Phang Nga Bay, Thailand | $$$$Clientele: 30+ Couples. Families with children of all agesROMANTIC GETAWAY / BEAUTIFUL POOL / GREAT BREAKFAST / FIVE STAR TREATMENT
It is easy to see why the Six Senses brand is taking the sustainable luxury hotel world by storm - our experience at their island paradise outpost, Yao Noi, was nothing short of spectacular. Every single detail is meticulously planned and executed, from the very moment you arrive to a welcome party of none other than the hotel manager and your dedicated Guest Experience Manager, at your disposal for the duration of your stay. The breakfast is a wonder to behold, the experience being more akin to a trip to the revered Erewhon hot and cold bar than a standard hotel breakfast. A dizzying array of options span across multiple rooms - would Madame like to sample something from the á la carte specials? Or perhaps a dish from the endless Western and Asian cooked options? Fancy something not on the menu? No problem, just tell chef and they will whip something up pronto. Breakfast is a serious operation at this establishment, and we are very much here for it. After eating yourself into oblivion, the day is your proverbial oyster and whatever your quip, this resort has got it covered. Perhaps you simply want to spend your time lazing at the Hilltop infinity pool overlooking the otherworldly Karst formations, snacking on a late lunch of Banh Mi and sashimi and drinking a green juice. For the more active amongst us, the hotel offers an endless list of activities and excursions, including Thai boxing, yoga, cooking classes, spa treatments, personalized boat trips around the bay and more. At night, there are two bars with breathtaking views for a pre-dinner tipple and two excellent restaurants to dine in. Yes, this is a very (almost absurdly) expensive hotel, but would we spend that money again in a heartbeat? Abso-freaking-lutely.
Top Tip:For a child-free experience, head to the Hilltop pool immediately after breakfast and snag a sun lounger for the morning (children seemed to congregate in the latter half of the afternoon - presumably when all other activities are finished) Local Gems: Truthfully you don’t even need to think about stepping outside of the resort grounds - just kick back and take it all in.