Three years in the making, and it was well worth the wait. For Pimpisa "Pear" Chirathivat, third generation of Thailand's Chirathivat clan - the branch of the family involved in hospitality and publishing Centara Reserve Samui, which opened in Dec 2021, was a labour of love that saw a lifetime of her travel experiences coming to good use. It also marked a major milestone for the Centara Group, introducing a brand of boutique luxury that's normally associated only with the top hospitality players.
As corporate director of design and technical services at Centara Hotels & Resorts, Pear played a pivotal role in the realisation of Centara's vision for a new luxury resort experience that's tipped to set a new benchmark. "I'm involved in all aspects," she reveals. "Nowadays, with hospitality, you can't separate departments. You're not only creating a place, you're creating a story for each guest. Each experience, uniform, the selection of amenities - everything has to go in the same direction."
And so, she worked closely with different designers, creatives and her operations team, from the initial concept to planning and execution, personally getting involved in the branding, materials selection, and sourcing styling elements and props to give the hotel its finishing touches something she points out as "the most enjoyable aspect" of her work.
With Pear's vision and award-winning design firm AvroKO on board to completely transform the former Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui in its prime location of 300 metres of beachfront - at the tranquil end of pristine Chaweng Beach, no less. The property retains the classic colonial-inspired style of its predecessor, all the while transforming the property for a radical, reimagined guest experience. The first thing that becomes clear is that no stone was left unturned to achieve that goal - literally.
REIMAGINING ISLAND LIFE
Esta historia es de la edición June 2023 de Prestige Singapore.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición June 2023 de Prestige Singapore.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Sailing Into A Dream
Scenes from the fantasy feature Game of Thrones come to life in the otherworldly landscapes of the Arctic Circle.
Here Come The Sun Seats
Italian furniture has long held the crown for blending luxurious, sophisticated design with impeccable craftsmanship.
ABSOLUMENT FAB
France's premier fair for fine-art and antiques returns for its third edition inside its new home in the Grand Palais.
Through the Director's Lens
Filmmaker JIA ZHANGKE and his protégé RAFAEL MANUEL share their perspectives on life, cinema and their current projects.
THE CUTTING EDGE
Having long played quiet supporting roles in the gem industry, gem cutters are finally having their day in the sun. Four acclaimed independent master gem cutters share more about their love of the craft and the creation of their best pieces.
Spheres of Power
Following up on the gold- and titanium-focused Tiffany Titan by Pharrell Williams launch collection, the superstar now turns to pearls for a softer, but no less striking, second act.
Horological Masterpieces Reimagined
Beyond the wrist, these timekeepers transcend all traditional boundaries.
WILD IMAGINATION
Cartier's latest category-spanning Panthère de Cartier novelties showcase the endless ways in which the panther continues to inspire.
READY FOR ACTION
The latest watch to come from the celebrated Richard Mille and McLaren partnership looks set to be another trailblazing timepiece.
THE RIGHT ANGLES
Twenty-five years after the launch of its last new collection, Twenty-4, Patek Philippe introduces the Cubitus range.