There are hotels that welcome children.

And then there are hotels that seem genuinely happy they exist.

As parents traveling with a toddler and a baby, we’ve learned the difference. We’ve become big fans of Anantara over the years because they somehow manage to create luxury hotels that don’t make you feel like your children are inconveniencing everyone else’s holiday. From Golden Triangle, Phuket, Angkor, to Desaru Malaysia, the experience has been consistently positive.

At Anantara Koh Yao Yai, that feeling reached another level.

The staff remembered our children’s names. They waved whenever they saw them. Housekeeping would stop to chat with them. Nobody sighed when they inevitably made a mess at the table. Nobody looked bothered when the baby started babbling a little too loudly.

Instead, everyone seemed genuinely delighted that children were there.

And as parents, that’s a gift you don’t forget.

About Anantara Koh Yao Yai

Nestled on the peaceful island of Koh Yao Yai in Phang Nga Bay, Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas feels wonderfully removed from Phuket’s crowds, yet surprisingly easy to reach.

The resort only opened a little over two years ago, so everything still feels beautifully fresh and thoughtfully designed. With 148 suites, villas and penthouses, it’s spacious enough that even when it’s busy, it never feels crowded.

Getting there is part of the adventure.

A 30-minute private speedboat—typically included in your room rate—whisks you across emerald waters from Phuket. Normally I’d be slightly anxious about transferring with two small children, but the process was manageable. The staff handled everything, leaving us to simply enjoy the ride.

Book through Anantara Journeys (It’s Worth It)

Always book your Anantara stays through an Anantara Journeys advisor (like us!). The added benefits make a noticeable difference.

✨ VIP welcome amenity
🕐 Early check-in (when available)
🌙 Late check-out (when available)
🛏 Complimentary room upgrade (subject to availability)
💆 Longer stays may include resort credits and complimentary massages

If you’re planning a stay, we’d be happy to help you book through Anantara Journeys so you can enjoy these additional perks too.

One of the Most Kid-Friendly Hotels We’ve Ever Stayed At

I’ve stayed at quite a few family resorts and very few have impressed me quite like this one.

The children’s pool isn’t simply an afterthought tucked into a corner. Its enormous – water slides twist into huge shallow pools. There are areas for older children, toddlers and even babies. The hardest thing to do each day during our stay, is trying to pluck my toddler out of the pools.

The Kids Club deserves its own standing ovation too.

Unlike many luxury resorts where the kids club mainly caters to older children, this one genuinely accommodates little ones. There are age-appropriate toys, climbing structures, sensory play and plenty of activities for different stages.

Even if your child is still a toddler, they’ll have plenty to enjoy.

Family Suites are equally thoughtful. Many include adorable bunk beds that children immediately claim as their own, while selected rooms even offer direct pool access—basically every child’s dream.

At the time of our stay, kids under 12 stayed and ate free from the kids menu. For families, that’s honestly incredible value.

The Food (And One Restaurant You Absolutely Shouldn’t Miss)

If I’m being completely honest, the food inside the resort was… perfectly fine, but not especially memorable.

Thankfully, the concierge team completely made up for it.

They happily arranged taxis, recommended nearby restaurants and pointed us toward one of the best meals of our entire trip at Baan Rim Nam, with fresh seafood, beautiful waterfront setting, and simple Thai cooking done exceptionally well.

We still talk about that dinner.

If you’re staying here, don’t skip it.

If You’re Celebrating Something Special…

Now let’s talk about the Penthouse. Because honestly, I’ve never seen anything quite like it.

The resort’s Penthouse features one of the most unique private pools I’ve ever come across—a stunning glass-bottom swimming pool suspended above the living area.

It’s the kind of place that makes everyone stop scrolling when it appears on Instagram.

If you’re celebrating a honeymoon, anniversary, birthday—or simply want to splurge once in your life—it would be an unforgettable stay.

Final Thoughts

When it was time to leave, our toddler cried. Not because she was tired or cranky – she simply didn’t want to go. Honestly? I don’t blame her.

There’s something special about a place where everyone in the family finds their own kind of happiness. The kids spend their days racing down water slides, splashing in the pools and making friends at the kids club, while you finally get a chance to slow down. Maybe it’s a quiet coffee while they’re happily occupied. Maybe it’s an uninterrupted sunset. Those little moments feel surprisingly rare when you’re parenting young children.

If you’re travelling with little ones, I genuinely think Anantara Koh Yao Yai is one of the best luxury family resorts in Thailand. Stay for 3–4 nights if you can – it gives everyone enough time to settle into the slower rhythm of island life, and just enough time to remember that family holidays can actually feel like a holiday for parents too.

*A big thank you to Anantara Koh Yao Yai for hosting our stay. Per usual, we have no hesitation recommending Anantara to other families, and have booked dozens so far this year!

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