1927

THE FIRST HOTEL

Formerly known as Un Un Hotel (in Chinese, “Un Un“ indicated “a pleasant stay and happiness for all visitors“ ). As Phuket had a long association with European seafaring nations and became a tourist destination, the name was later changed to “On On Hotel“ to be easier to pronounce and remembered.

The
Memory

On On Hotel has long opened its doors to all sorts of travellers yearning for a home away from home. The hotel has accommodated both Thais and guests from distant lands from days long past. On On has been operating since the days when a night at the hotel would only cost weary travellers 80 Satang (8 tenths of a baht!). On On Hotel still stands to this day as a symbol of a time where simplicity was a part of one's life. Guests of today can experience what it was like to live in one of Phuket's most prosperous era, when the mining industry was at the height of activity and the tin miners still roam the now abandoned mines.

The
Memory

On On Hotel has long opened its doors to all sorts of travellers yearning for a home away from home. The hotel has accommodated both Thais and guests from distant lands from days long past. On On has been operating since the days when a night at the hotel would only cost weary travellers 80 Satang (8 tenths of a baht!). On On Hotel still stands to this day as a symbol of a time where simplicity was a part of one's life. Guests of today can experience what it was like to live in one of Phuket's most prosperous era, when the mining industry was at the height of activity and the tin miners still roam the now abandoned mines.

THE
ARCHITECTURE

The architecture of the Memory at On On Hotel is a hark back to the Sino-Portuguese style accommodations of the Phuketians in the past. The buildings are double-storied and usually built in rows on both sides of the street.

The side elevation can be described as several pitched roof sections, alternating with internal courtyards (chim chaeh). These internal courtyards, in a sense, are the lungs of the house, allowing air and light to flow through the long and narrow confines. This also allows the interior design to focus on lovely atrium spaces. The upper part of the house is often articulated with windows in three bays, surrounded by fancy Greek & Roman decoration, with well-combined Chinese and Western stucco. Row of houses are also linked by a continuous front arcade known as “Ngo-Kha-Ngee“ in Hokkian Chinese, where the upper part of the house would extend and cover the front space of the lower storey. This architecture takes into consideration the local weather as well as shows the generosity of the house owner, offering shade, shelter and safety to pedestrians.