Hotel Review: Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan Villas
Welcome to Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan Villas
Are you searching for an ultra-romantic luxury hotel in Koh Phangan? Look no further than the unforgettable Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan Villas. This captivating Thailand boutique hotel is nestled on the pristine shores of an island famous for its natural beauty and vibrant culture.
Anantara is a world-renowned brand known for creating an experience beyond luxury. The brand creates an authentic sense of place at its hotels through architecture, art, and cultural experiences.
From its pristine location along one of the most beautiful beaches on Koh Phangan, exceptional personalized service, and immaculate villas, this hotel review will dive deep into the experience at Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan Villas. I’ll leave no stone unturned as I answer all your questions about this world-famous resort and give you insider tips to help you get the most out of your stay!
Location
Anantara Rasananda is located on Koh Phangan, an island in the Surat Thani province of southern Thailand. Koh Phangan is north of the larger and more popularly visited Koh Samui. It is a small island, just 65 square miles, and features a lush jungle interior, many waterfalls, and pristine beaches with powdery white sand.
Though the island is known for its Full Moon Parties, Koh Phangan is relatively quiet in between. With that said, plan your visit with the lunar cycle in mind, whether you’re interested in revelry… or not!
Koh Phangan can be easily reached via international and domestic flights into Koh Samui, followed by a 30-minute boat ride to the island.
The resort is situated along the island’s lush and mountainous Northeast coast on the shores of the secluded Thong Nai Pan Noi beach, frequently regarded as one of the best beaches in Thailand.
Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan Villas is conveniently located adjacent to the small town of Ban Thong Nai Pan. This walkable town has many restaurants, convenience stores, spas, shops, and other local businesses. I’ll be sure to highlight my favorites later in this review!
Arrival & Island Transfer
Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan Villas’ full-service approach makes transferring to the resort simple and stress-free.
The hotel will contact you in advance to gather your arrival details. In my case, I was staying at the Six Senses Samui before my stay at Anantara, and Anantara arranged our car transfer from Six Senses to the Samui Pier for our speedboat transfer.
If you land at Samui International Airport, Anantara will pick you up and arrange your speedboat transfer from Samui to Phangan. The resort offers standard speedboat transfer times at a lower cost, but private options are also available.
Anantara has a well-appointed beachfront lounge at the Samui Pier, where refreshments are served, and you’ll check in before boarding the boat. They even snap a photo of your party, so the staff will recognize you when you arrive!
The speedboat ride between Samui and Phangan takes 30 minutes. Sea conditions permitting, the boat will arrive right on Thong Nai Pan Noi beach in front of the resort. In our case, due to the waves, we arrived at Bantai Pier and were then picked up for a 20-minute drive across the island to the resort.
If you prefer not to use Anantara’s private transfers (which are more expensive), you can use other ferry options from Samui to Phangan. Anantara offers land transfer services from Thong Sala Pier in Phangan at an additional cost, or you can arrange a private taxi ahead of time. Grab and other Ride Share apps are not available on Koh Phangan.
First Impressions
After a gorgeous 20-minute drive through the hilly jungle interior of Koh Phangan, you arrive at the lush Anantara Rasananda property after passing through a quaint town.
Upon stepping out of the car, we were immediately greeted by our villa host, Lily, who recognized us from the photo taken at the pier. This level of service is something I experienced for the first time at Anantara!
The resort buildings and villas are a natural combination of hardwoods, stucco, and bamboo that makes them feel right at home in the jungle. The open reception area overlooks the large infinity pool and ocean beyond. The overall ambiance is intimate and spa-like, with just 64 rooms and villas at the property.
Lily gave us a walking tour of the property and showed us our Lagoon Villa. Inside, fresh coconuts and desserts were awaiting us as a (very delicious) welcome amenity.
Accommodations
Anantara Rasananda is an all-suite and villa resort. No matter which room you choose, you’ll enjoy spaciousness and luxury. Every room type features a deep plunge pool, daily breakfast, and a villa host to look after you during your stay.
The suites are located in two-story buildings, either in the garden or on the oceanfront. When you book, you can choose whether you prefer to be upstairs or downstairs.
In terms of villas, there are Lagoon Villas and Ocean Villas of varying sizes, all single-story. The Lagoon villas are built in the garden area over a koi pond, creating a unique tranquil environment. The Ocean villas are available in one-, two-, or four-bedroom configurations and are immediately beachfront.
The design aesthetic across all room types is earthy and warm, full of wood tones and soft, muted lighting, creating a cozy luxury. The vibe is definitively romantic, with dark hardwood flooring and red accent walls.
I stayed in a Lagoon Villa for five nights and loved the privacy and tranquility it offered. After walking the boardwalk over the koi pond, you enter the Lagoon Villa through a private courtyard with carved wood double doors.
The villa is over 1100 square feet (bigger than my home on Maui) and has generous outdoor space. A luxurious king bed with soft linens, customizable with a pillow menu, awaits you as well.
The room features a couch and accompanying table that can be used for relaxing or in-room dining. A minibar area with complimentary Nespresso and tea is adjacent to a closet so massive I felt like I could have moved in!
