Soneva Kiri

“Simply Awesome!”

This was our sixth visit to Kiri Private Reserve and once again we were blown away by the wonderful villas, superb food, and the all round phenomenal service. Koh Kood is beautiful, quiet and unspoilt, far less commercialised than other islands and KPR is the perfect place in which to relax and enj… more

This was our sixth visit to Kiri Private Reserve and once again we were blown away by the wonderful villas, superb food, and the all round phenomenal service. Koh Kood is beautiful, quiet and unspoilt, far less commercialised than other islands and KPR is the perfect place in which to relax and enjoy it. Little has changed over the years which is a huge positive. The outstanding personalised service starts before you leave home, with a seamless reservation experience from Nui and with a preferences questionnaire. The high standards continue from the moment you step off the plane in Bangkok and are personally escorted through fast track immigration, luggage collection, and on to the check in. The private 8 seater plane takes you for a scenic 75 minute flight to the adjacent island airstrip and from there a speedboat whisks you off for the 5 minute ride to the resort as you're given cold scented towels and a refreshing fruit drink. On the wooden jetty to personally welcome you is the management team along with your personal Barefoot Guardian who will be your host during your stay. Our BG was a young lady called Meenie. She was simply superb. Not only did she create an itinerary for our stay, and make restaurant reservations for us, she also suggested interesting experiences and was always there to drive us around and to make sure we had the best possible time. Meenie’s service was instinctive and her ability to anticipate and surprise so impressive. She had a brilliant attitude, and her sense of humour, attention to detail and genuine friendly care really made this a memorable stay. A true credit to KPR. The Villa was breathtaking. Ours was a Beach Pool Suite which had every amenity you could possibly wish for along with welcome canapés, chocolate, cheese, cookies and fruit. A huge wrap around pool, massive bathroom with outdoor shower and a large comfortable bed made this suite perfect in every way. The outdoor living space was quite special. Besides the infinity pool there were so many places to lounge and take in the magnificent view. Each villa also gets its own buggy giving you the freedom to come and go as you please. It was great fun driving around the extensive grounds. Considering it was the green season, the weather was great; a little overcast but with a fair few hours of sun each day. The thunderstorms and rain tended to happen at night and made for nice, fresh mornings. Having a beach in front of our villa was lovely and tropical and we mostly had it all to ourselves, spending many hours enjoying the warm sea. The main So Sandy Beach is a short speedboat ride away and is a beautiful spot with soft white sand, turquoise water, all against a backdrop of palm trees and jungle. The beach crew are brilliant and look after you so well. There is a mini beach club for light lunches and drinks along with a water sports centre for sea activities. The food options here are extremely varied and all are outstanding. The amazing breakfast has everything you could ever wish for including loads of healthy options and juices and sets you up for the day. Tuk’s restaurant serves up the most authentic and delicious Thai food in an atmospheric setting within the mangroves. The standards here are high, with the ever changing multi-course menu combining fresh ingredients brought from the market that day, all cooked by Chef Tuk and her team. Truly memorable. The View restaurant provided top notch Japanese/South American cuisine against the backdrop of stunning sunsets. The Nikkei tasting menu was fantastic, the sashimi so fresh with each dish showcasing the innovation of Chef Mike. A really great experience which compares favourably with similar top London restaurants. The ESS Bar was more casual with an excellent all day dining menu of Thai food as well as lighter snacks such as pizzas and burgers. There is so much choice. Chef Fang created bespoke special occasion menus, tailored to our likes, all of them superb. Regular food Pop-Ups are also a feature. During our stay we enjoyed a fantastic seafood evening. The food was excellent, expertly cooked and presented. There is also the opportunity to arrange ‘special occasion’ dinners in the wine cellar or anywhere else that takes your fancy. We had a fantastic candlelit dinner arranged especially for us with a bespoke menu, an experience I will remember for a long time. On our final night we enjoyed an amazing, fine dining in-villa BBQ. Eating superb food personally prepared by Chef Mike whilst watching the sun set was an awesome way to end the trip. Everyone should try the Treepod Dining. Your waiter delivers your food via a zip wire! Gourmet Thai food, up in the trees, with a stunning view was a really unique and unforgettable experience. And of course I must mention the chocolate room and ice cream parlour. So many different flavours to try and all for free all day, every day. A cool-room full of charcuterie and cheese is also a feature. Fantastic. KPR prides itself on offering unique experiences. We loved getting out and about and did an island tour, visiting a fishing village and swam in a waterfall. We also went on a rainforest trek to see the massive ancient trees and visited the Hornbill reintegration project. Cinema Paradiso opens a couple of times a week. There is nothing better than watching films, under the stars in the middle of the jungle with popcorn and drinks. On a cloudless night, we visited the observatory. Seeing the stars so clearly was amazing. It goes without saying that the Spa is incredible. In a lovely and relaxing environment the therapists were some of the best we’ve come across and the treatments superb. Get yourself down there in the first day or so and enjoy a jet lag massage. Nothing better. There is also a well equipped gym with everything you need to keep fit along with various running and walking routes around the resort. Yes, KPR is amazing however what really sets this place apart from other luxury properties is the service. It is simply outstanding. The food and beverage staff were friendly, polite and on top of their game looking after us so well. Food preferences were remembered from restaurant to restaurant which was impressive. Each and every one of the team deserve great credit and recognition for the high standards they maintain. James, Spy and Chelsea were brilliant. This place is truly a foodies paradise. As for housekeeping, we rarely saw Pancake and Jay Aey which is the best compliment we can pay. We always returned to a spotless and refreshed room with little surprises each night. The entire team are so well drilled and did excellent work. Everyone we met, gardeners, maintenance, office staff, were all so friendly, remembering our names and saying hello. The eco credentials of KPR are worth a mention too. The company supports the local community and everything, including the bottled water is sustainable wherever possible. They are well ahead of the game, with single use plastic products not being used which is great to see. This ethos of protecting the environment and sustainability is so important and I hope will continue. In summary, if you enjoy a laid back, yet luxurious resort, with superb food, outstanding service and fantastic experiences, Kiri Private Reserve ticks every box. A real bucket list destination. It takes a lot of hard work to continue to raise the bar and be so consistently impressive. The attention to the little details is awesome. Manish and the team have got it spot on. KPR sets a worldwide benchmark in terms of hospitality and I know their recent evolution will be a success. The greatest compliment we can pay is that we have already booked to return for a seventh time next September. We are well and truly hooked. A very special place, with very special people. Thank you, once again. M&M

