Anì Thailand: Bespoke luxury in untouched Koh Yao Yai

TW was recently invited to experience Anì private resorts and villas on Koh Yao Noi, a remote island and fishing village located in the south of Thailand.

The week spent at this all-inclusive property was pure bliss.

Here we’ll share some of their “unscripted experiences” we were lucky enough to indulge in thanks to our inimitable host, Henny Frazer, CMO of Anì Resorts.

OK, let’s do this.

As we woke on our first morning in paradise to the sounds of the local hornbills calling from afar, we were invited to a light yoga session by the ocean, led by local Shima Healing practitioner, Akiko.

Listening to the lapping waves of the Andaman Sea and stretching our jetlagged bodies was the perfect start to what was the beginning of a perfect week.

Following yoga, we made our way to “La Sala” where Akiko guided us in a sound healing ceremony using ancient Tibetan singing bowls. As we listened to the vibrations of the bowls, and the lapping waves, and the hornbills, it became apparent this famil was going to be one of a different kind.

Very very good, different.

Feeling spiritually superior and with chakras wholly realigned, we slowly headed over for a hearty breakfast.

More about the incredible food at this resort, next week.

Later in the afternoon, we visit “Ma” who is a rubber plantation owner, and she demonstrated how to extract rubber sap from her trees. Ma also explains – via an Anì resort translator – that the price of rubber is low at present, so her family are also fishing to make ends meet.

Ma is a dear friend of the Anì team and part of the network of Koh Yao Noi locals engaged by the luxury brand to offer experiences to guests where one can learn about the islands’ “everyday” life.

We’re then treated to a traditional Thai massage at the resort’s spa. It is heavenly and the therapist a master at her craft. This is truly a 5-star massage experience with a myriad of treatments on offer. The resort can cater for up to 10 massages a day.

We return to our suites after a day of both divine indulgence and cultural immersion to a gift at the end of the bed.

Yep, it’s a miniature, locally made mortar and pestle with a handwritten note inviting us to a cooking class with the resorts head chef, Chef Yao.

At the cooking class, we learnt how to make fresh papaya salad. The cooking station had been setup next to La Sala with views over the pool and we were given Anì branded aprons for the experience.

Chef Yao spoke us through the process of mixing the finely sliced young papaya with fresh chilli, fish and soy sauce, palm sugar, tomatoes, snake beans and local limes.

As we smashed the ingredients together and the sun slipped behind the towering cliffs of Phang Nga Bay, it felt like we were the only executive chefs on Koh Yao Noi. And as we devoured our creations, we discussed our excitement about our upcoming activities.

The following day, we were treated to an experience like no other.

Transferred by traditional Thai longtail boats, we were taken to an Batang Island, a deserted – and somehow seemingly prehistoric – limestone beach that the Ani team had recently discovered.

And as we moored, we were greeted by a welcoming party of waiters, chefs and Anì attendants.

We could smell the seafood BBQ drifting in from the sand, then we heard a bottle of sparking prosecco “pop” just as we descended the boat.

The Anì experience team had setup individual beach umbrellas for each of us to rest in complete with luxury cushions, fluffy towels and ice cold bottles of water.

This was all of course – as we had come to discover – typically on brand. More surprise and delight moments than you could poke a stick at.

We swam and we chilled out as we let the curated playlist float over us. And when it was time for lunch, we were served the most delectable 3 course meal focusing on freshly caught seafood and salad.

The final mind-blowing experience we’ve chosen to feature here at TW (of which there were many more), was the day we were hosted to a delectable breakfast and garland making class in the rice patty fields of Koh Yao Noi.

As we woke early, we were greeted not only by the warm Southern Thai skies but also by our own personal moped driver with a side car, helmet and aviator goggles, waiting to take us on this awe-inspiring adventure.

And as we cruised through the villages of the beautifully untouched island, we headed into regional Thailand. When we arrived, we were greeted by a local rice farming family, their many yaks and of course the Anì experience team.

A ‘café’ had been setup in the middle of their patties, and we were treated to a live noodle cooking station, fresh orange juice, crab fried rice and much more. We were also given a quick but concise lesson on the types of rice the family grew and how it was harvested.

Following breakfast, we attended a garland making class where we created headdresses, floral necklaces and intricate bracelets thanks to our knowledgeable – and incredibly patient – tutors.

Adorned with our garlands and happily full from the generous traditional Thai breakfast, we headed back to the resort.

Another one of many incredible unscripted experiences available at Ani Thailand. Others included Batik painting, Muay Thai boxing, a fire show, a night time candle blessing, Traditional Thai performance by local students and an unmissable visit to the Ani Art Academy (see more about that here).

The week at Anì Thailand was one of my most memorable. Every experience felt bespoke, totally individual, respectful of the local people and the environment and of course, always 5-star.

The thing that sets Anì apart from other brands in the market is that it is truly purpose driven. Anì resorts are founded on the idea that an arts education could bring opportunities to those without in beautiful, developing nations worldwide. And this is shown in everything they do.

A stay at Anì is a must for any discerning traveller wishing to experience true luxury in untouched destinations.

You can book your stay at Anì Thailand here.

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

Anì Anì Thailand Henny Frazer Koh Yao Noi