Travel along the Mekong River in southeast Asia has long been the stuff of legends for intrepid explorers. Originating deep in Tibet, the river meanders southeast through western China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia before finally merging with the South China Sea in Vietnam. Bangkok-based Minor Hotels already successfully operates Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort in Thailand’s northern Chiang Rai province and Avani+ Luang Prabang. In June, Minor linked its two properties with Gypsy, a 5-Star floating hotel that offers a rare glimpse into life along the Mekong’s shores with custom two or three night cruises sailing between Chiang Saen and Luang Prabang.
Gypsy is no super yacht. Rather, to achieve an integrated sense of place fitting for the Mekong’s idyllic surrounds, the talents of Bangkok-based Touchable’s Jiraparnn Tokeeree were enlisted. (Touchable is currently completing another vessel for Mekong Kingdoms: a 138-foot-long, 13 cabin boutique barge slated to set sail in 2019.)
Buoyant accommodations are a way of life for many Southeast Asians, and Tokeeree looked to their centuries-old construction methods for Gypsy. “We are used to living on houseboats and floating structures,” Tokeeree reveals. “For Gypsy, spaces had to be comfortable, visually luxurious and fully equipped with modern facilities, to be on par with the brand. At the same time, the vessel had to be sturdy to withstand the elements.”
Gypsy’s spaces were conceived as a row of airy rooms, with a central dining and living area flanked by a king and a twin cabin, each with its own ensuite bathroom. At the end of the vessel is a sun deck featuring a cane-framed daybed to soak in the panorama views. The central area is outfitted with a canopy that can be rolled back for dining under the stars, while the enclosed areas are fitted with traditional thatch roofs shaped in a modern way to blend with the natural surroundings.
Solid teak furnishings complement teak tongue and groove-paneled ceilings, flooring, and walls, with wardrobe doors featuring etched floral patterns. Handwoven ornaments include carved discs above full-height glass doors to the cabins, while fabrics are woven with geometric Laotian motifs and used as upholstery, on cushions and throws.
To make the experience as authentic as possible, the firm custom designed the furniture and chose traditional design methods for functionality and beauty. “Being on a private houseboat with customized services on the Mekong, Southeast Asia’s most beguiling waterway is very different than being on a cruise liner,” notes Tokeeree.
With a traditional thatched roof and low profile, the Gypsy blends seamlessly into the surroundings.
Floral etchings add a tropic flair to the handsome teak furnishings in the bedrooms.
