Last October, I enjoyed a terrific holiday in the Seychelles, the legendary island archipelago of exceptional tropical beauty in the Indian Ocean. You can read my trip reports here:

• Review: Condor B767-300ER Business Class from Frankfurt to Mahe
• Review: Six Senses Zil Pasyon
• Review: Maia Luxury Resort
• Review: North Island (today)
• Review: Qantas A380 First Class from Dubai to London

Today: Review of North Island Seychelles

• Location: Google Maps
• Hotel website: North Island Seychelles

North Island Seychelles is the world’s most exclusive hideaway, unlike anything I have ever seen. The insanely beautiful private island resort has only 11 opulent hand-crafted villas, all of them with private plunge pool, overlooking the pristine, powder-white sands and turquoise waters of the Ile Du Nord eco-reserve. North Island is unashamedly aimed at providing the very best in privacy, location, accommodation, services, facilities and experience. The uber luxurious resort, a favorite among the world’s elite, gained instant world fame in 2011 when it made headlines as Prince William and Kate’s royal honeymoon destination.

North Island features in my top 10 lists of the  best luxury resorts in the Seychelles, the world’s most exclusive private island resorts, the most astonishing beach retreats in Africa, the world’s best luxury hotels,  the world’s most expensive hotels, and the world’s best honeymoon resorts.

Have you ever stayed at North Island Seychelles? If so, what was your experience? Leave a comment.

In this review (more info below the YouTube video):

• Pros & things I like
• Cons & things to know
• My verdict
• Tips for future guests & save money
• Best time to visit
• How to get there
• Photos

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

• North Island Seychelles is the holy grail of luxury travel. The uber luxurious resort offers an experience that is light years away from what is offered by most other five-star beach resorts, not only in the Seychelles, but on the entire planet. The iconic resort is in the same league as the Soneva Resorts in the Maldives & Thailand, Time + Tide Miavana in Madagascar, The Brando in French Polynesia, and Laucala Island in Fiji.  North Island is almost mythical in its allure, with a whispered, word-of-mouth reputation as the world’s most exclusive hideaway among its wealthy guests.

• The resort occupies its own private island, located about 30km (18 miles) from the main Seychellois island of Mahé. North Island is the northernmost of the 115 islands that make up the idyllic Seychelles archipelago. The large island is around 2,5 km (1,5 mi) long and 0,8 km (0,5 mi) wide, and offers complete privacy and splendid isolation. You won’t see any one else during your stay, except for the hotel staff and some of the other lucky few who are able to afford a stay here.

• Despite its remote island location, it’s very easy to get to the resort by helicopter. The Zil Air helicopter journey to North Island departs from Seychelles International Airport on Mahé and the exhilarating 20-minute flight is over the Indian Ocean’s turquoise waters, with arrival on the resort’s own jetty helipad. If flying in a helicopter makes you nervous, you can also easily reach the resort by boat (as I did during my trip to the island). The boat trip involves a public ferry to Silhouette Island (40 min), followed by a 20 min ride on North Island’s private speedboat.

• The outrageously exotic and jaw-dropping beauty of the granite island ranks among the most exquisite tropical sceneries in the world and will leave you speechless. North Island Seychelles’ luminous white beaches (cf. below) are surrounded by the azure waters of the Indian Ocean and fringe a tropical interior of coconut palms and takamaka trees that are cradled between three granite outcrops. Don’t miss the guided, one-hour hike to the sunrise viewpoint above the spa, from where you can soak up the island’s majestic beauty from a bird-eye’s perspective.

• One of the island’s major attractions are the phenomenal beaches which are among the most beautiful that I have ever set foot on. The sand feels incredibly soft and fluffy, almost like powdered sugar underfoot. The main beach, Anse d’Est Beach, is a ribbon of gleaming sand that runs almost the entire length of the sunrise side of the island, with all villas and hotel facilities nestled discreetly in the tree-line. The western side of the island features two, even more magnificent beaches: Sunset Beach to the north (where a rustic bar is the perfect setting for drinking a sundowner while the beach is washed in pastel colors in the wake of the descending sun) and Honeymoon Beach to the south. The latter has to be one of the planet’s most romantic beaches, thanks to its private location in a curve of the rocks.

