MODERN PLAYGROUND

FLAUNTING MID-CENTURY VERVE IN A LUSH LANDSCAPE, THE STANDARD, HUA HIN STRIKES A BALANCE BETWEEN UNDERSTATED THAI ELEGANCE AND A SENSE OF FUN.

- PEARLIE TAN

Bringing old Hollywood glamour to a beachside town on the west coast of the Gulf of Thailand, The Standard has opened its newest hotel in Hua Hin.

From the architecture and landscaping to interiors and uniforms, the meticulously curated design reflects the brand’s signature playfulness, while respecting the local culture, nature and heritage.

Drawing references from the midcentury roots of The Standard’s first waterfront property in Miami Beach, each area of the hotel is infused with the key pillars of design, colour and voyeurism.

The beachfront property features 171 guest rooms and suites, 28 pool villas, three restaurants and a holistic spa centre and mud lounge.

Surrounded by lush gardens filled with native flora, The Standard, Hua Hin occupies a prime location only a short stroll from markets and restaurants in the city centre.

Captivated by the serene beaches and natural beauty of the area, members of the Thai Royal family built summer palaces in Hua Hin in the 1920s, boosting the popularity of the town as a seaside retreat.

The design of the resort was overseen by The Standard’s internal team in collaboration with Bangkok-based practice Onion Architects.

Studio Freehand worked on the interior design of the villas and public areas while Shelley Kwok Design House was responsible for the guestrooms and restaurants.

“We worked closely together to create a unified experience and are thrilled to have collaborated with some of the best in the business,” says Verena Haller, Chief Design Officer of Standard Hotels.

According to her, the most important milestone was the initial design story, which was created in-house.