Available at Banyan Tree Samui from May 1, 2026, the Banyan Tree Connections: A Private, Immersive Holistic Wellbeing Journey for Two responds to a growing desire for meaningful connections in an increasingly fragmented world.  

Banyan Tree Samui couples wellness retreat

Banyan Tree Samui, an 88 pool villa beachfront property overlooking the Gulf of Thailand, announces the launch of Banyan Tree Connections: A Private, Immersive Wellbeing Journey for Two, now available for bookings for stays from May 1, 2026, onwards.

The programme invites guests to slow down and reconnect with themselves, with loved ones, and with the rhythms of nature through a curated series of movement, mindfulness, and shared rituals guided by Banyan Group’s 8 Pillars of Wellbeing philosophy.

“Banyan Tree Connections was created in response to a universal longing for deeper relationships, genuine presence, and time well spent together,” said Ms. Katejiraporn Kaewngarmsa-ard, Hotel Manager at Banyan Tree Samui. “Our tranquil resort, bathed in a lush tropical environment and idyllic for those seeking intimacy and peace of mind, is a natural canvas for a wellbeing journey shared between friends and/or family.”

kayaking with Banyan Tree

Banyan Tree Samui invites guests to experience a journey of wellbeing with a loved one or special partner through a personalized program of healthy living activities, each designed to nurture balance, presence and togetherness, with each experience initiated in harmony with the resort’s tropical beachfront setting, the island’s natural beauty, and Thailand’s spiritual culture.

Connections guests will begin their journey at Banyan Tree Samui with a 30-minute wellbeing consultation, undertaken by one of our professionally trained associates, in order to lay out a health and fitness itinerary that caters to each person’s individual targets.

Among the selection of pursuits included in the Connections program that a couple may benefit from are: a 60-minute session of Private Yoga Duo; Sound Healing Meditation; a one-time Herbal Massage Oil & Reflexology Workshop; two joint 60-minute spa treatments; kayaking; an introduction to Thai boxing; a private culinary workshop; and an intimate dinner for two served in style at our private beach.

A Sanctuary for the Senses

Banyan Tree Samui

Banyan Tree Samui’s 88 spacious pool villas, each with its own private infinity pool, provide a serene and secluded oasis where guests can unwind and reconnect with nature. Designed to seamlessly blend with the surrounding landscape, the villas feature contemporary Thai architecture and are adorned with locally sourced materials and artwork, creating a truly authentic and immersive experience.

The resort hosts three restaurants, including Saffron which was recently listed in the 2025 MICHELIN Guide. Other onsite facilities include a fitness centre, a kids’ club, a meetings and events centre, and a library.

For more information and reservations, visit https://www.banyantree.com/thailand/samui/offers or contact samui@banyantree.com or tel: +66 077 915 333.

The post Banyan Tree Samui Launches Banyan Tree Connections appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Unforgettable Celebrations at Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Koh Samui

Nestled on the pristine shores of Koh Samui, Nikki Beach Resort & Spa emerges as the ultimate destination for travelers seeking extraordinary experiences in Asia. One of the resort’s most anticipated events, The White Party, returns this year on Saturday, March 28, from 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM, as part of the exclusive “Celebration Week”—a curated series of wellness, fashion, and high-energy entertainment designed for discerning travelers.

A Spectacular Night of Celebration and Style

As the sun dips below the horizon, Nikki Beach transforms into a luminous spectacle of white and gold. This signature event draws international visitors and locals alike, eager to indulge in a night of vibrant music, exquisite cuisine, and glamorous atmosphere. The White Party is renowned for its electrifying ambiance, making it a must-attend event for those exploring Asia’s luxury travel scene.

Live Music and Entertainment

Adding to the allure, global music sensation Sllash & Doppe will headline the evening, delivering a powerful DJ set that will keep the dance floor alive well into the night. Their energetic performance will seamlessly blend into an evening of spectacular dance acts and captivating entertainment—an experience that epitomizes Asia’s dynamic nightlife.

Culinary Delights and Premium Drinks

Sllash & Doppe

Guests can indulge in specially curated à la carte dishes and an extensive selection of premium beverages. For those seeking an elevated experience, Nikki Beach offers exclusive dining options, including private tables, luxurious sofas, and signature bed packages situated at the heart of the celebration. This ensures a truly immersive experience, combining luxury and comfort in one of Asia’s most beautiful beach destinations.

Wellness and Celebration: A Perfect Balance

The excitement begins earlier in the week with Wellness Wednesday on March 25. This full-day wellness retreat encourages guests to reset and rejuvenate through sunrise yoga, beachfront coffee, healthy lunches, beachside challenges, ice baths, and meditation sessions. It’s designed for travelers who value both relaxation and vitality, making it an ideal addition to your Asian travel itinerary.

The festivities culminate with the White Party on Saturday, offering a stunning fusion of style, music, and celebration:

• Time: 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM
• Dress Code: White with Golden Glam
• Location: Nikki Beach Koh Samui

Ticket Options

• General Admission: THB 680, includes a welcome drink
• Pool Bed Package: THB 17,000 (up to 4 guests), includes champagne and signature bites
• Ultra VIP Sofa: THB 60,000 (up to 8 guests), includes premium drinks, dedicated service, and exclusive access

The festival continues the following day with the Sunday Brunch from 12:00 PM to 6:30 PM, offering a luxurious blend of signature dishes, flowing drinks, and live entertainment amid the golden sunset—an ideal way to unwind after a night of celebration.

Why Choose Nikki Beach Koh Samui for Your Travel Experience

Nikki Beach Koh Samui White Party

Nikki Beach Koh Samui is more than a beach resort; it’s a destination where luxury, entertainment, and Asia’s tropical charm come together. With its breathtaking ocean views, world-class amenities, and curated events like The White Party, it offers an unparalleled experience for travelers seeking both relaxation and adventure in Asia.

Whether you’re planning a luxury getaway, a wellness retreat, or an unforgettable celebration, Nikki Beach Koh Samui provides the perfect setting to immerse yourself in Asia’s vibrant hospitality scene. Book your stay now and be part of an extraordinary journey.

Join us for Celebration Week and the White Party—events you simply cannot miss. We would be delighted for you to join us for an unforgettable experience where fashion meets the rhythm of the island. Expect champagne moments, confetti skies, and Samui’s most iconic day celebration. For reservations or more information, please call 077-914-500 or book online at: https://reserveyourvenue.com/nikkibeach/event/03-28-2026/white-party-678

The post Nikki Beach Koh Samui Legendary White Party appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Celebrate International Women’s Day in Style

In the tropical paradise of Koh Samui, one of Asia’s premier travel destinations, Nikki Beach Koh Samui hosts a memorable International Women’s Day celebration. Mark your calendar for Sunday, March 8th, from 12 PM to 4:30 PM, and indulge in a luxurious brunch experience that combines great food, vibrant atmosphere, and meaningful charity work.

A Special Edition of Amazing Sundays Brunch

Nikki Beach’s renowned Amazing Sundays Brunch gets a special touch this year, embracing the spirit of empowerment and celebration of women. The event is organized in partnership with Think Pink, a prominent NGO dedicated to breast cancer awareness across Asia. For this occasion, 100% of the proceeds from the signature Think Pink cocktail will be donated to support ongoing initiatives promoting health and awareness.

Signature Cocktail Supporting a Cause

Swimming pool

The exclusive pink-themed cocktail, crafted with Thai floral gin, elderflower liqueur, fresh lime juice, raspberry syrup, and sparkling white wine, is available throughout the event. Guests are encouraged to dress in chic light pink to match the occasion and show solidarity with women worldwide.

Feast on an Abundant Buffet

Guests will enjoy a lavish buffet that features a variety of culinary delights, including Beef Wellington, the island’s largest sushi selection, live cooking stations, carved meats, authentic Thai dishes, and a special assortment of pink desserts created exclusively for the celebration. The brunch provides a perfect setting to gather with inspiring women and new friends alike.