• North Island Seychelles has a remarkable history. From 1826 until the 1970s, the island was used as a plantation for growing fruit and spices, as well as producing guano, fish oil and copra. After the copra market collapsed, the plantation was sold in the 1970s, and North Island fell into disuse. A new chapter in the history of North Island began in 1997 when the island was purchased by a team – including Africa’s leading safari company, Wilderness Safaris – who turned back the clock by undoing the damage wrought by man, creating a sanctuary for indigenous Seychellois wildlife, and developing the world’s leading private island hideaway. Management of the private island resort was recently taken over by The Luxury Collection, a Marriott brand.

• Beside the amazing location, North Island Seychelles is marked out by a stylish design of understated luxury that celebrates its spectacular natural surroundings. The architects Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens lived on site with their two children while designing and creating the resort, to have a real feel with the island. The essence of the design is to achieve a level of barefoot luxury where guests are in touch with nature, but with all modern conveniences close at hand. All buildings on the island were individually handcrafted by Seychellois and African craftsmen from wood, local stone and glass, with thatched roofs that complete the magnificent design.

• The hotel’s communal facilities conveniently cluster close to one another in “the Piazza” around a magnificent Indian almond tree in the southern corner of Anse d’Est Beach. The layout of the public areas – which include a lounge, bar, dining room, library, boutique shop and dive center – echoes that of a small island village with historical layering. The open-sided, sunken lounge and adjoining dining room feature a minimalist, organic architecture, both of them offering 360˚ views of the bay and adjacent granite outcrop covered with lush vegetation. Close to the lounge are the library and dive center, housed in original coral block buildings that date back to North Island’s days gone by as a copra plantation. Although there is a small front office desk and concierge area, the resort lacks a formal lobby.

• The resort’s fabulous swimming pool is located along one of the island’s three granitic outcrops, just a short walk from the Piazza. The 45 m (150 feet) long infinity-edge, lagoon-style pool is carved into the hill and the steep shady banks create the feeling of a hanging garden. Although the pool itself is tucked away in lush tropical vegetation, it still allows lovely glances onto the blinding white beach and the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean.

• North Island features eleven palatial guest villas, all of them offering direct access to magnificent Anse d’est Beach. With a surface of 450 square meters (4 890 square feet), the presidential villas rank among the largest accommodations in the world. They are raised more than one meter (3 feet) above the ground to catch the cooling island breezes. Each villa (except for villa 11, cf below) features two air-conditioned bedroom pavilions: an incredibly spacious master bedroom and a second bedroom that can be turned into a study lounge. All villas also have an open-sided lounge (with sofa and dining table), an adjoining kitchenette (including a minibar that has to be the world’s most generous one), an outdoor plunge pool with roofed sala (to relax in the shade at midday when it is too hot for outdoor activities), and expansive outdoor deck which floats above the oversized garden, and an insanely beautiful, semi-outdoor bathroom that has the dimensions and feel of an ultraluxe bath house.

• One villa, known as Villa 11 or Villa North Island, differs from the other ten villas. Not only has it been designed differently to accommodate the incline along the extreme northern side of Anse d’est Beach, it’s also more of a resort within the resort with a staggering abundance of space totaling 750 square meters (8072 square feet). A large portion of that space has been added in multiple, tiered levels cascading down the granitic boulders onto the beach, with picturesque palms forming a natural frame. It’s the world’s ultimate beach villa for honeymooners.

• Each villa on North Island Seychelles has its own private electric golf buggy, which guests can use to move around the island. Bicycles are also available for guest use, in both adult and children’s sizes, for getting from one side of the Island to the other with ease.

• The superb North Island spa is located on a rocky outcrop above the pool, overlooking turquoise waters and dramatic cliffs. There are only three treatment rooms, each one of them located in a exquisitely designed pavilion. The resort’s professional masseuses use natural herbal ingredients from the island in the treatments. Upon arrival, all guests receive a complimentary, 30 minute foot, leg and neck massage, designed to soothe away the stresses of travel, and allow you to slip seamlessly into island mode. Extra spa treatments are not included.

