Think Jungle Book, but with five-star service. Soneva Kiri is perched on the shores of Koh Kood, one of Thailand’s largest and perhaps least developed islands. Perhaps the most exciting, raw, destination in South East Asia. We’re talking tall palms, clear ocean and white sand. All the attributes of a far-flung paradise – getting there involves an 80-minute flight from Bangkok aboard the hotel’s private plane which lands on a neighbouring island. The resort itself is a village of villas among the jungle, with most of the structures made from wood and natural materials, giving a Robinson Crusoe feel to the whole place.
The natural look isn’t all for show either, as the resort has a reasonably robust sustainability policy that involves making biofuel and growing their own food on site. Virtuously constructed from sustainable eucalyptus logs, native bamboo, and treated pine, the 36 villas—some fronting a gorgeous private beach, others up on the hillside—are actually multi-structured complexes spacious enough for an entire family and appointed with a dressing area, a separate dining deck, indoor and outdoor showers, and a private infinity pool.
The resort’s dining experiences take guests on a journey of discovery across a world of flavours and culinary cultures. With soft sands and exceptional views, lunch on beautiful South Beach offers rotating lunch themes from pit- or spit-cooked seafood to Mexican feasts, or guests can enjoy a one-of-a-kind dining experience at the jungle-encircled Mushroom Hut, where every delicious course is crafted from mushrooms organically grown at the resort’s Eco Centro. At Kruua Mae Tuk, a ‘no-menu’ dining concept offers a vast selection of dishes inspired by ingredients grown on Koh Kood, as well as seafood caught fresh from the seas around the island.
Chef Chris Fernandes spearheads the resort dining—including inside a bamboo “Treepod” akin to my childhood fantasy treehouse. The picnic experience is punctuated by a waiter on zipline—which matches dishes with a dizzyingly long wine list, makes use of locally sourced produce, and borrows from Thai, Mediterranean, and continental European cuisine. Another pleasant surprise is the Cinema Paradiso, an open-air movie theatre with dinner service. Need I say more?
With each villa comes a Mr. or Ms. Friday on call 24 hours a day, meaning there is no need to worry about anything you might need while on the resort. Staff throughout the resort are equally as helpful and thoughtful, which made the entire experience even more memorable. Soneva Kiri is like stepping into the pages of a book I wrote when I was twelve. It was like coming home.
Only the best,
Lucas Raven
