Showcasing the work of P49 Deesign, the new Kimpton Kitalay Samui in Thailand combines rustic wooden elements crafted from driftwood with local artwork and an earthy palette.
This dazzling property exemplifies Kimpton’s playful design, while also taking inspiration from its island location.
Expanding Kimpton’s global footprint
IHG’s luxury boutique brand has launched its inaugural resort in South-East Asia. Opening with its own take on the Samui way of life, Kimpton Kitalay Samui is now hosting guests in a design-led space encompassing a range of restaurants and bars.
The resort takes its name from ‘kita’, translating to song or singing in Thai, and ‘lay’, which means sea, embodying the spirit of the local community. ‘Kitalay’, therefore, is a tribute to the siren song of the sea.
References to the local community, stories and culture are integrated throughout the resort, which is located on Choengmon Beach in the north-east of the island, offering tranquility but also proximity to Koh Samui International Airport.
“Koh Samui is renowned for its breath-taking beauty and village living, and this inspires the immersive guest experiences – our take on the return of Samui’s way of life, at the resort,” said Michael Janssen, general manager of Kimpton Kitalay Samui. “We are also offering Kimpton’s signature perks including a nightly hosted Social Hour, the brand’s industry-leading Kimpton Pets Programme, and an approachable luxury experience fuelled by a team who champions heartfelt, human connections.”
P49 Deesign’s clever concept
The resort combines contemporary and traditional design elements, and is suspended on a double-tiered stilted platform. P49 Deesign has successfully integrated repurposed driftwood, veranda-style features and local artwork into the concept, while wave-inspired furnishings and Thai basketry motifs feature repeatedly across the 138 design-led rooms and pool villas, with in-room amenities including handwoven cotton robes by local tailors.
Kimpton Kitalay Samui is home to five distinct dining venues: LANAI, offering a library of coffees, teas and locally produced spirits; Fish House, serving all-day beach house dining including seafood favourites; Shades Ocean Lounge and Pool Bar, for poolside cocktails and beach events; Thai lifestyle café Boho; and HOM Baking Company, specialising in creative baked goods.
Guests can also benefit from the property’s lifestyle programming, ranging from a morning kickstart experience to Kimpton’s Social Hour. And the split-level kids club, Junio, takes inspiration from the area, with activities including local crafts.
To unwind, guests can head to the Pimãanda by HARNN spa, which promises to restore balance with a 14-step spa ritual, as well as a 24-hour gym and outdoor pool.
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San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, a collection of boutique hotels and chef-driven restaurants, is an acknowledged industry pioneer and was the first to bring the boutique hotel concept to America.
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