• The gym is situated above the main pool next to the spa, and features state-of-the-art fitness equipment. It is a simple glass structure with an alanga roof and it has one of the most spectacular views on the island. It looks down onto the bay in front of Anse d’est Beach and enjoys the spectacular sight of the diverse blue colours of the ocean, so typical of Seychelles.

• As one may expect, food at North Island is of exceptional quality. The resort offers a mouthwatering culinary experience that matches its reputation. Daily menus are designed according to the latest island harvest and special consideration is given to any dietary requirements you may have. Besides in-room dining, there are two dining venues on the Island that lend themselves to a range of food experiences depending on your mood. The main dining room offers gracious candlelit, private dining with the gentle sounds of the ocean setting the scene for a romantic evening. The West Beach bar serves up fresh hot pizza, salads and tapas-style barbecue snacks, all perfect for sharing as you watch the sunset, lingering over a cocktail and relaxed music.

• A short walk over the pond, off the main dining room, lies the phenomenal wine cellar, a building of rough-hewn rock and almost stalagmatic ceiling created by bamboo shuttering, a technique found on the main island of Mahé. The wine cellar houses the most comprehensive selection of fine wines in the Indian Ocean, carefully selected by a sommelier to complement the flavors of North Island’s distinctive cuisine.

• When you stay at North Island Seychelles, you will follow in the footsteps of many famous people, since the resort is a favorite of the world’s elite and enjoys a devoted following among A-listers. Prince William and Duchess Kate of Cambridge spent 10 days on North Island after their wedding in April 2011. The resort was also the decor for the honeymoon of Hollywood star George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin after their Aman Venice wedding in 2014. David and Victoria Beckham celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary on the island in 2009. And also actress Salma Hayek and husband Francois-Henri Pinault traveled to North Island for their honeymoon.

• The Seychelles archipelago forms part of the world’s longest coral reef system and has some of the world’s best scuba diving sites. Numerous dive sites have been identified around North Island and its nearest neighbor, Silhouette Island. North Island has its own diving center and the dive masters are not only experts in scuba practices but also in the underwater world. If you don’t feel comfortable diving, there are also numerous snorkeling sites around North Island and Silhouette Island. All diving and snorkeling activities at North Island are included in the room rate.

• North Island Seychelles harbors a healthy population of giant Aldabran tortoises, which are often spotted along the sandy paths that crisscross the island. The current population is estimated to be between 80 and 100 individuals. The island’s most famous tortoise is Brutus. He is believed to be at least 160 years old and weighs approximately 200 kg (450 lbs). His shell length is almost 1.5m (5 feet). This estimate for Brutus’ age is probably a conservative one, as these amazing creatures can live to well over 200. Brutus has been marked by reflective strips on his shell to prevent traffic accidents with golf buggies.

• North Island Seychelles offers an all inclusive formula. The room rate includes all meals, drinks and cocktails but not the reserve wine list. Also included in the room rate is scuba-diving, kayaking, mountain bikes, guided walks, half day fishing trips and all laundry and Wi-Fi as well as the use of a private island golf-buggy (one per villa).

• Although the majority of North Island’s guests are couples and honeymooners, the resort is also a wonderful place to explore and enjoy as a family. There is a wide range of activities available, both on land and in the water, that designed to keep young minds and bodies active. All activities are supervised by expert staff to ensure that children are well looked after and entirely safe while their parents can take time out to reconnect with each other in complete peace and quiet.

• There are more than twice as many staff on North Island as guests, and each villa gets its own butler, ensuring outstanding service. I was extremely charmed by the staff’s friendliness, competence and the heartfelt attitude that I experienced during my two night stay on the island.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

Designed to make the most of the its pristine natural surroundings, North Island Seychelles offers the ultimate luxury travel experience, with phenomenal beaches, immaculate service, delicious food, a tasteful design, and palatial accommodations. The truly stupendous experience exceeded my sky-high expectations. North Island Seychelles is heaven on earth, but you want to know the following nonetheless when considering a stay here:

• With a price tag to match the experience, North Island Seychelles is one of the world’s most expensive resorts though it’s difficult to argue that it doesn’t offer value for money. It’s the ultimate in exclusive holidays. And the room rate is inclusive of all meals and activities (including scuba diving).

