Avani Hotels Reimagine Krabi with the Launching in Koh Lanta

Avani+ Koh Lanta Resort at a glance:

• The Lanta island is just 70 km south of Krabi International Airport and accessible via a 15-minute ferry crossing;

• The resort redesign is led by a Thai-based PIA design studio that draws inspiration from the heritage of Sriraya or the Lanta Old Town;

• The resort will debut 87 spacious guest rooms and private pool villas decked in Melayu motives and nestled in the pristine peninsula overlooking the Andaman Sea's breathtaking sunset scene;

• The resort will also be introducing three new dining and drinking spots, including the signature Reggae Bar that sits on the rocky beach, offering a beautiful sunset vista across The Andaman Sea;

• For nature lovers, the island doesn't have a shortage of play days with nature ranging from getting sun-kissed on hidden beaches around the island to hopping from the 50 islands from the doorstep of Koh Lanta archipelago or enjoying a slow boat ride in the Mangrove forest.

Acclaimed Landscape Firm Reveals Its Designs on Hyatt Regency Koh Samui

A pool zone where a series of pools cascade down from the main pool on the upper deck of the resort is a key feature at the property

Acclaimed Landscape Firm Reveals Its Designs on Hyatt Regency Koh Samui

Wannaporn Pui Phornprapha of P Landscape hails “special” experience at new resort

KOH SAMUI, Thailand (November 16, 2021) — One of Thailand’s most revered landscape architects, Wannaporn Pui Phornprapha, has declared her work at the new Hyatt Regency Koh Samui as one of her most “special” achievements.

Wannaporn, the managing director of Bangkok-based firm P Landscape (PLA), has steered numerous award-winning projects during her illustrious career. Under her lead, the landscape and design studio boasts a client portfolio that includes well-known developments including 137 Pillars House in Chiang Mai and the Museum of Contemporary Art Bangkok.

Therefore, her ringing endorsement of the Hyatt Regency Koh Samui speaks volumes about her satisfaction at another job well done.

“Everything from the beginning was special,” she said. “The passion everyone poured into this project. I can’t say enough about how proud we are about Hyatt Regency Koh Samui.”

A collaboration between three of Thailand’s biggest hotel design names — Office of Bangkok Architecture, August Design and P Landscape — the 140-room property occupies eight acres of private coastline in the far northeast corner of the paradise island. The beauty of Koh Samui is legendary. And the resort’s appeal leverages the visual appeal of the coastal landscape, a forest of protected trees and the proximity of the ocean.

Indeed, Wannaporn says that the dazzling scenery at the property was the first thing that struck her when she was enlisted by resort owner Ithichai Poolvaraluck to be a member of his design dream team.

“Our vision for Hyatt Regency Koh Samui started to come together after the initial site visit by a PLA team led by our design director Sutisa Patanapanich,” she said. “It really is a joint effort between us, the architecture team, the interior team and Khun Ithichai to convey this beautiful scenery into a unique experience that blends seamlessly with the guests’ lifestyle.”

Deploying a design-forward philosophy, the property, which is located in North Chaweng — and is less than ten minutes from the island’s international airport— bills itself as a “vacation gallery” due to its array of visual highlights.

These include a showpiece lobby, the longest lobby arrival point in Koh Samui, where numerous skylights allow for natural illumination by the sun and the moon. Other standout features span plush accommodations that showcase terrific ocean views to one of the largest pool zones on the island, where a series of pools cascade down from the main pool on the upper deck of the resort.

The latter feature is a particular source of pride for Wannaporn who singles it out as one of her favourite aspects of the resort.

“We are especially excited about the pool area,” she said. “Each terrace accommodates diverse types of guests and lifestyles. The top layer serves families with a kid's pool adjacent to the main pool. The bottom layer near the beach is more colourful and reflects the party vibe at Sesun (the resort’s beach bar).

“The swirling of dark and light colour tiles mimics the gleaming effects of the waves reflecting off sunlight and the gradual change in tones resonates with the ever-changing colour of the ocean throughout the day.”

Sympathy with the existing nature of Koh Samui is a cornerstone of the landscape design at Hyatt Regency Koh Samui. Indeed, the resort incorporates around 80 native Yang Na trees (Dipterocarpus alatus) that were once used by sailors and fishermen as navigational landmarks. Wannaporn believes that such harmony with its surroundings bodes well for the resort.  

“It is crucial to acknowledge that landscape and nature are not static, they are seasonal, temporal and dynamic,” she said. “Preservation of local trees gives this project a unique aesthetic that endures. At PLA we believe there  is nothing more sustainable than protecting the beauty that is meant to be there.”

A pool zone where a series of pools cascade down from the main pool on the upper deck of the resort is a key feature at the property

P Landscape design director Sutisa Patanapanich played a leading role in bringing the landscape vision at the resort to life

Wannaporn Pui Phornprapha has declared her work at the new Hyatt Regency Koh Samui as one of her most “special” achievements

DESIGN | THE ARCHITECTURE OF ITC ROYAL BENGAL - AN ODE TO BENGAL’ S ARISTOCRATIC & REGAL HOMES

THE ARCHITECTURE OF ITC ROYAL BENGAL - AN ODE TO BENGAL’ S ARISTOCRATIC & REGAL HOMES

ITC Hotels ethos of ‘Responsible Luxury’ embodies the philosophy – ‘Lets put India first’. This philosophy is taken further through its various endeavors. An off shoot of this thought is building hotels whose
architecture is inspired by local history and culture.

