The perception of “Thainess” expressed in the design of Nook Dee Boutique Resort was inspired by the client’s favorite book, “Very Thai.”

The book depicts the simple, yet interesting, Thai rural life. “Baan Nok” is a word used to refer to the rural countryside and led to the designer’s concept of “Baan Nok Kao Krung” or country folk coming to the city.

The property is located at the end of a road, making the approach a weak point. This was offset by designing a grand drop-off point to create a stunning first impression, with imposing walls and a towering entrance gate concealing the wonders awaiting. Beyond the wall, the architect recreates the atmosphere of a “Tiang Na,” or small hut nestled among fields of rice, by placing a pavilion-style lobby on a vast lawn. The structure is small in proportion to the grass area, thus emphasizing the endless, green horizon.

Within the small pavilion, the interior is simple and minimally decorated with patterns and effects reminiscent of elements of daily life in a traditional rural house. Touches of bright colour add a sense of fun to the space, while the steep coastal terrain provides a vantage point which allows visitors a view of Kata Noi Beach from the lobby. The lawn area also plays hosts to various activities, including outdoor movies which is a popular form of rural entertainment.

A 50-meter long swimming pool lies perpendicular to the horizon and extends into the air. The acrylic panel at the far end of the pool was designed to allow swimmers to enjoy a view of the ocean as it stretches to the ends of the earth.

The architecture is simple, and the L-shaped configuration offers all guestrooms unobstructed sea views. With grey as the predominant colour scheme for the floor and walls, the eyes are drawn to the colorful tiles at the door thresholds. The doors are also painted by artists and further depict elements of Thai rural life such as the multicolored tails of fighting fish, bright stripes of the TukTuk and giant murals on temple walls. These add splashes of colour to the grey, terrace corridors when viewed from the lobby pavilion.

The guestrooms are decorated with more aspects of Thai rural life. Coloured tiles continue from the corridor to the bathroom, and a layered patchwork of traditional garment textiles adorn the bed and headboard, making it the focal point of the room.

With its minimal architecture and colorful interior decorations, Nook Dee Boutique Resort lives up to the “Nook,” a colloquial word for fun, in its name, and delivers a chic getaway experience.