• A natural phenomenon on North Island Seychelles, the beaches migrate around the island in a ceaseless seasonal pattern dictated by the ocean currents. Depending on the stage of the cycle at the time of your visit, some beaches are wider or narrower than others, and some rocks and coral may be exposed. All however are always inviting, and their location around the island means that whichever way the maritime breezes are blowing, you will easily find a sheltered, shady spot of your own to enjoy.

• The villa’s private plunge pools are rather small for a hotel of this caliber, and not suited for taking a lap. But that should not be too much of a problem, since you can always have a swim in the inviting warm waters of the Indian Ocean in front of each villa or burn some calories in the beautiful communal infinity pool.

MY VERDICT

• Location: 10/10
• Design: 10/10
• Pool: 10/10
• Resort grounds: 10/10
• Rooms (villas): 10/10
• Food: 10/10
• Breakfast: 10/10
• Spa: 10/10
• Service: 10/10
• Value for money: 10/10
• Overall experience: exceptional: 10/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

• Save money: read my tips for getting the best deal at a luxury resort like North Island Seychelles.

• Read my tips for preparing your trip in time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Seychelles is often sold as a year round destination and it is. However there is more chance of bad weather, that is to say rain, from November to March. The transitional months of October and April are excellent for a visit as the oceans are very calm and the weather balmy. During the dry seasons (May to September), it can be windy (causing seaweed on the south or south-easterly side of the islands) with rough seas.

HOW TO GET THERE

Most guests will reach North Island by helicopter, operated by the company Zil Air, which operates from the Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) on the country’s main island of Mahé. The exhilarating 20-minute flight is over verdant islands, with arrival on the resort’s own jetty helipad. The helicopter operates after sunrise and before sunset only.

If you don’t like to fly, you can also easily reach the resort by boat, with a public ferry trip to Silhouette Island (40 minutes), followed by a 20 min ride on North Island’s private speedboat.

Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) is served by many airlines (click here for a direct link to their websites):

• From/via Asia : Air Seychelles (via Hong Kong, Mumbai), Mihin Lanka (via Colombo)

• From/via Middle East: Emirates (via Dubai), Etihad Airways (via Abu Dhabi), Air Seychelles (via Abu Dhabi), Qatar Airways (via Doha)

• From/via Europe: Condor (via Frankfurt), Air Seychelles (via Paris, Dusseldorf), Austrian Airlines (via Vienna), Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul)

• From/via Africa: Kenya Airways (via Nairobi), Ethiopian Airlines (via Addis Ababa), Air Austral (via La Reunion), Air Seychelles (via Johannesburg, Durban and Mauritius)

PHOTOS

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The post Review: PHENOMENAL North Island Seychelles appeared first on the Luxury Travel Expert.

Wednesday newsletters always feature a luxury hotel and/or flight review.

Today (June 17, 2015): Review of Soneva Kiri (Thailand), my best luxury hotel experience ever!

• Location: Google maps
• Address: 110 Moo 4, Ko Kood, Ko Kut District, Trat 23000, Thailand
• Hotel website: Soneva Kiri
• Tip: contact me to get a complimentary room upgrade at the time of booking

Remote yet accessible by a 90 minute flight from Bangkok on the resort’s private plane, Soneva Kiri sits on Thailand’s 4th largest but least populated island, Koh Kood, in the Gulf of Siam. One of the most exclusive beach resorts in the world, Soneva Kiri offers an unrivalled combination of luxury, environmentally friendly design and unforgettable, authentic Thai experiences. The 36 resort villas (including 11 private residences) are amongst the largest in the world. Located on the idyllic beach or sunny slopes in the rainforest, all have stunning infinity pools, impossibly chic furnishings, personal electric buggies, and impeccable service courtesy of private butlers. Highlights include the open air cinema Paradiso, Benz’ mangrove restaurant, the chocolate & ice cream parlour, the children’s den and the spectacular Treetop dining pod.

Soneva Kiri features in my top 10 lists of the most insanely beautiful hotels in Thailand, the world’s most amazing beach resorts, the world’s most outrageous hotel experiences,  the best private plunge pools in the world, the world’s most beautiful hotel beaches, the world’s best luxury hotels, the world’s best family hotels, the world’s most remote hotels, the most astonishing beach retreats in Asia, and luxury hotels with private airports.

