The 7 Wonders Unveil the Hidden Gem Stories of Cape Panwa Hotel, Phuket

• The Discovered Gem

Mr.Tirapongse Pangsrivongse, the owner and founder of Cape & Kantary Hotels, has a passion for sailing and connecting with nature. He often captains both sailing boats and yachts on journeys that sometimes last for several weeks. During these trips, he takes the opportunity to meet local people, many of whom become lasting friends. One of these friends is Uncle Nan (Mr. Nan Ahman), a fisherman from the Phuket area, whom Mr.Tirapongse met while traveling to view a house and land near Cape Panwa headland. Upon arrival, they discovered a beautiful seaside area on the Andaman coast, with a long stretch of white sandy beach and rows of palm trees creating a serene and shady atmosphere. The natural beauty of this place captivated Mr.Tirapongse, prompting him to purchase the land, which later became the site of Cape Panwa Hotel, Phuket.

• A Voyage of Magic: Fish of Good Fortune

On that day, while Mr.Tirapongse was sailing to Cape Panwa with Uncle Nan, something special happened. A shoal of fish surrounded the boat, with some jumping out of the water clearly visible. It seemed as though the fish were guiding the boat to Cape Panwa. Uncle Nan, an experienced local fisherman, sincerely believed that this event was an auspicious sign, a symbol of good luck and prosperity.

Later, when he established Cape Panwa Hotel, the first hotel under Cape & Kantary Hotels, he chose to adopt the symbol of a "pair of fish" to represent the shoal of fish that guided the boat, bringing good fortune and prosperity. This became the logo for Cape Panwa Hotel and the other five hotels under the Cape Hotel Collection.

• The Pioneer Hotel of Cape & Kantary Hotels Collection

Cape Panwa Hotel, Phuket, is the first hotel in the Cape & Kantary Hotels group. Originally, the land at Cape Panwa was purchased to serve as a family vacation home for the Pangsrivongse family. However, when Mr.Tirapongse learned that investors were planning to buy land in the same area to build a shrimp farm, he became deeply concerned. He wanted to preserve the beautiful natural environment of Cape Panwa headland, as the shrimp farm could negatively impact the marine ecosystem, with chemical contamination, coastal erosion, and a decrease in water quality, as well as spoiling the scenic of its beauty.

Because of this, Mr.Tirapongse decided to purchase all the land in the area to block the shrimp farm and to protect the natural beauty. Later, he consulted with his mother, Mrs. Thapthim Pangsrivongse, about developing the land for its greater benefit. They ultimately decided to build Cape Panwa Hotel, Phuket, over 30 years ago. The hotel became one of the first large 5-star premium luxury hotels on the island of Phuket and has since gained international recognition among travellers worldwide.

• Uncle Nan

Mr.Tirapongse invited Uncle Nan to work at Cape Panwa Hotel to provide him with a stable income, so that he would not have to risk going out to sea fishing every day, especially as Uncle Nan was growing older. In time, Uncle Nan's children and grandchildren also joined the Cape Panwa family, becoming part of the hotel's community. At that time, Mr.Tirapongse named the hotel's Italian restaurant "Uncle Nan" in honour of their friendship, a symbol that would last forever. The hotel continued to care for Uncle Nan until the end of his days

• The Century of "Panwa House"

The Sino-Portuguese style house, over 100 years old, is a remarkable example of blended architecture, combining Chinese and Portuguese cultural influences. Originally, this house served as the residence of a nobleman before passing down through generations. Eventually, Mr.Tirapongse purchased the house and the surrounding land at Cape Panwa to use as a family vacation home by the sea, before transforming it into Cape Panwa Hotel. Panwa House was then reimagined as a Thai restaurant, becoming one of the key features of Cape Panwa Hotel, Phuket. Located by the beautiful beach, guests can enjoy breathtaking views of the Andaman Sea, white sandy beaches and lush trees swaying in the breeze and sunlight. This creates a memorable and delightful experience for every visit. Inside the meticulously restored historic house, the beauty of Sino-Portuguese architecture can be seen, particularly in the use of Portuguese Azulejo tiles in the interior decor and on the stairs. The use of teak furniture and antique decorations further adds charm and a classic touch to the space. With its outstanding architectural style and enchanting atmosphere, Panwa House has become a popular location for filming both domestic and international films and TV series, continuing to captivate visitors from the past to the present.

