How many chances do you get to take a private plane and not (entirely) break the bank?

 

The ultra-luxe Soneva Kiri on Koh Kood in Trat is offering a deal until Aug 31 for two people to take an hour-long flight on an eight-seater plane for a two-night stay, including half-board, for B99,500.

 

Staff at Suvarnabhumi Airport whisk you through the airport mess that comes with flying commercial, and in about an hour you arrive at their private airstrip on Koh Mai Si, a tiny island next to Koh Kood. From there Soneva Kiri takes you to the pier and in just a few moments you’re at your lush resort, where you are introduced to your private butler. 

 

This is all a far cry from the four and a half hour drive and ferry it usually takes to get to Koh Kood from Bangkok; even if you fly into Trat, it still takes hours to get to the island. 

 

 

You’ll be asked to take off your shoes on arrival, and it’s recommended to do that because the “barefoot luxury” concept is part of the charm. This is a high-end resort with impeccable service, so don’t worry about getting your feet dirty. 

 

With just 33 villas on expansive and lush grounds, including beachside and poolside villas bordering mangroves, you’ll feel like there’s hardly anyone around. 

 

 

On the ground, guests will find the bucket list-worthy jungle canopy in which your food is brought to you via zipline for B12,000 per couple. Other activities on the property include the outdoor cinema, Cinema Paradiso, screening classic movies over a the water, a stargazing observatory with a professional astronomer, and a bevy of restaurants to explore from Thai and nikkei (Peruvian-Japanese) to other international cuisines—and there’s an all-day chocolate room you can visit anytime you want.

 

 

It’s not just in-house guests; visitors come from all over the island for what are undoubtedly the plushest dining options on Koh Kood.

 

Soneva Kiri is the only property owned by Soneva in Thailand, with three more in Maldives—Soneva Fushi, Soneva Jani, and Soneva in Aqua (a luxury yacht).