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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Fire Show, Live Band, Instrumentalists, and Bartenders Flair Show

The Anam Group’s two beachfront resorts in Cam Ranh and Mui Ne will celebrate the most significant time in the Vietnamese calendar, Tet, with a broad spectrum of remarkable dining, entertainment, recreational, and spa experiences. In the lead-up to Tet on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, The Anam Cam Ranh and The Anam Mui Ne will each stage a ceremony on Jan. 22, 2025 to plant “Cay Neu”, a towering Lunar New Year bamboo pole to ward off evil spirits, followed by dragon dancing. The Anam Cam Ranh’s restaurants Lang Viet and Indochine will host a ‘Vietnamese Traditional Buffet” on Jan 31. accompanied by live traditional instrumentalists and a bartenders flair show and a Seafood BBQ buffet on Feb 1 to a backdrop of live music by the Filipino band and a spectacular fire show.

Vietnamese Afternoon Tea for Two With a Pianist

Family resort Alma will ring in the biggest event on the Vietnamese calendar, the Lunar New Year, with a six-day program filled with traditional games and competitions, live entertainment, floating champagne breakfasts and more. From Lunar New Year’s Eve, Tuesday Jan. 28, until Sunday Feb. 2, 2025, Alma’s Tet program will feature chung cake, egg cake and ginger jam making classes, as well as kite flying, dragon dances, making lucky envelopes, Tet movies at Alma Cinema, and afternoon tea for two. An exquisite Vietnamese Afternoon Tea for two brimming with savoury and sweet treats, including Banh Chung and traditional candies, served at both Alma Food Court and Alma Lounge from 2-5pm. Live entertainment including Alma’s resident pianist Ben playing a grand piano from 2.30-3.15pm and 3.30-4.15pm at Alma Lounge.

Better Together Family Package

The Hari Hong Kong is marking the Lunar New Year with its “Better Together Family Package” replete with children-friendly in room amenities and a host of special touches. Featuring a Corner Room with a king bed with an adjoining Twin Room with twin beds, and daily breakfast for two adults and two children under the age of 12, package also features a “DIY Cookies Set” for children in the room, “The Hari Puzzle Set” with The Hari branded tram, Star Ferry or The Hari mascot to keep the kids entertained, as well as early check-in and late check-out subject to availability.

Fusion of Thai and Chinese Cuisine

 Meliá Chiang Mai’s signature restaurant Mai Restaurant & Bar on the 21st floor will welcome the Lunar New Year with a family-style dining experience accompanied by a selection of Chinese teas and vistas of Chiang Mai. Served from Jan. 27-31, 2025, from 6-10pm and priced at THB 6000 net per table for minimum of four persons, “A Thai-Chinese Celebration” dinner includes a colorful salad with shredded vegetables, pickled ginger, pomelo and fresh salmon, double-boiled whole chicken with dried mushrooms and wolfberries, roasted whole chicken, and steamed whole seabass with warm lemon dressing. Other highlights include tender slow-cooked pork belly in soy sauce, Chinese wine, and spices, a choice of Lotus leaf-wrapped fried rice with Chinese sausage or steamed San Pa Tong Rice, assorted seasonal greens with oyster sauce, and sesame dumplings in ginger broth.

Festive Buffet Brunch and a Vibrant Lion Dance

Raffles Hotel Le Royal, the iconic 96-year-old luxury hotel in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, will help guests ring in the Lunar New Year with a sumptuous buffet brunch featuring an array of Chinese dishes, festive specialties and international favourites. The celebration will be capped by a vibrant lion dance performance to welcome prosperity and good fortune in the Year of the Snake. The buffet brunch is priced at $38++ inclusive of unlimited beers and will be served from 11:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Le Phnom 1929, the hotel’s French-style brasserie.

