Where: Soneva Kiri, Koh Kood island
When Jaideep Sippy and Sujata Asoomull were figuring out their
honeymoon plans, they were clear they wanted to stay in an
environmentally friendly resort only, but they were unsure which one
could give them a magical experience. “When it comes to hospitality,
service and food standards I’m most discerning”, says Jaideep who has
worked in the hospitality & luxury industry for almost 15 years. Now
back from their honeymoon, they are elated with the out-of-the-world
holiday they had at Soneva Kiri resort in Koh Kood island; the island
is in the east of Thailand, known for its pure waterfalls, crystal
clear waters and traditional village life.
Says Jaideep: “After the hectic wedding festivities, we wanted to
relax and unwind in a quiet place. Initially, we had booked a resort
in the world's first demarcated wine region- the Douro valley in
Portugal but the 3-flights long journey dissuaded us. Soneva Kiri is
remote but accessible and the journey was fun. We landed at Bangkok,
from where we flew in on a private jet to Koh Kood; a 2 km speed boat
journey takes us to the beach-front hillside resort.
Explains Jaideep: “The resort offers the most amazing local and
cultural experience; and their service standards are unbelievably
good.” They indulged in a host of activities and had some unique
experiences there: watching films at an open air cinema, learning
diving and fun with chocolates and ice-creams at the chocolate and ice
cream room. Adds Jaideep: “The food is basic but very good; all fresh
catches or freshest ingredients from the local farms. At the Benz
restaurant near the resort we had the best authentic, traditional Thai
food made with the spiciest, tastiest spices. Chef Ben is a Thai
lady who originally worked at Soneva in the Maldives— when Soneva Kiri
in Koh Kood was being setup they invited her to create her own
traditional Thai restaurant. Our experience at the open-air cinema -
Cinema Paradiso was unforgettable too! It’s in the middle of a huge
pond and we watched ‘To Kill a Mocking Bird’ on a star-lit night.”
While the resort offered a host of experiences, for the newly-weds,
the most beautiful moments were when they experienced the
beauty of untouched Thailand and Koh Kood, as they walked around
hand-in-hand, barefoot on the white sandy beaches.
Click here to read about Sujata and Jaideep's Wedding |