d+a | Issue 123 • 2022

/ HOSPITALITY / 62 WORDS PEARLIE TAN FLAUNTING MID-CENTURY VERVE IN A LUSH LANDSCAPE, THE STANDARD, HUA HIN STRIKES A BALANCE BETWEEN UNDERSTATED THAI ELEGANCE AND A SENSE OF FUN. MODERN PLAYGROUND B ringing 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 mid- century 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 01 01. The brand’s upside down logo at the entrance is a hint that this is not your average hotel. / 02. Guest rooms are housed in minimalist buildings with a modern, shuttered façade.