The team at the luxury villas of Upni Duniya is like no other. Combining charm, individualism and absolute professionalism learned at some of the most famous resort brands in the world, the family of 11 staff are the essence of what makes Upni Duniya, which offers the best villas in Koh Samui, run with effortless grace, style and efficiency.
Take Nui the operations manager (sixth from the left). A late thirties hospitality devotee and Phuket native who, for seven years was groomed at Amanpuri, later moving to Six Senses, before joining Upni Duniya and its beachfront villas, is in his own words “enticed and enthrawled” by the game-changing family ethos at the resort affords him to express himself.
The relaxed working atmosphere creates a bond among staff that is free of the restrictive rules and regulations of international brands, affording a warm and discreet approach, while delivering tailored, high quality service at all times.
“As a team working here we have really tried to foster a family environment amongst staff and of course we welcome all guests to become part of the family, at these villas in Koh Samui,” says Juree (third from the left and a north-east Thailand native), whose duties cover housekeeping, living room and gardening.
So agrees the creative core of the team, Chef Preuk (fourth from the left), formerly of the Four Seasons Chiang Mai and Le Meridien Khao Lak. On standby 24-hours a day to pique the palette of guests – from his famous Italian risotto to home-made Thai favourites or the Indian delights of his understudy Chef Vikram - he is there “simply to please”, he says with a broad grin.
From Jaroon the engineer (far right), Aew the housekeeper (second from the left), and Pen (seventh from the left) the waitress, Upni Duniya showcases a team of collective personalities that gives the private villa its infective character while being seamlessly managed by general manager Khun Na (fifth from the left) creating a bond that is as unbreakable as it is seducing for both guests and the staff themselves.
“The secret to why Upni Duniya is so special is the team we have been able to put together and the enjoyment they get out of being part of what we deliver here,” she says.
