Banyan Tree Samui Reveals Christmas & New Year Programme

KOH SAMUI -  Banyan Tree Samui, an all-pool-villa beachfront resort in Koh Samui and a recent recipient of major international awards, has unveiled a series of special gourmet feasts and dazzling celebrations to celebrate the upcoming festive season.

Recently awarded Two Keys by MICHELIN and lauded as among the Top 10 resorts in Thailand by Conde Nast Traveler, the 5-star hotel will this year mark Christmas with a series of sumptuous dining experiences at each of its three restaurants on Dec. 24 and 25, culminating in a culinary extravaganza and a kaleidoscope of fireworks and fun on New Year’s Eve.

The tropical island Christmas kicks off at The Edge, situated at a venue that commands spectacular vistas across the sapphire seas of the Gulf of Thailand. Its Christmas Eve Gala Dinner 2025 features a variety of international culinary delights — an oyster bar, seafood market, a carving station and salad bar — accompanied by live music from 7pm.

Meanwhile, a culinary journey is underway at Saffron, where, each evening from Dec. 24 – 26, a 5-course set menu will be presented in a sophisticated and tranquil setting. Saffron is a fine-dining venue recognised by the prestigious MICHELIN Guide in its restaurant recommendations for 2025, and it specializes in contemporary Thai cuisine.

Of course, it wouldn’t be Christmas in Thailand without a crescent of white sand under the palm trees with sea breezes and candlelight. At Beachside, fine delicacies such as slow-roasted butterball turkey, Alaskan snowfish and grilled tiger prawns are on the menu with a 3-course set lunch and 5-course set dinner prepared by Chef Rainer and his culinary team from Dec 24 – 26.

Beachside also plays host to a beachfront Christmas Day of fun and festivity starting at 7pm on Dec. 25. Everything from traditional Christmas dishes to a selection of land and sea delicacies is available, prepared to perfection at live cooking stations. A fire-twirling show and live entertainment will round off what promises to be an unforgettable evening.

To mark the final night of 2025, The Edge will play host to a New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner from 7pm, offering a magnificent buffet that features a “Treasure of Seafood on Ice” — including tiger prawns, mussels, oysters, octopus, lobster, caviar, sushi and sashimi -— as well as French foie gras, a carving station, sorbets, and much more, all accompanied by live entertainment.

Saffron will host a 5-course Thai dinner which is to include mouthwatering favourites such as spicy salmon rolls, Wagyu beef salad in herbs and spices, Champagne sorbets, roasted lamb chops, and a selection of delicate desserts.

Dec. 31 reaches its climax with a “Banyan Fairytale Party Night” at the beachfront from 10pm to 1am with a countdown party, Champagne, dancing, live entertainment and a bouquet of fireworks to ring in the New Year with style.

For more information or reservations, contact samui@banyantree.com or tel: +66 77 915 333.

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

MICHELIN-listed Banyan Tree Samui Rolls Out Enhanced Spa & Wellbeing Service

KOH SAMUI — 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.

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.

Banyan Tree Samui Launches Speedboat Tours to Thailand’s ‘White Lotus’ Islands  Koh Samui resort unveils new speedboat which will cater for day trips to islands and sites seen in the hit HBO series.

KOH SAMUI — In the final captivating scene of The White Lotus, the lead characters of the hit HBO series — or should we say “the survivors”, following a cascade of deadly shoot-outs at the ill-fated mythical hotel — are seen departing Koh Samui on a motorboat and sailing into the sunset, and presumably towards some form of redemption; such is the dark humour of this wonderfully popular satirical TV drama.

Set-jetting fans of The White Lotus and visitors to the tropical island of Koh Samui can now recreate this voyage among the lush islands and limestone cliffs of Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park courtesy of a luxury hotel, Banyan Tree Samui, and its new speedboat, Sense of the Sea.

The 5-star resort, renowned for its dreamy pool villas and spectacular views, is arranging tours and day trips to the archipelago — famed for its 42 islands, dramatic limestone cliffs, hidden lagoons, white sandy beaches, and dense tropical forests. The national marine park was chosen by The White Lotus producers as the backdrop for the opening scene and that memorable finale, as well as other sequences from the third series, which was filmed entirely in Thailand and primarily on and around Koh Samui.