In this review (more info and photos below my Youtube clip & slideshow):

• Pros & things I like
• Cons & things to know
• My verdict
• Tips for future guests & save money
• Best time to visit
• How to get there

*** Follow me on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for a daily moment of travel inspiration ***

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

• The transfer from Bangkok to Soneva Kiri is done by plane and smoothly coordinated: from the moment you disembark at one of Bangkok’s two airports, a Soneva representative will assist and escort you until you board the resort’s private plane. Yes, you read that right: a private plane! Guests are transferred from the Thai capital to Soneva Kiri in style aboard the resort’s luxurious custom-fitted eight-seater private plane (a Cessna Grand Caravan). The plane departs from Bangkok’s Don Muang Airport according to a fixed time schedule, although Soneva Kiri also operates some daily departures from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport, which is currently Bangkok’s main getaway. You will be chauffeured in a BMW 7 Series limousine if you need to change airports for your transfer to Soneva Kiri. Click here to watch my Youtube clip aboard the resort’s private plane.

• The flight from Bangkok to Soneva Kiri takes about 90 minutes and is a very scenic, low flying, sightseeing trip over Eastern Thailand: about half of it takes place over land, and the remaining half of over the Gulf of Thailand’s turquoise waters. The plane lands at Soneva’s Kiri private airstrip on a neighboring island, and from there, it’s another 5 minutes by speedboat to the resort, where the staff and your butler will welcome you to paradise, with a smile and a refreshing cold towel.

• Soneva Kiri’s natural landscape is stunningly beautiful. The resort is located on a massive, 41-hectare (102-acre) site in a remote corner on the northwest of Thailand’s 4th largest but least populated island, Koh Kood. With hills covered by lush tropical rainforest, and sugar-white beaches lapped by crystal clear waters, these are Thailand’s – even Asia’s – most pristine and glamorous resort grounds. It doens’t get better than this.

• Because the resort grounds are so spread out (e.g. it takes 2 km from the main facilities to the private beach club), guests are given personal electric buggies to get around for the duration of their stay.

• Within Soneva Kiri’s resort grounds, you will find Thailand’s most idyllic beach, located along a coconut grove and composed of white, powdery soft sand. The beach (with its beach club, watersports and restaurant) is only accessible to the resort’s guests. Here, you can stroll on the beach along the pristine, ridiculously clear and remarkably warm waters in all tranquillity (no sharing with throngs of tourists or hundreds of guests). In addition to being Thailand’s best beach, it is also one of the most beautiful hotel beaches in the world.

• While the resort itself is oriented towards the north and east, the beach is oriented towards the west, guaranteeing maximal sun exposure all day long and offering incredible views of the spectacular sunsets.

• Perched atop rocky cliffs and sheltered amidst verdant tree canop, the resort’s heart is an amazing latticework of pathways and wood pavilions that look like they’re straight out of a fairytale. Here, you find the reception, library, bar, the Dining Room (see below), jewelry shop. and the resort’s fantastic chocolate & ice cream parlour. You can choose of over sixty constantly changing flavours of homemade ice creams and sorbets at So Chilled. Inside the adjoining So Chocoholic, you can indulge in every child’s dream of never-ending chocolate: freshly made passion fruit, honey and salted caramel infused truffles line up alongside warm pots of creamy mousse and luscious fondue.

• Soneva Kiri has 24 resort villas and 11 private residences. The elegant and sophisticated villas are massive in scale and amongst the world’s largest hotel accommodations. In Soneva’s trademark rustic-chic eco-design, the villas feature large outdoor living areas and indoor, air-conditioned bedrooms, surrounded by spectacular private pools. The semi-outdoor, en-suite bathrooms are beautifully designed. In all my travels, I have never been more impressed and ‘wowed’ by a hotel accommodation than here.

• From the moment you touch down (barefoot) on Soneva’s Kiri’s shores, your personal butler – called a Mr. or Ms. “Friday” – will be on hand with a smile and assist you throughout your stay.

