Jean-Michel Gathy designs One&Only
Denniston Architects’ Principal Designer, Jean-Michel Gathy, is bringing his design and architectural innovations to new One&Only Resorts, with developments in the pipeline for 2017 and beyond.
Gathy has been tasked to design the first One&Only resort in China, One&Only Sanya, One&Only Portonovi in Montenegro, as well as enhancing and developing his iconic design of One&Only Reethi Rah in the Maldives.
The Sanya property is scheduled to open in 2017 on the island of Hainan, and will command enviable views of azure waters from 380m of private coastline and over 11 hectares of coconut palms throughout the resort. The vision will reflect the local culture of the region, bringing a sense of destination both indoors and out, enhanced by Gathy’s inspired contemporary twists.
Red will be a prominent colour throughout the resort, in homage to the Chinese sentiment for the colour, with playful touches such as a red lacquered piano. The interior design throughout the resort will be lively and animated with an art deco themed bar and Chinese restaurant. Gathy’s design will also include a large aquarium in the poolside Seafood Bar for guests to select their catch of the day, as well as a Noodle Bar experience.
The resort will feature 190 guestrooms, suites and villas, situated either within the main Manor House or Mansions, as well as a collection of restaurants, bars and private dining spaces that will showcase a variety of regional and international specialties using the finest local ingredients under the guidance of a select team of chefs – including a Chinese Michelin-starred chef.
The hotel will also house an indulgent ESPA spa and the only Moroccan Hamman in the region, incorporating all elements of wellbeing, health and fitness.
Jean-Michel Gathy comments: “My role is to serve the market and I have considered this in all aspects of the design of One&Only Sanya.”
Gathy has also been appointed as the principal designer of One&Only Portonovi, opening in 2018 as the brand’s first resort in Europe. The resort will be located at the entrance to Boka Bay, with views over the Adriatic Sea and will offer approximately 120 luxurious guestrooms, suites and villas over 58 acres, a prestigious residential component, a world class Marina, tennis academy, dining and retail options, as well as an exclusive spa in partnership with Henri Chenot.
The team from Denniston International Architects, alongside Gathy, were tasked with keeping three words in mind – luxury, space and privacy – as they considered the architecture and interiors, as well as the design of the exterior spaces surrounding the property. Montenegro’s rich history will be reflected throughout the resort by highlighting the natural juxtaposition of elements from snow-capped mountains to undiscovered lakes and pristine coastlines.
In 2005, Gathy was tasked with having Reethi Rah – set on one of the largest islands in North Malé Atoll, Maldives – live up to its namesake, ‘Beautiful Island’. Surrounded by the crystal blue waters of the Indian Ocean, Gathy and his team are responsible for the resort’s enhancements that are currently taking place, and ensuring the changes – that include soft renovations to the resort’s villas and facilities – are in line with One&Only’s over-riding philosophies.