Panwa House Thai Restaurant at Cape Panwa Hotel, Phuket, has welcomed visitors from all over the world, including many famous celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor, Leonardo DiCaprio, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Pierce Brosnan, and many others. However, only one guest has been granted special permission to live here permanently—"Kee," the intelligent and lovable sea otter. "Kee" was once a pet of the family. Mr.Tirapongse saved Kee many years ago by purchasing it from a fisherman after it got caught in a fishing net. Kee never wanted to leave and became an incredibly clever, friendly, and charming member of the family. Mr.Tirapongse showed Kee great love and affection. Kee enjoyed playing freely in the sea, often amusing guests and chefs at the hotel, begging for snacks. Frequently, Kee would follow Mr.Tirapongse aboard the boat, playing in the sea with carefree joy, only returning to the boat when it had had enough fun. In the early mornings, Kee would often climb into Panwa House, bouncing onto the bed to wake up Ms. Waew (Tirawan Pangsrivongse), asking her to take it for a swim. No matter how much time has passed, Kee remains the beloved mascot of the family and will always be remembered.

• I Told Sunset About You

This was the first Thai BL series that gained massive popularity across countries, attracting both Thai and international fans to "Cape Panwa Hotel" to follow in the footsteps of "Tae" and "Oh-Aew" even to this day. In addition, it is the only series that was filmed on location at the hotel and included its name in the storyline, transforming "Panwa House" into "Cape Panwa Resort." Although the series "I Told Sunset About You" in both seasons, filmed here, has concluded, the beautiful moments of Tae and Oh-Aew still remain in the hearts of fans, inspiring people from various countries to make the pilgrimage and check in at Cape Panwa Hotel. They come to experience the personal moments and immerse themselves in the feelings through memorable scenes, whether it is Panwa House, the Cape Absolute Suite - the hotel's finest two-storey premium luxury penthouse - the Wedding Terrace, the private dock with a wooden pier stretching over the turquoise-green waters, the beach, the sea, and the hammock... for that moment to say 'I love you' at Cape Panwa.

• The White Lotus 3

Cape Panwa Hotel, Phuket, is one of the locations used to film the hottest series at the moment, The White Lotus Season 3 (source: Warner Bros. Discovery The White Lotus S3 Shooting Locations: https://press.wbd.com/us/media-release/white-lotus-s3-shooting-locations). The series features standout scenes, including the historic "Panwa House," which is located on the beach along the Andaman coast. The area is known as one of the most beautiful beaches on the island of Phuket, with a unique and charming sunrise viewpoint. This natural beauty has long attracted directors of both Thai and international films and series, who have chosen to use this location to bring imaginative stories to life, reflecting through the eyes of viewers for decades.

The White Lotus Seasons 1 and 2 sparked a Jet-setting phenomenon, with fans traveling across continents to visit the hotels and attractions featured in the series. The buzz surrounding Season 3 has been immense, starting from the moment filming began. The casting of talented Thai actors to enrich the story, along with the seamless portrayal of Thai culture and lifestyles, has been masterfully woven into an intriguing and complex narrative. The series also focuses on stunning cinematography that feels like a work of art in The White Lotus style. This combination has made the southern part of Thailand a highly anticipated travel destination, with travellers from around the world eager to visit and add it to their travel plans without a second thought.

Cape Panwa Hotel, Phuket, the first hotel of Cape & Kantary Hotels Group, is a luxurious hideaway in a charming destination, with a long, private white beach along the Andaman Sea, renowned as one of the most beautiful beaches in Phuket. Now, the hotel invites you to rediscover unforgettable film and series scenes through the exclusive 'Director Package' that offers an experience like no other in a spacious 127 sq.m. Cape Signature Corner Suite. This accommodation features a large balcony with a breath-taking Andaman Sea view and an outdoor whirlpool for an ultimate relaxation. Book a 3-day, 2-night escape starting from 22,300 Baht net for 2, available from now until December 20, 2025 and enjoy a special welcome Thai gift basket, Afternoon Tea for two at Panwa House, two Cocktail Vouchers at Bamboo Bar & Cafe Andaman, two Coffee or Tea Vouchers at Cafe Kantary, and a 15% spa discount at Cape Spa.

(All terms and conditions are subject to the hotel's policy.)

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