The Village coconut Island offers both seclusion and an activity-filled stay, writes Bilqis Bahari
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Unlike the more popular islands among tourists (Koh Phi Phi, Koh Samui and Koh Yao Yai), Koh Maphrao, with its towering coconut trees, is the perfect remote hideaway from the hustle and bustle of the city and the crowds.
At the resort’s pier, we’re greeted by a guest relations manager who brings us to the reception. He gives us, who are looking around the resort in awe, a mini tour and shares some information about the resort and island. The resort occupies only a small part of Coconut Island, which houses between 300 and 400 islanders. About 60 of the natives are employed by the resort.
We are welcomed with the most delicious cold orange juice. The check-in process is swift and it doesn’ttake long before we are ushered pass a long pink and white bougainvillea-strewn path, which guarantees a perfect Instagram shot, to our two-bedroom garden view villa.
As we enter our villa, we find a big open space living area with a modern kitchenette and a breakfast bar. We open the sliding glass doors in the living room to a private pool surrounded by tropical gardens. The villa has two bedrooms.
The master bedroom is spacious and has an open-plan bathroom equipped with signature The Village shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, body lotion and bath salt. I love the resort’s signature bathroom amenities and I wish Icould take them home with me
but there is a little note on the bathtub which says the amenities are not to be removed from the room. The reason is because the hotel is implementing its green initiative programme to provide a eco-friendly resort experience. Therefore, the amenities are always re-filled instead of replaced with new plastic bottles.
WHITE-AND-BLUE RESTAURANT
Kabang Restaurant & Bar is one of the first sights to greet us as we walk down the resort’s front pier. It’s white and blue design complements the sea located in front of it.
And it’s truly an inviting place to sit and enjoy scrumptious Thai food while taking in the stunning seascape.
I recommend the Tom Yum Goong and PlaKra Pong Lui Koh or the deep fried sea bass with betel leaves, chilli and tamarind served withatangy sauce. It is so delicious we order the same dish for lunch the next day.
We also have watermelon and coconut frappe as well as Thai iced tea. The iced tea is different than the one I always have at Thai restaurants in Kuala Lumpur. It doesn’t contain as much condensed milk and less sweet, making one feel less guilty of drinking it.
Kabang also serves delicious Indian and vegetarian food as well as a daily buffet breakfast and buffet dinner on selected days.
I also remember reading a note on halal meat in its menu. According to the restaurant, all of its meat is sourced from halal suppliers while all of its fruits and vegetables are sourced from local Phuket suppliers.
ISLAND ACTIVITIES
The seclusion of the island offers total peace and privacy for guests but it may become boring to some people after their third day. However, activities are aplenty at The Village Coconut Island. Mountain bikes, for example, are available for rent, so one could cycle around to explore the vast resort.
Some other activities include kayaking, sailing and water slides, and there is also a fitness centre and a kids’ club for the little ones.
Several weekly classes are also available such as Muay Thai, Yoga, Thai cooking
class and Thai language class.
I attended the Muay Thai class and learnt some tricks to elbow and kick effectively from a really cool local trainer. After the one-hour class, I cool down in the main pool just next to Kabang Restaurant and order a coconut frappe. The Kahtor Spa at the resort also offers a relaxing environment. I sign up foratwo-hour Thai head, body and feet massage on the second day of my stay.
Suffice to say that the massage is really good that I doze off five minutes after the local Thai masseur starts to gently press my feet.
FAST FACTS
THE VILLAGE COCONUT ISLAND
WHERE 51/7 Moo 6, T.Kohkaew, A Muang, Phuket, Thailand
TEL +66 (0) 76 352 148
EMAIL res@thevillage-coconutisland.com
WEBSITE https://thevillage-coconutisland.com
STAY Three types of accommodation - Jacuzzi suites, Grand villas and Pool villas, which all cater for couples, families, groups and singles. Each has its unique design and feel. Whether you choose the suite or the villa, you’re guaranteed total privacy and relaxation.
EATThree restaurants-Kabang Restaurant & Bar offering a taste of Thailand; Koko serves Japanese cuisine and Asian fusion dishes; and Kucina offers wood-fired Italian pizza and pasta to other international cuisines on the backdrop of live jazz.
DO Indulge in exquisite traditional Thai massage, swim in the Hydrotherapy Pool or take a head-totoe spa package at Kahtor Spa. There is also a fitness centre as well as complimentary daily sessions such as yoga, Muay Thai and water aerobics. Several tour packages such as island hopping and a Phuket cultural tour are also available.
GO There are so many things to do at the island itself that you don’t feel the need to go out. But you can also explore Phuket town on your own by taking a short boat trip on the resort’s 24-hour water taxi service to the mainland.
HIGH Good service. All employees speak English and very helpful. Although the resort is located on a private island away from the city, its WiFi connection is fast and always available.
LOW There are a lot of mosquitoes, given that the island is surrounded by tropical jungle, so you must bring mosquito repellent with you. Otherwise, you can buy
small insect repellent bottles at Koko Mart, a shop located in the resort.
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