Soneva Kiri, Koh Kood, Thailand

Soneva Kiri by Six Senses is a "six star" eco-resort located in Koh Kood, an island almost inhabited in Thailand. An eco-friendly dream destination, features 42 resort villa and 21 private residences spanning over a luscious 150 acres of beach and tropical rainforest.

The resort is stunning in every way, but the main attraction without a doubt is the suspended tree pod dining experience. The tree pod gives you the opportunity to dine 16 feet off the ground in a woven tree pod, while servers deliver your food via zip line.

The design adopts all bioclimatic aspects to suits its humid tropical environment. The roof cantilevers up to 8m acting like a big umbrella providing shade and protection from the monsoon downpours. The open design with the translucent elevated rooftop and setback floors allow for natural airflow inside and the use of natural daylight, limiting the hotel’s energy consumption.

The road to Paradise began some 15 years ago when a young Eton-and-Oxford-educated, Indian entrepreneur, Sonu Shivdasani, and his Swedish wife, Eva, set up a company that aimed to redefine the idea of small, exquisite, luxury holiday resorts. The glamorous couple combined their two first names to produce the Soneva and Evason brands, which flourished along with Six Senses Spas.

Six Senses is a great believer in stimulating children through fun experiences that also have educational depth. At Soneva Kiri by Six Senses, the architects revisited childhood dreams to construct the kind of facility that inspires children and brings a big smile to the faces of their parents. The Den at Soneva Kiri is an extraordinary overground bamboo-framed structure exclusively for the use of younger guests. It's built in the shape of a gigantic manta ray hovering amongst the tree tops with a cavernous belly full of LIFE (Learning-Inspiring-Fun-Experiences).
At The Den children learn how to play music or design clothes but are gently reminded of their social and environmental responsibilities. An awareness of local culture and values is key so the Music Room is filled with traditional Thai instruments, mobiles and bracelets are made from recycled magazine paper and children are always encouraged to learn a few useful Thai phrases.