SONEVA KIRI - THAILAND
Soneva Kiri is the latest offering from the Six Senses Group, a world leader and pioneer in the development of ultra exclusive, luxury resorts with a difference. Each and every property is carefully conceived and meticulously crafted to be as eco sensitive as possible with minimal disruption to the natural landscape. It really is sustainable tourism at its very best, which is summed up perfectly in their SLOW LIFE philosophy – Sustainable – Local – Organic – Wholesome – Learning – Inspiring – Fun – Experiences. Now if you’re starting to think that this is all sounding very green and potentially lacking in the luxury department, then I’d like to introduce you to Soneva Kiri, one of the finest resorts on the planet.
With luxury travel, the difference is quite often in the small detail and with Soneva, every detail, no matter how minute, seems to have been taken care of.
Upon arrival at Bangkok airport you are ushered through customs formalities and invited to relax pre-flight in a private room within the Thai Airways Business Class Lounge. Onboard the resort’s custom fitted private plane, you can stretch out in large, first class-like reclining seats for the comfortable one-hour flight to the island.
Situated on the east coast of Thailand in the Koh Chang Marine National Park, Koh Kood is Thailand’s fourth largest island and unlike the tourist hotspots of Phuket and Koh Samui, thankfully as yet remains unspoilt and undeveloped. This is how you imagine Thailand to be and the ideal location for such a special property.
I particularly liked the ‘No News, No Shoes’ policy, and was reminded of this as we were met by our personal Ms Friday (butler Soneva style) boarding the classic wooden powerboat for the five minute crossing from the airfield to the resort. This is a very exclusive, expensive resort, but luxury does not have to be all pomp and ceremony. Here the environment is relaxed, casual and without pretence. Such a welcome change from some high end, more formal properties which
rather than feeling relaxed can sometimes leave you feeling slightly uncomfortable and are certainly not conducive to my idea of an enjoyable family holiday.
The service delivery and management style is both charming and discreet while at the same time uncompromising in its commitment to cater to your every whim.
The resort is set over 150-acres of untouched rainforest and private sandy coves with only forty-two over-sized villas, and for the ultimate indulgence, twelve spectacular Private Residences. This level of space allows for the ultimate in privacy and even nearing full capacity, Soneva feels anything but. Staged like a Peter Jackson big budget movie set, grand wooden structures in an eclectic mix of bold designs raise from the tropical terrain with arched sail like roofing peaking through the jungle canopy, giving the only hint of activity below.
Entry level accommodation here means 250m2 of living space, large private pool, personal butler and private buggy. Our modest home was a hill-top Private Residence. A five-bedroom goliath of truly epic proportions, occupying a staggering 1200m2 and yours to purchase for US$6,000,000 and change.
Five ensuited bedrooms, fully-equipped air-conditioned gym, steam room, spa treatment area, pool table, multiple indoor and outdoor living spaces, Bose indoor/ outdoor sound system, multitude of 42” LCDs… I think I’d like to request an extension to our visit, six months should suffice.
The interiors are the epitome of paredback luxury, simple, but sophisticated. An inspired, clever design of bamboo and sustainable undressed woods, including outside decks of sand-blasted New Zealand Pine. Every possible element is constructed with a renewable product, right down to the bamboo spouting.
Apart from the sheer size, the other thing that strikes you is the swimming pool. Worthy of being the main resort pool, here it is your personal one – well two to be exact. The main being infinity edged and 20 metres in length, hugging the hillside with views out to the gulf. The second pool, in addition to enclosing the master bedroom, acts as the catchment area for the two-storey waterslide, (yes, waterslide) that weaves it’s way down from the tree house which, in this instance housed our two small children. As you can imagine, this proved to be a wonderland as far as they were concerned and has now set totally unrealistic expectations.
In addition, The Den, a kids club like no other was conceptualised by kids and is housed in a spectacular building, designed in the shape of a giant manta-ray and constructed entirely of timber and bamboo by absolute master craftsmen. Perched up high, it appears to magically hover above the forest, affording magnificent views and once inside, it really is a dream area for kids to explore and have fun.
The choice and quality of cuisine is as you would expect in a property of this calibre, beginning with the aptly named Dining Room serving breakfast and dinner with relaxed Thai-style kantoke seating. Other options include exquisite fine dining at The View, a private wine-matched degustation at the subterranean wine cellar with more than five hundred labels represented. Casual Asian inspired fare is also available to have at the pool bar or lunch at the resort’s stunning private beach complete with wood fired and tandoori ovens and a funky sunken seating area in the sand. For something truly unique, try Thai dining inside a treetop ’dining pod’ high above the rainforest where you are elevated to lofty heights by a system of safety winches and fed courtesy of a flying waiter – harnessed to a zip-line.
Another highlight for me was a romantic sunset cruise to nearby Benz, a wonderful Thai restaurant headed by accomplished Thai chef, Khun Benz. The restaurant is a classic wooden Thai structure stilted and hidden amongst the mangroves fringing the Klong Yai Kee River… this is a serious must do.
The kid’s favourites however would have to be the resort’s ice cream parlour with over sixty flavours to try, closely followed by ‘Ever Soneva So Chocoholic’, a chocolate room featuring fair trade, gourmet chocolates… again yours to enjoy without charge whenever the temptation arises. Soneva is all about creating experiences and what better way to spend an evening than watching a classic movie under the stars. Cinema Paradiso is a large purpose built, impressive natural auditorium complete with a man made lake as backdrop to the terraced seating of super-sized comfy loungers, day beds complete with mandatory hot buttered popcorn washed down with a cocktail from the cinema bar – I’ll take the Thai spiced Mojito thanks.
Photo by Paul Raeside
If all this eating and lazing around has your body in need of repair or some additional pampering is required, then a visit to their renowned Six Senses Spa could be in order.
All in all, Soneva Kiri is a remarkable property and definitely one to put on your “must visit” list. Plaudits must be given to the owners for undertaking such a wellconceived development, and for doing so in such a responsible fashion. An eco– luxe resort that sets the standards for all others… can’t wait for the next one
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