas of the ocean and lush greenery. The resort itself is expansive, thoughtfully designed to accommodate different types of guests (lots of Jews families with young children). Families with children will appreciate the dedicated kids pool while adults can enjoy both the main pool and quiet pool area for more relaxation. It is clear that t a lot of thought has gone into creating spaces that work for everyone
As others have posted pictures of the place, I won't repeat what's been well documented, the scenery really does live up to the hype.
Service Level
This is the resort's strongest asset. From Hannah's thoughtful and responsive hosting, to the maintenance team's efficiency, to Louise's genuine care, the staff consistently went out of their way to please. In fact, I found the level of sincerity and warmth on par with some high-end city hotels (Anantara Siam, St Regis Bangkok and MO).
A particular shout out goes to 'Pond from the Beach House, who showed true attentiveness during dinner. On our first night, I had been visibly uncomfortable with the noise from families (with young children) dining nearby. When I returned another evening, Pond remember this and, even before the restaurant became busy with children, immediately, offered to seat us in a quieter, unopened section. She arranged the space just for us, giving us an entire room to ourselves. This thoughtful gesture turned the evening into one of the most enjoyable dinners of our stay and perfectly reflects the kind of exceptional, personalised service that makes the resort memorable.
Some writers commented on service inconsistencies - it is worth noting that the resort is still in its infancy - 2 to 3 years old and the island itself remains relatively unspoiled. Guests should expect occasional imperfections, but the commitment of the team more than compensates.
Thank you Anantara Koh Yao Yah Team.
