Dan's Koyao Retreat

Amazing. Surely the best stay on the island

This is NOT a 5 star resort if you know and have stayed in one before! The only true 5 star things about this place is the location (which is absolutely gorgeous being high up and among the trees) and the staff (who are beyond nice and hospitable). The common areas are ok but bedrooms and bathrooms are very basic (The bedroom furniture is old and bathroom finishes are pretty ugly). The room that we stayed in had a strong smell of sulphurs or sewers at night, not pleasant at all. Also some bathrooms are open and the place is in the middle of the forest so finding big spiders and geckos among other things is very common (a big black hairy spider under the toilet seat of our bathroom greater us upon our arrival!) The pool is beautiful but only good for one or two people (if you like to swim ) so if another guests wants to use it, you can’t. This place has great potential for being a 5 star accommodation had it been designed professionally and with attention to details. As of now I give it 2.5 to 3 star. As I said the staff and location is fantastic. I hope this review helps you set your expectations accordingly. We enjoyed our stay regardless as we were staying with our friends and had the villa to ourselves and mostly enjoying the common areas but sleeping at night was with one eye open!

We were looking for the perfect tropical island, a paradise with few tourists and village-life. We finally found what we were looking for in Koh Yao Noi. The locals of Koh Yao Noi were some of the friendliest we had come across in Thailand. For a country that’s full of welcoming, warm people, that’s really saying something. Then it was Dan’s Koyao Retreat and the great host. Sin and the ladies took such a great care of us. It felt like we were staying in a home. Luckily we were alone during our stay. They offer three villas tucked away in the greenery, a private pool with a fantastic view and is visited by all kinds of birds, including hornbills. There are a handful of great restaurants and a beach at walking distance, and scooters and bikes are provided to explore the rest of the island. Service includes breakfast and afternoon tea, and they can organize fantastic massages, other meals and activities on request. We travel a lot and this is the best place we´ve ever stayed at. We will never forget the sunrise, the sounds and the views, the atmosphere and the warm hospitality. We will be back.