Those who have been to Thailand will know what I mean when I say it changes you. An exotic destination that seems to be a rite of passage for the young and a hotspot for travellers from the GCC, the country leaves an indelible mark on those who visit it.
My second visit to Thailand – my first to Phuket – looked a little different from my first foray into Southeast Asia, mainly thanks to the luxurious hotel (sans backpackers) I checked into. The Banyan Tree Phuket, which launched its now-famous brand in 1994, is a luxury all-villa resort that snakes around a lagoon. The most luxurious resort on the 1,000-acre Laguna Phuket complex, the property promises to package a taste of Thai culture into each stay.
From the moment we arrived (bleary-eyed from a night flight), a sense of tranquillity descended on us. The resort’s sprawling grounds, dense with tropical foliage, provide an instant antidote to jet lag. Each of its 218 luxury villas has been designed to create a private haven – with the swimming pool being an inviting way to start and end each day. Attentively tuned to each of their guests’ needs, the Thai-style properties are equipped with yoga mats, mosquito repellent, and relaxing incense sticks. With floating breakfasts served on your private pool and a bed big enough for three, leaving the confines of your private paradise is harder than one might imagine.
When we do make it outside of the room, it’s clear the other guests are making the most of their private pools, which means the resort’s grounds are deliciously quiet. The breathtaking main pool and lazy river are left near-enough untouched for us to enjoy. The restaurant beside it, Hōjō, within welcome strolling distance, serves up fresh Japanese dishes that comfortably punctuate the humidity. Settling for a bento box to enjoy while soaking up the view, a good couple of hours pass by – something that seems to happen frequently at the Banyan Tree Phuket.
A once-abandoned tin mine, the land was restored by Ho Kwon Ping and Claire Chiang between 1984 and 1994, when it opened. The married couple left their respective careers to become hoteliers after falling in love with the location. When they began work, the lagoon was so polluted that it corroded the water pumps used for treatment. After an extensive restoration effort involving the removal of pollutants and the planting of thousands of trees, the water was finally revitalised, allowing the Banyan Tree Phuket to open a decade later.
The hotel is now part of Laguna Phuket, a ‘lifestyle’ destination that includes six hotels, a golf course, and multiple residential options. Created around an impressive clearwater lagoon, the dense tropical foliage is a feat, considering its history – a visceral representation of the work the Banyan Tree’s founders put into creating this Andaman haven.
Each of the properties on the 1,000 acre plot of land is connected by land or water taxi, meaning guests are free to float between resorts and residences. This is what we did for a sunrise yoga session at the neighbouring Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket hotel. Set in a beautiful open-air pavilion surrounded by greenery and overlooking the ocean, you could hear nothing but the waves gently lapping the shore. After six rounds of sun salutations and a welcome meditation session, the day was off to a refreshing start.
Those who enjoy getting active on a trip will be well-suited to stay within Laguna Phuket, as fitness is something the brand takes seriously. Creating a community feel, there are several fitness-focused events and activities for guests and residents to take part in, including the popular Laguna Phuket Triathlon that attracts athletes from across the world.
But, running is not for me, so I opted for a Muay Thai class. Led by an experienced Nak Muay (a practitioner of the martial art), the one-hour session is designed to teach you the basics. The instructor was clearly very skilled yet patient, demonstrating the kind of calm and guidance you only find in those whom teaching comes naturally. Each move was explained with purpose, meaning that, by the end of the class, I had a two-minute sparring session and could somehow remember all the moves on command.
Naturally, a trip to the spa soon beckoned. The therapy rooms themselves are nestled within their own Thai-style huts and surrounded by lush greenery, with gentle birdsong providing the perfect soundtrack. After a warm introduction, the friendly therapist began instinctively targeting areas of tension without needing any instruction. Emerging from the treatment hut, I felt an unprecedented sense of calm and clarity that carried me through the rest of my stay.
Time seemed to slow down at the Banyan Tree Phuket and, despite only staying for the weekend, it felt as if we’d been there for a week. It’s likely because the resort goes above and beyond to create a holistic experience for each guest, blending relaxation, activity, and cultural experiences in a way that few venues can. The staff’s dedication to providing a welcoming and luxurious experience, coupled with the incredible setting, meant I left the resort with a new sense of serenity. And just like that, Thailand had once again left a lasting impression…
For more information, visit banyantree.com
