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TRAVEL NOTES
travel notes local news and expert tips for the jetset
ADOPT AN ELEPHANT
For your chance to protect one of Thailand’s grandest and most revered creatures, do contact the National Elephant Institute (tel +66 (0) 5422-8108, www.thailandelephant.org).
One of His Majesty the King of Thailand’s Royal Initiative Projects, the programme allows animal lovers to sponsor the proper care of pachyderms below the age of four (for 30,000 baht a year) or older elephants that are sick or disabled (for 60,000 baht per year.)
GUIDING LIGHT
To do their part for the environment, luxury resort Soneva Fushi (Kunfunadhoo Island, Baa Atoll, Maldives tel +96 (0) 660-0304, www.sixsenses.com) has made a promise to produce zero carbon emissions by 2010.
Showing that lavish resorts can be environmentally sound too, the 65-villa property aims to cut production of harmful greenhouse gases in half by January 2008,
and use no fossil fuel-derived energy sources by 2010. How? By tapping on more eco-friendly energy sources like wind turbines and coconut bio-diesel.
Chairman and CEO Sonu Shivdasani says Soneva Fushi will then be able to offer “carbon-neutral” holidays to its guests, and aspires to set an example for other high-end hotels to follow.
NEW AND NOTED
New Star Beach Resort (83 Moo 3 Bophut, tel +66 (0)77 422407, www.newstarresort.com) is one of Koh Samui’s latest stylish openings designed to impress – from the villa’s rounded roofs (left), inspired by a Thai biscuit of the same shape (called khanom buang) to the modern zen interiors of SiiSom restaurant, where breakfast is served.
Later on in the year, Villa Lawana (92/1 Moo 2 Tambon Bophut, www.villalawana.com) is also set to open and will feature residences styled after traditional Koh Samui homes. Rooms will incorporate local folk art as well as Chinese Thai antiques from the owner’s personal collection.
Further north on Koh Chang, The Dewa (24/1 Klong Prao Beach, tel +66 (0)2 261-6364, www.thedewakohchang.com) is set to open on 1 September 2007 and will make a splash as one of the new five-star resorts on the island. The ambience and look here is rustic tropical, with soft luxe furnishings contrasting with polished bare cement.
PALACE MAIDEN
Nathalie Gütermann was once a fixture on her German TV series Nathalie’s Lifestyle, but nowadays, she’s more likely to be found in her new home – Koh Samui. She runs Nathalie’s Art Palace (right, Chaweng Lake, tel +66 (0)77 231485, www.nathalies-lifestyle.com), a guesthouse filled with paintings on a hill overlooking Chaweng Lake. Known for throwing chic parties, the popular hostess is clued in on all the island’s treasures. Here, she reveals a few.
What are the best ways to see Samui’s nature?
Board the Fortune Junk Boat (tel +66 (0)77 231169, www.jonque-fortune.com), a truly splendid traditional Chinese junk. My friend Pascal owns the vessel, and he’ll take you to caves, cliffs, limestone and mangrove forests, hidden lagoons and Ang Thong Marine Park’s endless white beaches.
Another adventure you’ll never forget is the Cable Ride Rainforest Tour (Canopy Adventures, tel +66 (0)77 414150) which includes cable rides to tree houses. Glide over palm trees and secret waterfalls while enjoying Samui’s stunning nature from above. Not for the weak-hearted!
What are your top recommendations for spas?
When in need of a massage, I usually order a professional masseuse from Artrium Spa and Resort (14/27 Moo 6, Maenam, tel +66 (0)81 956-1636, www.artrium-thailand.com); they’ll come and do the massage in the privacy of my own room at the Art Palace. Our guests love it.
Eranda Herbal Spa has a great view of tropical gardens and the ocean. Try their herbal steam room and plunge pool (9/37 Moo 2 Chaweng north , tel +66 (0)77 422666, www.erandaspa.com).
Where’s the best Thai food on Koh Samui?
For authentic flavour, my preferred place is the Laemdin Market in Chaweng. I often order the traditional pad thai or a noodle soup with pork for about 50 baht at one of the street stalls. It’s safe to eat here because the food is freshly prepared and the water used for washing is usually purified.
And your favourite restaurants?
There are so many! But one of Samui’s best-kept secrets is the Lotus Pond Restaurant and Park (Samui Ring Road, near Bophut intersection, tel +66 (0) 77 245-550, www.lotuspond.biz).
Others include The Cliff Bar and Grill (between Chaweng and Lamai, tel +66 (0)77 414266, www.thecliffsamui.com) for the beautiful view and Bellini (Chaweng, Soi Colibri, tel +66 (0)77 413831) for the ossobuco. Ask for Francesco!
VIET COOL
Glossy coffee table book Vietnam Style (US$44.95 from Periplus Editions) is a stunning showcase of the Vietnamese aesthetic written by Bertrand de Hartingh, a leading expert on the country’s art and architecture. He takes the reader on a journey to the houses of diplomats, high society and Vietnam’s bourgeoisie (the cover shot is inside the Hanoi home of Valerie Gregori McKenzie who owns Asia Song Design), as well as some of the country’s chicest hotels, bars and restaurants. Available at leading bookstores and at www.peripluspublishingroup.com
LIFE AT SEA
Seeking a balance of life in the water and on land? Then look no further than Royal Phuket Marina, which has just launched a second phase of waterside homes due to be complete in 2010.
Yacht owners will love the 15 new four-storey Aquaminiums (apartments with drive-in boat berths) and eight Royal Villas that feature doorstep moorings. All 15 condos have an internal elevator that takes you down to your lounge and internal boat garage (left). www.royalphuketmarina.com
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