Guests at Banyan Tree Samui, which is located in a private bay in the southeastern corner of the island, can now experience an eight-hour excursion (maximum 15 persons, plus three crew members) around Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park in the 12-metre Sense of the Sea, a custom-built 400HP speedboat which has been adapted to cater for luxury day trips, picnics, and celebrations.

Other excursions among the diverse marine ecosystem and azure waters of the Gulf of Thailand include a 6-hour round trip to Koh Phangan, site of the infamous Full Moon Party portrayed in The White Lotus in hedonistic fashion.

Voyagers who prefer more sedate sightseeing might instead opt for the 5 Islands Sunset Cruise or a 4-6 hour boat trip to Koh Taen and Koh Matsum, two small and barely inhabited islands, the latter being dubbed Thailand’s “Bay of Pigs” due to the drift of wild but tourist-friendly pigs that live on the beach.

All speedboat tours can be tailor-made for private groups or special occasions, and include ample time to anchor for swimming, snorkeling, siestas and champagne. The islets are abundant in monkeys and monitor lizards, not to mention coral reefs, and the marine life includes turtles, dugongs, sharks, and numerous species of tropical fish.

Banyan Tree Samui has also 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”.

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

Last month, Banyan Tree Spa Samui 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.

Guests can also 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.

Each of the 88 villas at Banyan Tree Samui has an infinity pool and the resort is terraced 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. 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.

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. 

ABOUT BANYAN GROUP

Banyan Group (“Banyan Tree Holdings Limited” or the “Group” – SGX: B58) is an independent, global hospitality company with purpose. The Group prides itself on its pioneering spirit, design-led experiences and commitment to responsible stewardship. Its extensive portfolio spans over 70 hotels and resorts, over 60 spas and galleries, and 14 branded residences in over 20 countries. Comprising 12 global brands, including the flagship brand Banyan Tree, each distinct yet united under the experiential membership programme withBanyan. The founding ethos of “Embracing the Environment, Empowering People” is embodied through the Banyan Global Foundation and Banyan Management Academy. Banyan Group is committed to remaining the leading advocate of sustainable travel, with a focus on regenerative tourism and innovative programmes that elevate the guest experience.

Making Scents Of It All on Koh Samui Banyan Tree Samui offers complimentary aromatherapy workshops to guests

KOH SAMUI, Thailand - Banyan Tree Samui, a luxury resort in southern Thailand, has introduced a new activity for all its guests — aromatherapy workshops, to encourage guests to unlock the mystery of this ancient traditional practice.

The aromatherapy courses, which are held twice weekly and are free of charge to guests, are conducted at Banyan Tree Gallery Samui, the resort’s on-site boutique. The Gallery team acts as consultants to the participants, suggesting combinations of oils to target their individual goals, whether it be health and overall wellness or simply a fragrance to help ensure a good night’s sleep.

The hotel sources many of the aromatic ingredients at local markets on the tropical island of Koh Samui. Extracts from plants — flowers, twigs, leaves, bark, roots, wood, fruits, seeds and resins — are obtained using either a process of expression or steam distillation, yielding aromatic oils that can be used for healing. The only other ingredients are distilled water and ethyl alcohol.

Guests are advised which essential oils are the most effective for a range of elixirs and emotions. For example, lemongrass is considered a tonic for alertness, stimulation, and reducing anxiety, and can be combined with rose to accentuate an uplifting and soothing sensation.

Cedarwood, rosemary, lavender, ylang-ylang, bergamot, peppermint and pine are among the other ingredients that can be refined into stimulating essential oils at the Gallery classes.

When completed, each participant is welcome to take home their own aromatherapeutic concoction, once it has been bottled and presented as a room mist spray.

Guests have an added interest in their selection of oils, because Banyan Tree Samui’s evening turndown service includes oil burners and incense in each villa, with a daily rotation of fragrances.

On Wednesdays, for example, guests are treated to peppermint essential oil in their burner, which is known to have a refreshing and decongesting effect, while the incense for the day is the floral plant champaka, renowned for refreshing the mind and lifting the spirit.

Wellbeing and environmental awareness are two of the keystones of Banyan Tree’s branding, and the 88-villa beachfront resort on Koh Samui is leading the way, all the while enhancing its reputation as a “Sanctuary for the Senses”.

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.

ABOUT BANYAN TREE GROUP

Banyan Tree Group (“Banyan Tree Holdings Limited” or the “Group”) is one of the world’s leading independent, multi-branded hospitality groups centred on the purpose-driven mission of stewardship and wellbeing while offering exceptional, design-led experiences.

