Defining a brand’s birthplace can be tricky. Avani may be incorporated in Thailand, but it was in Sri Lanka that the very first Avani-branded property came into being. Today, the brand’s 30+ properties span the globe, yet its heritage remains distinctively Asian.

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, 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 Seychelles, our stunning African debut, and Avani Victoria Falls, the brand’s 10^th 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, 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 hotels and resorts. The same year, the Avani+ brand extension was unveiled in Laos, 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, Avani Kalutara, Avani+ Riverside Bangkok, Avani+ Samui Resort and Avani Avenida Liberdade Lisbon 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 34^th hotel. Located in sunny Phuket, Avani+ Mai Khao — adding to the 6,000+ keys to Avani’s worldwide portfolio.

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

The adventure is just beginning.