LUXURY

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
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
250m 2 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
1200m 2 and yours to purchase for
US$6,000,000 and change.
Five ensuited bedrooms, fully-equipped
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
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
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.
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
Soneva Kiri by Six Senses
at a glance
Category: Island Resort
Villa reviewed: 4-Bedroom Residence
What’s great? So many things, but in
particular the unique design and extra
large size of the villas. The private pool at
the Residence, you won’t find better.
What’s not so great? The beach in front
of some beachfront villas creates a nice
outlook but is quite tidal. The beach on
the other side of the resort however is
a stunner.
Editor’s tip: This level of luxury comes at a
price, but the quality on offer is impressive.
Entry level pool villas here would be top
category elsewhere and will not disappoint.
Website: www.sixsenses.com/Soneva-Kiri
high end, more formal properties which
air-conditioned gym, steam room, spa
other was conceptualised by kids and is
Thai chef, Khun Benz. The restaurant is a
others… can’t wait for the next one.
Rate: Hill Villa Pool Suite from NZ$1633
per night. Upgrade to a Residence - P.O.A.
Reservations: For more information or
enquiries please contact United Travel
on 0800 730 001.
Location
Villa size
Villa interior
Overall service level
Food & beverage
Resort pool
Business needs
Recreational facilities
Spa facilities
Value for money
A remarkable property
that sets the standard
95% in eco luxury. Pristine
Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel untouched resource. location. 75