CAPE FAHN Intimate escape
Koh Fahn, an unadulterated coastal paradise in Thailand, is a gem to be discovered on your upcoming holiday, says Jayashree Panicker
Thailand has long played host to fun-filled destinations, with the likes of Bangkok, Phuket and Koh Samui attracting hordes of holiday-goers. But for the seasoned traveller who yearns for a fresh experience, the Land of Smiles offers up a new island to explore: Koh Fahn.
Nestled in the warm waters of the Gulf of Thailand, the private island of Koh Fahn is located in close proximity to the much-loved Koh Samui. In fact, it is connected to the north-eastern tip of Koh Samui by a narrow, shallow 200m-long strait, which provides easy access to the popular yet peaceful Choeng Mon Beach – a mere 300m away – during low tide.
With the September opening of the five-star hotel Cape Fahn, you are assured of an indulgent and private escape on this unadulterated paradise. Surrounded by rocks and trees, the hotel, which pays tribute to traditional Thai architecture with interiors that incorporate natural wood and has sea-inspired colour palettes that invite the sunshine indoors, offers up 22 one- or two-bedroom villas decorated in a tropical contemporary style, the smallest of which affords 300sqm of space. Each comes with its own 3m by 10.3m plunge pool and private sun deck, and is bordered by a tropical garden. Scattered across the island, all offer spectacular views across the crystal-clear waters.
Tantalising tastes await at The Crest, which serves “bistronomic” cuisine, an experimental take on dining that involves innovative cooking techniques and ingredients – think mains such as palm-sugarand-coffee-marinated Wagyu loin and avant-garde desserts such as the Cape Fahn gazpacho. The other restaurant, hue, offers Thai and international cuisine.
It’s activities galore at the hotel too. If dining on local cuisine isn’t enough, cook up a storm at its Thai cookery courses. To revitalise mind, body and soul, there’s Cape Spa and its indulgent treatments. For those who need to move about, head out to sea in a kayak or on a paddleboard, sign up for a Thai boxing class, or hop on board the Fahn Maiden, a 42foot Princess model from Cape Yacht Charters, and set sail on a day trip to nearby pristine islands. On a beautiful day, you can even take a slow walk across the strait to Choeng Mon Beach to indulge in the array of sports and restaurants there. It doesn’t get better than this.