Location: Phuket

Interior Designer/Architect: Diego Gronda

Hotel Group/Developer: Major Cineplex

Photographer: V Villas Phuket

V Villas Phuket is a 24-freestanding suite resort in the south portion of the island of Phuket, Thailand. Hotel guests check-in at an independent, open-air pavilion inserted in the rainforest surrounded by reflecting pools that assist lowering the air temperature during the hot seasons. This ethereal structure contains the reception desk as well as a seating area that could be utilized for private events.

The art pieces envisioned for this space are created weekly with local fresh flowers. The pavilion was envisioned with an oversized, flat roof that hovers above the arrival zone, key to keeping the different areas cool and dry. Right below the welcome pavilion, the team created five architectural pavilions that hover above the existing trees. These structures hold the spa facilities comprised of four private spa suites, one gym and one yoga pavilion. The central pavilion that connects all structures has a glass roof flooded with clear water that serves to cool down the yoga studio whilst projecting soothing ripple shadows into the exercise room below. All five pavilions play on the idea of transparency and immersion into nature. The design goal was to provide an escape for hotel guests that need to connect with nature.

During the design process the team constantly explored the connections between architecture and the natural environment, achieving the closest relation with nature through timeless design and exquisite choice of natural finishes and materials. The inspiration from nature made them use stones like travertine and alabaster and woods like walnut and bamboo teak with different veins and colours, applying different treatments to the same material they were able to enhance their properties depending on the design area where they were located. At the same time, they went through a meticulous and detailed selection of wallcoverings, arts and raffias always with natural fibres, aiming for the closest relation with nature silhouettes, forms and colours. The main hotel building is located atop the highest point of the lush and virgin Ao Yon peninsula.