Thailand captured my heart instantly when I landed in 2014. I was entirely enchanted by the locals, the stunning beaches, the accommodations & the service… I mean ‘WOW’… and the cuisine – some of the most mouthwatering dishes I have ever had, not to mention the exceptional delivery of Thai food. Once, someone remarked that Thailand is seen as a ‘budget’ getaway, not a genuine luxury vacation like Dubai or the Maldives; I couldn’t help but laugh that person out of the room, as it’s clear that only someone who hasn’t yet felt the allure of Thailand would say such a thing. What better reason to revisit one of the most awe-inspiring locations on the globe than to prove someone wrong? And, wrong they were…
Jump forward 8 years, as I was arranging our Easter break – I take charge of travel in our family. My husband often quips: “do you already know what you’ll be eating when we arrive?” because I conduct thorough research before selecting a holiday destination. However, I wasn’t seeking a new locale; my initial preference was the stunning Four Seasons, Koh Samui, but the lack of flights and connections (considering it was Easter and a sought-after spot) led me to rethink. I browsed through my travel wish list, and there it was… one of my long-cherished places to visit… how could I not have thought of it sooner??
Everyone knows the widely recognized Soneva, the brand that manages Soneva Fushi, Soneva Jani, Soneva Aqua, and of course Soneva Kiri. Soneva is a 5-star luxury ECO-friendly hotel group created by Sonu Shivdasani and his model partner Eva Shivdasani; Sonu is also behind the Six Senses resorts.
Soneva Kiri, the only resort in the Soneva collection located outside the Maldives, was my ultimate dream destination, so I quickly contacted my travel agent, who is THE EXPERT for travel to and within Asia, Shanoon at Adore Maldives. To my delight, Soneva Kiri had openings, and that’s where our Easter escapade commenced.
To start, Koh Kood is an isolated island in Thailand (when I say isolated, I don’t mean ordinary isolated; it’s nearly uninhabited), situated closer to the Cambodian border, in the Thai province of Trat. If someone were to travel to Koh Kood independently, the only accessible route is by flying from Bangkok to Koh Chang and enduring a 6-hour ferry ride to Koh Kood. By independently, I mean not heading to Soneva Kiri, because Soneva resorts provide complimentary transfers for their guests via charter flights. After finalizing our flights, which were from Dubai to Bangkok and then a domestic flight to Koh Kood on the charming little Soneva Kiri aircraft, all that was left was the thrill and anticipation of the wonderful journey ahead.
The day had come: we were on the 7-hour Emirates Airlines overnight flight, one of the premier airlines, enjoying the luxury of our private suites, with tempting snacks and meals offered throughout our journey. Upon landing, a Soneva Kiri representative greeted us directly off the plane and led us to the domestic flight area for our little private Soneva Kiri flight, but… we had no idea that upon reaching the passport control, our fabulous, ultra-luxurious adventure took a small detour. We were informed that our passports required a visa for entry to Thailand – at that moment, my heart sank, yes, we were turned away from passport control and redirected to the visa on arrival section (WHAAAAAAT). Visa on arrival did not entail simply a sticker in our passport; we went through a bewildering process of filling out paperwork, taking passport photos, standing in line, and waiting for our number to be announced – in short, if you’re planning a trip to Thailand and your passport needs a visa upon arrival, obtain it in your country of residence before your actual arrival – believe me, the experience will be far more enjoyable. Fortunately, they provided a fast-track service option, which we eagerly accepted, allowing us to complete the process in under an hour and catch our Soneva Kiri flight to Koh Kood. Finally, aboard the petite aircraft, I could exhale and absorb it all… After all, I was on an unforgettable adventure.
Koh Kood is likely one of the most secluded islands I have ever seen; factor in that we were staying at an eco-friendly resort, and you’ve truly found an explorer in the making. Just kidding! Upon reaching our “room” (
