A desire to preserve the land neighbouring his property in Phuket took Anthony Lark on a journey that led to the creation of the luxury resort Trisara.
What does luxury mean to you?
In 2003, to me, privacy was luxury – not toilets that blew smoke, automatic things, gold-plated taps, pretentious things. Luxury is about understated elegance, low-density developments, generous space. I wanted every guest at Trisara to roll out of bed naked, fling their doors open, jump in the pool and swim to the edge with no one overlooking them. We kept Trisara very simple and didn’t try to create a fashion statement that would wear out over time.
What has been the biggest challenge of your career?
Bringing our team together to share common values, cultural beliefs and a shared vision of guest expectations. A hotel is like an orchestra, and all the musicians have to play as one when delivering service.
How do you stay passionate about what you do?
There are always ways to improve the business. It’s 24 hours a day and it’s like being the mayor of a village. Find something you love and do it with purpose and passion.
What attracts guests to Trisara?
Everyone comes here to transform in some way, even sublimely. Everyone wants to catch up on sleep – they’re jetlagged or busy. Sleep experience is more important than food.
Who stays at the resort?
Lots of very diverse people. Hillary Clinton when she was Secretary of State, Roger Federer, McLaren and Mercedes F1 drivers, musicians like John Legend and Kylie Minogue (my granddaughter was born on Kylie’s birthday when I was in London at her 50th birthday party), businesspeople, actors, royal families. They really like the privacy.
Where do you go to get away?
If I spent my whole time here, I’d go island mad. For a holiday, I go to the biggest, dirtiest city I can find – New York, London; theatre, sirens, police, rude people, no palm trees.
