When Ati Atirak carefully drops the stylus onto the vinyl, he can feel himself being transported back to another era.
There’s a gentle ‘pop’ and then the glorious sound of Nina Simone issues forth from his magnificent pair of JBL 4344 studio monitor speakers. The Technics S1200 MK7 turntable is connected to a McIntosh audiophile amplifier, producing a sensation beyond mere listening. It embraces and soothes you.
The Listening Lounge here at the Devasom Hua Hin Resort was born from Atirak’s personal passion for analogue audio and vintage hifi gear.
“We appreciate the warmth, texture, and craftsmanship of these systems,” Atirak tells me over the velvety tones of the famous jazz singer, “What began as a private hobby, we’ve refined to a guest experience that celebrates music and stillness.”
We pause for a moment and just let the sounds soak in. While it can be argued that modern digital equipment produces a more faithful and technically accurate sound, there is something distinctly nostalgic about the vibrations of the big woofers, mid-range and tweeters in these big monitors. And it’s not long before inquisitive guests are drawn to this alluring music like the proverbial moths, their heads peering curiously around the wide, open doorway.
Once upon a time, any discerning audiophile would have been tickled pink to own such a set-up, and I can’t help but imagine a living room from my youth being immersed in such superb renditions.
“The name Devasom is derived from Sanskrit, meaning ‘the house of angels,’” Atirak adds, “which reflects our intention to offer guests a peaceful and meaningful escape rooted in timeless design and a deep sense of place.”
This Listening Lounge concept is duplicated at the second Devasom property at Khao Lak, built on a beautiful beach typical of the area. The site was once a coconut plantation and blends harmoniously with the natural surroundings.
In a tourism hotspot like Hua Hin, it’s a genuine delight to see a resort rise above the random din of “cookie cutter” hotels and inject honest, heartfelt enthusiasm into the property.
Devasom faithfully reflects Atirak and his family’s intention to offer guests a peaceful and meaningful escape rooted in timeless design and a deep sense of place. Opened a little more than 17 years ago, Devasom Hua Hin is a small, charming resort of just 23 rooms, designed in a nostalgic seaside Thai-Victorian architectural style reminiscent of early 20th-century Thailand.
Somehow, the premium vintage audio equipment blends with both the retrospective architectural style and the much deeper historical elements underpinning the Devasom philosophy. While guests may not fully comprehend the nuanced connections initially, the effect is real yet subconscious.
After a sumptuous dinner in the Deva Bistro, my evening is truly complete and as I stroll back onto the streets of Hua Hin, it takes me a little while to return to the 21st century.
Address: 1446/23 Petchkasem Road (Km.207), Hua Hin, Hua Hin District, Prachuap Khiri Khan 77110, Thailand
Phone: +66 (0) 32 442789
Email: rsvn.huahin@devasom.com
Website: http://www.devasom.com/huahin
Roderick Eime
Roderick Eime is a veteran travel and tourism journalist, broadcaster and photographer who has travelled the world for more than 40 years. He has explored every continent, sailed every ocean, and visited almost 100 countries. He has contributed to Western Weekender for more than 10 years and is regularly heard on ABC Radio.