"Soneva Kiri, on the still pristine Koh Kood, is among the most exciting resorts, not just in Thailand, but in all of Southeast Asia. Guests land on a private airstrip on neighboring speck Koh Mai Si and then take a short motor boat ride to a jetty jutting into a pretty cove. The resort sprawls over the island’s northern tip, and butlers shepherd guests over the manicured grounds by electric cart. Virtuously constructed from sustainable eucalyptus logs, native bamboo, and treated pine, the 36 villas—some fronting a gorgeous private beach, others up on the hillside—are actually multi-structured complexes spacious enough for an entire family and appointed with a dressing area, a separate dining deck, indoor and outdoor showers, and a private infinity pool. Chef Khun Benz spearheads the resort dining—including inside a bamboo "Treepod" served by a waiter on zipline—which matches dishes with a dizzyingly long wine list, makes use of locally sourced produce, and borrows from Thai, Mediterranean, and continental European cuisine. Another pleasant surprise is the Cinema Paradiso, an open-air movie theater with dinner service." - CNT Editors, Betsy Blumenthal
