First hotel in Phuket

Historical "On On Hotel" was starring in the movie "The Beach" with Leonardo DiCaprio in year 2000. The movie is based on the eponymous Alex Garland novel. There is still one hotel room preserved as it was shown in the movie where the main character Richard, played by Leonardo Di Caprio had stayed.

This was actually the very first hotel in Phuket, built in 1927. Originally it was called "An An", meaning "Happiness for the visitor". Later the name was distorted according to the English spelling. therefore got a new name, "On On". In the era when mining flourished in Phuket, when people came to work and trade, they had to go back to sleep in the boat. The owner of the local department store established a lodging house for people to stay with a moderate price.

Luckily the hotel has preserved the original outstanding features such as an open space in the middle of the courtyard and "Chim Jae" or underground wells to collect rainwater. Open space makes the the building bright and airy. The balcony around the second floor has arches like a Portuguese church. The walls are decorated with Chinese and Western stucco, blending together perfectly.