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“No words”

Speechless. How hard it is to write a review when there are no words to describe how special something is. Soneva Kiri is not a hotel. It is not an island. Not even a destination. It is paradise. The real one. The one where time, space, smell, sight, touch and everything has a different meaning. Ti… more

Speechless. How hard it is to write a review when there are no words to describe how special something is. Soneva Kiri is not a hotel. It is not an island. Not even a destination. It is paradise. The real one. The one where time, space, smell, sight, touch and everything has a different meaning. Time stops. The world stops. The only thing left is the beauty of nature, the connection with your senses, with calm, and with kindness. A lot of kindness. Only beautiful humans and an experience you won’t ever forget. Ever.

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“magical and mindful luxury retreat in beautiful nature – Best Stay in Thailand!”

My stay at Soneva Kiri was extraordinary—a peaceful, luxurious, and deeply immersive experience from arrival to depature. The resort is loacted on the small island of Koh Kood, whoch is not only one of the most beautiful islands I've visted while travelling Thailand but also one of the less known o… more

My stay at Soneva Kiri was extraordinary—a peaceful, luxurious, and deeply immersive experience from arrival to depature. The resort is loacted on the small island of Koh Kood, whoch is not only one of the most beautiful islands I've visted while travelling Thailand but also one of the less known once that for sure have the most beautiful beaches in all of Thailand. And this resort offers more than just five-star comfort—it offers a connection: to nature, to Thai culture, and to really relax. From the warm welcome to our farewell, we felt genuinely cared for. You will have your personal "barefoot guardian", a host for the stay, ensured that every detail was taken care of seamlessly. The villa itself was huge, beautifully designed with sustainability in mind, and came with all the comforts you could need—plus those small touches that surprise and delight. Daily housekeeping was discreet yet thoughtful, always adding a sense of care. One of the standouts was the exceptional food. Whether we were dining at the main restaurant, enjoying traditional Thai dishes at Kruua Mae Tuk, or having fresh coconuts and grilled seafood at the beachside eatery, every meal was delicious and carefully crafted. The selection and variety were impressive. And As a coffee lover I also enjoyed the coffee especially during breakfast very much! We especially loved the freedom to explore the resort with our personal golf cart, allowing us to discover quiet spots, the beaches, and the well-equipped gym. The private beach was stunning—secluded, peaceful, and perfect for a swim or a relaxing afternoon. What made Soneva Kiri truly unique were the experiences: dining high in the trees at the Treepod, an unforgettable snorkeling excursion, a tranquil yoga session, and even spa treatments that left us fully recharged. Each activity felt meaningful, never rushed or commercial which normally comes with stays in Resorts. As its of personal intrest we also appreciated the resort’s commitment to sustainability and mindful luxury—something that is clearly embedded in the way everything is run, from architecture to food sourcing to how the staff engages with guests and how they take care of their own garden and waste management. In summary: this was the highlight of our entire trip to Thailand. If you’re looking for a luxurious yet grounded escape where nature, comfort, and experience blend into something magical—Soneva Kiri is the place.

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