Christopher & Farina Kingsley

Independent Minds: Christopher & Farina Kingsley, Wa Ale Resort

Castaway to an eco-conscious island which is making waves with its conservation and community-minded efforts

On a remote archipelago off the coast of MyanmarWa Ale Resort is redefining the private island experience. Founded by teak furniture designer and craftsman Christopher Kingsley and his wife Farina, a culinary instructor and cookbook author, this previously untouched island is in the safest possible pair of hands on the design and food front – but it’s the couple’s passion for purpose-driven, positive-impact travel which really sets this Considerate Collection resort apart.

We feel that we've built a haute bohemian utopia that all began with our adventurous spirit and desire to explore the world in a more considered, and considerate, way.

Do you have a vision for the future of the hotel?

We consider Wa Ale to be one of the most environmentally conscious hotels on the planet, and sustainable tourism, conservation and the efforts of our Lampi Foundation continue to be the core of who we are and why we operate the resort. 20 percent of our profits and three percent of all room revenue funds our Lampi Foundation, which in turn pays for all of our conservation and social welfare programmes.

Our vision of becoming a leader in sustainable tourism is unwavering, as demonstrated by our ‘green homes’ building project on Honeymoon Beach, opening in October 2024. These homes are carefully being built on the other side of the island, and boast three bedrooms, a living area, kitchen, and large deck facing the ocean. This section of Wa Ale will be for large family gatherings on a beautiful bay.

The five homes and cottages are for those larger groups that wish for privacy yet still have the exclusive service of our existing resort at their fingertips. Honeymoon Beach will also have its own beach club where loved ones can gather for meals and entertainment. We’re excited to be expanding our island’s offerings in an equally environmentally sensitive way.

Previous

Independent Minds: Christopher & Heidi Mueller, Lupaia

Next

Independent Minds: Juliana Ghiotto, Barracuda Hotel & Villas

Latest stories

Coral planting and ocean conservation at Nanuku Resort, Fiji

Overlooking the shimmering waters of Beqa Lagoon in Fiji, home to one of the largest barrier reefs in the world, Nanuku Resort has become a living laboratory for marine conservation, led by the passionate efforts of Fijian natives Waseroma Sigavou, the resort’s resident marine scientist, and Kelly-Dawn Bentley, its dedicated

Editor’s picks for June: from the Himalayas to Cape Cod

Far-flung corners of the world have long held appeal, bound by a sense of seclusion and an immersion in nature that leaves you feeling restored and reconnected. Our latest arrivals in the Himalayas and a private island in the Maldives promise just that, where escapism can be enjoyed at its

The ultimate Budapest city guide

Baroque buildings, thermal baths and generous helpings of goulash. What’s not to love about Budapest? Long regarded as a drinking stop on every gap year youth’s interrailing itinerary, the Hungarian capital has a seriously grown-up side that makes for an ultra-chic city break. Thankfully, we have just the hotels to

Independent Minds: Xiaoran Zhou, Kaipuu Hotels

As the first luxury hotels in China to be certified by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), Kaipuu on the Reef and Kaipuu Belfry are setting the eco-friendly bar in the history-steeped seaport of Quanzhou. The Jin River has welcomed trade and travellers from all four corners of the globe,