Travel Guide
Move Over Phuket! Visit This Stunning Thai Island With Beach Villas
Mar
Who is watching The White Lotus? Unlike Lost or Castaway, this popular island-based TV show is actually inspiring vacations…like a crazy amount!
Filmed in Koh Samui, Thailand’s trendiest island right now, according to both National Geographic and Agoda, more and more travelers are scoping out Thai islands for unforgettable vacations.
While Koh Samui isn’t a bad choice (despite making the cut on this ‘do not visit’ list) it’s actually Phuket that’s been crowned the ‘most crowded’ destination in the world with over 100 tourists per resident.
Visually, Phuket is one of the most desirable beach getaways in all of Thailand, but the secret is clearly out and has been for a long time.
The good news is that a lesser-known island brimming with luxe beach villas is just a half-hour ferry ride away.
It’s still okay to vacation in Phuket, but when you’ve had your fill you can skidaddle on out of there to the nearby island of Koh Yao Noi, recently named by Vogue as one of Thailand’s best experiences.
Thailand’s Top Springtime Paradise With No Crowds
Despite being a real-life postcard, one reason Phuket’ is so popular is become’s popularity has soared through the roof is it’s so easy to reach.
While there are currently no direct flights from the U.S. to anywhere in Thailand, many Americans can reach Phuket with just a single layover.
Your best bet to reach Koh Yao Noi is to give Phuket a whirl despite the crowds, even if it’s only serving as a gateway. Here, there are some truly bucket-list-worthy resorts hugging this island’s pristine beaches.
The truth is Koh Yao Noi is lagging behind in terms of development, but that’s all part of the magic compared to Phuket and, one could argue, even Koh Samui nowadays.
Sure, Koh Yao Noi could easily be a day trip destination, but this island offers a perfect balance of tranquility, culture, and just enough upscale lodging to make it a worthwhile long-term stay rather than an in-and-out adventure.
Picture hiring a longtail boat for a grand tour of the island, except unlike Phuket, you could quite literally have the tour all to yourself on Koh Yao Noi without the eyesore of beaches packed with tourists and the background soundtrack of bass-thumping and “Woo!” yelling bar crawlers.
Koh Yao Noi’s Bucket-List Villas & Other Lavish Stays
If you’re seeking a lavish stay White Lotus-style, you don’t have to follow the crowds to Koh Samui, where many scenes were filmed at the Four Seasons.
You can hop aboard a quick ferry to Koh Yao Noi from Phuket and discover one of Thailand’s up-and-coming luxurious getaways.
There’s also an option to take a speedboat or combine ferry fare with a taxi waiting for you on arrival.
Once you arrive, some of Thailand’s most underrated stays will be waiting to welcome you—many of which are worthy of topping your hotel bucket list.
Since Vogue featured this island as one of Thailand’s top experiences, let’s start with their recommendation of Six Senses Yao Noi, a 5-star ‘treehouse’ of lavish villas and suites in the midst of lush jungles and mere steps from a hidden cove.
In other regions of the island, there’s also 4-star villas with rave reviews. Laguna Villas Yao Noi holds an impressive 4.7 Google rating with recent guests claim, ‘the rooms are huge and clean’ and ‘the outdoor shower is awesome’.
Better yet, Coastal Escape actually holds a perfect 5.0 Google rating. May and June are the most affordable months to book here, although TripAdvisor claims Koyao Island is the top villa-laden resort.
Stunning Beaches & Captivating Culture
Usually, you would think Vietnam is the Asian wonder to explore by scooter, but Vogue claims traversing the winding rainforest roads and traditional coastal villages is the adventure of a lifetime.
While you won’t find Bangkok’s nightlife or never-ending mazes of night market vendors, you’ll still have the same delights at hand, just downsized a bit.
But most visitors who take the journey here come to relax beachside along the vibrant Phang Nga Bay.
According to TripAdvisor, these are travelers favorite 3 beaches to visit on the island:
- Khlong Jark
- Pa Sai Beach
- Kian Bay
↓ Elevate Your Travel↓
Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!
✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
