Soneva Kiri is a true spoil. Your journey begins in style on the resort’s small private plane and then with a quick boat ride to the private island of Koh Kood.
Every detail here is carefully and thoughtfully curated. Before you even arrive, you’re asked to take a survey where you specify everything from your preferred pillow firmness to what kind of music you want queued up in your villa. And while the property is a favorite among celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow, you won’t find any pretentiousness here. The resort’s motto, “No news, No Shoes,” encourages guests to disconnect from the outside world by putting down the phones to get in touch with the natural beauty of their surroundings (you also have the option to quite literally opt to go barefoot during your stay).
Eco-friendly to the extreme, the resort is built with sustainability in mind, using locally sourced materials.
But what truly sets this property apart is how kid-friendly it is. Created with families in mind from the start, every villa is assigned a personal “Miss Friday,” who is responsible for assisting with anything that might come up during a family stay and, as the name suggests, making sure both parents and kids are having fun and able to relax completely.
The villas also all come with a “treehouse room” specifically for kids located up a set of stairs. And while the comfy bunk beds in their own private space are sure to be a hit, the true pièce de résistance for kids is the in-villa waterslide that begins from their bedroom balcony and ends with a splash in the villa pool below. With villas ranging from one bedroom to six, it’s ideal for family vacations, multi-gen trips or even family reunions.
Soneva Kiri also takes the concept of the kids’ club to the next level. The Eco Den, specifically for young kids ages 1-5, is staffed by childcare experts and full of bright toys. The building itself is even fun, built in the shape of a manta ray. Meanwhile, The Den is where older kids go to learn, play and make new friends during their stay. There’s no time to be bored here where everything from learning to play Thai instruments to going out on a snorkel tour is offered.
The whole family will also enjoy sneaking a treat from the chocolate room or choosing from the lengthy list of ice cream flavors available all day. During the day, families can lounge on the sugary white beaches or head out on incredible diving and snorkeling experiences featuring droves of fish and distinctive coral reefs. Adventurers can also trek through the jungle to cascading waterfalls or get hoisted into the air in a bamboo tree pod for a truly memorable dining experience.
At night, be sure to stop by the observatory to learn about space and take in the starry skies with the in-house astronomer. Or, catch a movie at the incredible overwater Cinema Paradiso. They even have an early showing just for kids.
This is truly a getaway for the whole family. You no longer have to choose between going kid-friendly or indulging in the luxury lifestyle — at Soneva Kiri you can have both.
By Hannah Freedman