A hotel group renowned for its ecological approach, Soneva offers stays in luxury villas remarkably integrated into their environment, in unspoilt natural sites on the bangs of the usual tourist circuits, where the discoveries are the most authentic. Tailor-made facilities, breathtaking landscapes, enriching encounters… everywhere and at every moment, the surprise is there. At Soneva Kiri, it’s all about the Thai island of Koh Kood.
Text: Marie Le Berre
Located in south-east Thailand, close to the Cambodian border, Koh Kood is the country’s fourth-largest and least populated island. Lush tropical forests, waterfalls, heavenly beaches and fishing villages make up an environment rich in sights. Soneva Kiri’s seaside complex features 33 villas with swimming pools, built using sustainable materials, plus areas dedicated to culinary, sporting and cultural experiences. While the majority of the residences are suites limited to four people, a dozen have several bedrooms, from two to five, and can accommodate from six to fourteen people. Always spacious, these villas are ideal for vacations with friends or family.
In the family
Soneva Kiri offers a range of activities designed specifically for children, run by specially trained staff. The Den welcomes children aged 5 to 12 in a manta ray-shaped structure suspended from trees, designed by internationally renowned Dutch architect Olav Bruin. Enter via a drawbridge and climb the stairs to discover four areas dedicated to playful or creative activities: the games room, the music room, the library and the art room. Outside the Den, they can take part in various activities organized during the day, such as cooking or chocolate-making classes, or in the evening, on the occasion of special events. For the youngest guests, aged 1 to 4, the Eco Den is a day-care center with rooms for playing, learning and napping, as well as a garden with shaded areas.
Seven days, seven beaches
Koh Kood is surrounded by numerous white sandy beaches of exceptional beauty. To discover the most impressive, Soneva Sandro Bruecklmeier Kiri offers cruises aboard a traditional wooden fishing boat that can accommodate up to eight passengers. Once at their destination, they can indulge in the pleasures of the sea, diving into the crystal-clear waters with mask and snorkel, swimming to shore and sunbathing, or paddling along the coast in a kayak or paddle. At lunchtime, you’ll be served a gourmet meal prepared on board. The program includes seven dream beaches, each with its own special features: Klong Chao Beach, Ao Kluai, Koh Rang’s Blue Lagoon, Klong Han Beach, Ao Tapao, Klong Ngamko Beach and Takhian Beach. You can opt for the complete “Seven days, seven beaches” package or choose from the selection on offer.
Culinary experiences
In addition to the meals served in the resort’s restaurants, Soneva Kiri offers a wide variety of culinary experiences. Personal chefs concoct gourmet dishes, grills or picnics to be served for breakfast, lunch or dinner in the villas, on the beach or aboard a boat. You can even enjoy a meal in your own private pool, in the sea or in a bamboo gondola hoisted into the trees, which the waiter accesses via a zip-line. It’s also possible to enjoy a mushroom-based menu in the hut where the mushrooms are grown, a menu based on vegetables harvested from the garden, or a menu based on fish and shellfish caught with local professionals.
Restaurants in the Soneva Kiri area include Kruua Mae Tuk, a stilt-mounted establishment where the chef serves a wide selection of Thai dishes made with local ingredients. For a cuisine that blends Japanese and Peruvian flavours, head to The View, which offers a breathtaking view of the Gulf of Thailand. As for Down to Earth, it’s for those who love spicy cuisine with traditional North Indian dishes, enhanced by Middle Eastern touches.
As part of the Soneva Stars program, Soneva Kiri regularly invites culinary stars from all over the world to exercise their talents on site. Between now and the end of 2023, the following renowned chefs will take their turn: Jane Alty (July 7-18), Mathieu Boutroy (August 4-7), Sylvestre Wahid (October 20-30), Chantelle Nicholson (October 31-November 10) and Maria Jose San Roman Monastrell (November 25-December 5).