Replete with design flair and located in one of Koh Samui’s most stunning corners, the new Hyatt Regency Koh Samui is not short on visual allure. With that in mind, the recently unveiled resort is taking steps to position itself as one of the most Instagram-friendly properties in Thailand through its Gallery of Eight, a collection of eight sites dotted around the property specially selected for their photogenic appeal. Holiday snaps have long been an integral part of the travel experience. But with “pics or it didn’t happen” being the mantra of the Instagram era, gathering visual documentation of leisure time has become a pressing priority for many. Social media savvy resorts are going the extra mile to deliver specially curated photo opportunities that provide ample fodder for IG feeds. The designers of the Hyatt Regency Koh Samui knew guests would find it hard to resist the optic cues. Therefore, they baked in the curated collection of snap-friendly spots. “The Gallery of Eight is a fantastic interactive experience,” said Adrian Pulido, General Manager, Hyatt Regency Koh Samui. “We always had it in our mind that eight photo ops would make a nice rounded number for guests. Not too many to be overwhelming, but enough to make it a substantial feature. But, such was the wealth of visual inspiration, we had a tough job winnowing our choices down! “Each of the eight photogenic spots dotted around the resort is inspired by Koh Samui’s idyllic lifestyle and the island’s unique landmarks. Guests can now find them, feel them and record their special memories for the future.” The property fully leverages the beauty of Koh Samui through its coastal location, incorporation of protected native yangna trees that once served as navigational markers for local fishermen and numerous inspired architectural features. The latter includes a showpiece lobby—the starting point for the Gallery of Eight—where numerous skylights allow for natural illumination by the sun and the moon. Other likely photo ops include a valley that abounds with colourful tropical flora and the largest pool zone on the island, a collection of four pools, each cascading down from the main pool on the upper deck of the resort. Additional inclusions in the Gallery of Eight range from SESUN, the resort’s popular Meditteranean-inspired beachfront grill to the resort’s verdant organic garden and the living green courtyard at the heart of its wellness centre. All eight photo ops are marked on the resort map, which is printed on guests’ keycard holders. A larger scale version of the map, meanwhile, can be found in the lobby. “We know that people love taking photos for their social media feeds,” added Pulido. “And since there is so much going on here visually, we thought it would be a great idea to give our guests a helping hand by pointing them in the direction of the best locations!”

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HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) certification has been awarded to Banyan Tree Samui, an 88-key luxury beachfront resort in southern Thailand, in response to its commitment to food safety and hygiene standards. The award follows a stringent and continuous three-year audit of the hotel’s F&B policies, and reviews of various procedures, including kitchen hygiene; temperature control of food processing; food contamination; food purchasing; pest control; and training for all kitchen staff. HACCP certification also includes successful inspections of housekeeping, purchasing, engineering, and human resources protocols. “Banyan Tree recognizes the significance of food safety, not only for guests but for our associates [staff],” said Director of F&B and Cuisine Rainer Roesch. “We are committed to providing guests not only the most satisfying dining experience but also the total reassurance that comes with a stay at a Banyan Tree resort.” General Manager Remko Kroesen added: “HACCP approval complements our existing Safe Sanctuary program, implemented in the wake of the Covid pandemic, which pledges to guests a ‘contactless journey’ from check-in to check-out, as well as enhanced cleanliness protocols and appropriate distancing at all on-site facilities such as restaurants, the spa, and fitness center.” In addition, each visitor to Banyan Tree Samui is presented a Portier smartphone by their personal “Villa Host” upon arrival at the hotel. They can thereafter use the phone throughout their stay to make any requests, such as ordering in-villa dining, arranging tours, and coordinating housekeeping service. The phone is user-friendly and delivers all of its features in English, Russian, Chinese, German or French. Banyan Tree Samui was recently listed by US magazine Travel + Leisure in its 2021 World’s Best Awards. The resort was also in the news last year when a rare giant green turtle laid over 200 eggs in nests on the hotel’s secluded