We spent two unforgettable weeks in Thailand for our honeymoon, splitting our time between Phuket and the quieter island of Koh Yao Noi. Although the two destinations sit close together on the map, the experiences couldn’t have been more different. One sociable and beachfront, the other tucked deep within the jungle. This post captures what stood out to us, how the hotels compared, and the moments that made our trip so memorable.
Where we stayed
Hotel 1: The Surin Phuket (7 night stay)
We spent our first week at The Surin Phuket, and if we had to choose a favourite hotel from the entire trip, this would be it. The standout feature is The Surin’s incredible private beach. Soft golden sand, clear aqua water, and a peaceful atmosphere that never once felt crowded. We spent hours simply sitting, swimming, and soaking it all in.
The resort has a relaxed but sociable feel, with excellent food (especially at the Thai restaurant) and a layout that blends beautifully into the hillside. Everything felt effortless, the kind of place where you instantly unwind without even trying.
Room/Beach hut
Our beach hut was clean, comfortable, and perfectly in keeping with a tropical Thai resort. Some online reviews criticise the décor, but we loved the natural, authentic style. If you want glossy, ultra-modern interiors, Dubai might be a better fit, but for a beach escape that feels connected to its surroundings, The Surin gets it right.
Housekeeping were fantastic, keeping everything spotless and adding thoughtful touches like aromatic candles and cookies at turndown.
In-room touches
The Surin excels at the little things. Alongside the usual fruit and coffee, we were provided with quality flip flops, hats, fans, and umbrellas, all of which we used daily. These touches made the stay feel generous and well considered.
Dining at The Surin
Sunset Restaurant – Thai Cuisine
This was our favourite dining spot. Set between a lake and the beachfront, the glass‑fronted building looks magical at night. The food was exceptional, traditional Thai dishes cooked with real finesse. Our meals averaged around £100 for two including drinks, which felt very reasonable for the quality and setting.
Sunset Restaurant – Italian Cuisine
The Italian restaurant sits in an elevated position overlooking the pool and sea. The food was excellent, but eating Mediterranean cuisine in Thailand didn’t feel quite right for us, so we only dined here once. Still, around £120 for a first‑class meal for two is impressive.
Poolside Dining
Don’t be fooled by the casual name! The poolside dining in the evening is atmospheric and surprisingly refined. We enjoyed a relaxed meal here followed by reading on the sunbeds in the dark, listening to the waves. Bliss.
Lomtalay Restaurant – Breakfast
Breakfast was plentiful and high quality, with chef stations for eggs, omelettes, crepes and pancakes. A picturesque spot to start the day.
The Surin resort complex
The resort is built into the hillside, so expect lots of steps. It’s very Squid Game‑esque in places! We didn’t mind, but it’s worth noting for anyone less mobile.
The pool, tiled in black, feels warm and inviting, and sits right on the beach with views across the ocean. The gym overlooks the sea and is regularly stocked with drinks and fruit. Everything feels well maintained and thoughtfully designed.
The Surin hotel’s private beach
The beach is the jewel of the resort. With soft sand, clear water, and a gentle breeze that make even the hottest days comfortable. It’s one of the most beautiful beaches we’ve ever visited.
Our Surin top tips:
- Bring strong insect repellent, evenings can be buggy.
- Prepare for steps, and lots of them.
- Explore the shops and restaurants just outside the resort for cheaper drinks.
- For a special treat, book dinner at Amanpuri next door, see write-up below (free buggy transfer via The Surin).
Highlights: the beach, the food, the views, the atmosphere Lowlights: mosquitoes, steps (for some)
(Overall hotel rating [The Surin] 94/100)
Hotel 2: Six Senses Yao Noi (7 night stay)
Our second week was spent at Six Senses Yao Noi, an eco‑luxury resort on Koh Yao Noi. It was more expensive than The Surin and had a completely different feel. It was more secluded, more nature‑focused, and more immersive.
Six Senses has a strong commitment to sustainability, which is evident everywhere: herb gardens, mushroom farms, chickens for fresh eggs, and villas built from natural materials that blend into the jungle. It feels deeply connected to its environment.