Dining on the beach

Live Entertainment and Festive Atmosphere

As the sun shines on Koh Samui, the lively ambiance is elevated by beats from the resident DJ, a live saxophonist, percussionists, and dancers. A spirited salsa dance performance will invite everyone to the dance floor in true Nikki Beach style, making this event a true celebration of femininity, travel, and Asia’s vibrant culture.

Why Travel to Koh Samui for Women’s Day

Koh Samui is renowned for its stunning beaches, luxury resorts, and vibrant local culture—making it an ideal destination for travelers seeking both relaxation and meaningful experiences. Celebrating Women’s Day here offers travelers an opportunity to connect with Asia’s rich traditions while enjoying world-class hospitality.

Practical Details

• Date: Sunday, March 8th
• Time: 12 PM – 4:30 PM
• Location: Nikki Beach Koh Samui
• Dress Code: Chic Light Pink
• Pricing:
  • Adults: THB 2,990++ per person
  • Children (5-12 years): THB 1,000++ per person

For reservations or more information, visit Book your Women’s Day brunch in Koh Samui or call +66 77-914-500.

The post Vibrant Women’s Day at Nikki Beach Koh Samui appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Following its 20th anniversary year, Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary enters its third decade with a renewed focus on innovation, longevity, and integrative wellbeing. Set on the southern coast of Koh Samui, the sanctuary’s natural landscape of granite boulders, lush jungle canopies, and sweeping sea views forms an essential part of the Kamalaya experience, allowing guests to fully immerse in the restorative rhythm of the surroundings. Together, place and practice underpin Kamalaya’s long-standing approach, which brings ancient Eastern healing traditions into dialogue with contemporary Western medical research.

Kamalaya’s spiritual offerings provide space for reflection, renewal, and inner alignment

Kamalaya’s personalised wellness programmes are guided by a multidisciplinary team of experts, including naturopaths, Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners, yoga teachers, fitness trainers, massage therapists, meditation specialists, and Life Enhancement Mentors. This integrated model allows the sanctuary to address both physical health and emotional wellbeing through tailored, results-driven journeys.

Kamalaya has expanded its programming and introduced new offerings designed to enhance modern lifestyles. These build on the sanctuary’s emphasis on preventative care, resilience, and long-term vitality.

With more than 80 international awards to its name, Kamalaya continues to set benchmarks in the wellness sector in 2026. Here are five reasons to visit now.

Cognitive House & Brain Enhancement programme

Launched in 2025, Kamalaya’s Cognitive House marks a decisive expansion into advanced brain health optimisation. Conceived as a sanctuary within a sanctuary, it delivers targeted, results-driven therapies including Neuro-Lymphatic Therapy, Neurofeedback, Neuromodulation and Transcranial Photobiomodulation, all integrated within the sanctuary’s holistic framework.

Building on this foundation, the Brain Enhancement programme offers a structured, personalised pathway to improved cognitive performance. The programme blends cognitive therapies, advanced IV infusions, fitness and movement practices, and holistic activities. Together, the Cognitive House and Brain Enhancement programme position Kamalaya at the forefront of integrative neuroscience-led wellness, supporting sharper focus, mental clarity and long-term brain health.

Sleep Enhancement programme

Debuted in 2025, the Cognitive House was created to enhance cognitive function and mental wellbeing

Kamalaya’s Sleep Enhancement programme reflects the understanding that restorative sleep underpins every aspect of long-term wellbeing. Designed to address both the symptoms and root causes of sleep disruption, the programme integrates sleep-supportive nutrition, herbal therapies, acupuncture, cognitive treatments and mind–body practices, alongside advanced therapies such as gentle brain stimulation and oxygen-based treatments including ozone and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Together, these approaches calm the nervous system, rebalance brainwave activity, and support cellular repair.

Guests leave not only with improved sleep quality, but with practical tools and sustainable rituals that help maintain emotional balance and restorative rest long after their stay.

Personal Wellness Guardians: Guidance Beyond Your Stay

Kamalaya’s Personal Wellness Guardians are an extension of the global team and provide continuity of care before, during, and long after each stay. Offering personalised support across multiple time zones, these dedicated guides help guests prepare for their journey, navigate their on-site experience, and integrate new practices into daily life for up to a year after departure.

Radiant Bliss for Women’s Health at Every Stage of Life

First introduced in late 2023, Radiant Bliss supports women through key physical, emotional, and hormonal transitions. Grounded in personalised care, the programme begins with measuring essential health markers and integrates Traditional Chinese Medicine, tailored supplementation, somatic practices, and breathwork. It offers a nurturing framework for balance and renewal, supporting women from fertility and motherhood through perimenopause, menopause, and beyond.

Spiritual Practices and Inner Work

Kamalaya has entered its third decade with irresistible momentum after marking its 20th anniversary last year

Rooted in ancient yogic and Vedic traditions, Kamalaya’s spiritual offerings provide space for reflection, renewal, and inner alignment. Guided by experienced spiritual teachers, guests can engage in practices ranging from private fire ceremonies and mantra chanting to meditation, Kriya Yoga, and traditional cleansing rituals. These one-on-one and small-group experiences support emotional clarity, spiritual grounding, and meaningful transition, offering tools that extend beyond the stay and into daily life.

For more information, please contact Evelyne Raymakers at marcomm@kamalaya.com. For reservations and further information, please visit kamalaya.com, email reservations@kamalaya.com or call +66 (0) 77 429 800.

About Kamalaya

Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary is a multi-award-winning haven nestled on the tranquil southern coast of Koh Samui, Thailand. Since 2005, Kamalaya has provided a nurturing environment for guests to reconnect with balance, vitality, and inner harmony. Integrating the wisdom of Eastern healing traditions with the science of Western medicine, Kamalaya offers personalised wellness programmes that support individual paths to lifelong wellbeing. Programmes include Detoxification, Gut Health, Sleep Enhancement, Movement & Strength, Emotional Resilience, and Longevity.

The post Five Reasons to Visit Kamalaya Now appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Recently awarded Two Keys in the MICHELIN Guide’s 2025 appraisal of hotels in Thailand, the luxurious beachfront resort of Banyan Tree Samui has announced upgraded services to amplify its spa and wellbeing experience. Guests and visitors to award-winning Banyan Tree Spa Samui will henceforth be afforded an enhanced guest journey from the moment they walk through the door until they leave the spa fully refreshed and rejuvenated.

Following consultation for treatment, the spa will blend a bespoke massage oil with ingredients that relate directly to the guest’s requests and condition, a protocol that’s rarely observed elsewhere. The guest’s personalized massage oil includes the likes of lavender, geranium, thyme, sandalwood, rose, cedar and bergamot.

The healing properties within these delicate concoctions are based on the principles of Banyan Tree’s own holistic “Eight Pillars” wellbeing philosophy – focusing on Rest; Nourishment, Connection; Movement; Mindfulness; Growth; Groundedness; and Practice.

Banyan Tree Samui spa upgrade

A newly elevated “purifying ritual” greets all spa guests on arrival with local healthy drinks, snacks, essential oils and cedarwood-scented towels, creating an ambience of serenity. Feet are soaked in warm water including revitalising herbal ingredients and Himalayan salts.

Guests are then gently ushered into a private massage room, where they are met by soothing music and personally selected incense. Warm thermal pads placed under the head and warm eye pillows accentuate the feeling of blissful repose.

Banyan Tree Spa Samui offers a range of massage treatments, including the 150-minute Royal Banyan, a signature Banyan Tree offering, delivering a combination of Eastern and Western techniques to improve blood circulation and ease muscle pains.

Another signature massage that emphasizes the richness of Thai traditional techniques is the Sukhothai Heritage, a 150-minute experience infused with fresh coconut, jasmine rice, turmeric and tamarind; while the Tropical Rainmist treatment is a unique Banyan Tree innovation, with guests dowsed in a trickling rainshower before encountering a vigorous body scrub to purify the skin.

Massages are concluded gracefully with Koshi chimes and Tibetan bells, allowing the guest to gently re-emerge from their reverie.

The spa’s masseuses, most of whom have received intensive training at the Banyan Spa Wellbeing Academy in Phuket, are on hand to offer post-treatment health advice and recommendations.

