Located on Koh Yao Noi, a 35-minute speedboat ride from Ao Po Grand Marina, Phuket, Thailand, ÀNI Thailand is a resort that will satisfy the tastes of the most discerning luxury traveller and design aficionado alike.
As part of the ÀNI Private Resort brand owned by Tim Reynolds, ÀNI Thailand is a bespoke hospitality destination that caters to every requirement for its guests. Conceived as a resort for just one party at a time, there is the opportunity to craft a singular holiday where every detail is finessed exactly for each individual’s desires.
The experiential is core to the offering and along with the accommodation, all events, cultural immersions, food, beverages and treatments are included. Before travelling, a program is designed by the general manager with the client, and this ensures a stay at ÀNI Thailand is totally unique on every level.
To reflect the bespoke nature of the ÀNI Thailand offering, Charupan Wiriyawiwatt, NagaConcepts (Thailand), lead on the project and his team, have conceived an architectural and interior design that truly encapsulates the brand but one that is sensitive to place, culture and people.
The design of the resort mirrors traditional Thai heritage architectural forms, however, there is a modern sensibility that combines to create a contemporary aesthetic that is both beautiful and highly functional.
Arrival to ÀNI Thailand is through a courtyard and a porte cochere with a lift and stairs that lead to the resort below. There is a spectacular panorama of Phang Nga Bay and the design and placement of all structures achieve maximum views from every vantage.
The layout of the resort is reminiscent of an ancient Thai village that includes three touchpoints comprising a temple, gathering place and housing. The buildings have been positioned as a rectangular horseshoe surrounding a centrally placed 43-metre infinity saltwater pool.
Other facilities include the Longtail Boat bar and dining pagoda, a wellness pavilion for treatments and a gym, a water slide, a water lounge that adjoins the pool, a breakfast pavilion and a large glass-walled living sala. Each of the areas can transform into dining and party spaces as well as gathering areas for special dinners, classes or cultural demonstrations.
Accommodation styles vary and include two ocean-front villas (97-square-metres), two family villas with two bedrooms, a bathroom and sitting room (91-square-metres) and four pool suites with private plunge pool between the bedroom and bathroom (135-square-metres). In total, the three configurations can accommodate up to 20 people, the maximum that the resort supports.
The interior of each of the ‘rooms’ is luxurious with generous floorplans and excellent spatial flow. Within the villas or suites there are multiple furniture groupings, ensuites with separate shower, toilet and bath and a private outdoor area.
Materiality is concise and timber has been used extensively, on walls and ceilings, placed both vertically and horizontally to lengthen spaces and achieve elongated perspectives. Referencing Thai Lanna architecture (characterised by steeply pitched roofs), a void has been inserted into the ceiling at the mid-point of each of the main rooms and this helps provide an architectural anchor to the contemporary aesthetic.
Stone is also prevalent, the perfect inclusion for the tropics, laid on floors and used as cladding for walls. Blinds and curtaining address privacy and imbue a softness, while fully upholstered chairs and sofas add texture and warmth.
Sustainability is integral to the design and has been incorporated at ÀNI Thailand on many different levels. In the buildings, there are the ubiquitous solar panels, well-designed ventilation and reuse of waste water, while materials and products have been sourced locally. Those involved with cultural immersions and events for the resort live in the surrounding areas.
However, one of the main differentiators between ÀNI Thailand and other resorts is the ÀNI Thailand Arts Academy that contributes to, and supports the local community. An initiative by Reynolds to give back to the community, the Arts Academy offers education to locals with a free-of-charge three-year course, a daily meal and tangible encouragement such as art showings in galleries to help assist the aspiring artists. Sustainability comes in many forms and through education and opportunity there is a chance for individuals and the community to grow and flourish.
ÀNI Thailand is an outstanding destination that is bespoke in every detail. This resort becomes a private haven for a few or a group and the architecture and design incorporates the best of the old with the new to enhance the curated journey.
At every turn ÀNI Thailand delivers, whether that is through its resolved design, formidable facilities, excellent cuisine, lavish accommodation, beautiful scenery or myriad events, classes and cultural immersions. However, it is its connection to the community that raises the bar high, taking the ideas of sustainable initiatives far beyond the expected norm.
aniprivateresorts.com/ani-thailand
phuket.net/directory/profile/nagaconcepts
Photography – courtesy of ÀNI Thailand