The service was exceptional. Our GEM (Guest Experience Manager), Margie, was always on hand to help with bookings, restaurant reservations, and anything else we needed. This personal touch really elevates the experience.
The resort also has a big focus on wellbeing, with a spa, gym, open‑air fitness studio, Muay Thai boxing, and healthy food options. It’s the kind of place you leave feeling restored.
However, there were a couple of downsides. The resort is starting to look slightly tired in places, and the mosquitoes were relentless. Even covered head‑to‑toe in DEET, we were still bitten badly, which did affect our ability to relax outdoors.
Room/Villa:
Our detached villa was stunning. The cosy, dark‑wood hideaway with floor‑to‑ceiling windows made us feel part of the rainforest. We had a private pool, a sunken bath overlooking the jungle, an open‑air shower, and a beautiful his‑and‑hers bathroom. Everything felt natural, thoughtful, and in harmony with the surroundings.
Dining at Six Senses
The Lounge – for breakfast
Breakfast at The Lounge was impressive, with a huge variety of dishes including international hot options and a dedicated section for dietary requirements. There was even an ice cream parlour (sadly closed for most of our stay due to low season).
The Lounge and Hilltop restaurants – for evening dining
We ate at both Hilltop and The Lounge restaurants a couple of evenings. The food was excellent, offering pizzas and lasagnas to samosas and jerk chicken.
Nihan – Thai restaurant for evening dining
Nihan was our favourite dining experience at Six Senses. Elevated above a stream and surrounded by rainforest, it felt magical. The food was delicious, especially if you love spice.
Six Senses complex
Walking through the resort feels like stepping into Avatar, with glowing lamps, dense forest, and the constant hum of nature.
Six Senses, inside the communal area
The gym overlooks the trees, the spa blends into the landscape, and the communal areas feel like giant treehouses. I even tried Batik painting in the sustainability lab, which was a lovely, calming afternoon.
Hilltop Pool
The Hilltop infinity pool overlooking Phang Nga Bay is one of the most breathtaking views we’ve ever seen. We spent hours here, sheltered under the thatched roof structure on rainy days and basking in the sun when it cleared. It’s impossibly photogenic.
Hotel private beach
The private beach feels like a hidden paradise. Boasting golden sand, a swinging love chair, and even an open‑air cinema. It’s quiet, romantic, and beautifully maintained.
Sustainability
Six Senses deserves huge credit for its sustainability efforts. Everything from the herb and veggie gardens, and farms to the livestock to the recycling systems is thoughtfully managed. It’s the first time I’ve ever given a hotel 10/10 for sustainability.
We loved Six Senses for what it stands for, but the little niggles mentioned above took that shine off.
Six Senses top tips
- Bring strong repellent, long trousers, and scarves – mosquitoes are everywhere.
- Use the free buggies to avoid steep uphill walks in the heat.
- Book excursions. We recommend the James Bond and Tuk Tuk tours.
- Make use of your GEM and tip generously as the staff work incredibly hard.
Highlights: the Hilltop pool, Nihan restaurant, the GEM service Lowlights: mosquitoes, slightly tired décor, breakfast closure
(Overall hotel rating [Six Senses Yao Noi] 92/100)
Exploring beyond the hotels
James Bond Island and Koh Pan Yee excursion
We booked a long‑tail boat trip to James Bond Island and the floating village of Koh Pan Yee. Our teenage guide was brilliant, he was knowledgeable, friendly, and full of local insight.
Caves and ancient art
We explored caves filled with bats and ancient paintings, admired dramatic limestone formations
James Bond Island
We visited the famous James Bond Island (beautiful but extremely busy). The beachfront stalls were a bit overwhelming, and we ended up buying a plastic Bond gun just to escape the sales pressure. That said, it made for an iconic bond photo.
Koh Pan Yee – floating village
A highlight of the boat trip was Koh Pan Yee, the floating village where an entire community lives on the sea with schools, football pitches, and homes built entirely on stilts. It was humbling and fascinating.
This trip gave us a real sense of classic Thailand, and we both absolutely loved it.