beach. The nests were monitored by Banyan Tree Samui’s resident marine biologist who built a fence to protect them from predators. The 5-star hotel has been singled out by global watchdog EarthCheck as meeting the highest standards for environmentalism in the country. It was recently awarded a Gold Certification for the fourth consecutive year – the only hotel in Thailand to receive this. Such awards and protocols take on an infinitely higher significance as the island of Koh Samui looks to re-open to international tourism within the next few months. Popular tourist destinations such as Samui, Phuket and Krabi have been prioritized for vaccines, and steps are in place to allow quarantine-free stays for inoculated visitors. For reservations and more information, go to: https://www.banyantree.com/en/thailand/samui

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Azizskandar Awang, who’s won a string of coveted awards during his 20-year career, has crafted a host of remarkable new menus at luxury beachfront resort Meliá Koh Samui. Awang, the resort’s executive chef who clinched the Chef Hotelier of the Year award at the Hotelier Awards Asia, has created degustation, vegan, afternoon tea and Sunday brunch menus celebrating contemporary Thai, Western and Mediterranean fare. Served in the evening at the resort’s Breeza Beach Restaurant and Bar overlooking Choeng Mon Beach, Awang’s five-course ‘Chef’s Tasting Menu’ includes ‘sea scallop with cauliflower puree, nantua sauce, pickled grapes and salicorne’ and ‘Jack’s Creek Wagyu beef with glazed carrot and parsnip puree, shallots, beetroot and red wine reduction’. Paired French, New Zealand, Spanish and Italian wines are optional. Awang’s five-course ‘Taste of Thai’ counterpart, with optional Thai wine pairings, features ‘salmon wrapped in betel leaf with light chu che sauce and pickled pearl onion’ and ‘Australian lamb in massaman sauce with peanut puree, crispy onion and potato gnocchi’. Designed to tap into the movement towards sustainable, plant-based consumption, Awang’s vegan menu’s dishes range from ‘lentil soup flavored with coconut milk, cumin and ginger’ to ‘Greek salad topped with hummus, tofu and avocado’. ‘Saffron risotto with caramelized porcini mushrooms’, and ‘spinach and ricotta cannelloni gratin with mozzarella cheese’ are among the standouts on the new vegetarian menu. Held every Saturday from 3pm-6pm at Yod Maprao, a venue with floor-to-ceiling windows opening onto the resort’s two-level infinity pool and Choeng Mon Beach, afternoon tea entails a selection of premium TWG loose teas, the obligatory scones with clotted cream and homemade jam, sweets such as ‘lemon and pistachio éclair’ and ‘canelé de Bordeaux’ and savory items including smoked salmon and grilled brie cheese and cranberry sandwiches. Optional Nua Prosecco and Moët & Chandon Piccolo cost extra. Staged on the first Sunday of each month at Breeza and Yod Maprao and the sand deck adjoining the two venues, the Sunday brunch menu brims with all sorts of indulgent options at a series of stations. In addition to a ‘Wellbeing by Melia’ section with healthy dishes such as ‘poached egg, smashed avocado and home-cured salmon’, the extensive brunch menu is rounded out with sliders and bao buns as well as vast selections of charcuterie, cheeses and desserts. Awang said the new menus helped further signal his “ambitions to establish Breeza Beach Restaurant and Bar as Koh Samui island’s top fine dining restaurant”. In addition to winning the prestigious Chef Hotelier of the Year award at the Hotelier Awards Asia 2018 amid more than 300 applicants, other accolades under Awang’s stewardship include the Miele Guide and Thailand Tatler naming fine dining resort restaurants he managed at the time as among Thailand’s and Asia’s best restaurants. He was also hailed the Best Young Chef in Malaysia in the 2004-05 Young Chefs Challenge. Meliá Koh Samui celebrated its grand opening on January 10, unveiling a host of world-class facilities including two restaurants, a swim-up bar, a lagoon pool that meanders through the resort’s grounds like a river, an executive lounge, spa, fitness center, ballroom and conference facilities and, for families, a kid’s club, outdoor playground and mini water park.To contact Meliá Koh Samui or to make a booking, please call +66 (0) 89 184 0725 or email reservation.kohsamui@melia.com The ‘Chef’s Tasting Menu’ is priced at 2,590 THB++ (USD 83++) per person and an additional 1,400 THB++ (USD 45++) per person with paired wine. ‘Taste of Thai’ costs  2,190 THB ++ (USD 70++) per person and an additional 1,100 THB ++ (USD 35++) per person with paired wine. Afternoon tea is priced at 800 THB++ (USD 26++) per person with a glass of Nua Prosecco costing an additional 300 THB (USD 10++ ) and Moët & Chandon Piccolo 200ml an extra 1500 THB (USD 48). The Sunday brunch menu is 1690 THB++ (USD 54++) per person.