The bathroom is elegant yet minimalistic, in tan microcement. The shower features a window that allows light from the garden in while retaining privacy.
The spacious outdoor deck space has two lounge chairs adjacent to the pool. The private plunge pool is reasonably generous in size (I’d estimate 8’x 20’) and has a comfortable sloped bench submerged on one end and jets you can turn on! The pools are over 4 feet deep, making a soak on a humid Thai afternoon feel extra refreshing.
If all of this wasn’t enough, the Lagoon Pool Villa also has a massive thatched-covered daybed cabana, which features sliding wooden windows you can open to let in the jungle light or close for extra privacy. We had one rainy afternoon at Anantara Rasananda, and our outdoor cabana was the most beautiful place to read and wait out the drizzle.
Amenities
Complimentary amenities:
There are ample activities and amenities available to enjoy at Anantara Rasananda.
- Kayaking to admire Thong Nai Pan Noi beach from the water
- Standup paddleboarding (sea conditions permitting)
- Snorkeling equipment
- Daily breakfast buffet and a la carte menu included
- Fitness center
- Beachfront infinity pool, including adults-only section
- Complimentary high-speed internet access
Villa Host
A villa host is provided to all Anantara guests, which is the most priceless amenity! Your villa host is there to ensure you’re having a great time and that your stay is personalized to your preferences. Your villa host acts as your personal concierge and point of contact, available to answer questions, provide recommendations, arrange tours or spa appointments, and more. Our incredible villa host, Lily, helped my husband get flowers for me on Valentine’s Day and even helped arrange for a nurse to come to our villa when we weren’t feeling well!
Resort App
The Anantara app is a great addition you’ll download upon check-in. It lets you stay connected with everything happening at the resort, from the daily dinner menu and spa and dining reservations to special events. In addition, you can communicate with your Villa Host and request housekeeping service via the app.
Spa
Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan Villas has an award-winning spa with an extensive menu featuring traditional and innovative treatments. Spa access also includes a tropical steam cave and outdoor showers. Yoga is also offered daily on a deck immersed in the jungle with ocean views.
Excursions
Exploring Koh Phangan and the surrounding area is easy with tours operated by Anantara. At additional expense, offerings such as sunset cruises, day trips to Ang Thong National Park, and island tours can be coordinated.
Whether you’re headed to the Thong Sala Night Market or to explore a secluded beach, you can also arrange for taxi services via the hotel. However, note that the drivers will cost a fair amount more than if coordinated off-property.
Beach & Surroundings
Thong Nai Pan Noi Beach
Located on one of the best beaches in Thailand, Anantara Rasananda’s location could not be more stunning. Thong Nai Pan Noi beach is nestled in a picturesque bay surrounded by lush hillsides and towering palm trees.
The property is bordered by powdery white sand and clear turquoise water. The shoreline is relatively protected and generally good for swimming. Unlike many beaches on Koh Phangan, this beach can have fair-sized waves depending on weather conditions, perfect for playing or boogie boarding.
The beach is lined with lush jungle, and villas are dotted along the hillsides. Located in a relatively remote part of Koh Phangan, Thong Nai Pan Noi retains a sense of being wild and untouched.
Despite the visitor accommodation along this beach, its large size prevents it from ever feeling crowded. Facing east, the beach is shaded in the afternoon, making it the perfect respite from the Thai sunshine. It’s also ideal for a late afternoon walk before dinner at one of the several restaurants lining the shores. Be sure to walk to the far northern end of the beach to soak in a different perspective of the bay!
INTERESTED IN VISITING OTHER BEAUTIFUL BEACHES ON KOH PHANGAN? CHECK OUT THIS POST OF MY TOP 5 MUST-VISIT BEACHES ON THE ISLAND!
Ban Thong nai Pan town
Anantara Rasananda is adjacent to a quaint, walkable town called Ban Thong Nai Pan. There are several excellent local restaurants to try out (my favorites are Moonsoon and Coco Loco). Convenience shops, local stores, laundry services, a pharmacy, and motorbike rentals are available. There are numerous spas along the road, but both my husband and I had the best massages of our lives at Baan Horm Health Massage. I highly recommend it.
Dining
I’ll be honest. Resort dining usually doesn’t excite me, and I prefer to seek out local restaurants when I travel. However, the dining options at Anantara Rasananda were impressive and worth highlighting!
The Bistro @ The Beach
Located at the beachfront, The Bistro serves Thai and international cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can choose a table on the beach or on the second floor, which offers an elevated view.
The Thai menu is extensive at lunch and dinner and features unique dishes I hadn’t seen on any menu during the previous two weeks of my trip! The flavors and presentation were beautiful, and I recommend trying something you’ve never heard of. Try the Pla Kra Pong Thod Sa Mun Pai (crispy seabass)!
The daily breakfast buffet has Asian and Western options. Though not much changes from day to day, I loved that they had fresh-pressed juices. You can also order from the a la carte menu (which features specialty egg and toast dishes) with your server.