(Overall excursion rating 92/100)
Yao Noi TukTuk tour
This tour gave us a glimpse into everyday island life. Koh Yao Noi is predominantly Muslim and was peaceful and harmonious. We visited rice fields, rubber trees, fruit farms, and local neighbourhoods. Some areas felt a bit third world, but this added authenticity. Cost of the tour £70 for circa 2 hours.
Yao Noi island’s production and sustainability
The industrial and commercial side of the island include rice paddy fields, rubber trees being harvested, and a surprising variety of fruit including pineapples, dragon fruit and durian.
Island’s deprived neighbourhoods
As we drove through the island in the three wheeler, we couldn’t help noticing that some parts were in disrepair, with shack-style homes often built on stilts (something we were curious about).
We loved this tour and would highly recommend.
(Overall TukTuk tour rating 91/100)
Dining trip to Hotel Amanpura
Although we didn’t stay at Amanpuri, we dined at Nama, its exquisite Japanese restaurant.
Amanpura hotel complex communal area:
The setting was serene, the sound of a Khim playing in the hotels main square is the most relaxing, yet lifting experience.
Nama – Japanese Restaurant
Utterly exquisite. High end, immaculate quality authentic japanese cuisine in the most tranquil of surroundings. We even popped into the chefs table area to see where all the eastern mastercheffing magic happens which follows Japan’s UNESCO-recognised Washoku tradition of cuisine. The sushi and sashimi were some of the best we’ve ever had.
Amanpura and Nama was a fleeting but exquisite trip. Luxury at another level and if I were to return to Phuket again, I’d dig deep and splash out to come here.
(Overall dining trip rating 98/100)
Boat Avenue Night Street Market
We visited the Boat Avenue Night Market on a recommendation. The atmosphere was lively, with stalls selling everything from clothes to street food. The smells and sounds of the market, in the warm, humid temps was lovely.
What stood out to us
The geology, cannabis outlets, mosquitos and nature of Thailand caught my attention:
1 – Geology
The limestone islands around Phuket look almost unreal. These towering karsts rise straight out of the water in dramatic shapes that feel more like a film set than real life. We learned how thousands of years of erosion carved them into the formations you see today, and seeing them up close on our boat trip was genuinely mesmerising.
2 – Cannabis outlets
One thing that surprised us was the sheer number of cannabis shops. They were everywhere. Brightly lit, colourful, and openly advertised on almost every street. Coming from the UK, where this isn’t the norm, it definitely caught our attention. It added to the sense that Thailand has its own relaxed rhythm and way of doing things.
3 – Mosquitos
The only real downside of the trip was the mosquitoes. They were persistent throughout, but especially at Six Senses where the jungle setting makes them impossible to avoid. Even with DEET, long sleeves and trousers, we still ended up with plenty of bites. It didn’t ruin the holiday, but it was a constant challenge and worth preparing for.
4 – Nature
Thailand’s nature is everywhere. Vibrant plants, huge leaves, bursts of colour, and plenty of reptiles darting around. It felt like being immersed in a living rainforest, and we loved capturing the wildlife in photos.
Small moments
Honeymoon touches
Both hotels made us feel incredibly special with flowers, fizz, romantic meals, and thoughtful surprises.
Airport hotel stay: Sugar Marina Hotel
For our late arrival and early departure, we stayed at Sugar Marina which is within walking distance of Phuket Airport. The hotel was clean, quiet, air‑conditioned and a bargain at only £45 p/n.
(Overall hotel rating [Sugar Marina] 91/100)
Looking back
hailand felt ancient, raw, and magical. The balance of relaxation and exploration was perfect, and splitting our time between Phuket and Koh Yao Noi made the trip far more memorable than staying in one place. It was the perfect honeymoon destination – beautiful, exotic, and full of unforgettable moments.
This balance worked perfectly. It was indulgent but not overwhelming, adventurous without being exhausting. It felt less like ticking off a destination and more like understanding a place.
(Overall Holiday Rating 95/100)
Dates of stay: 2 May to 18 May 2025
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