Banyan Tree Spa Samui is also host to one of Thailand’s most unique facilities, The Rainforest, a hydrotherapeutic journey through a delightful bamboo-themed course of spas, saunas, ice baths, and jet pools.

The Rainforest was described by the MICHELIN Guide 2024 as a place “where tropical serenity meets holistic wellness”.

This year’s MICHELIN Guide listed Banyan Tree Samui resort as one of only 27 hotels in the country that had attained either a 2-Key or 3-Key rating, with distinction based on five criteria: excellence in architecture and design; quality of service; overall personality and character; value for money; and meaningful contributions to the local community.

This is the second year in a row that Banyan Tree Samui has been granted Two Keys, following a similar award in the MICHELIN Guide’s inaugural edition in 2024.

Opened in 2010, the 88-key Banyan Tree Samui is a luxury all-pool villa resort. The 38-acre property is rich in flora and plant life, and its private beach is flanked by coral reefs. The resort hosts three restaurants, a spa with Banyan Tree’s signature Rainforest hydrotherapy facility, a fitness centre, a kids’ club, a meetings and events centre, and a library.

Villas at Banyan Tree Samui, each with a private infinity pool, start from US$585 per night.

ABOUT BANYAN TREE

Banyan Tree (www.banyantree.com) offers a Sanctuary to rejuvenate the mind, body and soul in awe-inspiring locations around the globe. Rediscover the romance of travel as you journey to iconic destinations where authentic, memorable experiences await. An all-villa concept often with private pools, Banyan Tree provides genuine, authentic service and a distinctive, premium retreat experience.

The post MICHELIN-listed Banyan Tree Samui Spa & Wellbeing Service appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Thailand’s most charming and photogenic annual celebration is nearing — Loy Krathong. Also known as the “Festival of Lights” for the millions of floating candles on rivers and lanterns lighting up the sky, the celebration can be enjoyed everywhere from the metropolis of Bangkok to the smallest village nestled among rice paddies.

This year, the national holiday takes place on the evening of November 5, and visitors are always warmly welcomed to join in.

Here is a selection of some of the best resorts and hotels across the country where international travelers and locals alike can enjoy the spectacle.

Krathongs, Music and Dancing in Krabi

Perched neatly atop the beachfront resort of Banyan Tree Krabi, the award-winning Thai restaurant Saffron will this year host an evening of merriment to make the festival come alive. Starting from 6:30pm on November 5, Saffron, Banyan Tree’s signature fine-dining venue, will provide guests and diners with a Thai buffet dinner, accompanied by live music and traditional performances. The price per person is 2,200 THB net per person, which includes a welcome drink, and just 1,100 THB net for children. And, talking about kids, there will be family fun that same afternoon with an opportunity for guests to create their own krathong (banana leaf boat).

An Enchanting Rooftop Party in Chiang Mai

Nowhere in the northern city of Chiang Mai can you get a better view of both the river and the night sky than from the rooftop bar of downtown Meliá Chiang Mai. The highest rooftop venue in the city, guests can watch in awe as tiny twinkling banana boats drift slowly down the Ping River. Meliá Chiang Mai will host a double celebration: on both Nov 5th and Nov 6th, from 6pm till midnight, an evening of magic will be staged at MAI The Sky Bar, on the 22nd floor, including live music, fun n’ games and live music — all paired with crafted drinks created specially for this enchanting evening.

Beachfront Spirit of Koh Samui

Banyan Tree Samui is hosting a beachfront celebration on November 5, starting at 4:30 when guests join resort staff in a hands-on cultural experience by making their own krathong boat, using only natural materials, which they can then offer to the water goddess, a traditional rite in Buddhist countries and an opportunity to wish for good fortune. Then, at 6:30pm, a traditional long drum parade is scheduled to ring in the festive spirit. The resort’s MICHELIN Guide-recommended fine-dining restaurant, Saffron, will present a special Loy Krathong set menu starting at THB 2,350 net per person without wine and THB 3,200 net per person with wine.Each dining couple will receive a complimentary krathong to help ensure that the blessings and the spirit of the festival can be preserved.

Riverside Magic in Bangkok

Nothing quite compares to the dazzling spectacle of thousands upon thousands of tiny candlelit boats floating slowly down the Chao Phraya River under the full moon. Those visitors fortunate enough to be staying at GLOW Riverside Bangkok will have the greatest of front-row seats to view and experience this most photogenic of events. GLOW Riverside will provide a delicious set dinner with live traditional Thai performances, and all diners will receive a complimentary krathong. In addition, members of Fusion’s loyalty program, Fusionlife, can receive up to 25% off dining and spa services, stay credits, complimentary healthy drinks, late check-out and receive room upgrades subject to availability.

A Hillside View of Phuket

Visitors who prefer a more chilled or intimate celebration may opt for the blissfully serene Fusion Suites Phuket Patong, an oasis of tranquility nestled on a lush tropical hillside overlooking lively Patong Beach and the Andaman Sea. This Sino-Portuguese designed resort is equipped with everything a family needs for a quiet vacation — beautiful villas, multiple swimming pools,a fitness center, kids club and spectacular views of the sunset. Dining guests on November 5 will receive a complimentary krathong set. In addition, members of Fusion’s loyalty program, Fusionlife, will qualify for exclusive benefits, including up to 25% off dining and spa services.

The post Thailand’s Heartwarming Festival of Lights – Loy Krathong appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Banyan Tree Samui, an exotic 88-pool villa resort overlooking an enclosed bay and sapphire seas, has been recognised as among the best resorts in the world, according to the prestigious Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025.

New York-based Condé Nast Traveler is arguably the leading luxury travel magazine in the world and the announcement of its annual Readers’ Choice Awards is an eagerly anticipated event in the calendar of the global hospitality community.

Online voting for the world’s favourite hotels, resorts and spas ran from April through June this year, with more than 750,000 votes cast.

The Rainforest, Banyan Tree’s signature hydrotherapy facility

In the World’s Resorts category, Banyan Tree Samui polled as the eighth highest ranked resort in Thailand, the third year in a row it has made the Top 10.

The achievement marks an outstanding year in media recognition for this idyllic beachfront resort, having earlier won a Top 10 listing in Travel + Leisure’s “Thailand’s Best Beach + Island Resorts” awards.

The hotel’s on-site Banyan Tree Spa Samui was also lauded recently, listed in the top five spas in the country in the Thailand Tourism Outstanding Awards, and recognized as one of 10 leading spas in the field of health and wellness in the Sustainability awards.

The Thailand Tourism Awards, often referred to as the “Kinnaree Awards,” are organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and recognized as Thailand’s ‘Hallmark of Excellence’ in the spa industry.

Acknowledging the Kinnaree award, Banyan Tree Samui’s Spa & Gallery Manager Naphasawan Badklang said, “Banyan Tree Spa Samui represents a benchmark of excellence in wellness tourism set amidst the serene, natural beauty of Koh Samui. Our core strengths include our holistic wellness philosophy, exceptional guest service, and a strong, long-standing commitment to sustainability.”

Naphasawan also pointed to the Banyan Spa & Wellbeing Academy in Phuket, where many of the spa therapists undergo intensive training. Since its inception in 2001, the Academy has trained more than 2,000 spa therapists.

Among the unique facilities at Banyan Tree Spa Samui is The Rainforest, an elite hydrotherapy experience, presented as a holistic journey through a sophisticated hydrothermal circuit comprising a Rain Walk, Steam, Sauna, Ice Fountain, Vitality Pool, Outdoor Cold Plunge Pool, Outdoor Hot Plunge Pool, Jet Pool, and Heated Bed.

Thai massage at Banyan Tree Spa Samui

The spa also plays a significant role in the resort’s “Wellbeing Sanctuary” programme, which was initiated in 2021 and allows hotel guests an option to combine healthy living concepts with a leisure vacation — from meditation and yoga to spa treatments and Thai boxing classes — complemented with a nutritious diet and sleep therapy.