Edge2O
Edge2O is a beach and poolside bar that serves drinks and light Thai and International lunch bites throughout the day. Grab a bean bag on the beach in the afternoon, and enjoy happy hour during golden hour! As someone who doesn’t drink alcohol, I will also note that they have lovely mocktails and smoothie options.
Yukinoya
Yukinoya is a fine-dining Japanese restaurant with a Thai fusion twist. Located above the lobby, Yukinoya creates a romantic and intimate setting with just a handful of tables and a teppanyaki bar.
My husband and I made a reservation for Valentine’s Day dinner here, and it did not disappoint! He sneakily worked with our villa host to have flowers delivered to our table, which, paired with the fantastic food, made the evening unforgettable.
The menu includes unique (and mouthwatering) a la carte fusion sushi dishes such as Tom Yum Salmon and Hamachi Mint Sashimi. Ample protein options, including A4 Wagyu, are available for teppanyaki.
Hospitality & Staff
Overall impressions
I’ll get right to it: the hospitality at Anantara Rasananda is top-notch. The staff truly goes above and beyond to make sure that you’re having a pleasant stay and are always happy to help. Both the front desk and our Villa Host were very knowledgeable about the island and helpful in providing recommendations or making arrangements to make our stay unforgettable.
Everyone, from the servers to the security guards, is very friendly and will smile and greet you when you walk by. The staff is authentically personable and makes you feel welcome at the resort and in Thailand as a whole.
Housekeeping was professional and thorough, and they were always available at our preferred time by requesting it in the app. Our main housekeeper, Sai, went the extra mile, leaving us rose petals, messages in palm fronds and even drawing us a picture one evening!
Special kudos: Our Villa Host
Most deserving of acknowledgment is our Villa Host, Lily! Not only did she help my husband arrange flowers for me on Valentine’s Day, but she went above and beyond in another way and quite literally saved our trip!
Unfortunately, on our last evening in Koh Phangan, we got food poisoning from a restaurant outside the resort. In the morning, we were feeling quite dehydrated and not looking forward to our journey to Bangkok. When we asked if the local pharmacy was open, Lily suggested calling a local nurse instead to check in on us. Within 15 minutes, both Joe and I were hooked up to IVs, rehydrated, and receiving much-needed medications. It was a travel miracle.
I am still SO grateful to Lily for her quick thinking and action in quickly connecting us with a skilled nurse. She made sure we were feeling well enough to travel and helped us catch our boat back to Koh Samui on time. She went beyond her typical job and truly looked after us!
The Verdict
Anantara Rasananda is an excellent choice for a luxury resort on Koh Phangan. With an authentic sense of place, exceptional staff, and a prime beachfront location, the resort ticks all the boxes for a romantic beach getaway, honeymoon, or bougie trip with friends who enjoy luxury and tranquility.
Those who enjoy boutique style and personalized service will adore the Villa Host concept Anantara Rasananda uses. Design lovers will appreciate the construction immersed in the jungle flora and fauna. Anyone who appreciates luxury will relish in the opulent suites and villas.
For a boutique, five-star resort of this caliber, Anantara Rasananda offers solid value. However, accommodation prices here are on the higher side overall for Thailand. With that said, few properties in Koh Phangan offer this level of luxury and service. Comparing the cost of Anantara to other hotels is may be like to comparing apples to oranges. It truly depends on your preferences and budget.
Excursions off-property and arranging a driver through Anantara were quite expensive, though of good quality. For this reason, we chose to arrange our own taxis and excursions.
Overall, Anantara Rasananda completely lived up to its internationally acclaimed reputation. I’m typically not someone who strays far from independently owned boutique hotels, but Anantara gets my approval for guest experience, authenticity, and luxury.
Tips for Future Guests
Upgrade to an ocean-view room! Though I loved the privacy of our Lagoon View Villa, the beach views are too pretty not to wake up to each morning.
Download the Anantara app immediately so you don’t miss anything happening at the hotel!
The best way to get housekeeping services at a time you prefer is to request it through the app.
Make sure you check out the pillow menu! I will admit I tried them all.
Though the chairs adjacent to the pool fill up by mid-morning, the staff is excellent about making sure the people are using them. They’ll clear unoccupied chairs after an hour.
Beach Villas have reserved beach loungers out front of their room. The rest of the lounge chairs are open for all to use.
Whether dining on or off-property, you’ll need a reservation for most restaurants!
Make sure your stay in Koh Phangan includes a Saturday to visit the Thong Sala night market!
Remember the moon phase! Koh Phangan fills up with revelers for the monthly Full Moon Parties, but the island is quieter and less crowded in between.
Don’t miss sunrise! Anantara Rasananda faces east and has spectacular sunrises worth waking up for.
Pharmacies and convenience stores are within walking distance of the hotel, so it's no problem if you forget something at home (or just want to try all the Thai snacks!).
Pack light! The vibe on Koh Phangan is casual overall, and with the warm tropical weather, you’ll want to dress in breezy natural fabrics and sandals.
