For explorations further afield, such as the many beach-fringed islets that dot Phang Nga Bay, island-hopping tours (including secluded beach picnics) can be arranged. Your GEM can arrange a tuk-tuk tour around the island, which will whisk you through rubber plantations, mangroves, and rice paddies, stopping for a Thai tea or two along the way. You come here to get away from the tourist-thronged beaches, sketchy bars, and clingy souvenir hawkers you find in Southern Thailand’s more popular spots. It offers little in the way of sightseeing or entertainment, but that’s what makes it special. What about the neighborhood? Does the hotel fit in, make itself part of the scene? The resort is located on Koh Yao Noi, “Little Long Island”-some 40 minutes from the bustle of Phuket. What type of travelers will you find here? It’s a mixed bag: happy honeymooners, Thai weekenders, and families looking for some quality time together-hailing from the United States to Japan, and seemingly everywhere in between. And when it’s time to leave, a crew of staff will wave you goodbye until your boat is just a tiny dot in the sea. Smiley gardeners wave when you breeze past in a buggy, and the friendly restaurant staff is always down for a chat. A battalion of linen-clad GEMs (Guest Experience Makers) live up to their job title and shine in delivering top-notch intuitive service, from getting your private terrace lounge-ready while you’re having breakfast, to providing entertainment for the little ones and making sure you pack a bottle of the house-made mosquito repellent wherever you go. But best of all: free house-made ice cream-all day, every day.Īnd the service?Let’s put it this way: if even the resort’s chicken coop is decked out with a sound system playing jazz tunes, you can be sure that its human guests are in very good hands. Breakfast is also served here, and consists of an à la carte menu (try the mixed fruit smoothie bowl topped with chia and goji) and a buffet of Asian breakfast dishes (congee, wok-fried noodles, the works), perfectly flaky pastries, and cheeses from the air-conditioned deli counter. Down by the beach, The Living Room dishes out comfort food throughout the day, including perfectly cooked Thai classics, salad bowls, and Indian specialties. Dinner here is an indulgent European affair (think lobster, wagyu beef, and duck confit) with an impressive wine list to boot. The Dining Room occupies a two-floor pavilion deep inside the jungle, with babbling streams visible through its glass floor. Is there a charge for Wi-Fi? Wifi is free and surprisingly fast, given the resort’s offbeat location.ĭrinking and dining-what are we looking at? Both of the resort’s main restaurants cook as much as possible with produce from the on-site organic gardens, farm, and mushroom hut. Against a backdrop of teak wood and bamboo, driftwood bedposts make the mosquito nets look like chic bed drapes, while canary-yellow day beds and blinds add a ray of sunshine to even the dreariest days. Layout-wise, they’re all fairly similar (bar a few of the multi-bedroom villas and the honeymoon suite), sporting private infinity pools, outdoor showers, and sunken bathtubs positioned to soak up the views. Any tips on what to book? Each of the resort's 56 thatched-roof villas is designed as a secluded tropical hideout-whether they boast ocean views, direct beach access, or are hidden deep in the jungle. Plastic is a dirty word here, and the resort has virtually banned it throughout. On a complimentary tour, guests will visit the resort's small farm and the recycling plant, where old furniture is made into nesting boxes for the local hornbill population the Finance department’s staples end up in prosthetics for the nearby hospital, and drinking water is sourced from the 12 deep wells that dot the resort. They have their lemongrass drinking straws and reusable glass water bottles, of course, but do much more than that, and will proudly show you. But for Six Senses, sustainability isn’t just a marketing gimmick, it’s in their DNA. What's the backstory? Most resorts wouldn’t bring their guests behind the scenes. This is Southern Thailand in all its green- and azure-hued glory, far away from the overdeveloped beaches you encounter on the surrounding islands. From wherever you look, moss-covered limestone formations dot the horizon. On top, the villas' thatched roofs are barely visible through the jungle foliage. Some 30 minutes into the 40-minute speedboat trip from Phuket’s Ao Po Marina, the resort’s main hill juts out from the sea. Why did this hotel catch your attention? What's the vibe? Think 'Jungle Book', but make it fancy.
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