The Wellbeing Sanctuary programme at Banyan Tree Samui is overseen by Ayurvedic specialist and wellbeing practitioner Bikram Keshari Patra who has been with the resort since it opened 15 years ago.

2025 has been a significant year for Koh Samui. Thailand’s tourism authorities attribute a surge in demand to the hit US TV series The White Lotus, which was filmed on the tropical island and helped reveal its breathtaking beauty to a wider international audience.

For its part, Banyan Tree Samui revealed a series of White Lotus-inspired initiatives, including a spa package, a specially crafted cocktail, and the opportunity for guests to visit many of the sites where The White Lotus was filmed via tours on the resort’s own speedboat, Sense of the Sea. The new 12-metre speedboat seats up to 15 comfortably, and has been adapted for luxury tours, picnics, snorkelling and celebrations, and is available for private day trips to the limestone islets of Mu Koh Ang Thong Marine Park, which is featured prominently in the White Lotus series, as well as several islands and other attractions among the diverse marine ecosystem and crystal-clear waters of the Gulf of Thailand.

A Sanctuary for the Senses

The resort’s 88 spacious pool villas, each with its own private infinity pool, provide a serene and secluded oasis where guests can unwind and reconnect with nature. Designed to seamlessly blend with the surrounding landscape, the villas feature contemporary Thai architecture and are adorned with locally sourced materials and artwork, creating a truly authentic and immersive experience.

The resort hosts three restaurants including Saffron which was recently listed in the 2025 MICHELIN Guide. Other onsite facilities include a fitness centre, a kids’ club, a meetings and events centre, and a library.

For reservations and more information, contact samui@banyantree.com or tel: +66 077 915 333.

Villas at Banyan Tree Samui, each with a private infinity pool, start from US$585 per night.

The post Banyan Tree Samui Acclaimed appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Banyan Tree Samui, one of Thailand’s leading luxury resorts and a trailblazer in sustainability and eco-friendliness, marks its 15th anniversary in July. Located at the southeasternmost point of the island of Koh Samui and tiered into a verdant hillside, the 38-acre property is rich in flora and plant life, commands its own private palm-fringed beach, and is flanked by coral reefs.

The site for this 5-star hotel was discovered and then developed by Asset World Corporation (AWC), which currently maintains the largest hospitality portfolio in Thailand. The group owns a diverse portfolio of best-in-class and award-winning hotel properties across the country, each reflecting authentic culture blended with luxury and refinement. All hotels in the AWC portfolio embrace socially-responsible ideals and sustainable practices.

Banyan Tree Samui associates gather for the launch of the resort in July 2010

In its 15 years as a landmark on the tropical island — recently in the spotlight as the film location for the US hit series The White Lotus — Banyan Tree Samui has won a string of awards and accolades for sustainability and environmental policies, and renown as a readers’ choice favourite in international travel magazines such as Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure.

“As we celebrate our 15th anniversary, we are truly grateful for the support and loyalty of all our associates [staff] and our guests, who together have raised the reputation of Banyan Tree Samui into the much-loved resort that it is today,” said Remko Kroesen, the General Manager of Banyan Tree Samui. “We are committed to continuing our legacy for many more years to come.

“At the same time, we remain dedicated to the Koh Samui environment and to assisting the local community whenever we can, whether in funding work at schools or temples, or via our ‘Seedlings’ programme, which provides scholarships to young Samui students.

“Thanks to the incredible successes at this resort in terms of outstanding guest reviews and awards for sustainable practices and environmental innovations, AWC was able to turn its attention to the Andaman coast, where a sister resort, Banyan Tree Krabi, was built on the same principals and launched in 2020,” he said.

Both resorts have established a code of conduct that prioritizes the sourcing of products from local suppliers who have demonstrated a commitment to sustainability. Seafood, cage-free eggs, fruit and vegetables are all sourced from nearby producers, while coffee and tea is purchased from northern Thai farmers. The resorts also provide an outlet for local artisans and vendors to sell homemade wares to guests.

The Sustainability Team monitored and protected a colony of nests laid by a giant sea turtle at the resort in 2020

The resort’s milestones:

2010:              Banyan Tree Samui officially opens on 1 July.

2011:              The “Seedlings” programme is launched with scholarship grants for three students. Over 15 years, Banyan Tree Samui sponsors 12 students. Banyan Tree Samui is selected in the TTG Travel Awards as “Best New Beach Resort Hotel”.

2012:              At the Thailand Spa & Wellbeing Awards, Banyan Tree Spa Samui wins the People’s Choice Award for Amazing Resort Spa, while the Rainforest Indulgence scoops the prize for Innovative Spa Treatment.

2013:              Banyan Tree Samui receives the first of six consecutive awards for Health & Wellness Tourism from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

2014:              Recognising the resort’s commitment to sustainable hotel practices, Banyan Tree Samui is awarded Green Hotel Award Gold Certification by Thailand’s Department of Environmental Quality Promotion.

2015:              The resort launches marine excursions on its private speedboat, Sense of the Sea, giving guests the opportunity to visit some of Thailand’s most idyllic islands and lagoons.

2016:              The resort’s signature restaurant, Saffron, is listed among Thailand’s Best Restaurants by Tatler Magazine.

2017:              Banyan Tree Samui is welcomed into Virtuoso, the leading global network of travel agencies specializing in luxury and experiential travel, and becomes accredited with American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts.

2018:              Two of the students from the Seedlings programme graduate high school. Banyan Tree Samui continues supporting them until they each graduate university five years later.

2019:              Banyan Tree Samui becomes the first and only hotel in Thailand to be awarded “Gold Certification” at a single-property level by EarthCheck, the world’s leading scientific benchmarking, certification and advisory group for travel and tourism. Five years later, the resort would be granted “Platinum Certification” — once again the first hotel in Thailand to achieve this distinction.

2020:              A giant sea turtle lays eggs on the resort’s secluded beach. Six weeks later, some 300 baby turtles are born under the watchful gaze of the hotel’s resident marine biologist and sustainability manager, Thepsuda Loyjiw, and her team.

2021:              Banyan Tree Samui opens its Wellbeing Sanctuary, offering guests a tailor-made vacation dedicated to holistic and wellbeing pursuits.

2022:              Following severe storm damage to a local school on Koh Samui, the hotel donates funds for reconstruction. General Manager Remko Kroesen and several volunteers from the hotel roll up their sleeves and help out with landscaping and other labour-intensive tasks.

2023:              Leading US travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler reveals its “Best Hotels in Thailand” readers’ choice awards. Banyan Tree Samui comes in at Number 3 hotel in Thailand.

2024:              The MICHELIN Guide recognises Banyan Tree Samui as a “Two-Key” hotel in its inaugural Thailand edition, while at the TTG Asia Awards, the resort wins the prize for Best Luxury Hotel in Koh Samui. The MICHELIN Guide also lists Saffron among its prestigious restaurant recommendations in Thailand.

A Sanctuary for the Senses

The resort’s 88 spacious pool villas, each with its own private infinity pool, provide a serene and secluded oasis where guests can unwind and reconnect with nature. Designed to seamlessly blend with the surrounding landscape, the villas feature contemporary Thai architecture and are adorned with locally sourced materials and artwork, creating a truly authentic and immersive experience.

The resort hosts three restaurants including Saffron which was recently listed in the 2025 MICHELIN Guide. Other onsite facilities include an award-winning spa with Banyan Tree’s signature Rainforest hydrotherapy facility, a fitness centre, a kids’ club, a meetings and events centre, and a library.

For reservations and more information, contact samui@banyantree.com or tel: +66 077 915 333. Villas at Banyan Tree Samui, each with a private infinity pool, start from US$585 per night.

The post Banyan Tree Samui Celebrates 15 Years in Paradise appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Banyan Tree Samui, a MICHELIN-listed resort overlooking sapphire seas from its vantage point on a lush hillside at the southeastern peninsula of Koh Samui, has announced a series of in-house innovations to celebrate the growing popularity of the island under what has quickly become known as “The White Lotus Effect”.

