Avani Turns 10: A Look at Past Milestones and What the Future Holds

In October 2011, the Geoffrey Bawa-designed Avani Bentota Resort opened near the southern tip of Sri Lanka, marking the start of what is now a decade-long journey. In retrospect, the tropical island was the perfect birthplace for a brand inspired by the Sanskrit word for Earth, and rooted in nature and adventure.

With big city lights beckoning, in 2014 Avani went urban. Avani Atrium Bangkok Hotel, our first city hotel, opened on Bangkok’s New Petchaburi Road, smack in the middle of all the downtown action. Fresh, young, and upbeat, it took the brand’s earthly ethos and adapted it for the buzzing concrete jungle.

Before we knew it, the portfolio had grown to include 10 properties spanning Asia and Africa, all in the first five years. Avani Barbarons Seychelles Resort, our stunning African debut, and Avani Victoria Falls Resort, the brand’s 10th property, burst on the scene in 2015, the latter quickly growing into its own to become one of the brand’s most iconic properties.

In 2017, Avani expanded into Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Avani Avenida Liberdade Lisbon Hotel, our European flagship, has since become the it-spot for the Insta crowd, while our properties Down Under have proven popular with everyone from vacationing families to business folk.

Staying true to our Earth-centric roots, in 2018, Avani banned plastic straws and strengthened its sustainability efforts. Today, on-site hydroponic herb gardens, free-range chicken farms, and farm-to-table dining concepts underpin operations at most Avani properties. The same year, the Avani+ brand extension was unveiled in Laos (Avani+ Luang Prabang Hotel), spotlighting historic and design-led properties.

This year saw the arrival of another Asian icon for Avani with the highly buzzed-about opening of FCC Angkor by Avani in Siem Reap, Cambodia. A heritage site rich in history and natural beauty, it’s been drawing in a steady flow of history buffs and culture vultures hoping to unearth the secrets of Angkor.

In our industry, few institutions carry more cachet than Condé Nast Traveler. In 2020, Avani officially entered the pantheon of "world class" when the publication’s readers named five Avani properties among the world’s best hotels. Avani+ Luang Prabang Hotel, Avani Kalutara Resort, Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel, Avani+ Samui Resort, and Avani Avenida Liberdade Lisbon Hotel all got the thumbs up from the world’s most-travelled people.

We might be slightly older, but we’re keeping up the tempo and trying out new things all the time. This year, we opened our 34th hotel. Located in sunny Phuket, Avani+ Mai Khao Phuket Suites & Villas — adding to the 6,000+ keys to Avani’s worldwide portfolio.

Avani+ Khao Lak Resort, Avani+ Koh Lanta Krabi Resort, and Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort are looking gorgeous and getting ready to welcome you soon. Just a little further down the line (but tantalisingly close) are Avani Muscat Hotel in Oman and another Thai addition, Avani Chaweng Samui Hotel & Beach Club in Koh Samui. So, why not spin the globe and see where the road takes you next?

The adventure is just beginning.