Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resort & Spa (Koh Yao Yai, Thailand)

Those in search of serenity could do a lot worse than this blissful resort. Couples and families alike love getting back to basics on this non-commercialised safe haven of a spot. Many love the small village next to the resort, which allows you to interact with delightful locals.

The beautifully appointed rooms and bathrooms are routinely praised by reviewers. Featuring traditional hand-carved furnishings and scented with lemon grass candles, rooms are a haven of relaxation, while watching the sunset over the sea from a tub on the balcony is an unforgettable highlight of many a stay.

Walking between rooms and the restaurant/pool/beach areas is not always possible on account of the steep hills and searing temperatures. To combat this, the resort runs a series of old wooden cars which run in regular loops between locations, delighting guests with their quaint authenticity.

The island is accessed exclusively by speedboat. Once moored, you might expect a welcome drink and to be shown swiftly to your room. What actually happens, however, is you are asked to wait, sometimes for longer than an hour in the excessive heat, while your passports are processed.

Many reviewers have been shocked at the service standards on show throughout the hotel. Wait staff routinely appear to not know what they are doing while receptionists are not solution-orientated and could do with some language training. Management are unbending and often unwilling to acknowledge guest's issues.

A telling number of guests have cut their trip short rather than stay here any longer. Other than sunbathing, there is very little to do and the beach is blighted by plastic bottles and jellyfish. Food is frequently sub-par and exorbitantly priced, by Thai standards.