Phuket, Thailand, March 30, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / To celebrate the Thai New Year and welcome international travelers back to Thailand, the Governor’s Mansion in Phuket – the largest icon of Sino-Portuguese baroque architecture – will be listed on Airbnb for the ultimate designer stay. Renowned for its magnificent beaches and rich cultural heritage, Phuket has long been an incredible draw for millions of travelers from around the world. The lush tropical island is now leading the way for Thailand’s long-anticipated travel rebound.
As the country gears up for its biggest cultural festival, Songkran, one group of four lucky guests will get to soak up the vibrant festivities with an island getaway of a lifetime, only on Airbnb. The majestic Governor’s Mansion will be bookable on Airbnb. Bookings open at 9:00 PM ET on April 4, 2022 (9:00 AM SGT/ 8:00 AM ICT on April 5, 2022). Travelers from Thailand or any of the countries that currently allow international travel to and from Thailand can apply.
Guests will be hosted by popular Phuket-born model-actress Patricia Tanchanok Good who rose to fame in one of Netflix’s most popular Thai dramas last year, Girl From Nowhere 2, and national ambassador for royal Thai cuisine and Blue Elephant founder, master chef Nooror Somany Steppe. Programming for this special stay is supported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
Built at the end of King Rama V’s era by successful local businessman Pra Pitak Chinpracha, the 119-year-old Governor’s Mansion welcomed many out-of-town dignitaries and remains one of several neoclassical heritage mansions on Phuket today. The sprawling white and mustard heritage home is located in the historic heart of Old Phuket Town, and has been exquisitely restored to preserve its original fixtures, including richly patterned tiles and teakwood floors. Its first floor is now home to the Blue Elephant Restaurant – a Michelin Plate awardee and long-running stalwart of Thailand’s culinary industry.
On the second floor, renowned Thai designer Saran Yen Panya has created a memorable, visually stunning space that pays homage to Thailand’s rich heritage and buzzing contemporary design scene. The stay features statement pieces by Yothaka – widely revered as Thailand’s master of design – in addition to bespoke handcrafted items by up-and-coming designers Kitt Ta Khon, Masaya, Sumphat Gallery, Thaniya and Mo Jirachaisakul, paired with Phuketian antiques from some of the island’s most distinguished homes and museums.
Guests will be immersed in a quintessentially Phuketian experience, including:
– A personal welcome at check-in by Thai superstar Patricia ‘Good’ Tanchanok, who will share her favorite hidden gems in Phuket and tips for exploring the island
Exclusive access to a two-bedroom suite on the Mansion’s expansive second floor, including a private reception lounge and living room
– A bespoke, multi-course ‘Songkran’ tasting menu prepared and hosted by master Chef Nooror Somany Steppe
– A scuba diving and snorkeling adventure around the sparkling reefs and islands that dot the Andaman Sea
– A gibbon rehabilitation social impact experience in Phuket’s last rainforest, Khao Pra Taew Wildlife Sanctuary
About the Designers
Saran Yen Panya is one of Thailand’s most pre-eminent young designers and visual artists. Awarded Young Designer of the Year by Wallpaper Magazine Thailand and ELLE Decor, Saran is the co-founder of 56thStudio where he promotes local brands, designers and makers through creative experiences and storytelling. Saran was a TED speaker at TedX Chiang Mai, and has exhibited at Paris Design Week, Berlin’s Illustrative Art Festival and miart in Milan.
About Airbnb
Airbnb was born in 2007 when two Hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to 4 million Hosts who have welcomed more than 1 billion guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe. Every day, Hosts offer unique stays and one-of-a-kind activities that make it possible for guests to experience the world in a more authentic, connected way.