If I’d learnt one thing from travelling, it was that the way to get things done was to go ahead and do them. Dont talk about going to Borneo. Book a ticket, get a visa, pack a bag and it just happens- Alex Garland- The Beach
I was in Thailand in June for a friends bachelorette and ended up staying on a few extra days to review the gorgeous, secluded Six Senses Yao Noi. I had visited Krabi, Maya Bay, Phi Phi and the neighbouring islands and wanted to spend the rest of my days reading, meditating and doing some yoga. Read all about my experience at Six Senses for LBB here
I was at Six Senses for two nights and my only regret was that it wasn’t enough time for me to explore the island and the resort premises. I reached Yao Noi by speedboat at half past 4. I was greeted at the jetty by the resort manager and taken into my villa to rest for a bit. I was hosted at the picturesque Villa 19 that offered gorgeous lush verdant views of the forest equipped with my own private pool and a butler who would assist me with anything I needed. There were buggys that you could call to transport you from point A to B in case of rain and bad weather but you could choose to rent bicycles or walk your way through the resort as well.
After a hotel inspection, I decided to go down to Mai Thai beach in the evening for a long walk and met a few couples who were there on their honeymoon and they told me about the spots they recommended around the island for a swim and snorkel. I watched a few guests take on a muay thai session and attempted a few kicks and punches myself but realised that it was a lot harder than it looked.
Unlike Phi Phi, Maya Bay, Krabi and Koh Samui, the beaches here offer solitude and so much peace and quiet that even walking along the beach is meditative. You bump into honeymooners and young couples along the way but there’s no sound from shacks or anyone trying to sell you anything. The resort offers eco friendly, barefoot luxury in a very relaxed and tranquil setting.
Dinner that night was hosted by the spa manager Doctor Ranjan at ‘Dining room’. We sat outside as we listened to the raindrops, crickets and sounds of the birds in the forest. Alfresco dining here is a real treat and if you love nature, this can be a real treat.
I slept very well that night and woke up to a violent thunderstorm and spent the morning reading over a languid breakfast at the ‘living room’. The chef was made aware of my dietary requirements and allergies and I made my way through the bread over a languid meal. The spread here has everything you could fathom and more and with more than enough options for the healthy eater from smoothies, rice and cashew milk, chia puddings, porridge and more.
I had a private aerial yoga class in the new elevated yoga pavilion where Mr Dore Lal walked me through introductory poses before we proceeded towards inversions. Mr Dore Lal is a highly skilled professional in yoga, meditation and healing and has spent a lot of time training people to become more connected, limber and lithe.
Aerial yoga is quite the rage in the wellness world and resorts the world over are embracing it and using it to induct guests into yoga. I started with a few poses to open up tight hamstrings and shoulders before we proceeded towards inversions. Once I got the hang of the props, I was monkeying around while Dore Lal was taking pictures of me while I was trying to hold the pose.
My yoga session was followed by a group meditation session with two other guests from the hotel . The one hour class was an introduction into a guided chakra meditation and after the session I felt like I was a lot less jittery and anxious.
I spent the evening curled up in my cabana at ‘The hilltop reserve’ eating my bodyweight in pomelo salad, chicken satay and sweet potato chips as I watched the sun set over Pha Nga Bay. The view from this resort is absolutely breathtaking and you have to book a meal here when you arrive at Yao Noi. The resort had an open air beach screening of Paradiso for all the guests that night but I had work to finish so I retreated to my villa early.
My last day at the resort was spent at the spa. The team at Six Senses use a lot of organic ingredients that are native to Thailand like silk cocoons, honey and other ingredients. I was ushered into a gorgeous spa room with an outdoor #rainshower and private pool for an invigorating deep tissue massage where the massage therapist used her elbows to alleviate stiffness, improve mobility and range of motion. I was screaming halfway through the session because my desk job had made me all kinds of sore but was so glad I had opted for it because my body thanked me afterwards. My neck, shoulder and upper back were noticeably less stiff and I felt lighter than I had in weeks.
I waited post my massage for the anti-ageing facial. Unlike chemical exfoliants that seep into your skin and cause damage or irritation, the therapist incorporated the goodness ‘thai silk cocoons’ to gently exfoliate the skin and cleanse it. An hour later, she handed over the mirror and my face looked less irritated after all that time in the sun and I was sporting a more even-toned complexion.
We encountered a massive storm on the way back to Phuket international airport. I was seated with an Australian family that were praying for their lives as they watched the speedboat bounce and the sea get choppier with every passing minute. The crew on the boat gave us towels to make sure we were dry and made sure we arrived safely and on time for our flight home. Special thanks to the team in Delhi especially Avni and Sanchita for organising this trip seamlessly, the General Manager, Spa team, Dr Ranjan, Mr Dorelal and everyone at Six Senses. Thank you for taking such good care of me. I cant wait to visit Six Senses again.
Highlights- their barefoot vibe meant you could walk into almost any restaurant in your sarong and flip flops. You didn’t have to adhere to a dress code and everybody is friendly and very relaxed. The property has so much foliage that you feel like you are in the middle of a rainforest and the spa is absolutely gorgeous.
I admit I spent almost all my time outdoors and ended up getting bitten and stung silly by mosquitoes because these buggers are large and pretty immune to mosquito repellant. I am not complaining because the views and weather more than made up for it. You have to douse yourself in mosquito repellant and spray and rely on the tortoise coil if you are wandering or dining outdoors in the evening. The beds come with a gorgeous contraption for the mosquito net that protects you but also looks absolutely gorgeous so you must insist on it when housekeeping comes in.
USP- The resort has enough activities from SUP surfing, aerial yoga, muay thai, trekking but the more adventurous can pay a visit to the neighbouring islands for snorkelling and wreck diving. The resort has a happy chicken farm – an initiative that began in 2014 where guests and children were encouraged to visit the happy chickens and pick their eggs for breakfast the next day. Free range chickens are healthier, have less cortisol and produce eggs that have ⅓ the amount of cholesterol than eggs from caged chickens. The chickens also have a chicken gym so they exercise and roam freely and they have a music system that plays jazz music for relaxation. (You can see how much fun I had at the chicken farm in my photos here:P)
This is an eco resort so you are bound to run into frogs, birds and smaller reptiles but I assure you that they aren’t dangerous and they are more afraid of you than you are of them so please be mindful and respect their place and their habitat.
I am waiting to travel to their properties in Maldives and Vietnam. Watch this space for more. Until next time.
Quick Notes- Six Senses;
Six Senses Yao Noi
Address: 56 Moo 5, Koh Yao Noi, Ko Yao District, 82160, Thailand
Phone: +66 76 418 500
http://www.sixsenses.com/resorts/yao-noi/destination
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/sixsensesyaonoi