Popular Annual Tet Market Returns

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi is ready to welcome the Year of the Snake with exclusive Tet celebrations, including the hotel’s popular annual Tet market, along with a special culinary program. Spice Garden, Metropole Hanoi’s authentic Vietnamese restaurant, will usher in an auspicious Lunar New Year with a 5-course set menu featuring traditional delicacies such as spring rolls, chung cake, steamed prawns in coconut, bamboo shoot vermicelli soup and more. The menu will be served from Jan. 20 to Feb. 7 and priced at VND 1,600,000++ per person. Spice Garden has also unveiled festive cocktails highlighting local flavors.

A Song of Dragons and Fire on Koh Samui

Guests at the luxury resort of Banyan Tree Samui might gasp on their morning coffee as the almighty sight and sound of a Lion Dance procession takes over the breakfast buffet from 9am – 9:30. Later, the evening’s entertainment includes live music, a Chinese dance performance and a fire show, starting at 7pm at beachfront restaurant Sands. Diners will also be treated to a Chinese New Year BBQ Buffet (2,988 THB nett per person) at Sands where they can watch the performances under the moonlight. For more information and reservations, go to samui@banyantree.com or tel: +66 077 915 333.

Go Out with a Bang in Da Nang

The central Vietnamese beachfront resort of Fusion Resort & Villas Da Nang celebrates Lunar New Year with a series of activities and performances between January 27th and February 1st. Guests can participate in a traditional Chung Cake cooking class, lion & dragon performances, and explore the cultural significance of calligraphy. The resort will also host a Fusion Night Market, offering unique shopping options and unique dining experiences. For a special culinary treat, guests can indulge in the Tết Set Menu or enjoy a refined Tet Afternoon Tea. Alternatively, the Maia Spa offers soothing treatments and relaxing massages. For more information or reservations, go to: https://fusionresorts.com/danang/

The Snake Meets the Naga in Krabi

Renowned for its Naga staircase and serpentine sculptures, Banyan Tree Krabi rings in the Year of the Snake with an exquisite buffet dinner at The Naga Kitchen restaurant on 28 January when diners can immerse themselves in a culinary showcase featuring an array of authentic Chinese specialties, such as Chinese-Style Steamed Seabass, Chinese Wok-Fried Beef with Baby Bok Choy in Oyster Sauce, and Crispy Fried Soft-Shell Crab with Garlic Chili Salt. The buffet also features Seafood on Ice (oysters, mussels, shrimps and clams), a salad bar, and a Hainanese BBQ station. There’s sure to be music and laughter at this beachfront resort which boasts spectacular sea views. The evening event starts at 6:30 pm and goes through to 10pm with tickets at 2,900 THB per head, inclusive of welcome drink, and half price for children. For reservations and more information, contact +66 075 811 888 or email krabi@banyantree.com

Invite Good Luck and Growth with Wellness Activities in Da Nang

As we slide into the year of the snake, TIA Wellness Resort is inviting guests to consider the traits associated with this animal of the Chinese Zodiac through a number of wellbeing activities. The snake year is defined by seeking balance and harmony, while also embracing opportunities for growth and evolution. On Thursday January 28th the TIA team will host a “Reflection of the Year of the Dragon” creative workshop where guests can reflect on the past year, express gratitude and move forward afresh. That night they have an “Evening Wishing Lantern Ceremony” to welcome the new year in a mindful way. It’s an early start on January 29th with a “Sunrise Beach Gratitude Meditation.” Later in the day guests will be treated to a traditional dragon dance performance to drive away evil spirits and bring good luck. Visitors are also invited to a local pagoda. On the 30th of January the activities continue with a calligraphy wish session and the opportunity to try Tet (lunar new year) sweets and learn more about the local customs. There’s also a special Tet afternoon tea with classic & modern treats.

