Hip Hua Hin
The world of hospitality and art combine brilliantly in a new boutique hotel in Hua Hin, Thailand, writes Jade Tye
HUA Hin, 195km from Bangkok, is the oldest beach resort in Thailand. It is for Bangkok residents what Port Dickson is for KL-ites. The seaside retreat comes alive on weekends when urbanites escape the hustle and bustle of the capital to Hua Hin’s many beach resorts and trendy dining.
Frequent Hua Hin visitor Urasa Chittamvanich, editor-in-chief of Lifestyle And
Travel magazine, says: “There is a long sandy beach and you can swim in the sea. Plus there are so many hip lifestyle spots in Hua Hin. Actually, Pattaya is closer to Bangkok but it is too touristy and polluted.”
Among her suggestions for places to dine at are Fin Seafood Bar, and Virus Space and Cafe, both of which are found in Hua Hin’s latest social venue, Seenspace. Only a year-old, this lifestyle hub of eateries, galleries, trendy shops and events space, has a beach club vibe pumped up with live music on weekends. Its motto: “Eat, lay, play, relax”, sums up the atmosphere.
Perched four floors above Seenspace is the design-led boutique Hotel Bocage, opened in February and member of the worldwide Design Hotels chain.
Designed by Thailand’s starchitect Duangrit Bunnag who is also the owner, Bocage blurs the lines between art, architecture and hospitality. Art takes centre stage rather than play a supportive role to
the function of a lodging.
Introducing a fresh, contemporary energy to this busy beach town cramped with big hotel brands, he gives spaciousness full reign in Bocage and adds elegant good looks to minimalist details.
“I wanted the hotel to look relaxing and beautiful. It is as simple as that,” Duangrit says of the hotel, adding that the brand’s urbanistic concept distinguishes itself from a typical resort by melding in with a commercial entity such as Seenspace.
Claus Sendlinger, founder and CEO of Design Hotels, in its magazine, Directions, wrote: “Today’s travellers take great design and amenities as a given. They are searching instead for originality and meaning, for experiences that broaden their horizons and open their minds.”
Such is this six-room artpiece of a hotel. The Bocage draws guests into the drama of the design underlined with a bold and irreverent spirit, eschewing a formal lobbyreception and where rooftops are turned into lawn spaces.
The stark, stylish rooms are categorised as Simply Standard (40sq m, accommodates
up to two guests), Very Deluxe (60sq m, maximum three) and Only Suite (80sq m, maximum four).
Only essentials are provided such as Nespresso coffee-maker, minibar with soft drinks and mineral water, 49-inch (55-inch for suite) Smart TV with access to Netflix, king bed, Antonio Lupi bathtub and shower set. and Thann bath amenities, as well an emergency torch and a safe.
Breakfast is served at Oasis. one of the
restaurants in Seenspace. For other meals, the friendly and helpful staff recommends Der, which serves eastern style Thai food, at the foodcourt-like foyer.
Excellent ice-cream can be had at Studio By The Sea, a combined space for coffee, photo exhibition, work, studio and workshop.
“The most exciting hotel brands today are not merely offering accommodation; they are community hubs, delivering cultural, spiritual and intellectual programming to like-minded locals and tourists alike,” writes Sendlinger.
And this is what Bunnag had in mind for the Bocage, in not so much as functional as providing thought-provoking, memorable spaces.