Review: ANI Thailand is where you get a private slice of paradise

There are two versions of Thailand. The one I had imagined experiencing on my first trip to the country involved getting wonderfully lost in Bangkok’s streets, eating my way through its night markets, partying until 4 am, losing my voice on a dance floor and just behaving like a 20-something should. The second is a slower, more indulgent affair and as it turns out, I fell rather hard for the latter.

A few fortnights ago, I checked into ANI Thailand, an ultra-luxury, all-inclusive private resort tucked away on Koh Yao Noi, overlooking the spectacular limestone formations of Phang Nga Bay. Spread across two acres of manicured gardens, winding palm-lined pathways and an ocean-facing stretch of white sand, ANI is not quite a hotel, and that distinction is important. It is an exclusive-use private estate, designed to host just one group at a time, with the entire property, its dedicated team and its experiences reserved for you and your guests. Think of it as having your own private resort, minus the responsibility of running one.

Part of the world’s first private resort collection, ANI has sister estates in Sri Lanka, the Dominican Republic and Anguilla. At the helm of its Thailand outpost is Suthathip Sakorn (Khun Oil), General Manager, who does a brilliant job in leading an experience designed around one simple idea that the guest sets the pace. It accommodates between six and 20 guests across its private suites and villas, making it particularly suited to multi-generational family holidays, milestone celebrations or a group of friends who would rather have an entire tropical hideaway to themselves than negotiate a hotel lobby.

Now, here’s the detail that changes the entire holiday equation – ANI is not a hotel where you book a suite and share the pool with strangers. The entire estate is reserved for one group at a time. At the Thailand property, that means just 10 private suites for a group of six to 20 guests, with a customised itinerary, dining, wellness experiences and activities built around their preferences. Think of it as having your own private resort, only without the headache of running one.

Getting there is part of the adventure. After a VIP transfer and a 30-minute drive from Phuket International Airport to Ao Po Grand Marina, we hopped aboard a speedboat for another 30-minute journey across the water. And just like that, the usual holiday chaos was replaced by turquoise views you can’t complain about.

I checked into my Pool Suite, where the welcome committee included sparkling wine, a bathtub dressed with rose petals, a vanity area straight out of one of my Pinterest boards and a bed that looked determined to keep me snoozed for the next four days. I was handed a packed itinerary and had every intention of doing it all. The bed, however, had other plans. But here’s the thing about ANI – it has a rather persuasive way of getting you out of your room. Even a 6 am start suddenly sounds appealing when the reward is a sunrise walk along a private beach, with not another soul in sight unless you fancy some company. The estate’s winding paths, flowerbeds, neatly trimmed bushes and palm trees make even a casual stroll feel like a scene from a screensaver that comes with a sea breeze.

A holiday with its own dress code

After taking in my suite and its private pool, lunch was served at the Dining Sala overlooking the infinity pool. The spread was Western, comforting, paired with a few good cocktails and exactly what my empty stomach had been saving my appetite for. 

After a long afternoon nap (one must respect the art of doing absolutely nothing), the evening called for a change of wardrobe. Local women arrived for a traditional Thai costume-fitting session, dressing us in beautifully draped skirts, blouses and enough jewellery to make me briefly question if I was a royal princess.

After taking a gazillion photographs, the dinner was an experience in itself. The team recreated a Thai night market within the estate, complete with stalls where we could wander around, browse the food on offer and place our orders just as we would at a local fair. The difference? We didn’t have to jostle for a table or balance our plates in a crowd. Our food arrived at our table, and so did my second helping.

We certainly didn’t believe in portion control that evening. The next morning, however, the Muay Thai session made sure we paid for our enthusiasm. It looks deceptively easy until you’re throwing punches and kicks yourself, at which point you realise that it is an excellent full-body workout. 

