Muang Kulaypan Hotel, Koh Samui, Thailand

The Setting: A touch of nature, situated on Koh Samui's north Chaweng Beach, renowned as the most picturesque in Thailand with its powder-fine white sand and crystal clear waters, Muang Kulaypan Hotel harbors a 100-meter beach frontage, revealing a fabulous view of the sea and offshore islands.

The Design is inspired by a tale of Indonesian folklore introduced to Thailand during the Ayudhaya period and translated into the Thai language many years later by King Rama II.

As a matter of fact, the historic Thai kingdom of Srivijaya was substantially influenced by the Javanese and enjoyed their powerful sovereignty in Southern Thailand for centuries.

The Javanese tale of Inao is the legend of the romance of Prince Inao and Princess Budsaba set in the ancient city of Muang Kulaypan where this exotic love story unfolded.

The designer of the hotel, profoundly inspired by the tale of Inao, has created a unique architectural style blending Zen form with Southern Siam and the life style reminiscent of its people.

The large, central garden lends a palatial atmosphere fitting the inspiration while terraces and walkways are dotted with sculptures and aged bonsai trees alongside custom furnishings designed by the architect M.L. Archava Varavana.

42 rooms are completed in an exquisite fashion combining Thai style comfort and modern amenities embellished with a touch of art. Every room is fully air-conditioned with Satellite TV, in- house movie channel, hot and cold shower, IDD telephone, safety deposit box and mini bar.

Bathrooms are equipped with the highest quality fixtures and designer beds reflect a blending of Asian culture with contemporary design. Every room has a unique decoration with its own details ( Scripture, Picture, Bed style).

Face the 100m. beach frontage, they all have an ocean view and private balcony to the back of the room.

The Standard rooms are the only rooms without an ocean view but also enjoy a private balcony.

	Have their private balcony overlooking the garden and ocean. The room design has a Japanese influence with the mattress on a wooden platform.

The Deluxe Inao rooms have a superior ocean view and have been fully refurbished and decorated by architect M.L.Varavana. Adding to their location, they stand on their own, without any adjacent walls, thus emphasizing the privacy of the room.

Have their private balcony overlooking the garden. The Honeymoon Deluxe rooms are located on the ground floor with a connecting door and unique interior decoration.

It is ideal for a family or a group of friends.

	Have their private balcony overlooking the garden and ocean. The Honeymoon Inao rooms have a black mosquito net surrounding the bed and located on the first floor.

Is much larger than the other room types and only a few steps from the swimming pool and beach, using its private entrance.

The room hosts many original antiques, the most noteworthy being the original bed of King Rama IV of Thailand (the great, great grandfather of the architect M.L Archava Varavana ).

Impressive 120sqm suite balancing modern concepts with Asian Art and design - private terrace and panoramic views over the ocean and hotel grounds.

Praseban-Akong meaning “A residence of the King” is the name given to our Inao Suite room designed by M.L Archava Varavana and newly completed at the end of July 2004. The suite’s 120sqm dimension and dominating location with its panoramic ocean and garden views offer ample privacy combined with remarkable attention to space, detail and modern design elements. Guests entering the suite, passing through a private, enclosed terrace are captivated by the impressive combination or material, design and Asian antiques used throughout.

Marble flooring, minimalist furniture carefully designed by M.L. Varavana and a selection of Bonsai trees creates a timeless yet inspiring atmosphere before passing through a remarkable oval doorway to the oversized living area, separated sleeping area and bathroom.

Once in Praseban-Akong simplicity is balanced with modern comfort and facilities including a 44”TV with satellite channels, DVD, personal safe and kimonos. The oversized sleeping area has a strong emphasis on combining M.L. Varavana’s exceptional modern creativity with traditional Thai elements. The significant marble bathroom features modern amenities including Philippe Starck fixtures, rain shower and full sized bathtub. Finally in the living area one is captivated by the modest design, white in colour emphasizing on a unique, calming ambiance.





	Open-air restaurant, boardwalk promenade, open-air bar, open-air gym, beach-side swimming pool, gift shop & internet PC. Muang Kulaypan Hotel opened in 1997. We invite you to be our honored guest at Muang Kulaypan Hotel.



	Swimming Pool Opening hours: from 8.00 a.m. till 7.00 pm. Reserved for our in-house Guests, the black-tiled swimming pool is one of the main attractions of the Hotel where all Guests can meet or quietly sunbath. The swimming pool is equipped with a showers, bathroom and fresh towels with are provided to all our Guests. Beach chairs and umbrellas are also available.



	Mini Gym Open Air Mini gym. A quiet location with a selection of fitness equipment available daily for our guests to enjoy. Gift Shop Opening hours: from 10.00 a.m. till 7.00 pm. Guests will find our Gift Shop on the ground floor of the Hotel, displaying a wide selection of silk and cotton clothes designed by architect M.L. Varavana. In our aim to help Thailand to develop its local arts & crafts, our shop also presents articles made in northernThailand in support of the Royal programs of education and development.



	Budsaba Restaurant Open daily from 6.30 a.m. till late. A restaurant like no others, Budsaba brings you the pleasure of dining while lounging in one of its 14 private Salas (open wooden hut on stilts) in pure Thai tradition. The Thai delicacies and fresh seafood are carefully selected to reinforce this experience, an oasis of peace and flavors. You may also enjoy the music and dances of the Kings of Siam Every Tue/Thu/Sat/Sun at 8.30 pm.



	Panyee Pool Bar Opening hours: from 10.00 a.m. till late. Located at the pool side on the beach, Panyee is another ideal place to enjoy the beach front during the heat of the day with a long drink refreshment while lounging in one of the Salas. The Bar also features an extensive selection of legendary music for all tastes.

	Kulaypan - The city of Inao In the reign of King Boromakot of the Ayudhya period, Princess Kunton and Princess Mongkut were fascinated by a story told them by their Javanese governess about charming Prince Inao (Inu Panyee Karatapati) of the Indonesian Shailendra dynasty (807A.D.), a great lover as well as a valiant warrior. From this time on the legend became a well-known dance drama in the Royal Thai court until the reign of King Chulalongkorn.



	Rama V. Chaochom Manda Khian, the mother of my great grandfather (H.R.H. Prince Naradhip son of King Mongkut), and niece of Queen Somanat, was renowned for playing the role of Inao. In these times it was royal practice that when a prince was born, King Mongkut would lay a little sword as a gift in the baby's basket. For the birth of Prince Naradhip, the king added a dagger or kris as a special present for the Son of Inao. When I was asked upon to design a hotel on Chaweng beach, Samui Island; realizing fully well myself that the southern part of Thailand was once a territory in the Sri Vijaya Kingdom, Kulaypan - the name of the capital city in the story of Inao, sprang immediately to my mind. Falling in love with the location was a delight from the first moment.



	Through the coconut grove before me is a view all the way to the horizon... waves dancing on a shimmering sea, a small isle and the endless blue sky. Beauty, natural in form. Perfect light and color. I decided straightaway that we could never spoil such a truly wonderful vista. The view is ever marvelous: at dawn, the break of day, late morning and towards noon, in the afternoon and twilight, or even late at night you will find the indescribably beautiful seascape and heavens changing their charms with time, your spirit and your dreams. Come and be enchanted day and night at Muang Kulaypan.

	by M.L. Archava Varavana (July 19th, 1996) Membre Correspondant de l'Acad้mie Europ้enne des Sciences, des Arts et des Lettres Salon des Artistes Fran็ais Gold Medal winner 1986