• Breakfast, lunch and dinner at Soneva Kiri are stellar culinary experiences, because of the extravagant restaurant settings, the amazing food, and top-quality service. A highlight is Benz’ restaurant, an open-air lantern-lit eatery on stilts, that is reached by boat through the mangroves and that serves the finest Thai cuisine. The resort’s other fine dining venue, the View restaurant, offers delicious Western cuisine, accompanied by incredible vistas over the Gulf of Thailand and its sunsets. The resort’s 3rd restaurant, the Dining room, is a less formal affair and is also the decor of the amazing breakfast buffet, undoubtedly one of the best that I have ever seen (it includes a dedicated ham and cheese room, featuring sumptuous homemade cheeses, charcuterie and own-smoked salmon).

• And if the restaurants mentioned above won’t do it for you, then there’s always Soneva’s Kiri unique Treepod Dining experience, which takes fine dining to new heights. From a bamboo pod high up into the ancient rainforest, you can gaze out across the boulder-covered shoreline dancing with gentle waves, as you savour gourmet delights and your chosen wines, delivered via the zip-line acrobatics of your personal waiter.

• The resort offers an abundance of activities that cater all ages and even the most discerning of tastes: a wide selection of water sports (including catamaran sailing, sea kayaking, windsurfing, water-skiing, wake boarding and snorkelling) and a variety of  excursions (including a visit to the island’s local villages, cooking classes and a sightseeing trip to Angkor Wat) are available to guests, in addition to tennis, mountain biking, astronomy and gardening classes.

• At Soneva Kiri, you can watch classic movies under the stars in a return to the old traditions of Hollywood enjoyment. The magnificent resort’s Cinema Paradiso screens movies in an open-air “theatre”, a jungle-enshrouded auditorium of cascading cushions over the waters of the reservoir lagoon.

• Soneva Kiri built a giant moulded bamboo playground for their youngest VIP guests. Shaped like a manta ray, the resort’s children club (‘the Den’) is dedicated to learning, excitement, and meaningful experiences, all under the supervision of professional child caretakers.

• Hidden among the island’s wild jungle foliage, the resort’s excellent Spa is the place to treat yourself after a day of activities, excursions or relaxing at the beach. Here, mud massages, Thai herbal baths, silk facials, warm oils of Ayurveda and a rich selection of wellness rituals await your choosing. The spa is operated by Six Senses, a brand that’s world-famous for its wellness programs & facilities.

• The resort is managed by Soneva, my absolute favorite hotel brand in the world. The acronym SLOW LIFE (Sustainable-Local-Organic-Wellness Learning-Inspiring-Fun-Experiences) explains the Soneva philosophy: it aims to create unforgettable, innovating, and enlightening experiences that illuminate their guest’s lives whilst treading lightly on the earth. The ethos and values it is run by are what sets Soneva on different footing as compared to other high-end hotel brands. In addition, there’s also a lot of love and romance in the story of Soneva, which was founded in 1995 by Sonu Shivdasani, an Indian-British hotelier, and his wife Eva Malmstrom, a Swedish fashion model. I have also reviewed the fabulous Soneva property in the Maldives, Soneva Fushi (you can read my review here).

• Pre-arrival communication with the resort is excellent: all my emails were answered within 24 hours.

• The most stand-out feature of Soneva Kiri is the excellent staff. Everyone, from management to your personal butler, is superfriendly and service is impeccable.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

Soneva Kiri is one of the most exclusive resorts of the world.  It doesn’t get any better than this. The travel experience is mind-blowing from start to end and will last for a lifetime. The resorts has no real cons, yet there are some thing you may want to know and a few hiccups happened during my stay (albeit none of them affected my overall satisfaction): 

• While most will love the spectacular transfer in the resort’s private plane, the thought of flying (overwater) on one engine in a small plane (albeit with 2 pilots) for 90 minutes can make people – including myself – nervous. And it doesn’t help when there’s no safety briefing (where are the life jackets?) and when the pilot is reading the check list of an engine failure during the flight and in clear sight of the passengers (which was the case during my flight). Having said that, you don’t have to fly to get to Soneva Kiri as you can also get there from Bangkok by car (3 to 4 hours), followed by a 40 min boat transfer. So, your flying phobia should not be an excuse to skip this exceptional, highly recommended resort. Click here to watch my Youtube clip aboard the resort’s private plane if this helps to ease the nerves.