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Koh Samui, Thailand – The tipping point for Banyan Tree Samui might have been the 213,314 plastic bottles the resort passed out to guests in 2017. Or the 42,150 plastic bags they used to haul away trash that year. Or the 176,880 meters of cling film that they used to package food products. “One of our staff calculated that we could have wrapped this island all the way around three times with all that cling film,” said Remko Kroesen, the general manager at the resort. “We knew we had to make changes.” Starting in 2018, the resort implemented changes that now, cumulatively, constitute a sea change in how the resort handles disposables. The decision came at a time when news headlines had highlighted the gruesome deaths of whales, turtles and other marine life from ingesting plastics in Thai waters. Last year, Banyan Tree Samui successfully phased out the use of plastic bottles, straws, cutlery and garbage bags. They also quit ordering the 20,158 plastic toothbrushes, shower caps and other bathroom accessories they doled out to guests every year. In place of the plastic came glass bottles, paper straws, bamboo and wooden cutlery, and corn-based toothbrushes. They ordered biodegradable bags and containers, and large second-hand rice and sugar sacks for the kitchens and for garden waste. Unable to find an environmentally friendly alternative to cling film, they set a strict budget on its purchase. And finally, the hotel entered into a contract with suppliers so that any remaining plastic bags or containers would be returned for reuse. The plastic-free initiatives were the icing on the cake of an environmental program that has existed at the resort since soon after its opening in 2010, and is part of a wider campaign by the Banyan Tree corporate group at its properties throughout the world. Banyan Tree Samui is nestled against a lush 38-acre hillside, overlooking a secluded cove of beach, coral reefs and sapphire waters. The resort’s CSR (corporate social responsibility) manager is Thepsuda Loyjiw, a certified marine biologist. “Apart from the plastic-free initiative, my team’s other CSR programs include tree-planting, wastewater recycling, and a coral regeneration project,” she said. In 2018, Banyan Tree Samui was awarded a “Gold Certification” by EarthCheck, the world’s leading scientific watchdog for the hospitality industry, making it the first hotel in Thailand to be recognized for its environmental policies at such a level. According to Zoe Ma, EarthCheck’s corporate relations manager, the award “recognizes five years of continuous commitment and effort to achieve sustainability by the resort.” “Attaining EarthCheck Certification is not an easy task,” said Stewart Moore, CEO and founder of EarthCheck. “It requires commitment from the entire team to achieve better results in terms of sustainability each year. The challenge is to continually prove the integrity of an organization’s operational practices and then be willing to have everything checked and measured by an independent third party. Recognition of Banyan Tree’s green initiatives couldn’t have come at a more appropriate time: In July 2019, a new law aimed at curbing environmental damage went into effect on the Thai islands of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. The new measures, enacted by Thailand’s Department of Marine and Coastal Resources. included a strict ban on the feeding of marine life, wastewater dumping, fishing or anchoring on coral reefs, seabed-walking, and any new coastal construction. The government initiative followed a no-smoking and no-littering law that was enacted on the islands a few months earlier. The moves to revive marine life and restore the coral reefs on the three islands have been widely applauded and follow closely on the heels of beach and island closures in the Andaman Sea to allow fish stocks, coral and the environment to recover. One of Thailand’s most popular attractions, Maya Beach, famous for its scenes in the Hollywood movie “The Beach” starring Leonardo Di Caprio, is among those destinations currently off-limits to visitors. Previously known as “Coconut Island” and home to only a handful of fishermen and farmers until the late 1970s, Koh Samui now receives more than a million visitors a year. The islands of Samui, Phangan and Tao have combined coral reefs spanning over 10,000 acres. Coral reefs are some of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet, supporting more species per unit area than any other marine environment. Among the rare marine life found in the Gulf of Thailand’s sapphire-blue waters are turtles, dugongs, moray eels, reef sharks, seahorses, Irrawaddy dolphins and seven species of whale. “But it’s no good if only one or two resorts on the island maintain strict environmental practices,” said CSR manager Thepsuda. “We all have to work together to keep this paradise intact.” Villas at Banyan Tree Samui, each with infinity pool, start from US$550 per night.

