Is Six Senses Koh Yao Noi Worth It? My Honest Thoughts

Close your eyes and imagine a place where turquoise waters kiss the shores of pristine beaches, where gumdrop islands dot the horizon, and where every breath is a symphony of serenity. Welcome to Six Senses Koh Yao Noi, a sanctuary nestled in the heart of Thailand’s Phang Nga Bay.

I’d heard of the Six Senses over my many visits to Thailand over the past decade and wondered if it was truly worth the money. It’s a pretty penny, especially by Thailand standards (and I paid full price for it, by the way!), but I’m here to tell you, it really was worth it.

We stayed for two nights this past January. Here’s everything to consider before you book:

The Location – Island Paradise

Let’s begin with the essence of any great journey – the destination. Six Senses Koh Yao Noi is situated on the unspoiled island of Koh Yao Noi, a hidden gem tucked away from the hustle and bustle of mainland Thailand.

Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai to the south used to be called the ‘no pharang’ (no foreigner) islands and while they’ve grown in popularity in recent years, they’re still a far cry from the popularity of Phuket, Krabi, and most of the surrounding islands. You won’t find traffic, crowds, or buckets here. They’re easily some of the most beautiful islands in Thailand and the chillest spots in Southeast Asia.

One of the hallmarks of Six Senses Koh Yao Noi is its commitment to personalized service. From the moment you arrive, you’ll be greeted by your own personal butler, ready to cater to your every need. Whether it’s arranging a private sunset cruise or preparing a gourmet picnic on the beach, no request is too big or too small.

But perhaps the true pièce de résistance of the resort is the private pool that accompanies each villa. Whether you’re lounging in the sun or taking a refreshing dip, you’ll have your own slice of paradise right at your doorstep. And with your butler on hand to ensure everything is just as you like it, you can relax and unwind without a care in the world.

Every moment at Six Senses Koh Yao Noi really did feel like a blissful escape.

Room Types and Amenities

Six Senses Koh Yao Noi offers a range of accommodations, but what they all have in common is privacy, a private pool, a big bed, sitting area, and large separate bathroom with its own bathtub and outdoor shower. It’s tastefully designed with dark woods and orange accents to mostly fit into the nature without being too ostentatious. It almost seems like it’s meant to look rustic, though it feels luxurious.

I loved the spacious indoor and outdoor living areas, and private infinity pool and sun deck for al fresco relaxation. Each villa also comes with a butler that you can Whatsapp at any time. Ours offered to get us diapers in town if we needed (we were traveling in Thailand with my toddler). Here are the room options:

The Hideaway Pool Villa seems to the the villa they have the most of, and offers a secluded retreat nestled among the lush greenery (with no ocean view). Prices for the Hideaway Pool Villa range from $700 to $1200 per night, depending on the season and villa size.

The Ocean Pool Villa is the one that we booked, with a private infinity pool overlooking the ocean. My only disappointment was that we had a partial view rather than a full view of the ocean, with a tree blocking much of the view. The resort was fully booked so I think this was just luck of the draw. If you want to be sure you’ll have a full view, book the “ocean panorama” pool villa. Prices for the Ocean Pool Villa range from $1000 to $2000 per night.

The Ocean Deluxe Pool Villa offers panoramic ocean views and two stories for added space. Prices for the Ocean Deluxe Pool Villa range from $1200 to $1800 per night.

Most of these options also come in a two bedroom version for families or friends traveling together.

For guests seeking the ultimate beachfront experience, The Beachfront Pool Villa Suite is really the cream of the crop. Located steps away from the private beach, this villa is almost 2500 square feet (aka much bigger than most houses I’ve lived in), features a master bedroom with an en-suite bathroom and outdoor shower, as well as a separate living and dining area with ocean views. Prices for the Beachfront Pool Villa Suite range from $1500 to $3000 per night and can accommodate up to 5 guests.