The sudden surge in demand, according to Thai tourism authorities, is attributed to the hit U.S. TV series The White Lotus, a dark-humour drama with an all-star cast. The third series of the widely acclaimed show was filmed primarily on Koh Samui and premiered on TV screens around the world in February, with its production lauded for tasteful and tantalizing shots of the tropical island and its idyllic landscape and scenery. Although The White Lotus was not filmed at Banyan Tree Samui, fans of the show will doubtless recognize similar panoramic vistas and the verdant rainforest setting.

Banyan Tree Samui has introduced a package of White Lotus-inspired welcome amenities for newly arriving guests

“I think we can expect a surge in prestige,” said Banyan Tree Samui General Manager Remko Kroesen. “Viewers are falling in love with the idea of Koh Samui and dream about travelling here. This will add to the luxury factor on the island – 5-star resorts, spas and wellness retreats should all see increased interest, and hopefully this wave of visitors will have a newfound appreciation for the island.”

The locations of the first two series of The White Lotus — Maui and Sicily — apparently saw a 300% increase in enquiries and hotel reservations year-on-year, and nobody doubts that the popularity of the series and its focus on local culture have been at the heart of this new “set-jetting” trend.

Banyan Tree Spa Samui has introduced a “Sense of Lotus” spa package — a 120-minute rejuvenating treatment

For its part, Banyan Tree Samui has introduced a range of new initiatives linked to The White Lotus, which Kroesen hopes will sate the thirst of fans as well as pique the interest of guests as yet unfamiliar with the American series.

From the locally-infused welcome amenities guests receive upon arrival at the 5-star resort to the on-site Wellbeing Sanctuary programs with yoga, meditation, fitness and healthy cuisine; reminiscences of The White Lotus abound.

Banyan Tree Spa Samui has this month introduced a “Sense of Lotus” spa package — a 120-minute rejuvenating treatment that begins with a White Lotus Polisher, where fine bead powder from lotus seeds gently exfoliates and renews the skin. The experience continues with a relaxing Sense of Lotus body massage designed to calm the mind and body.

Banyan Tree Samui’s specially crafted White Lotus cocktail

Meanwhile, guests can luxuriate with the latest sundowner, a specially-crafted cocktail aptly named White Lotus – a lip-smacking concoction of vodka, white rum, lychee juice, lime juice, coconut milk and fresh lychee, garnished with dried Damask rose petals.

The resort has its own private speedboat, Sense of the Sea, which guests can hire to recreate their own White Lotus-inspired day trip with an exclusive excursion to the limestone islets of Mu Koh Ang Thong Marine Park, which is featured prominently in the third series, as well as several islands and other attractions among the diverse marine ecosystem and azure waters of the Gulf of Thailand.

Each of the 88 villas at Banyan Tree Samui has an infinity pool and the resort is tiered into the hillside offering spectacular vistas. The 38-acre property is rich in flora and plant life, and its private beach is flanked by coral reefs.

The resort hosts three restaurants including Saffron which was recently listed in the 2025 MICHELIN Guide. The resort also boasts an award-winning spa with Banyan Tree’s signature Rainforest hydrotherapy facility, a fitness centre, a kids’ club, a meetings and events centre, and a library.

For reservations and more information, contact samui@banyantree.com or tel: +66 077 915 333. Villas at Banyan Tree Samui, each with a private infinity pool, start from US$585 per night.

The post Banyan Tree Samui Embraces the White Lotus Effect appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

There was a celebratory mood recently at Banyan Tree Samui, a luxury beachfront resort in southern Thailand, after the hotel was recognised with three independent international awards in the space of one week.

All 88 villas at Banyan Tree Samui have infinity pools and are sea-facing

The French-based MICHELIN Guide, famed for its accreditation of “stars” to the most exquisite restaurants, has for the first time introduced a ranking system of “keys” to acclaim the most outstanding hotels in the world. The 2024 MICHELIN Guide hotel selection in Thailand included a total of eight Three-Key hotels (its highest decoration), 19 Two-Key hotels, and 31 One Key hotels. Each hotel had been anonymously visited and assessed by MICHELIN inspectors.

Banyan Tree Samui, and its sister resort Banyan Tree Krabi on Thailand’s western Andaman Sea coast, were both recognised by the new MICHELIN Guide with two “keys”.

“These [all MICHELIN’s recommended hotels and resorts] are places that significantly add to your experience as a traveller” read the MICHELIN Guide announcement on September 24, “each vetted and judged excellent in five categories: architecture and interior design; quality and consistency of service; overall personality and character; value for the price; and a significant contribution to the guest experience in a particular setting.”

Banyan Tree Area General Manager Remko Kroesen (centre) receives the award for Best Luxury Hotel- Koh Samui

No sooner had the champagne settled when, on October 1, the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2024 were announced. New York-based Condé Nast Traveler is arguably the leading luxury travel magazine in the world and the announcement of its annual Readers’ Choice Awards is an eagerly anticipated event in the calendar of the global hospitality community.

Online voting for the world’s favourite hotels, resorts and spas ran from April through June this year, with more than 575,000 votes cast.

In the category of Top Resorts in Thailand, Banyan Tree Samui polled third with a 95.16 score.

The placement marked a jump up the rankings for Banyan Tree Samui, which finished 5th in 2023, while Banyan Tree Krabi had come in 4th in the Top Resorts in Thailand awards.

In between those announcements, Area General Area General Manager Remko Kroesen was on hand in Bangkok to receive an accolade on 26 September 2024 when he was presented with the “Best Luxury Hotel – Koh Samui” prize at the 33rd Annual TTG Travel Awards 2024 Ceremony & Gala Dinner

Banyan Tree Samui commands magnificent sea views from its position on a peninsula at the southeastern point of Koh Samui

The prestigious TTG Travel Awards honours the best in the Southeast Asian hospitality industry, with readers’ votes including many of the region’s travel agents and tour operators.

Opened in 2010, the 88-key Banyan Tree Samui is a luxury all-pool villa resort. The 38-acre property is rich in flora and plant life, and its private beach is flanked by coral reefs. The resort hosts three restaurants, a spa with Banyan Tree’s signature Rainforest hydrotherapy facility, a fitness centre, a kids’ club, a meetings and events centre, and a library.

Last year, Banyan Tree Samui was awarded the highest level of certification by EarthCheck, the world’s leading scientific benchmarking organisation for sustainable tourism, making it the first hotel in Thailand to achieve this status.

Villas at Banyan Tree Samui, each with a private infinity pool, start from US$585 per night.

The post Banyan Tree Samui Scoops 3 Major Awards appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Renowned for its magnificent pool villas, and tiered into a lush hillside affording spectacular sea views, Banyan Tree Samui was this week crowned “Best Luxury Hotel – Koh Samui” by the readers of TTG Asia magazine.

Commanding 38 acres of the southeastern peninsular of the island, the spectacular resort of Banyan Tree Samui offers 88 villas, all sea-facing with infinity pools

The prestigious TTG Travel Awards, presented annually since 1989, honours the best in the Southeast Asian hospitality industry, with readers of its affiliate sites —including TTG China, TTG India, TTG MICE and TTG Luxury Asia — voting in categories including hotels, restaurants, and travel services. Regarded as the Asia-Pacific’s leading travel trade business resource, it is widely read by travel agents and wholesalers, tour operators, and travel professionals across the region.

The 33rd Annual TTG Travel Awards 2024 Ceremony & Gala Dinner was hosted at the Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre on 26 September 2024, and the award for Best Luxury Hotel – Koh Samui was received by Banyan Tree’s Area General Manager Remko Kroesen.

Banyan Tree Area General Manager Mr Remko Kroesen (centre) receives the award for Best Luxury Hotel- Koh Samui

“At Banyan Tree Samui, our pursuit of excellence is driven by a commitment to delivering unparalleled guest experiences,” said Kroesen. “We believe that luxury is not just about opulence, but about creating personalised, meaningful moments that resonate with each guest long after their stay. Our dedication to continuous improvement and attention to detail reflects our belief that true excellence is not a destination but an ongoing journey.”