Vibrant Traditions Meet Luxury Experiences in Lang Co

Celebrate the Year of the Wood Snake in style at Laguna Lang Co, where vibrant traditions meet luxurious experiences. This Lunar New Year, guests can be immersed in a rich tapestry of cultural festivities and family-friendly activities. Highlights include a colourful lion dance performance and the lighting of lanterns to symbolise prosperity and good fortune. Savour a feast of exquisite Tet delicacies at both Banyan Tree and Angsana, featuring traditional dishes crafted by master chefs. Guests can also participate in hands-on workshops, including calligraphy and lantern-making, while kids enjoy themed games and crafts at the Angsana Kids Club. For wellness enthusiasts, rejuvenate with Tet-inspired spa treatments that blend ancient healing techniques with modern comforts.

Beach Action, Stay Packages and More

Dragon dances, family-fun activities and more help guests celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Snake at Azerai Resorts in Vietnam. Azerai Ke Ga Bay, an oceanside property set among verdant gardens located a comfortable 2.5-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City, offers a host of beachfront action during Tet, along with kids’ cooking classes, lion dance lessons, calligraphy, a special BBQ dinner and more. In central Vietnam, Azerai La Residence, Hue’s Tet package includes a two-night stay in a Superior River View room, daily breakfast for two adults and one child under 12 years old, an exclusive Tet dinner for two people, a special Tet afternoon tea for two, and one-way airport pick-up or drop-off service.

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Celebrate Christmas and New Year in Style at Banyan Tree Samui and Banyan Tree Krabi in Thailand this year

Celebrate Christmas in Style on Koh Samui

A gourmet’s paradise of 5-star feasting is on the cards at Banyan Tree Samui this Christmas, with each of its three restaurants offering a colourful variety of dining options from Dec 24-26, inclusive. The resort’s beachfront restaurant, Sands, offers a 3-course set lunch and a 5-course set dinner (or 7-course vegetarian alternative) on each of those three days, while award-winning fine-dining venue Saffron hosts set evening dinners in a sophisticated and tranquil ambience. Meanwhile, The Edge restaurant will entice diners with an abundant buffet menu from Dec 24-26, offering both Western and Eastern cuisine and a host of Christmas surprises.For more information or reservations, contact samui@banyantree.com or tel: +66 77 915 333.

Twas the Night Before Xmas, and Krabi is Stirring

Located on tranquil Tubkaek Beach, Banyan Tree Krabi is hosting a sumptuous Christmas Eve Gala Dinner at its popular restaurant The Naga Kitchen. Starting from 6:30pm, guests and diners will be paraded with an astounding variety of delectable international culinary choices, including salads and appetisers, cheese and cold cuts, an Indian Tandoori selection, freshly baked pizzas, a carving station, Japanese favourites, and delicious seafood options such as Spicy Tuna and Salmon Tartare with Local Fresh Herbs.For more information or reservations, contact krabi@banyantree.com or tel: +66 075 811 888.

Ring in 2025 with a Samui Beach Party

Located in a private bay at the southeastern corner of the island, Banyan Tree Samui invites guests and revellers to experience their “A Night Under the Sea Party Night” from 10pm till 1am on New Year’s Eve. The night will begin with a fabulous feast – a 5-course gala dinner set menu from 7pm to 10pm – with everything from appetisers such as sushi and sashimi, French foie gras, oysters, tiger prawns and Russian caviar to main courses of prime rib of beef, lamb crown or Tasmanian grilled salmon, and a host of delectable desserts. At 10pm, the party moves to the beachside where a dance floor will burst into life. For more information or reservations, contact samui@banyantree.com or tel: +66 77 915 333.

Kick Off 2025 with Countdown in Krabi

Banyan Tree Krabi bids farewell to 2024 with a Gala Dinner and Countdown Party with live entertainment, an extravagant buffet, and selected free-flow alcoholic beverages. Starting at 7pm on 31st Dec with a festive feast at The Naga Kitchen venue, diners can choose from an array of cheeses, cold cuts, a salad bar, homemade smoked salmon, truffle soup, iced seafood including fin de claire oysters, as well as a selection of Southern Thai and Japanese culinary delights. There’s also a supervised Kids’ Corner as the party moves to the beach when midnight approaches.For more information or reservations, contact krabi@banyantree.com or tel: +66 075 811 888.

