Habita Architects

Opened in 1986 as the only luxury resort on the island of Phuket, the Nai Harn (formerly the Royal Phuket Yacht Club) remains today the only member of “Leading Hotels of the World” located in this most famous of all Thailand’s beach resorts.

After 30 years, its spectacular location notwithstanding, the 110-unit resort required renovation to meet changing guest expectations.

Habita’s scope of works firstly focused on re-conceptualizing public spaces, including restaurant, wellness center, outdoor amenities, and main reception lobby. These areas comprise a three-story plinth positioned on the rocks overlooking Nai Harn beach.

Secondly, there was an opportunity to refine the modernist multi-terraced guest rooms, arrayed on the hillside behind the public areas. After reconfiguring some of the original suites, the renovation works resulted in a resort of 130 units in total.

The major structural intervention involved removing the traditional gabled roofs of the main restaurant and guest room lift tower. This presented the Nai Harn to the bay with a new clarity and elegance—and provided space to create a new rooftop deck experience. Intimate seating areas are sunken into a reflecting pool, the edge of which merges into the panoramic view over the Andaman Sea. Opening onto the roof deck is a new roof bar and wellness center comprising gym and spa.

A cooling color palette of white with strong accent color was introduced to the guestroom interiors and private terraces. Perforated concrete block and metal screens visually soften key front-of-house areas, such as the reception and the guestroom access stair tower.

The overall result is simplified Modernist timelessness. This befits both the esteemed status of the Nai Harn, as well as its prize location. The rediscovered Modernist rhythm of the resort harmonizes with the deep tropical forest hillscape in which it is set, while contrasting with the azure waters below. Across the bay lies Promthep Cape, the southernmost point of Phuket island—a timeless location to view the setting sun descend into the Andaman Sea from the private terraces, restaurants, and outdoor areas of the Nai Harn.