Last year, Banyan Tree Samui was awarded the highest level of certification by EarthCheck, the world’s leading scientific benchmarking organisation for sustainable tourism, making it the first hotel in Thailand to achieve this status.

Class of 2019- previous graduates of the “Seedlings Mentorship” programme sponsored by Banyan Tree Samui

Among the numerous sustainability programmes and policies initiated by the resort, a few highlights include: an annual blood drive campaign; the rebuilding of a local school that had been destroyed by a tropical storm; a sustainable foods programme including cage-free eggs and recycling coffee granules; and an ongoing “Seedlings Mentorship” project aimed at nurturing young Koh Samui students between the ages of 12 and 18, providing them with vocational and life skills and education, as well as offering scholarships and financial support to enable select students to continue into higher education.

Opened in 2010, the 88-key Banyan Tree Samui is a luxury all-pool villa resort. The 38-acre property is rich in flora and plant life, and its private beach is flanked by coral reefs. The resort hosts three restaurants, a spa with Banyan Tree’s signature Rainforest hydrotherapy facility, a fitness centre, a kids’ club, a meetings and events centre, and a library.

Villas at Banyan Tree Samui, each with a private infinity pool, start from US$585 per night.

The post Banyan Tree Samui Wins Best Hotel Award appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Eco-friendly hotel Banyan Tree Samui has added another achievement to its nest of sustainability initiatives with confirmation that it now serves only cage-free eggs to guests at the beachfront resort in southern Thailand. The transition to using 100% cage-free eggs in all menu items is another step in the luxury hotel’s commitment to environmentally-friendly and animal welfare-focused business practices.

“When guests stay at a 5-star resort they expect nothing but the best in culinary terms,” said Banyan Tree Samui’s Director of Food & Beverage and Cuisine Rainer Roersch. “However nowadays we also cater to a new generation of travellers who demand assurance that what they are eating is ethically produced.”

Banyan Tree Samui’s Director of Food & Beverage and Cuisine Rainer Roersch (left) and Sustainability Manager Thepsuda Loyjiw display a batch of cage-free eggs

By choosing cage-free eggs, the hotel ensures better living conditions for hens, which are no longer confined to cramped cages, resulting in higher-quality eggs, said Boonyanuch Kemmonta, the communication manager at Catalyst, an international organisation dedicated to the advancement of farm animal welfare, and the provider of Banyan Tree Samui’s cage-free egg certification.

“Conventional methods of egg production often involve confining hens in battery cages, which is inhumane and prevents the animals from expressing natural behaviours,” she said. “This poses significant health risks to consumers. For example, the use of antibiotics in treating stress-related diseases in hens kept in battery cages contributes toward a growing global health crisis called antibiotic resistance. Not only that, but confined animal operations also increase the potential for pandemics such as avian flu. Businesses and individuals who support cage-free eggs, therefore, not only provide an incentive to improve the living conditions of animals and safeguard public health from pandemics, but also contribute toward more sustainable food.”

In January 2024, just 2.75 percent of all eggs purchased by Banyan Tree Samui were classified as “cage-free”. That figure increased to 92 percent of all 20,000+ eggs purchased in July, with the hotel confident that it will meet the 100% goal from August onwards.

Cage-free eggs is just one of several sustainability policies initiated this year by the Banyan Tree Samui team, who also introduced sustainable seafood and coffee capsule upcycling programmes earlier in 2024.

Banyan Tree Samui resort- The 38-acre property is tiered into a lush hillside overlooking the Gulf of Thailand

In addition to ongoing “plastic-free” initiatives — phasing out the use of plastic bottles, straws, cutlery and garbage bags, for example — and providing its food waste to a local pig farm, this environmentally-conscious hotel is also involved in a plethora of local community projects on Koh Samui. It has provided scholarships to local children; funded the reconstruction of a nearby school damaged by a storm; and held annual blood drives. Much of the finance for these benevolent programmes comes from the Banyan Global Foundation.

The Banyan Group has a longstanding commitment to sustainable practices, including numerous projects around the world concerning: waste management; water conservation; biodiversity; and a Climate Change project focused on green energy and waste-to-energy projects.

For more information about sustainable practices at Banyan Tree Samui, go to: https://www.banyantree.com/thailand/samui/sustainability

The post Banyan Tree Samui Announces 100% Cage-Free Eggs appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

While guests at the 5-star resort of Banyan Tree Samui enjoy exquisite dining and fine wines at its award-winning signature restaurant, Saffron,  they may yet be unaware of the current of care that flows beneath the surface, ensuring that maximum effort is made to prepare all dishes using ingredients sourced through the most rigorous sustainability guidelines.

Several years back, Banyan Tree Samui was recognised as a flagship of sustainability and eco-friendliness in Thailand when it was awarded the highest level of certification by global watchdog EarthCheck, the first hotel in the country to achieve this award.

And in 2024, the luxury resort — often better known for its pool villas with infinity pools and spectacular views — announced a series of initiatives that keep the sustainability ball moving forward.

Cage-Free Eggs

In January 2024, just 2.75 percent of all eggs purchased by Banyan Tree Samui were classified as “cage-free”, indicating that they were sourced from free-range farms, as opposed to caged chickens. By May this year, that figure had leapt to more than two-thirds of the 17,402 eggs bought. Eggs from hens remain the most popular item in this category while the sourcing of cage-free quail eggs and duck eggs remains “a work in progress”, said Chef Rainer Roersch, the hotel’s Director of F&B and Cuisine.

Sustainable Seafood

Thailand’s fishing industry has undergone a radical rethink since it was issued a “yellow card” by the European Union in 2015, a warning that sanctions could be applied if the country did not sufficiently tackle illegal and unregulated fishing. To protect biodiversity and support a sustainable supply chain, Banyan Tree Samui has now introduced a policy to purchase only sustainable seafood that is certified by the Marine Stewardship Council and Aquaculture Sustainability Council. Both these standards are monitored by Bureau Veritas, the recognised world leader in testing, inspection and certification services.

While almost all seafood and fish are purchased locally on the tropical island, Banyan Tree Samui imports items such as salmon and snow fish. All 100 kilogrammes of salmon purchased on a monthly basis meet the requirements of the international agencies overseeing sustainable seafood practices.

Coffee Granules & Capsules

Guests at a 5-star hotel like Banyan Tree Samui expect nothing but the best, and the same goes for having a modern coffee machine in their rooms. All 88 pool villas at the resort are equipped with Nespresso machines, which means that housekeepers are constantly refilling and disposing of thousands of coffee capsules and the used granules. In collaboration with Nespresso, in October 2023 Banyan Tree Samui began recycling and upcycling the discarded coffee capsules. The aluminium is upcycled into everyday products such as bicycles, chairs, pens and window frames, as well as recycled coffee capsules. As for the coffee grains, they are recycled as compost fertiliser and renewable energy such as biofuel.

Banyan Global Foundation

In addition to ongoing “plastic-free” initiatives — phasing out the use of plastic bottles, straws, cutlery and garbage bags, for example— and providing its food waste to a local pig farm, this eco-friendly hotel is also involved in a plethora of local community projects on Koh Samui. It has provided scholarships to local children; funded the reconstruction of a nearby school damaged by a storm; held annual blood drives; and, during the pandemic, offered complimentary one-night stays to all local health workers. Much of the finance for these benevolent programmes comes from the Banyan Tree Global Foundation.

The Banyan Group has a longstanding commitment to sustainable practices, including numerous projects around the world concerning: waste management; water conservation; biodiversity; and a Climate Change project focused on green energy and waste-to-energy projects.

In 2019, the Banyan Tree Group (now the Banyan Group) implemented a Code of Conduct for suppliers to map a transparent supply chain for all its ingredients, and to promote socio-environmental practice. To date, more than 900 suppliers have registered worldwide.

For more information about sustainable practices at Banyan Tree Samui, go to: https://www.banyantree.com/thailand/samui/sustainability

The post Banyan Tree Samui Rolls Out Sustainable Food Initiatives appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Banyan Tree Samui has announced the appointment of a new sous chef, Mr Kitja Muakin, at its signature Thai restaurant, Saffron, a move complemented by the news that the fine-dining venue has been recognised in the 2024 MICHELIN Guide for Thailand.