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Koh Samui, Thailand — Banyan Tree Samui has become 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. The resort is first in country to receive EarthCheck ‘Gold’ accolade Although other hotel chains have received similar accolades from EarthCheck at a group level, Banyan Tree Samui stands alone as the sole property in Thailand to be recognized at a resort level. The award was announced July 1. According to Zoe Ma, EarthCheck’s corporate relations manager, the award “recognizes five years of continuous commitment and effort to achieve sustainability by the resort.” “CSR (corporate social responsibility) has long been one of Banyan Tree’s core values,” said Remko Kroesen, general manager of the 88-villa resort. “Milestones such as this EarthCheck Gold status are achieved through a passion for the environment by all our associates [staff]. To care is in the DNA of our team, and receiving this recognition only fuels the desire to continue our great range of CSR initiatives for years to come when our planet needs it most.” Banyan Tree Samui is nestled against a lush 38-acre hillside, overlooking a secluded cove of beach, coral reefs and sapphire Koh Samui waters. The resort’s CSR manager is Thepsuda Loyjiw, a certified marine biologist. Thepsuda and her team offer guests “green” activities such as a nature trail with bird-spotting, guided snorkeling tours, and a coral regeneration project, whereby broken corals are revived and re-attached to the coral reef that curls around the half-moon cove in front of the resort. “We are very proud to receive this EarthCheck award,” said Thepsuda. “Every day, our staff set out to protect the natural terrain and to show respect to the area in which we operate.” To achieve EarthCheck certification, a hotel or resort must excel in 10 key performance areas: 1. Greenhouse gas emissions 2. Energy efficiency, conservation and management 3. Management of freshwater resources 4. Ecosystem conservation and management 5. Management of social and cultural issues 6. Land use planning and management 7. Air quality protection and noise control 8. Wastewater management 9. Solid waste management 10. Storage of environmentally harmful substances Villas at Banyan Tree Samui – https://www.banyantree.com/en/thailand/samui –  each with private infinity pool, start from US$500 per night. About Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts The Banyan Tree Group is a leading international operator and developer of premium resorts, hotels, residences and spas, with a collection of award-winning brands. Banyan Tree 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. Angsana brings the adventure back into travel whatever your age or reason to visit. Intertwining local chic and a vibrant fun-filled atmosphere, Angsana offers amazing destination playgrounds across the world. Cassia is a bold new proposition in the extended stay sector, offering stylish, cutting-edge hotel residences for holidays and business travel. It offers an incredible choice for families, friends and couples. Dhawa is a casual and contemporary full-service hotel that fuses imaginative design, absolute comfort and seamless technology into a single-stay experience. It curates a plethora of choices to achieve a truly customized stay. To date, the Banyan Tree Group manages and/or has ownership interests in over 43 hotels and resorts, 62 spas, 75 retail galleries; as well as three golf courses in 25 countries. www.banyantree.com   www.angsana.com   www.cassia.com    www.dhawa.com