ITC Royal Bengal carries forth the culture and pays tribute to the towering achievements of the great minds of Bengal and its people who encouraged and appreciated the efflorescence of arts, science, and the finest experiences that life can offer.

ITC Royal Bengal is a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum-certified building under LEED USGBC New Construction Programme. LEED is an international symbol of sustainability excellence in green building that signifies a building has fewer carbon emissions, conserves
resources and reduces operating costs while prioritizing sustainable practices and creating a healthier environment. ITC Royal Bengal's LEED Platinum Certification is one of the many reflections of ITC Hotels’ decade-long Responsible Luxury philosophy which integrates world-class sustainable practices with contemporary design elements to deliver the best of Luxury in the greenest possible manner. Environment-friendly materials and products have been used in the building. More than 20% of the materials of the project’s total material have recycled content, in addition to more
than23% of the construction materials being locally sourced. Materials that have a lower environmental impact have been thoughtfully employed.
These include materials with rapidly renewable content and low Volatile Organic Compound content. The landscaping of the Hotel has been designed with plant species that are native and help in promoting biodiversity with reduced irrigation water demand requiring low maintenance.

The personality of ITC Royal Bengal is of an enlightened soul, literary, liberal, and appreciative of the finer things in life, well-traveled, well-read, and curious about the world.

ITC Royal Bengal conjures up this awe-inspiring world within a monumental, magnificent edifice. Envisioned and created with – the luxury of space, the burnished gleam of décor inspired by the finest buildings of this land, and the hushed elegance of homes that have celebrated the finest nuances of
culture, art, music and a zest for truly sublime experiences.

The architecture of ITC Royal Bengal is a fine blend of European and
indigenous architecture found in erstwhile stately homes (Bonedi Bari),
regal palaces of the Nawab era and churches of Bengal with contemporary
comfortable design. Reflecting the rich heritage of Kolkata’s past, the
façade of one of the largest hotels of the City of Joy, is inspired by
several heritage buildings of Bengal along with the aristocratic homes of
Kolkata and the districts.

Stories that dead pillars tell, spring to life when one goes beyond the
brick and mortar of ITC Royal Bengal’s outer frame. The classic Greco-Roman
façade with its Horse Sloping entrance, is reminiscent of the stately homes
and Hazarduari Palace of Murshidabad. The classical Greek architecture with
ancient Doric columns that date back to 8th century BC, was introduced in
Bengal via Bengal Renaissance Art and Architecture.

Cherishing the passion of the Nawabs of Bengal, ITC Royal Bengal is truly
an architecture of regal elegance. The stairway in the central part of the
hotel taking you to the signature restaurants mirrors a culture of
exceptional enterprise, extravagance and an eye for detail resonating with
the grandeur and the fine lifestyles of Bengal’s erstwhile nobility. It
also reminds us of the rich elite intellectuals of Bengal. The black
railing of the staircase has a 17th-century art style known as Cul de
Lampe.

The exterior railings have a string of Balusters dating back to the
Renaissance period. The Antis below the staircase is found at the Treasury
Building of Kolkata and even in the interiors of different city churches
reminding us that Kolkata was once the capital of erstwhile British Empire.

Even the door knobs of various rooms and the hotel’s Business Lounge is
reminiscent of the Art Nouveau style, introduced by Abanindranath Tagore in
his 19th century painting Abhisarika. Abanindranath was the nephew of Nobel
laureate Rabindranath Tagore and a famous painter and illustrator of the
Bengal Renaissance period. There are several inspiring pieces of 18th
century furniture placed at different corners of the hotel. Take for
example the Chest of Drawers at the Blockfront that are made like the ones
seen in several stately homes of the region. The chair legs of different
rooms are decorated as per Biedermeier, a Central European Decorative Art,
that flourished between 1820-40, found in the Marble Palace of Kolkata.

The various motifs used on the glass partitions, floors and doors are
Trefoil motifs seen in churches of Bengal or the Rib Vault decorations
traced to Bonedi Bari. Interestingly, the Kalka design on the floor lobby
marble counter was used extensively in the Benarasi and Baluchari sarees
worn by the women of regal homes of Bengal.

And once you step onto the welcoming green carpets in various apartment
bedrooms, you will surely be mesmerised at the alpona motifs that were
drawn in aristocratic Bengal homes.

Prints, kantha works and artefacts symbolising the Tree of Life (an age old
concept shared across cultures) is found across the Hotel. Though it grows
old it bears its seeds in its very essence. Over time it has come represent
prosperity, positivity and progress. ITC Royal Bengal & ITC Sonar together
celebrate this eternal symbol. While ITC Royal Bengal celebrates ‘One of a
Kind’ finest experiences, ITC Sonar, a luxury business resort is themed on
a Bagaanbari (garden homes of erstwhile nobility). Branching into timeless
traditions, they both pay tribute to the essence of Bengal.

With its passion for perfection and its pursuit of beauty and grace, ITC
Royal Bengal represents the state and the unique fervour of its people for
celebrating and nurturing the finest across the myriad facets of life.