Industrial chic: Phuket's tin mining past inspires new luxury resort - Indigo Pearl
Indigo Pearl, a unique new luxury resort incorporating design inspired by the historic 100-year-old tin mining industry on Thailand's "paradise island" of Phuket, is to open on December 1.
Industrial Chic: Phuket’s Tin Mining Past Inspires
New Luxury Resort – Indigo Pearl
Long before becoming a world-famous holiday destination, Phuket's main claim to fame was tin-mining but that rich industrial past has until now been consigned to history.
Indigo Pearl, just 10 minutes from Phuket International Airport, aims to restore the historic balance and attract discerning travellers seeking a distinctive cultural experience.
"It realises a vision to pay tribute to the history of tin-mining in Phuket," said owner and Managing Director, Mr Wichit Na-Ranong.
"The concept targets affluent travellers seeking cultural and local experiences. It is a different and distinctive experience for a polished and urbane clientele and we believe it will help attract a new demographic of visitors seeking distinctive holiday experiences that reflect their sense of style and creativity,” said General Manager Anthony Ross, former general manager of the stylish Sentosa Resort and Spa in Singapore.
The US$21 million fusion of post-modern architecture and Thai tradition was designed by world-renowned architect, interior and landscape designer Bill Bensley.
He said: "Everything down to the finest detail fits in with the theme of tin mining, extending through every facet of the resort, from the names of the restaurants and bars to the staff uniforms.
“The design was inspired by some wonderful old hard-wood and steel-plate buildings on the site that would be too prohibitively costly to construct today but which have been incorporated into the overall design,” added Bill Bensley.
The 277 luxurious rooms and suites are scattered in an enclave of lagoons and jungle and in keeping with high-tech modern demands have access to high-speed wireless internet links, satellite TV, 24-hour room service and IDD telephone.
The 277 luxurious rooms and suites are scattered in an enclave of lagoons and jungle and in keeping with high-tech modern demands have access to high-speed wireless internet links, satellite TV, 24-hour room service and IDD telephone.
With eight food and beverage outlets, the resort on a secluded Andaman Sea beachfront with its own private beach club also aims to serve the best crowd-pulling Sunday brunch in Phuket.
At the helm is Executive Chef Dion McGrath, a New Zealander joining from Four Seasons Hotel Cairo with extensive experience of international cuisine from a decade as a top chef in Hong Kong.
Apart from familiar facilities such as swimming pools, tennis courts and a children’s club, Indigo Pearl also offers several specialist recreational options -- including a cooking school, scuba-diving centre, fitness and meditation pavilion, and a snooker hall with its own bar serving fine whiskies from around the world.
Just minutes from Sirinath National Park, Indigo Pearl is targeting the meetings and incentive (MICE) market, with its historic infrastructure accommodating a large Conference Pavilion for up to 900 delegates -- including a 600sqm Grand Ballroom and nine adjoining meeting rooms.
“The venue is uniquely distinctive for themed events for groups, from architects and environmentalists to industrialists, the sustainable tourism industry and any business or company thinking out of the box,” noted Deputy Managing Director Ms Prakaikaew Na-Ranong Theerathada.
“Our guests will delight in the smallest details, from the reclaimed building materials through to locally-crafted furnishings, as well as grounds with a modernist transformation of a mature plantation, accented by contemporary and industrial art,” she said.
“In short, Indigo Pearl is an engaging resort experience,” said General Manager, Anthony Ross. “The owners are committed to making a significant contribution to restoring Phuket’s position as Asia’s premier tourist destination," he added.
