Craving a weekend away from the coalface? We think Mason Pattaya might just be what you’re looking for.
Sure, Pattaya might not appeal to every traveller. Famed as the beach hotspot of European sex tourists, this coastal hideaway has a rather seedy reputation, one that it’s working hard to shake off and the arrival of a design-driven new house of slumber is helping.
A Brutalist Beauty
Set against the tranquil backdrop of southeastern Pattaya’s Na Jomtien beach, the staggered cubed villa complex of Mason Pattaya emerges as an ode to craftsmanship, inspired by the cultural roots of its location.
Designed by Bangkok-based studio VaSLab in their signature neo-Brutalist style, the new luxury resort has been painstakingly carved into the rocky hillside, making it a natural extension of the landscape and affording each of the 35 villas uninterrupted views of the ocean. Natural, locally-sourced materials and a neutral, earthy colour palette define the interior design of the villas, each of which boasts a private pool, dreamy spacious bathrooms with oversized bathtubs, and large sundeck terraces.
Expect custom bath products and free-standing washbasins hand-carved by Ang Sila artisans, as well as spacious walk-in closets (for that fedora collection perhaps?) and state-of-the-art Marshall Bluetooth home-theatre sound systems as standard.
Leave the Sex Tourists to the Beachfront
If you’re looking to loosen the purse strings a little, the 168-square-meter Beachfront Grand Pool Villa is placed front and centre on the beachfront, while the 154-square-meter Duplex Grand Pool Villa is spread over two floors, both with ocean views, and the 180-square-meter elevated Double Grand Pool Villa has two bedrooms, making it an infinitely practical and sublimely indulgent option for a chic group getaway.
A member of Design Hotels, Mason is a tangible celebration of the rich Thai tradition of masonry and, in particular, the stone carvers of the Ang Sila community. One of the area’s major natural resources, granite, is key to the overall design and is found throughout the hotel, from walls and furniture, to bathroom fixtures and decorative objects.
Musing on Masonry
The theme of masonry is also creatively explored through artworks created in collaboration with Dong Sculpture, as well as through the formation of “negative spaces” or voids where indirect lighting sparks spatial interest. So that’s something.
The perfect perch for aperitifs with a breathtaking view, the Krok-a-Café serves light snacks and cocktails adjacent to the hotel’s infinity Sky Pool, while the ocean’s natural bounty takes
Be sure to leave time for sundowners at Mason’s Beachside Bar and terrace, or a spot of he-pampering at Mason Spa, which combines age-old therapies with innovative techniques.
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