Review: Six Senses Yao Noi

Why did this hotel catch your attention? What's the vibe?
Think 'Jungle Book', but make it fancy. Some 30 minutes into the 40-minute speedboat trip from Phuket’s Ao Po Marina, the resort’s main hill juts out from the sea. On top, the villas' thatched roofs are barely visible through the jungle foliage. From wherever you look, moss-covered limestone formations dot the horizon. This is Southern Thailand in all its green- and azure-hued glory, far away from the overdeveloped beaches you encounter on the surrounding islands.

What's the backstory?
Most resorts wouldn’t bring their guests behind the scenes. But for Six Senses, sustainability isn’t just a marketing gimmick, it’s in their DNA. They have their lemongrass drinking straws and reusable glass water bottles, of course, but do much more than that, and will proudly show you. On a complimentary tour, guests will visit the resort's small farm and the recycling plant, where old furniture is made into nesting boxes for the local hornbill population; the Finance department’s staples end up in prosthetics for the nearby hospital, and drinking water is sourced from the 12 deep wells that dot the resort. Plastic is a dirty word here, and the resort has virtually banned it throughout.

Tell us all about the accommodations. Any tips on what to book?
Each of the resort's 56 thatched-roof villas is designed as a secluded tropical hideout—whether they boast ocean views, direct beach access, or are hidden deep in the jungle. Layout-wise, they’re all fairly similar (bar a few of the multi-bedroom villas and the honeymoon suite), sporting private infinity pools, outdoor showers, and sunken bathtubs positioned to soak up the views. Against a backdrop of teak wood and bamboo, driftwood bedposts make the mosquito nets look like chic bed drapes, while canary-yellow day beds and blinds add a ray of sunshine to even the dreariest days.

Is there a charge for Wi-Fi?
Wifi is free and surprisingly fast, given the resort’s offbeat location.

Drinking and dining—what are we looking at?
Both of the resort’s main restaurants cook as much as possible with produce from the on-site organic gardens, farm, and mushroom hut. The Dining Room occupies a two-floor pavilion deep inside the jungle, with babbling streams visible through its glass floor. Dinner here is an indulgent European affair (think lobster, wagyu beef, and duck confit) with an impressive wine list to boot. Down by the beach, The Living Room dishes out comfort food throughout the day, including perfectly cooked Thai classics, salad bowls, and Indian specialties. Breakfast is also served here, and consists of an à la carte menu (try the mixed fruit smoothie bowl topped with chia and goji) and a buffet of Asian breakfast dishes (congee, wok-fried noodles, the works), perfectly flaky pastries, and cheeses from the air-conditioned deli counter. But best of all: free house-made ice cream—all day, every day.

And the service? Let’s put it this way: if even the resort’s chicken coop is decked out with a sound system playing jazz tunes, you can be sure that its human guests are in very good hands. A battalion of linen-clad GEMs (Guest Experience Makers) live up to their job title and shine in delivering top-notch intuitive service, from getting your private terrace lounge-ready while you’re having breakfast, to providing entertainment for the little ones and making sure you pack a bottle of the house-made mosquito repellent wherever you go. Smiley gardeners wave when you breeze past in a buggy, and the friendly restaurant staff is always down for a chat. And when it’s time to leave, a crew of staff will wave you goodbye until your boat is just a tiny dot in the sea.

What type of travelers will you find here?
It’s a mixed bag: happy honeymooners, Thai weekenders, and families looking for some quality time together—hailing from the United States to Japan, and seemingly everywhere in between.

What about the neighborhood? Does the hotel fit in, make itself part of the scene?
The resort is located on Koh Yao Noi, “Little Long Island”—some 40 minutes from the bustle of Phuket. It offers little in the way of sightseeing or entertainment, but that’s what makes it special. You come here to get away from the tourist-thronged beaches, sketchy bars, and clingy souvenir hawkers you find in Southern Thailand’s more popular spots. Your GEM can arrange a tuk-tuk tour around the island, which will whisk you through rubber plantations, mangroves, and rice paddies, stopping for a Thai tea or two along the way. For explorations further afield, such as the many beach-fringed islets that dot Phang Nga Bay, island-hopping tours (including secluded beach picnics) can be arranged.

Is there anything you'd change?
Some of the villas show wear and tear, but restorations are already on the way.

Any other hotel features worth noting?
Six Senses Spas are known to be top-notch, and this one is no exception. Designed as a small stilted village at the heart of the resort, treatments here range from energizing Thai massages to multi-day immersive programs including private chakra meditation and detox diets. There's a juice bar, and an alchemy room where guests can blend their own herbal steam balls and massage oils.

Bottom line: Worth it? Why?
Absolutely. It offers the best of Southern Thailand, but without its overdeveloped and touristy downsides.