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Koh Samui, October 3, 2017 –  Marking its first presence on the Eastern coast of Thailand, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is pleased to announce the newest addition to its collection of renowned global properties with the opening of The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui. Located on the tropical island paradise of Koh Samui on the Gulf of Thailand, The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui seamlessly combines the brand’s legendary service with the traditional spirit of Thai hospitality and colorful Samui island life culture to create a unique melting pot of indelible new memories. “Known for its charm and pristine natural beauty, Koh Samui is a favorite destination for travelers. An island sanctuary amid breathtaking and diverse beauty, this resort is an exceptional blend of both The Ritz-Carlton and Thai cultures and fulfills our mission to offer inspiring new memories in sought-after locations,” said Hervé Humler, President and Chief Operations Officer, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. “We are confident that The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui will make a valuable contribution to the long-term success of this destination and enhance the memorable travel experience for guests from around the world.” The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui offer 175 suites and pool villas nestled amid 58 acres that overlook the turquoise waters of The Gulf of Thailand. Built on the site of a former coconut plantation, the resort pays homage to its past through the extensive use of coconut and other natural materials such as ceramics, touches that imbue a sense of place and help immerse guests in their destination. The oceanfront resort features Spa Village Koh Samui, a 3,800-square-meter haven anchored in the healing culture of the region, complete with eight treatment suites, three massage pavilions, a yoga pavilion, health bar, and a lap pool with intimate cabanas. The hotel’s culinary offerings reflect Koh Samui’s destination across seven dining experiences including Pak Tai, offering fine dining interpretations of traditional southern Thai cuisine with views over the swim reef from its secluded individual dining terraces. Additional venues include Shook!, a stylish interactive dining space serving innovative Asian and Western dishes complemented by a superb selection of fine wines; Sea Salt, offering international classics and Thai favorites in a relaxed dining atmosphere; and Tides, an ideal spot for sun-lovers to unwind with a refreshing cocktail from the poolside bar and enjoy a citrus-cured specialty from the cevicheria. With its circular bar and lounge, One Rai offers cocktails and Asian-inspired small bites. Additionally, on select days guests can enjoy Baan Talat, an outdoor food market experience with street food stalls, dancing and crafts. To further draw guests into the local culture, The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui has curated some of the best authentic southern Thai experiences to explore and experience, including the Muay Thai Gym with its indoor kickboxing ring, where guests can learn the martial art of Muay Thai (or ‘The Art of Eight Limbs’) with trained instructors. Additionally, guests can sign up for a journey to a local market to source seasonal produce, followed by a class to unlock secrets of southern Thai cooking. The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui also offers a one-of-a-kind temperate Swim Reef within the resort that teems with over 50 species of fish.It is the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia, and offers unique snorkeling and fish-feeding experiences. The Swim Reef also featuresexpansive facilities including two white sand beaches, a beach-side resort pool, a water sports center and two floodlit tennis courts. The Ritz Kids program, with dedicated kids check-in and amenities for children, offers indoor and outdoor activities helping to strengthen family ties through shared moments. This resort also makes each wedding is a signature event. Offered in either Thai or Western style, lifetime vows are exchanged at Sala Thai, an elevated pavilion overlooking the Gulf of Thailand. The opening of The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui affirms the long-standing relationship between Marriott International and YTL Hotels, which owns the property. “The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui marks another milestone of our strong partnership with Marriott International. With the opening of this hotel, our portfolio, together with Marriott International, now encompasses nine properties across Asia-Pacific and Europe,” said Dato’ Mark Yeoh, Executive Director of YTL Hotels. For more information and to book reservations for The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui, please visit http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/koh-samui.

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