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 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.