The Group’s diversified portfolio of hotels, resorts, spas, galleries, golf and residences features an ecosystem of 10 global brands, including the award-winning Banyan Tree, Angsana, Cassia, Dhawa and Laguna, and the highly anticipated new brands of Homm, Garrya, Folio, and two new Banyan Tree brand extensions - Escape and Veya.

Established in 2008, with the goal of advancing people development and management excellence, Banyan Tree Management Academy has nurtured over 8,000 associates across 23 countries. The Group is recognised for its commitment to environmental protection and community development through its Banyan Tree Global Foundation. Operating over 70 hotels in 17 countries, it has 47 new properties in the pipeline.

The Hillcrest Villa at Banyan Tree Samui offers a magnificent 360-degree panoramic view.

Banyan Tree Marks Anniversary with Resort Credit Offers

One of Southeast Asia’s most beloved hotel groups, Banyan Tree, is celebrating its 27th anniversary with a range of value-driven offers across more than 40 properties worldwide.

In Thailand, the group’s luxury resorts in Koh Samui and Krabi will provide daily credit vouchers to guests, which can be used at all on-site restaurants and spas to the tune of 2,000 baht (US$60) and 3,000 baht ($90) respectively.

Banyan Tree Samui will also include a complimentary round-trip airport transfer for guests.

The “Rediscover the World” promotion applies to bookings at all Banyan Tree hotels between 7 September and 15 October 2021; however, stays at the resorts can be taken any time until 7 September 2022 at Banyan Tree Samui, and until 31 July 2022 at Banyan Tree Krabi.

Founded by Singaporeans KP Ho and his wife Claire Chang, Banyan Tree’s foundations are deeply rooted in Thailand where they opened their first hotel back in 1994. However, the original site for their dream resort in Phuket was discovered to be sitting upon an abandoned tin mine and the soil was too toxic to support development. Unperturbed, the couple embarked on a program of regeneration, planting 7,000 trees and stimulating the growth of indigenous plants and flora.

Twenty-seven years later, the Banyan Tree brand has become synonymous with environmental awareness and wellbeing, winning numerous awards and adhering to the highest principles of sustainability.

Majestic view from the lobby of Banyan Tree Krabi

Banyan Tree Krabi is the latest in the group’s lush tropical resorts to open in Thailand, launching in October 2020 despite the challenges of the covid pandemic. Situated at tranquil Tubkaek Beach, a 45-minute drive from Krabi International Airport, the new resort is flanked by nature — it tiers into a verdant forested landscape while facing Than Bok Khorani National Marine Park and its famous towering limestone cliffs, which jut from the Andaman Sea, one of Thailand’s most iconic and idyllic postcard images.

Banyan Tree Krabi has 72 suites and villas, each of which has its own private infinity pool and jet pool. Facilities at the hotel include two restaurants, a beach bar, a kids’ club, a fitness center, a meeting center, an elevated outdoor wedding deck, and in keeping with Banyan Tree’s global wellbeing branding — a rainforest-themed spa.

Perhaps one of Thailand’s most recognizable hotels for its picture-postcard location is Banyan Tree Samui, which opened in 2010. The resort is nestled into a tropical hillside overlooking a cove of white-sanded beach and sapphire sea, and each of the 88 villas on the lush 38-acre property boasts a private 35-sqm infinity pool.

All 72 rooms at Banyan Tree Krabi face west towards the sunset and the Andaman Sea.

Banyan Tree Samui was a Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Winner in 2020, and has consistently been voted one of the top resorts in Asia.

Both Banyan Tree Samui and Banyan Tree Krabi typify the brand by their atmosphere of “Thai-ness”. The signature Saffron Restaurant, available at either hotel, offers a menu of classic Thai cuisine and magnificent sea views, while the spas employ local Thai herbs in their massage products.

Banyan Tree’s design team has accentuated the ambience of luxury at each resort with Siamese architectural aspects such as pitched ceilings and Buddhist temple-shaped rooftops, as well as traditional Thai fabrics and artwork in the decor.

For reservations and more information about the “Rediscover the World” promotion, go to:

https://www.banyantree.com/en/thailand/samui/offers/anniversary-2021

https://www.banyantree.com/en/thailand/krabi/offers/anniversary-2021