LUXURY

area split over several levels overlooks the
pool while a temperature-controlled wine
cellar kindly looks after our drinks until we
stalactites, and lagoons so beautiful that
you’ve probably already seen them in
Hollywood movies. A spot of snorkelling
incorporating Thai, Swedish, Sports and
Aromatherapy techniques, a Coffee Body
Scrub with clay and grated carrot to detox
Six Senses Yao Noi
at a glance
are ready. Completing the set-up there’s
a private gym and double-bed spa room
was followed by an exquisite picnic lunch
on a deserted island with brilliant white
the pores and a Heart Chakra Milk Bath to
promote wellbeing.
Category: Island Resort
complete with sauna, steam room, indoor
and outdoor showers, indoor and outdoor
spa baths, and the personal assistance of
not one but two butlers who stay in rooms
on-site and can be called upon 24 hours
a day.
sand and azure water.
Rejuvenating spa treatments are the
perfect counterpoint to more vigorous
activities. The Six Senses Spa village is
nestled in the lush forest hillside among the
resort’s very own mini rice paddies, with
One of the most anticipated things for
me on any trip to Thailand is the cuisine.
I love the subtle blend of lemongrass, lime
leaf and infused sour flavours. Six Senses
offers a number of eating options, from
formal to casual. However, the real pièce
Villa reviewed: Hilltop Reserve
The resort has an ever-present rustic
the seemingly floating walkways giving
de résistance is the in-villa barbeques.
charm with natural untreated woods,
it a suspended feel. The spa concept is
Our private table, complete with flickering
fabrics coloured with natural dyes, and
based on a metaphoric pyramid containing
candles, was set up next to the pool to
stationery made from recycled paper. This
the six spheres fundamental to human
enjoy a succulent selection of dishes, from
The boat speed drops and we get the
We are staying in the 1473m 2 villa,
nouveau-rustic charm merges with an
experience. There are 11 treatment rooms
fresh tuna salad with Thai flavours to juicy
first glimpse of our tropical haven. Barely
which sits at the very top of the resort.
ecological philosophy, a strong element of
and one flagship ‘long house’ treatment
char-grilled prawns and local fish wrapped
visible until we have reached the jetty, the
thatched roofs of the 58 villas peek out
from the foliage. It really feels as if you are
hiding away from the world.
Next, we board the waiting buggies
and drive along a rustic pathway until
we eventually pull into the parking bay
in front of our new home on the hill.
Its outstanding feature, which greeted
us as we opened the two large wooden
double doors, is the panoramic view of
the bay. We came to love this and enjoyed
watching it transform with the changing
light during the day. There is so much
to take in, you could sit and stare at the
view forever.
the Six Senses brand. Conservation of the
natural environment is paramount with
an extensive recycling program in place,
biodegradable cleaning products and
mangrove conservation programme.
There are several places of interest to
visit within the property plus a wealth
of activities if you feel so inclined. We
room where you submit to a four-hour
treatment that takes you one room at a
time through a journey of treatments. The
spa staff are extremely professional with a
thorough physical assessment before any
treatment to ensure your treatment is an
appropriate sensory journey for you.
One thing I love about a world-class spa
in banana leaf. Our chef was an excellent
cook, our butlers’ service impeccable and
the wine wte drank from our private cellar
simply delicious.
The essence of the Six Senses brand is
about ‘re-defining experiences through
balancing the senses’. Our experience at
Yao Noi showed that they are definitely
What’s great? Every villa has a personal
butler. Little touches like the Aloe Vera
gel, after-sun shampoo and wet swimsuit
bag. The ‘Requirement List’, which offers
a list of frequently asked for items such as
earplugs, scales and ice cube delivery time!
What’s not so great: I’ve been racking my
brain but I just can’t think of anything.
I can’t hold it back any longer – a huge
grin forces its way through as I realise I’ve
reached heaven on earth.
Next to grab attention was the 246m 2
infinity-edged pool complete with water
slide. A massive open-air living and dining
opted for an outing on a traditional local
boat and observed at close range the
limestone islands complete with plunging
is indulging in the signature or unique
treatments they offer. The spa here did
not disappoint with a Fusion massage
achieving this. The next time we feel like
getting away from it all, this hideaway
retreat will always be top of mind.
Editor’s tip: Request one with a view of
the bay and you won’t be disappointed.
Definitely try one of the ‘in-villa’ barbeques
during your stay.
Rate: From NZ$1600; AU$1271 per villa
per night. POA for Hilltop Reserve.
Website: www.sixsenses.com/
SixSensesYaoNoi
Reservations: For more information
or enquiries please call United Travel
on 0800 730 001.
Location
Villa size
Villa interior
Overall service level
Food & beverage
Hotel pool
Business needs
Recreational facilities
Spa facilities
Value for money
Immerse yourself in
94% order to really achieve
some good ‘time out’.
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