A toddler who cries when it's time to check out says more than any star rating could. That was the parting scene at Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas, a two-year-old property in Phang Nga Bay that its latest family guests are calling one of the best luxury family resorts in Thailand.
The island setting is a big part of the appeal. Koh Yao Yai sits a world away from Phuket's crowds but is easy to reach — a 30-minute private speedboat transfer, usually bundled into the room rate, with staff handling the logistics so parents juggling small children don't have to. The resort has 148 suites, villas and penthouses, so it absorbs guests without ever feeling packed.
What stood out most to this family wasn't the design, though. It was the attitude. Staff remembered the kids' names, waved at them, chatted with them at housekeeping rounds, and never flinched at messes or noisy babies. For anyone who has endured a luxury hotel that quietly resents children, that warmth is the real selling point.
The facilities back it up. The children's pool is enormous, with water slides feeding into shallow zones split by age — babies, toddlers and older kids each get their own space. The Kids Club genuinely caters to under-fives, with sensory play, climbing structures and age-appropriate toys, rather than the usual older-child focus. Family suites come with bunk beds kids immediately claim, and some rooms have direct pool access. At the time of the visit, kids under 12 stayed and ate free from the kids menu — serious value for families.
An honest note on food: in-resort dining was described as fine but forgettable. The fix is the concierge, who arranged taxis and pointed the family to Baan Rim Nam, a waterfront spot nearby doing simple, excellent Thai seafood — reportedly one of the best meals of the whole trip. Worth leaving the resort for.
For couples or special occasions, the Penthouse is the headline act: a glass-bottom private pool suspended above the living area, the kind of feature built for honeymoons, anniversaries or a one-off splurge.
One booking tip: going through an Anantara Journeys advisor unlocks perks like a VIP welcome amenity, early check-in and late checkout when available, complimentary upgrades subject to availability, and resort credits or massages on longer stays.
The recommended stay length is three to four nights — enough to settle into island rhythm and, crucially, enough for parents to actually relax while the kids wear themselves out on the slides. If you're travelling Thailand with little ones and want luxury that genuinely welcomes them, this Phang Nga Bay resort belongs on the shortlist.