Hotel Bocage, Hua Hin, Thailand

In a country of gilded and shimmering temples, Thai architect Duangrit Bunnag’s ascetic tendencies stand out. Inside its neo-brutalist concrete structure, this hotel located three hours’ drive from Bangkok houses six beautifully bare, highly polished concrete suites. Amid white to charcoal grey interiors, guests are inclined to focus on the stunning views of the Gulf of Thailand out the floor-to-ceiling windows. Sliding glass doors open onto private balconies, which are empty except for a horseshoe-shaped, polished wood chair angled towards the blue horizon. Beds, seating and bathtubs are all sculptural and Italian-made. Lest this feel monastic, guests can head downstairs to Seenspace Hua Hin shopping mall to find art galleries, restaurants and shops offering plenty of material pleasures. hbocage.hotelsinhuahin.com