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At a new hotel in western Thailand, guests can either choose traditional accommodation on land — or kick things up a notch on a private floating “raft.”
Z9 Resort on Srinakarin Lake allows guests to get out and experience nature — without leaving their room. There are 15 “floating houses” that guests can book for endless water views and an unearthly tranquil environment.
In order to access their floating accommodations, guests walk out on a dock and to their own private “raft.” Each room has floor-to-ceiling glass to make the most of the view. There’s an en-suite bathroom and air conditioning for when it gets too hot. Guests can also order room service if they’re determined to keep up the relaxing seclusion.
One of the hotel’s best perks is that guests have open access to the water. Directly from their terrace, guests can kayak out onto the lake. (And there are life vests ready to go in the closet.)
The hotel was designed by Dersyn Studio, a design firm based in Bangkok. Although it may seem like a unique aesthetic choice, the architects behind the project chose to build on water to protect the environment. By creating the floating rafts, the project could cut back on the amount of land that needed to be excavated for the hotel. The project was built with sustainable practices with discarded lumber. The ceiling is made from compressed wood flakes.
Rates for the hotel start at about $204 (6,600 Thai Bhat) per night, with breakfast and kayaking including.
