Hotel Verdigris, a small luxury hotel in Phuket Old Town
The old town, set along the historical interest of Phuket, crisscrossed with streets and alleys that give the area a labyrinthine feel which houses one of Thailand's most unique streets. Hotel Verdigris, tucked away in Phuket Old Town, also pertains to Thailand's everlasting spirit. The Hotel is set up in an ancient-looking building with a fantastic blend of modern, open to the elements around and above it. The entrance is flanked by two pillars; stepping through the front door is like walking through a Roman archway. The lobby at the entrance is shaped like an ark, built over the edge of a glassy pool, like a rippling river. A glass door separates the lobby from the gorgeous twenty-foot pool with turquoise water surrounded by thick plants building the atmosphere instantly.
Hotel Verdigris’ founder
The hotel is owned by Pichakorn Phanichwong, but most people call her Peach. Despite her young age, she handles everything with such an air of experienced elegance which adds more charm to the already-cast Thai enchantment. Verdigris is named after the greenish-blue copper patina that forms on copper, the combination gives its colour a unique, shimmery glow. Just like its name, the hotel reflects that perfectly with the dash of mysterious aura inspired by their muse.
An interior that feels like a luxury train suite
The rooms seem as if they are built on a fantasy room as a blank canvas to paint their very own world, one that was built upon more than just a physical place. They are decorated in different shades of bronze and gold, and the dark wood floors gleamed in the natural light. Long silk curtains conceal the entire floor to ceiling of the room. There's a reading spot—one that you could slip into while reading or writing. The place makes it feel like you are in your own little world, surrounded by only natural light in the most elegant interior. And naturally, the room has its own miniature bar with some coffee pods and snacks for you to enjoy during your stay.
The bathroom feels like a luxury spa with the walls with marble tiles and a beautiful swirling pattern floor. Each room was designed slightly differently making them all unique from one another. In the Bronze room, you’ll find a lovely jacuzzi bath, heated by a gas fire, with all the necessary products you might need to pamper yourself a little. And if you are travelling alone you might want to discover the Solo Traveller Room, a perfectly designed space for those who seek for new adventures by themselves. Peach created something unique. From the architecture and the furniture to the lighting and the scrap-metal sculptures. The rooms are not solely sleeping quarters; they are an experience in themselves.
The Michelin Guide clear soup
The restaurant is an open hall with a glass ceiling where the sunlight floods in through the large windows. Here you can explore culinary journeys, whether a business lunch, or a birthday dinner with a private Chef's table and customised dining arrangements. For breakfast, guests are asked to choose their selection prior to the meal being served, as the chef prints out a tailored menu with the individual’s name on it, indicating the specific dish and its pertinent narrative.
The most delicious thing Verdigris offers is undoubtedly the infamous clear (or brown) herbal soup using grandma’s secret stock recipe, part of the Michelin Guide. Luckily, Hotel Verdigris spilled a secret, mentioning that one key ingredient in this soup is the locally fermented sweet soy sauce. The clear soup distinctive character is in its rich broth made of fish meat, rice congee, seaweed and salt. This dish is so wonderful that people would travel miles to eat it again. While Hotel Verdigris offers the American-style breakfast, we believe trying local cuisine is an experience in and of itself.
The reading room
The library appears as a private meeting room, a place to squeeze in a few minutes of concentration. It’s a secluded space to think or work, with a well-appointed library of books and furnishings that include a table and small lounge area, everything so meticulously curated. The wall-length window offers a relaxing view where fishes swim and fro beneath a verdant canopy of trees.
A new tradition
As the sun sets, Hotel Verdigris serves a steaming hot thermos of tea and a freshly prepared treat, instilling a sense of nostalgia as if it were a part of life. Along with that, they leave a special handwritten note each day about the chosen tea and treat, as well as the time of sunrise and temperature expected for the next morning. That thoughtful note truly makes a difference during the stay as it cements a feeling of warmth that slowly unfurls in your chest.
