A mystery island in the middle of the ocean, somewhere near Cambodia and Thailand is what we would tell our friends ahead of our Soneva Kiri adventure. We had no expectations and never quite comprehended Soneva Kiri’s geographical location except we knew it was a 1-hour flight from Bangkok on a small plane.
And what a beautiful adventure it was, from a Soneva liaison greeting us at our arrival gate at Bangkok airport, fast-tracking our passports through immigration and leading us to the Soneva airport lounge. There we waited with our feet up on comfy couches until we were lead to the departure gate and an 8-seater small propeller plane.
It’s one of the easiest trips we’ve ever had with the kids, with the excitement of the small plane and spectacular Thai island views. We landed on a private runaway on a tiny island next to Soneva Kiri, stepping off the plane like rockstars onto a little golf buggy for less than a 1-minute journey to the private jetty and onto Soneva Kiri’s luxury boat. The luxury jungle resort of Soneva Kiri was already in our sights and in less than 5 minutes we were warmly welcomed by more than 15 staff waving at our boat from the barefoot paradise, including our very own “Mr Friday” private butler.
SONEVA KIRI – LUXURY UNTAMED BEACH & JUNGLE RESORT
A 5-star sustainable resort surrounded by untamed jungle and pristine beaches on the unspoilt tropical island of Koh Kood. Every villa is immaculately carved out of natural driftwood and eco-elements creating exceptional architecture that is designed to blend into its vibrant green surrounds. With an occasional pop of yellow interiors, Soneva Kiri is stylish, sophisticated, spacious and will leave you in awe at every turn within your secluded private villa.
Each luxurious residence, with a private swimming pool was spaced out in the dense jungle to make you feel like you were only ones on the island. The larger villas had waterslides providing hours of entertainment and bringing back the inner-child in all of us.
The rooms were spacious with stylish minimal furnishings but all the luxurious amenities you would expect from a 5-star hotel in the city. Guests are given pre-arrival forms to fill out personal preferences from taste in music, bar snacks, beverages and our favourite: customised designer pillows! You’re also given the keys to your own personal golf buggy so you can easily navigate and explore your way around Soneva Kiri’s huge jungle resort grounds, without having to wait for their staff to collect you.
SONEVA KIRI – THE BREAKFASTS
The food at Soneva Kiri is really something. From authentic premium Thai food to every other cuisine you could imagine. The breakfast buffet spreads were straight out of a glossy catalogue, from all the local fresh fruits displayed on eco-driftwood tables to the selection of eggs prepared by renowned chefs from all nationalities. Even all the food labels were written on leaves in the true style of Soneva Kiri’s sustainability message. The wellness menu at Soneva Kiri combined with the jungle island views and relaxing live Thai music still has our heads up in the clouds.
SONEVA KIRI – THE DINNERS
During our 4-night stay at Soneva Kiri, we never dined in the same spot. From lantern-lit lakeside dining at BENZ with 5-courses of authentic Thai cuisine to dining over cliffs with spectacular views at THE VIEW, Asian delicacies at THE DINING ROOM and PRIVATE BEACH candle-lit dinners, we were truly and utterly spoilt for choice.
But the pearl of the resort is their once in a lifetime and extremely unique TREE POD DINING. We would love to have been part of the conversations when this dining experience was brought to conception. From pinpointing the exact tree in the jungle to inventing a tree pod that could be hoisted high up in a tree, to creating a flying fox style rope where Soneva Kiri’s waiters could deliver your morning latte and 3-course breakfast, or premium wine and cheese platter for sunset. This Soneva Kiri tree Pod dining experience was truly remarkable and one of those moments we will talk about in years to come.
SIX SENSES SPA @ SONEVA KIRI
Hidden away in the island’s untamed jungle, the Six Senses Spa makes sure that you have a truly rejuvenating stay. We were treated to a wellness screening followed by a one-hour treatment tailored to suit your personal preferences and doctor’s recommendations based on your wellness results. It was absolute bliss in every meaning of the word wellness and relaxation.
SONEVA KIRI FOR CHILDREN
When the owners of Soneva Kiri created the resort, they definitely had children at the forefront of their mind and its tree-house playground “The Den” constructed from bamboo has been labelled as The Best Kid’s Club in Asia.
No TVs are present within the Soneva Kiri kid’s clubs, and the beautiful staff have action-packed nature activities planned for the children every day. Our 5-year old’s fun schedule consisted of making origami from leaves, painting coconuts, building her own kite and hand-making chocolate.
In addition to the kid’s club activities, the resort has an ice cream room complimentary for guests throughout the day next door to its chocolate room with the most delicious treats made locally with love.
But the cherry on top for our 5-year old and 2-year old was the outdoor movie cinema that screened kid’s movies on selected nights. It was such a special treat for them to stay up late and our female “Mr Friday” was able to supervise them while we enjoyed a romantic a couple’s dinner nearby.
OUR SONEVA KIRI 6-STAR EXPERIENCE
The luxury jungle resort of Soneva Kiri is unlike any other experience you’ll find in the world. From the true remoteness of the island to being treated like a celebrity with all the luxury amenities, famous international chefs, multiple dining experiences and your very own “Mr Friday” private butler.
Soneva Kiri is a world away from reality with so many experiences on offer that your holiday can be tailored to suit your wishes. From jungle waterfalls, pristine private beaches and gentle surfing waves in low-season, to 5-star snorkelling and glistening turquoise waters in high-season, Soneva Kiri is your barefoot luxury dream escape where your inner-child will surface and get carried away in the wonderland of the Soneva concept and every unique surprise along the way.
This review of Soneva Kiri Luxury Resort in Thailand was written and photographed by @kelly_beckwith and @phineloves, Co-founders of The Asia Collective.
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