Mr Kitja Muakin, the new sous chef at Saffron restaurant, Banyan Tree Samui

Kitja, known affectionately as Chef Bobby, joins the team at Saffron, after working his way through the ranks at Banyan Tree, where he began his career in Phuket in 2012 after graduating in Kitchen and Restaurant Management at Dusit Thani College in Bangkok.

He worked as commis and demi-chef at Banyan Tree Bangkok and Banyan Tree Macau, respectively, before transferring his skills to Banyan Tree Krabi for the opening of its own Saffron restaurant in 2020.

“Khun Bobby is an exceptional chef who strives to deliver intricate innovations and unique tastes to our guests,” said Director of Food & Beverage and Cuisine Rainer Roersch “He has excelled at various Banyan Tree hotels in Asia, and brings a wealth of culinary flair to the kitchen.”

Saffron signature dish Pu Nim Thod Yum Lychee Nham Sawaros

Saffron, which specialises in authentic Thai cuisine, is an elegant dining establishment, perched on a hillside above the lush Banyan Tree Samui resort, commanding spectacular sunset views across the sea.

Renowned for combinations of flavours through a delicate blending of Thai herbs and spices, this award-winning restaurant serves signature specialties such as Khong Wang Ruam, an appetiser for two featuring freshly prepared crisp rice noodle-wrapped prawn, grilled tender chicken breast satay, fried floppy seabass rice noodle rolls, and pomelo salad with tamarind sauce; as well as Pu Nim Thod Yum Lychee Nham Sawaros, a palate-tingling dish of crispy soft-shell crab, lychee salad, mint, lemongrass, and spicy passion fruit dressing.

The sophisticated interior of Saffron, Banyan Tree Samui

Apart from recognition in the prestigious MICHELIN Guide, Saffron has received a Best Restaurant Award four times by Tatler Magazine, and was presented a Certificate of Excellence by TripAdvisor on numerous occasions.

Opened in 2010, the 88-key Banyan Tree Samui is a luxury all-pool villa resort, with a pristine beach, blissful spa escapes, exquisite dining offerings, a personal Villa Host concierge, and unparalleled views of the Gulf of Thailand. The 38-acre property is rich in flora and plant life, and its private beach is flanked by coral reefs.

Saffron is perched high above Banyan Tree Samui resort, offering diners spectacular sunset vistas across the Gulf of Thailand

The resort hosts three restaurants, a spa with Banyan Tree’s signature Rainforest hydrotherapy facility, a fitness centre, a kids’ club, a meetings and events centre, and a library. Villas at Banyan Tree Samui, each with a private infinity pool, start from US$585 per night.

The post Banyan Tree Samui Appoints New Sous Chef appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

International Women’s Day is upon us and several hotels and resorts are offering special promotions for women, either on March 8th or during the month of March:

Soaking It Up on Koh Samui – Spa First, Cocktails After

Banyan Tree Samui’s award-winning spa is the ideal oasis for unwinding and rejuvenating. Featuring a choice of Thai and oil massages, holistic beauty treatments, and a unique set of hydrotherapeutic baths named The Rainforest, female visitors will also be offered a free 30-minute express facial treatment any time they order a 90-minute body massage during the month of March. And, on International Women’s Day, ladies at the resort will be invited to raise a glass to themselves at any of the luxury hotel’s bars and restaurants, where a Buy One, Get One Free promotion will carry through till 5pm. Meanwhile, at Banyan Tree’s sister resort on the Andaman Sea, Banyan Tree Krabi, ladies will receive a 20 percent discount of all spa treatments on 8th March.

For more information, email samui@banyantree.com or telephone +66 077 915 333.

A Special Afternoon Tea in Siem Reap With Proceeds Benefitting Local Women

Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor has introduced an exclusive Afternoon Tea experience to mark International Women’s Month that will be served throughout March. The hotel in partnership with MANAVA, which supports local artisans by providing education and empowerment training to women in Siem Reap, will serve the special Afternoon Tea set on local rattan products made by MANAVA. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the women of Krobay Riel Village. The Afternoon Tea experience can be enjoyed daily in the wonderfully languid atmosphere of The Conservatory, overlooking the hotel swimming pool and garden, in a timelessly elegant setting.

Vietnam’s Top Wellness-Inspired Hotel Group Celebrates International Women’s Day

From unique, hand-crafted “lady cocktails” to special dining experiences, spa treatments and more, Fusion Hotel Group is rolling out the red carpet to mark International Women’s Day on March 8. Fusion Original Saigon Centre’s Miss Thu Restaurant is offering a delectable 4-course dining experience featuring Angus beef tenderloin, prawn wonton soup and more, priced at VND 880,000++ (with soft drinks) or VND 1,200,000+ (with signature cocktails). Across town in Ho Chi Minh City, Fusion Suites Saigon is offering a 15% discount for female guests on all treatments at Maia Spa, while also sending ladies home with a special present. Meanwhile, Fusion Resort Cam Ranh has created an exclusive menu of hand-crafted “lady cocktails” to mark the occasion. Fusion Suites Vung Tau will open a special 20th floor cinema under the stars, along with an outdoor spa with exclusive offers and a variety of stalls offering beauty and healthcare products. And Alba Wellness Valley by Fusion has rolled out a stay package including a Deluxe room, breakfast anytime/anywhere, a dinner set menu, Japanese onsen bath, spa treatment, zipline and highwire adventure, and more, priced at VND 1,755,000 per guest per night. For more details please visit fusionhotelgroup.com.

Sensory Soirée in Bali highlights Inspiring Indonesian Women

Inspired by International Women’s Day, Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana is hosting ‘Bird Lounge Beats & Oriental Treats’ on March 16th. Part of their Sensory Soirée initiative, the special event is a collaboration between craft cocktail bar Moonsipper Club, Tanah Gajah, and artisan noodle shop Kedai Hou Ah, all of which are run by women. Tanah Gajah’s general manager Deasy Swandarini was born and raised on the island. Sherrine Budiman is behind the cocktail bar (and several other successful ventures in Indonesia) and lifelong friends Nydia Orlatta and Regina Nalasetya are the founders of the noodle restaurant. The sunset event will run from 5-8pm and includes oriental-inspired cocktails, noodle dishes, and culinary items from The Tempayan, along with a live jazz performance. The Bird Lounge, a creative gathering space near The Tempayan, will be transformed for the evening and picnic-style seating will allow guests to spread out and enjoy the surrounding green space. For more event information follow https://www.instagram.com/tanahgajahubud/ or visit https://tanahgajahubud.com/en

Dining and Spa The Order of the Day for Women in Mui Ne

The Anam Mui Ne, an Indochine-era inspired resort which debuted in Vietnam’s popular beach town Mui Ne in January 2023, is marking International Women’s Day with discounts for women on all dining and spa experiences on March 8. Women will receive a 15% discount on food and beverages at the Indochine Restaurant, Lang Viet Restaurant & Bar, and the new Saigon Bar. The Anam Spa will also offer a 15% discount for women on all spa treatments, including body massages, reflexology, hot stone therapy, facials, body scrubs, milk baths, manicures, pedicures, and more. The spa’s therapists will pamper women with non-clinical treatments that follow a ‘high-touch, low-tech’ approach, infusing ancient techniques from the East with Western healing practices. For more information, visit theanam.com/mui-ne, call +84 252 628 4868 or email info.mn@theanam.com

Renowned Vietnam Golf Club Tees Up Special Celebrations For Ladies

Celebrate International Women’s Day in style at Laguna Golf Lang Co—the golf element of the expansive integrated project Laguna Lang Co — where they’re rolling out the red carpet for the ladies with a range of fantastic offers and promotions. On March 7th, guests can enjoy a magical evening under the stars with a romantic cinema evening on the golf course, complete with complimentary popcorn for in-house guests at Laguna Parkside Residences. On March 7th and 8th, it’s Ladies Day on the golf course. Ladies can partake of a credit voucher of VND200,000, a refreshing glass of fresh fruit smoothie at the Golf Café, and a generous 15% discount on purchases at the Proshop and room rates at Laguna Parkside Residences. As a bonus, ladies can rent a club set for free (subject to availability) ensuring an unforgettable golfing experience. Pampering is the order of the day over at Laguna Lang Co’s award-winning resorts, Banyan Tree Lang Co and Angsana Lang Co. Banyan Tree Lang Co will host free beauty workshops at its Yoga Pavilion where guests will have the opportunity to learn how to make body scrubs and body wraps. The spas at the two resorts will also have special offers on treatments for ladies. For more information visit https://www.lagunalangco.com/golf/.

