Condé Nast Traveller India - Trident Hotel Bandra Kurla

PhuLay bay Ritz-CaRLton ReSeRve, Krabi
The grounds at Phulay Bay,
the Ritz-Carlton group' s first
property, are delightfulÐ
a gloriously landscaped secret
garden with nooks, crannies and
narrow sun-bathed paths from
which there are peekaboo views
of Zen-like courtyards, bamboo
forests and sand gardens. New
guests take a while to familiarise
themselves with the maze-like
passages. They are probably
also distracted by the building' s
fortress-like walls that seem to
soar into the skies. The Ritz-
Carlton group employed top Thai
architect Lek Bunnag, and the
result is a soulful masterpiece
comprising enormous teak
doors, colossal beds, bathing
areas and erotic Lanna art from
northern Thailand. Although
the faultless service and hi-tech
gadgetry are classic Ritz-Carlton
touches, there are plenty of
other posh trappings.
Have your butler arrange
a champagne picnic on one
of the little islands that are a
10-minute speedboat ride away,
learn how to cook Thai cuisine
or book a treatment in the ESPA
spa. This is a fun honeymooners'
haven (Chomtawan Sunset
Lounge is the preferred sunsetwatching
spot) and, until the
second Ritz-Carlton Reserve
opens, is one of a kind.
When to go December to
April for the best weather.
Room to book Reserve Villa
11 for its rooftop veranda
(perfect for stargazers).
+66 7 562 8111; www.
phulaybay.com. Villas from
27,200 baht ( 40,500)
the beSt
neW hoteLS
IN THE WORLD
AsIA &
AusTRALAsIA
Above and right: One of Phulay Bay Ritz-Carlton Reserve' s colossal
beds and its aubergine-coloured, fortress-like entrance
Below: The Beach Villa Suite at The Soneva Kiri, Koh Kood, Thailand
the Soneva kiRi, Koh Kood
The Soneva Kiri experience begins as soon as you touch down at
Bangkok Airport, where a member of the resort' s staff escorts you
to the Soneva' s private Cessna plane for the one-hour connecting
flight to Koh Kood. Located in the crystal seas of the Gulf of Siam,
off Thailand' s south-eastern coast, the island of Koh Kood is one of
the country' s newest frontiers and remains, for the time being at
least, deliciously unspoiled. But being part of the Six Senses stable
means guests at Soneva Kiri are guaranteed luxury from wall-towall.
Each guest is assigned a Mr or Mrs Friday private butler service
on arrival, as well as a personal electronic buggy to travel around
the resort. There' s also a strong emphasis on sustainability hereÐ
the specially-designed Eco Lodge uses cutting-edge technology
to achieve a zero-emissions environmental profile. And the
environment is one you' d want to see protected, with its powderwhite
shoreline fringed by untouched jungle. This October, the
resort launches a bespoke overnight expedition to the temples of
Angkor Wat, Cambodia. Guests take the resort' s private plane to the
town of Siem Reap, where an archaeologist gives a tour of the site.
When to go Weather conditions are best in December
and January.
Room to book The Private Beach ReserveÐi ts private infinity
pool has picture-perfect views of the beach.
+66 39 61 9800; www.sixsenses.com/soneva-kiri. Doubles
from 55,000.
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