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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.

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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.

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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

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This year, Mother’s Day in Thailand falls on a Monday, making the August 12th national holiday an ideal opportunity to treat that Special Someone to a lovely luxurious long weekend at one of the country’s leading hotels or resorts. Here is a select list of major hotels in Thailand offering special packages this Mother’s Day.

Set Menu and a Spa on Koh Samui

Tropical beachfront paradise, Banyan Tree Samui, is celebrating Mother’s Day on the island of Koh Samui with a special set menu and spa package that would excite any First Lady. Beginning with a sensuous 60-minute massage from one of the spa’s highly-skilled therapists, followed by a fine dining experience at Banyan Tree’s award-winning signature restaurant, Saffron. The Thai Mother’s Day Set Menu highlights cuisine from all regions of Thailand, including Tom Kha Goong Hoi, a coconut-galangal broth with fresh scallops, coriander and kaffir lime leaves, as well as main courses of sea bass or Red Curry Beef Tenderloin. Price for the full spa-dining package is 10,500THB or just 2,500THB per person for the set dinner at Saffron. This special offer is valid only from August 8 -12, 2024. Guests interested in an extended stay at Banyan Tree Samui might well want to consider the Stay More Pay Less offer currently available.

Spa Pampering and Dinner for Mothers in Chiang Mai

Melia Chiang Mai is offering an indulgent two-hour spa journey and delectable Thai set dinner to mark Mother’s Day this year. Available from August 5-15 at the urban hotel’s YHI Spa and priced at THB 2400 per person, the 120-minute treatment begins with an aromatic massage followed by an age-defying facial. Mai Restaurant & Bar on the hotel’s 21st floor will serve a set menu on August 12 from 6-10pm that features a seasonal salad bowl with Kao Soi dressing, edamame beans, Tai Lue tofu, cage-free eggs and sesame seeds, and a hot and sour soup with wild chili jam, baby pork ribs and young tamarind leaves. Other highlights include Biryani Rice with cardamom, gingko nuts, cashew nuts, goji berries, almonds and mint yogurt, a roasted whole chicken with turmeric rubs, lemongrass, wild pepper dip, and a baked whole sea bass with Northern style curry and fresh garden herbs. Priced at THB 4999 net per set of six persons, and inclusive of organic Chiang Mai tea, the dinner is rounded off with a half pound of wreath cake. For further information or reservations, please call +66 (0) 52 090 603 or email mairestaurant@meliachiangmai.com

Sky-High Family Feast Accompanied with Views of Bangkok

Dominated by soaring windows giving way to spectacular views of Bangkok, INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit’s 31st floor all-day dining restaurant The Kites Eatery will welcome Mother’s Day by offering delectable “Family Sets” as part of its “Thai Delight” promotion. Served from 6-9pm from August 12-31, the restaurant will offer a choice of two Family Sets designed to take diners on a culinary journey through Thailand’s finest flavors. Family Set A features deep-fried pork belly infused with herbs, grilled grass-fed Australian beef salad, spicy light fish soup with fragrant Thai herbs, stir-fried seafood in yellow curry, classic green chicken curry, steamed jasmine rice and local coconut ice cream. Family Set B comprises fried-chicken wing with fish sauce, traditional glass noodle salad with minced pork, creamy coconut seafood soup, stir-fried chicken with cashew nuts, slow-cooked beef curry with aromatic herbs, steamed jasmine rice, and grass jelly with ice and brown sugar. Thai Delight is priced at THB 999++ per set for two people. For further information or to make a booking, contact +66 (0) 2 340 5496 or kites@innsidebangkok.com

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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

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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.

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