Combo of Lavender-Themed Dresses and Sparkling Wine in Bangkok

Women are being encouraged to don lavender-themed dresses to celebrate International Women’s Day at INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit’s awe-inspiring rooftop tapas bar. LUZ Bangkok Tapas Bar will offer a glass of sparkling wine from 4pm until midnight for women who wear lavender-colored dresses on March 8. By night, LUZ Tapas Bar occupies the two upper-most floors of Thailand’s first INNSIDE hotel, the 33^rd and 34^th floors, affording spectacular views of Bangkok. The 34^th floor features a pool bar, transparent infinity pool, and rooftop terrace dotted with outdoor lounges, sunbeds and a compelling contemporary interpretation of Bangkok’s Brahman structure The Giant Swing. In a spectacle unlike any other in Bangkok, tapas bar guests on the 33^rd floor peer into the bottom of the infinity pool. For more information or to make a booking, visit melia.com, email reservation.innside.sukhumvit@melia.com or call +66 2 340 5499.

Cocktails and Desserts For the Ladies at Cam Ranh Resort

A variety of restaurants and bars at the bold and spacious resort Alma on Vietnam’s Cam Ranh peninsula will treat the ladies on International Women’s Day on March 8 with various promotions. Alma Lounge will offer a complimentary ‘Hibiscus Floral’ beverage for women during breakfast from 7-11am. Beachfront restaurant Atlantis will take 30% off the price of salads and desserts for female guests. Italian trattoria La Casa will serve complimentary Alaska Flambee dessert for women if the total bill is above VND 2,000,000. The first cocktail for women is on the house at the American Bar & Lounge from 7-10pm. For more information, visit alma-resort.com, call +84 258 399 1666 or email info@alma-resort.com

Sky-High Rooftop Bar in Chiang Mai Celebrates Women

All female guests will receive complimentary access to Chiang Mai’s highest rooftop bar, Meliá Chiang Mai’s Mai The Sky Bar, to mark International Women’s Day. The ladies will also be treated to a special complimentary drink if they capture themselves at the 360-degree rooftop bar and share it on their social media channels, tagging the location with the hashtags #InternationalWomensDay2024 #MaiSkyBar #MeliaChiangMai Perched on Meliá Chiang Mai’s 22nd floor, the bar affords incredible views of the Ping River to the city’s east and famed Doi Suthep Temple on the mountaintop to the west. A glass bridge connects to two highest sections of the bar. For more information, email maiskybar@melia.com, call +66 52 090 600 or visit https://www.melia.com/en/hotels/thailand/chiang-mai/melia-chiang-mai/index.htm

The post Celebrating International Women’s Day appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

It’s been a long road back for Chinese tourism in Southeast Asia, and everyone from street vendors in Saigon to tuk-tuk drivers in Bangkok will be hoping that this most special of years, the Year of the Dragon, brings back prosperity and good fortune. Here is a round-up of luxury resorts where you can join in the feast, the fireworks, and the fun for Chinese New Year.

Homage to the Sacred Naga in Krabi

The town of Krabi has a long and fabled relationship with dragons, or naga, as they are known in Thai mythology. For that reason, the naga is the symbol of Banyan Tree Krabi, and its serpentine image can be seen throughout the hotel, from the magnificent Naga Staircase that greets you as you arrive in the lobby, to the interior design, to the lush Naga Crest Mountain which overlooks the resort. On February 9th, the resort’s Naga Restaurant will host a sumptuous Chinese buffet featuring favorites such as Smoked Duck with Pomelo Salad, Chinese Drunken Chicken with Sichuan Cucumber Salad, and Chinese Five Spice Pork Terrine. A salad bar and vegetarian options will be available, as well as a Chinatown Chef Live Action Station where you can order an endless indulgence of everything from pork crackling to Spicy Tuna and Salmon Tartare to Hokkien Noodles with BBQ duck and wagyu beef. Dinner starts around sunset at 6:30pm and the price is just 2,990 THB per person, including a welcome drink.

For info and reservation, contact +66 075 811 888 or email krabi@banyantree.com

A Mindful Way to Start the Year of the Dragon

The lunar new year program at TIA Wellness Resort in Vietnam is inspired by the dragon’s symbolism for strength, good fortune and transformation. Guests can pick and choose what they’d like to join over the three days of Tet celebrations. The festivities begin on Friday, February 9th with a creativity workshop “Reflection of the Year of the Rabbit” at 2:30pm. The evening brings a “Wishing Lantern Ceremony” at 7pm. On Saturday, February 10th the TIA team will host a 45-minute “Sunrise Beach Gratitude Meditation” at 6am followed by a traditional dragon dance performance at 9:30am. A range of festive feasts will be on offer each day including special menus in The Dining Room such as a Traditional Vietnamese Family Style Tet tasting menu with dishes including an abalone and sea ginseng soup, fish cakes on sugarcane with fresh herbs and pickles, and a rich beef stew served in a clay pot. Plant-based menus are also on offer. For more information email Reservation@tiawellnessresort.com.

Savor the Elements of Chinese New Year in Bali

At Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana, ‘The Art of Lunar New Year’ feast on February 9th invites guests to savor the elements of the Chinese New Year. Each dish represents an element of the holiday with prosperity, wealth, health, longevity, and fortune being plated up. The menu features Balinese, Japanese and Chinese cuisine with dishes like hot and spicy szechuan crab soup, and crispy Balinese pork belly. The evening also features a traditional Chinese lion dance and a welcome cocktail in the Tempayan courtyard. Prices start at IDR 888,000 ++ per person. See more information here.

Lion Dances & Mongolian BBQ on Koh Samui Beachfront

Guests enjoying breakfast at Banyan Tree Samui are in for a surprise on the morning of February 10th when a Chinese lion dance procession sweeps through The Edge restaurant, marking the beginning of the Lunar New Year at 10:30am. That same evening, at 7pm, the normally placid private beach in front of the resort will explode into a fiery fiesta, when the hotel launches a Lunar New Year Party. The nightlife entertainment will include live music and a fire show on the resort’s private beach, with exquisite dining at beachfront Sands Restaurant which will host a Chinese Mongolian & International Buffet.

For reservations or more information, contact: samui@banyantree.com or Tel: 077 915 333

Sky-High Restaurant in Chiang Mai Hosts Prosperous Feast

Situated on Meliá Chiang Mai’s 21^st floor with panoramic views of the city and famed Doi Suthep Temple on the mountaintop to the west, intimate fine dining restaurant MAI Restaurant and Bar will serve a delectable family-style dinner to wish guests ‘gong xi fa cai’. Served from February 9-11 from 6-10pm, and priced at THB 6000 net per set for four people, the feast’s highlights include a colourful salad featuring fresh salmon, shredded vegetables, pickled ginger and pomelo, as well as Chinese braised chicken with dried mushrooms and wolfberries, and steamed whole sea bass with warm lemon dressing. Other dishes include tender slow-cooked pork belly in soy sauce, wine, and spices, lotus leaf-wrapped artisan sausage fried rice, assorted seasonal greens with oyster sauce, and sesame dumplings in ginger broth. The dinner is accompanied by Chinese fine teas, fortune messages and a traditional red pocket containing a discount coupon for another visit. For more information and reservations, please contact +66 (0) 52 090 603 or email fb@meliachiangmai.com

The post Celebrating Chinese New Year in Southeast Asia appeared first on Asian Itinerary.