Villa Zai
VILLA ZAI
Idin Architects
ARCHITECTS
Idin Architects
PHOTOGRAPHS
Possathorn Hanratchata and Chakkraphob Sermphasit, W Workspace Company Limited
AREA
4000 m²
YEAR
2024
LOCATION
Phuket, Thailand
CATEGORY
Hospitality Architecture
English description provided by the architects.
Villa Zai is a boutique seaside hotel designed primarily for full-property private group stays.
It serves guests who wish to spend time together as a close group, as well as couples seeking a complete wedding venue that supports both the ceremony and reception.
With only nine units (eleven bedrooms), the accommodations are intentionally limited to the bride, groom, and their closest family and friends. Additional guests may stay at the owner's nearby sister properties located within a short distance from the main site.
Set on a curved cliff with a wide 180-degree view of the Andaman Sea, the project's master plan is lifted and arranged to avoid blocking natural water flow toward the coastline while preserving as many existing trees as possible—even along the seafront. The buildings are composed of three structures positioned in a staggered, wind-catching triangular formation oriented toward the south–southwest.
This arrangement reduces excessive land cutting and creates a central courtyard that naturally connects views and shared activities.
The varied building levels allow all parts of the development to receive sea breezes and enjoy diverse viewpoints.
The main accommodation wing runs parallel to the shoreline, ensuring that every room has direct ocean views. Guestrooms are designed with wider-than-usual frontages to draw the seascape into the interior.
Several units are configured as duplexes, while the signature suite offers three bedrooms for the bride, groom, and their families—a dedicated preparation space before the wedding day.
On the upper level, a nearly 40-meter rooftop pool and an open-air jacuzzi frame panoramic sunset views, forming one of the highlights of the property.
Adjacent to the accommodation wing is the central building, placed perpendicular to the rooms. This structure acts as a relaxed lobby-like space where guests can gather informally, enjoy natural ventilation, and take in the surrounding views.
It incorporates a fitness area and a small private theater, and it serves as the connection to the front building.
The front building runs parallel to the road and hosts an all-day dining restaurant, game room, bar, and a spa that can also welcome outside guests.
This building also houses the back-of-house (BOH) areas, with direct access from the main road for efficient operations.
The overall planning of the three buildings emphasizes clarity, continuity, and smooth circulation. It is tailored to two primary user groups: private leisure guests and wedding parties.
The interior design draws inspiration from the evening atmosphere of the Andaman Sea, particularly the transitional colors during sunset.
The goal is to "capture meaningful moments"—from once-in-a-lifetime wedding celebrations to memorable gatherings among close friends.
Material and interior selections reinforce this intention. Semi-reflective surfaces and softened corners create a gentle blurring of boundaries, suggesting a merging of sky and sea.
The color palette is restrained, using clean whites and surfaces that respond to natural light to allow each room to shift subtly throughout the day. Golden Hour and Blue Hour become part of the spatial experience.
Architecturally, the use of white, grey, and black allows guest activities—especially evening weddings and celebrations—to stand out as the true focal point of the setting.
