In our #AmazingThailand series, we bring you to discover romantic wedding and honeymoon destinations in the country.  In the watery heart of the famous Phang Nga Bay lies a pair of large, unspoiled islands, Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai.  On Koh Yao Noi, you will discover a pristine island surrounded by emerald waters, incredible views and cozy living mostly untouched by mass tourism.  If you are in search of a respite from the busy crowds of Thailand, this quaint and laidback island equidistant from Phuket and Krabi makes the ideal honeymoon spot for you.  In this issue, we take you to discover a coastal gem in the island of Koh Yao Noi – Cape Kudu Hotel.

Part of the Small Luxury Hotels worldwide collection, Cape Kudu Hotel presents the finer things in life on this tranquil, unspoiled island.  This coastal getaway seems to have a beach honeymoon all figured out – from its thoughtful rooms, serene ambience, and intimate atmosphere.  Paired with gorgeous views of nature, an abundance of privacy and friendly staff at your service, you are bound for a pleasant and rejuvenating stay here.  Read on to discover what is in store for you.

8 Reasons to have your honeymoon at Cape Kudu Hotel

1. Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of Phang Nay Bay

Each morning at Cape Kudu, awaken your senses to nature as you are presented with a panoramic view of Phang Nga Bay.  Start your morning with blue skies and emerald ocean waters.  In the distance, you will see the limestone cliffs, rock formations and the smaller islands of Phang Nga Bay, posing a unique skyline unlike any other sea view in Thailand.  Enjoy breakfast at the Hornbill Restaurant or by the poolside while soaking in the view, or take a casual walk to the strip of beach in front of the resort.  Waking up to a view such as this is simply breathtaking, and left me with an incredible wonder of how beautiful nature can be.

2. Get cozy with comfortable & chic coastal living

As Koh Yao Noi is relatively undeveloped and hence able to retain its untouched charm, Cape Kudu is one of the rare places on the island where you can experience the island’s virgin serenity in comfort and luxury.  From their lounge at Bang Rong Pier in Phuket, we took a long-tail boat for about 1.5 hours.  Despite the long boat ride, we felt refreshed the moment we checked into Cape Kudu.  It’s contemporary coastal decor and Mediterranean style is fresh and clean, one of those chic interiors that you will find it hard to get sick of.  The whitewashed wood and pastel shades of white, blue and grey mimic the seascape and are rejuvenating to the eyes.  Full-length glass windows stretch the entire width of one wall and lead out to your private balcony where you can soak up beautiful views of nature.

During our visit, we resided in their cozy pool villa, which came with a soft, linen-draped 4-poster bed, a living area, a bathroom and a private plunge pool with a small balcony that looks out to the Andaman Sea.  The balcony is cordoned off with a bamboo fence and you will have plenty of lush foliage surrounding you.  This refined abode provided us privacy, serenity, and luxe living on this tropical island.  For your honeymoon, we suggest the Robinson Crusoe suite, a perfect nest for lovebirds.  There’s only one of it in the resort, so be sure to book in advance.  This exclusive hideaway comes complete with a hammock, and a private whirlpool tub for your pampering.

3. Experience an irresistible sense of calming serenity

Koh Yao Noi has an unspoken beauty to it.  The virgin island is mostly untouched and covered in nature, unlike most of Thailand’s islands which are brimming with tourists.  Free from pollution, noise, and crowds, its laid-back vibes and tranquil atmosphere exude an irresistible, seductive beauty.  At Cape Kudu, you will feel completely undisturbed and at peace.  It makes an ideal space where you can unwind, relax, or even get started on that book or meditation that you have been planning.  The poolside pavilion is one of our favourite places to hang out, especially during the evenings.

All service staff at Cape Kudu are locals who live on the island.  Interacting with them made me learn more about their lifestyle and culture.  At Cape Kudu, you are in for a very authentic and serene experience, yet not falling short of the luxuries and conveniences you get to enjoy on the other more developed islands like Phuket and Krabi.  You really get the best of both worlds here.  Do catch sunset hours by the pool, for it is a wondrous sight.

4. Discover a hidden lagoon or neighbouring islands on the Kudu Wanderer

At Cape Kudu, there is a lot of exploration you can do.  Get on board the Kudu Wanderer and explore nature’s best – discover a hidden pristine lagoon at Koh Kudu, a small stepping stone located at the northern tip of Koh Yao Noi.  The quiet surrounding area has a sandy beach for sunbathing and clear waters for snorkelling.  There is also a “Big Tree” at Ao Kean, a local landmark that is definitely worth a visit.