Though this is an expensive resort, especially by Thailand standards, it’s insanely popular, and in the high season (Dec-March) it’s somewhat challenging and costly to get the panorama rooms. However in May, which is one of the hotter and wetter months of the year, prices start at $675 and you can score the beachfront pool villa for around $1500 per night. Though I wouldn’t call it a bargain, if you split it with 5 friends, that’s only $300 per night for one of the swankiest rooms in Thailand.

I also appreciated how family friendly it felt without being over the top. I saw plenty of families with young kids like we had there. But for those seeking a more intimate experience, fear not – Six Senses Koh Yao Noi is also a haven for couples and solo travelers alike. Whether you’re celebrating a honeymoon, anniversary, or simply indulging in some much-needed me time, the privacy of the villas can fit for any situation.

The Cherry on Top – The Hilltop Pool

Thailand’s famous gumdrop islands truly look like a postcard, and nowhere is this more apparent than at Six Senses Koh Yao Noi’s iconic hilltop pool. It must have the best view in all of Koh Yao Noi. Perched high above the resort, this infinity pool offers panoramic views of the surrounding islands and azure waters below, and even during high season, it wasn’t crowded (probably because everyone has their own private pool as well).

And with a dedicated poolside bar serving up refreshing cocktails and light bites, you can indulge in the ultimate luxury – doing absolutely nothing at all.

Dining at Six Senses

With two restaurants serving up a tantalizing blend of Thai fusion cuisine, as well as western favorites like burgers and chicken sandwiches, there’s something to satisfy every palate.

At The Dining Room, you’ll embark on a gastronomic adventure inspired by the vibrant flavors of Thailand. From traditional street food favorites to innovative fusion dishes, every bite is a symphony of taste and texture. And with panoramic views of the Andaman Sea as your backdrop, dining here is an experience to remember. I loved the way that the things we ordered were a play on Thailand’s classics, and it was my favorite meal of our stay.

For a more casual dining experience, head to The Living Room, where you’ll find an array of light bites and refreshing cocktails. Whether you’re craving a classic pad Thai or a refreshing coconut smoothie, you’ll find it here – served up with a side of laid-back island vibes. This is also where the extensive breakfast takes place. They had everything from an entire room of pastries to fresh cooked eggs and local food as well.

We’re also traveling with a peanut allergy, and I’m happy to report allergens are listed on every menu item.

It’s also easy to order food to your villa by just texting your butler. This was helpful for us during nap time!

What I Wish Were Different

As I mentioned earlier, I was disappointed that our ocean view was only partial. There was a tree blocking a lot of it. I’d never want them to cut it down, but I also felt a bit sad we didn’t have a full view. When I looked at booking again, I realized I would have had to book a ‘panoramic’ view to be sure the room would have uninterrupted views, which was already fully booked at the time I reserved our room.

Still, even if we’d been in a hideaway villa, I think it would have still been lovely, with the option to call a buggy to head up to the hilltop pool at any time.

The only other qualm I have was with the transport to and from the hotel being an extra charge. I understand it’s a long way and involves taxis and a boat, but when we stayed at Capella Ubud, another ultra high end resort in Southeast Asia (in Bali), the transport was included, even though it meant two hours in the car from the airport. It wasn’t all that expensive and not the biggest deal, but when rooms cost what they do, why not just include it?

This is a small nitpick, but to me, one of the hallmarks of a 5-star stay is that you don’t feel charged for every little thing.

That said, we did ask for some other extras like oat milk for our son, that they provided without charge. They also made every effort to be sure we didn’t lift a finger during our time there and were totally taken care of, which was nice.

I wouldn’t hesitate to stay there again, but next time, I’d book the panorama pool, and maybe wouldn’t go in the height of busy season.

So whether you find yourself lounging by the pool, exploring the island’s hidden coves, or simply soaking in the breathtaking views, know that you’re exactly where you’re meant to be – in paradise, at Six Senses Koh Yao Noi.

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