• The first night, my villa ran out of hot water, and that’s not what you want to happen when you pay more than 1500 USD per night. Since the staff could not immediately fix the issue, and since no other villa was available, I had no other option than using the bathroom of the spa, and moving to another villa the next day. I understand this can happen, and the management was very apologetic about it and offered me some extras (which was difficult given the fact that my package included so many things already). I still feel that when this kind of unexpected, unacceptable and major inconvenience occurs, the best thing a hotel management can do is simply wave the charge of that night (or seriously discount it), which did not happen.

• Most of the resort’s villa are located in the jungle, where wildlife is present. It’s just a fantastic addition to an already exceptional resort, and you should feel lucky when you get to spot one of the more elusive wildlife creatures. However, some may find the presence of wildlife uncomfortable or the noise it makes at night annoying. More troublesome are the mosquitos and sand flies which are for real in the rainy season (May to October).

• The resort has 24 one-bedroom villas, ranging from the ‘cliff pool villa suite’ (lowest room category) and the ‘bayview pool villa suite’ to the ‘ocean front pool villa suites’ (highest room category). I stayed in 2 of them: a cliff pool and ocean front pool villa suite. While I loved both villa types, I felt that the ocean front villa suites – which are the most expensive one-room villas – have a slightly misleading designation, as they are not really ocean front but are built around an inlet of the sea (more like a lagoon); in addition, they have a rather dull looking garden in front of them as well as some kind of a ‘beach’ (which is non-existing at high tide and more of a mudpool at low tide). In fact, I could only see the sea from my ocean front villa suite through a small gap in the foliage (see photos).

• All your other trips will pale in comparison to the memory of a Soneva Kiri vacation.

MY VERDICT

This is the only time I have given a resort the maximum score of 10 out of 10 (despite the hiccups mentioned above)!

• Location: 10/10
• Design: 10/10
• Rooms: 10/10
• Food: 10/10
• Service: 10/10
• Overall experience: exceptional: 10/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

• Contact me to get a complimentary room upgrade at the time of booking.

• Save money: read my tips for getting the best deal at a luxury hotel like Soneva Kiri (and/or receive many free perks).

• Save money: I recommend to book a stay at Soneva Kiri through a Virtuoso travel agent, which has the benefit of complimentary VIP perks (e.g. villa upgrade, breakfast, early check-in , late check-out, welcome Champagne with Thai tapas on arrival, and a 30 minute spa treatment for two).

• Read my tips for preparing your trip in time.

• When choosing a villa, you should mainly take into consideration whether you want to be in the jungle and shade (cliff or bayview pool villa suite), or in full sunshine (ocean front pool villa suite). Keep in mind that the ocean front pool villa suites are not really ocean front (see above) and are not located on Soneva Kiri’s idyllic beach. In fact, we preferred the less expensive cliff villa over the ocean front villa, mainly because of the shade (which was a welcome respite because of the heat) and tropical foliage, but that’s a matter of personal preference.

• If you travel in the rainy season, be sure to prepare for insects (the hotel does provide insect repellent though). We did not have any problems with insects during our stay in the dry season).

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The weather in Southeast Thailand is dominated by a tropical monsoon climate which means there are three main seasons: a cool, dry season between November and February (which is the best period to visit this part of Thailand); a hot, dry season from March to June, and a rainy season from July to October. Expect daytime temperatures to be in excess of 30 degrees centigrade throughout the year (with the possible exception of late December and early January). The two periods April to May and September to October are characterised by very high humidity. The southwest monsoons arrive between May and October bringing unsettled, cloudy conditions, as well as lower room rates.

HOW TO GET THERE

Soneva Kiri is reached by a 90 minute flight from Bangkok on the resort’s private plane (or, when you are suffering from flying phobia, a 3 to 4 hours car trip followed by a 40 min boat transfer). Bangkok itself is served by 2 airports:

• Suvarnabhumi International Airport is located 25 kilometres (16 mi) east of downtown Bangkok and is a major hub in Asia. Check the Wikipedia page of Suvarnabhumi International Airport for an updated list with airlines that offer direct flights to Bangkok.

• Don Mueang Airport is Bangkok’s regional commuter flight hub and the de facto low-cost airline hub. Check the Wikipedia page of Don Mueang Airport for an updated list with airlines that offer direct flights to Bangkok.

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