Being in the heart of Phang Nga Bay, there are plenty of neighbouring islands for you to discover.  Take a long-tailed boat to Koh Hong Island near the Krabi coastline.  The Mu Koh Hong archipelago is composed of 12 islets that line vertically and stretch from the North to the South of The Andaman sea.  Here you will see a large lagoon embraced by surrounding mountains, with a large rock chimney that opens up to the sky.  Perfect photo opportunities await you here.  Other islands include Koh Yao Yai (Long Island), Koh Pak Bia, Koh Lao La Ding, also known as Paradise Island and Koh Nok.  Simply reach out to the reception to find out what awaits you!

5. Delight in authentic Thai Cuisine at Hornbill Restaurant

Just 4 days spent at Cape Kudu and we fell in love with Thai cuisine.  The dishes here on the menu are lovingly prepared by locals, which gives it a simple, authentic, delicious taste.  We highly suggest you try the Green Curry, Masala curry and their delicious smoothies dripped with honey!  Named after the hornbill birds that come to visit once in a while, this airy space is where rustic meets modern.  We thoroughly enjoyed dining at Hornbill Restaurant each day, and never once felt tired of coming back to the same place for our meals.  It could be due to the chill vibes, friendly staff or sumptious food – we don’t quite know!  Each visit, we were also excited to switch up our dining spots – whether it’s alfresco in the open-seating area or in air-conditioned comfort.  Whichever you choose, you will get to enjoy the beautiful views of Phang Nga Bay and the Andaman Sea.

6. Sip afternoon tea at Café Kantary

Lovers of café hopping will be psyched to know that Cape Kudu has its own cafe!  When you feel like a snack, or relaxing over a coffee or a beer before dinner, Café Kantary is an ideal place to be.  It is located right next to the resort, but has its own private surroundings, making you feel like you went out to grab an afternoon snack!  The menu features coffee, tea, cake, pancakes, pizzas, beers… you name it!  Get cozy in the quaint interiors, or sit outside and soak in the sea view and breeze.  Whichever you pick, they both make for very instagrammable moments!

7. A relaxing abode for your honeymoon

The serene atmosphere and little distractions make it easier for city-bred folks like us to slow down our pace of life.  Spend a lazy afternoon in the reading room, where you can enjoy a cozy conversation or strike up a match over a game of pool.  Alternatively, you can lounge by the poolside during Happy Hour – the best time of the day.

That being said, while taking it easy is simple here, there is a lot more you can do at Cape Kudu to spice up your honeymoon – from the restful to the romantic.  You can go on a bicycle tour to explore the island or go for a spin in a vintage Porsche.  During our visit, Kevin kindly took us on an island tour in the vintage Porsche, which gave us a chance to discover village lifestyle and get in touch with the locals of the island.

8. Create romantic & exciting memories together

Romantic activities such as dining on the beach and even barbecues can be arranged – simply reach out and the helpful Cape Kudu staff will make it happen for you!  There is also moonlight cinema where sun-loungers and a movie screen are placed on a beach for your entertainment under the stars.

There are also tons of exciting things to discover at Cape Kudu.  The island has a mini night market that you can visit for some local finds.  If you are keen on learning a new skill, Cape Kudu can arrange for cooking or batik painting classes with the locals.  If you want to get your hearts thumping, try rock climbing or Thai boxing.  Wind down the evenings with a sunset cruise, yoga or a relaxing Thai massage at Cape Spa.  Cape Spa is newly opened in late-2017 and features relaxing facilities that include a whirlpool bath, a sauna, steam rooms, tranquility and qualified therapists.  Take the opportunity to revive your energy and spirit during your honeymoon.

Untouched, serene, tranquil – Cape Kudu on Koh Yao Noi is definitely one of the hidden gems in Thailand.  This quiet, luxury refuge is definitely a must to check out for your honeymoon. 

This issue is part of our #AmazingThailand series.  Watch the full video on 43 Things to Do in Thailand below, and be sure to read our other articles on #AmazingThailand.

Cape Kudu Hotel
Website
25/54, 25/55 Mu 5, Koh Yao Noi, Koh Yao,
Phang Nga 82160
Getting There
reservations@capekuduhotel.com | +66 (0) 76 592 600

This post was brought to you by Cape Kudu. 

All photos are credited to the property. All opinions remain writer’s own. For more information, kindly refer to our copyright & disclosure policy.

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