‘Monkey’ business 

Day two’s real highlight, though, was an excursion to Monkey Island. We watched baby monkeys and their parents climb aboard our boat, swim around and make the most of the bananas we had brought along. For a good ten minutes, the monkeys were the undisputed stars of the trip, and we were merely their very enthusiastic audience.

From there, we headed to Batang Island for a private picnic overlooking the water. If there is one experience I would happily bottle up and take home, this would be it. With the sea stretching out in front of us, the freshly cut fruits and a wine glass laid out and absolutely nowhere else to be, time seemed to lose its urgency. We sat there for what felt like a few minutes, only to realise that nearly two hours had passed. I am convinced the place has healing powers. Or perhaps it is simply what happens when you are allowed to be present without checking the time every five minutes.

Back at ANI, a Greek-Mediterranean lunch awaited us. You see, there isn’t a single weak moment when it comes to their culinary game, thanks to Chef Yao, Executive Chef at ANI, and his team. The flavours were consistently on point, dietary preferences and customisations were taken seriously, and once the team got a sense of what you liked, they made a note of it. A specific craving could find its way onto your table at the next meal. It is the sort of intuitive service that doesn’t need to announce itself, it simply remembers.

And that, I think, is where ANI understands its audience. It takes a certain finesse to impress travellers who have experienced some of the world’s finest hotels, and the difference often lies in the details. To the brand, personalisation isn’t a special request or an upgrade; it is the starting point.

We also tried our hands at the Batik painting – the traditional wax-resist dyeing technique used to create intricate patterns on fabric. I spent mine filling in a hornbill with colour, and fully intend to hang the finished artwork at home. It may or may not be a masterpiece, but it is certainly a more meaningful souvenir than another airport magnet.

A breakfast amidst the rice paddy fields

The next morning, we stepped out to find a fleet of motorcycle sidecars waiting in the courtyard. These charming little rides took us through the island to a rice paddy field where ANI had set up The Noodle Shop. An authentic local breakfast, served amid lush green fields as the day began, is a rather compelling reason to set an alarm. 

Later that afternoon, we visited the ANI Art Academies Thailand, where I discovered that the story behind the resort collection is perhaps its most meaningful detail. ÀNI was founded by former Wall Street banker Tim Reynolds, a passionate artist and patron of the arts, whose original vision was to create a non-profit art academy offering an intensive four-year fine arts programme to local students.

The programme, including room and board, is offered free of charge to students who commit to a demanding curriculum and a 30-hour training week. Previous artistic experience isn’t a prerequisite; dedication and perseverance are. The artwork we saw was extraordinary. The academy’s students create photorealistic pieces so detailed that, at first glance, it is genuinely difficult to tell whether you’re looking at a photograph or a painting. Beyond the technical brilliance, knowing the stories and effort behind the work made the visit all the more rewarding. 

The art of being looked after

Wellness at ANI isn’t confined to the spa menu, (which is brilliant, by the way). It is woven into the pace of the stay, from yoga and sound-healing sessions to small gestures that make you feel home, like your mom taking care of you without saying a word. Each evening, we returned to our suites to find a little gift waiting for us – a lovely reminder that the team had been thinking about us even while we were away.

Then there are the services that make you wonder why every luxury holiday doesn’t come with them. Take the VIP packing and unpacking service, for instance. If the thought of folding clothes after a few days of doing nothing but swimming, eating and relaxing feels like an unreasonable demand, the team can take care of it for you. There is also a full-time nanny service for toddlers, making the estate quite an appealing option for parents who need a break from spending every waking minute chasing after little ones. Happy parents, happy children, and perhaps a cocktail enjoyed while it is still chilled.

What makes this kind of hospitality work is the balance between being attentive and knowing when to disappear. You are not constantly reminded that someone is at your service; you simply find that things have been taken care of before you have to ask. 

I also left a little piece of my heart at ANI Thailand & a hair tie. There’s an old travel superstition that leaving something behind gives you a reason to return. I am choosing to believe it. After all, who doesn’t wanna go back to their exclusive paradise?

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