Luxury? That word doesn’t come close to capturing the essence of the two Banyan Tree resorts I visited in Thailand. What Banyan Tree Samui and Banyan Tree Krabi deliver goes far beyond the standard markers of service—and it’s not about chasing the trappings of ultra-luxury either. It’s something altogether different…these couple-, solo- and family-friendly resorts are sanctuaries for the mind, body and soul.
Banyan Tree Samui—Delighting All the Senses
How I long to once again be at Banyan Tree Samui, floating in my villa’s private pool, looking out at those dazzling views of Lamai Bay and the surrounding verdant hills; participating in an Introduction to Thai Boxing class along the resort’s shoreline; or taking a bite out of an exquisite Thai dish at the Saffron restaurant, set above the resort in its tranquil hilltop hideaway.
The 88 all-pool-villa Banyan Tree Samui, located on the southeastern coast of Koh Samui, is nestled in a series of cascading terraces on a private hill cove, offering villa accommodations that range from the 1,399-sq.-ft., 3-person Deluxe Pool Villa near the water’s edge to the 3,401-sq.-ft., 5-person Presidential Pool Villa with panoramic views of the Gulf of Thailand.
I opted for one of the eight Wellbeing villas—five offer garden-view and three offer partial oceanview. They come with fitness amenities, access to complimentary wellbeing activities and other inclusions. During my stay, I discovered that Banyan Tree’s take on wellbeing doesn’t mean following a set regimen; it means discovering self-care on one’s own terms.
I did just that. I indulged in my beautifully appointed 1,668-sq.-ft. Wellbeing Sanctuary Pool Villa, where each afternoon I received a nutrition platter that I ate on my expansive private patio while taking in the natural surroundings; evenings brought a turn-down wellbeing touch, such as a steam facial, complemented by incense-scented air and sleep-enhancing music. I strolled the private beach as the sun glided down the horizon, mesmerized by the tranquil, crystalline waters. I basked in the spa’s The Rainforest hydrotherapy experience, where the journey includes a Rain Walk, a cold plunge pool and a Vitality Pool…bliss multiplied. And I went on early-morning guided nature walks looking for local birds and flora and took afternoon yoga classes at the spa (led by the resort’s very own Wellbeing Practitioner). I yearned to stay longer so I could participate in the array of activities on offer, such as gratitude meditation, duo stretch, aromatherapy workshop and house reef snorkeling, to name only a few.
Other can’t-miss experiences are the International BBQ Buffet dinner, which takes place on the beach beneath twinkling lights, with a live band playing soft tunes and capped by a dazzling fire show; and breakfast at The Edge, where not only does the buffet—overflowing with Asian, Western and locally inspired dishes—impress, but the views prove to be irresistible (no matter where one sits).
Banyan Tree Samui had delivered a feast for the senses, so anticipation was high for
what lay ahead….
Banyan Tree Krabi—Moments of Pure Magic
No brand mirrors its surroundings quite like Banyan Tree. I immediately noticed this as I stepped foot into Banyan Tree Krabi’s breathtakingly designed lobby, where the Andaman Sea—which the property faces—and the dramatic mountains framing the resort from behind are woven into the very fabric of the property. It’s spellbinding—and even more so when I was told that the Naga motif, a mythological serpentine creature, is incorporated into the hotel’s design. For example, the lobby’s grand alfresco staircase resembles a dragon’s descent. The 72 all-pool-suite and -villa Banyan Tree Krabi proved to be
as captivating as its Samui sister, but wholly different.
Here, I was welcomed into the gleaming white 2,196-sq.-ft. Beachfront Pool Villa—mine was a Wellbeing category, which means guests, like at Samui, get access to various amenities, including 30 percent off wellbeing cuisine, among a flurry of other inclusions. The villa features floor-to-ceiling windows, an expansive wrap-around pool, immense living quarters, fitness amenities and Naga-inspired wavy design elements throughout. The bedroom (and bed) is designed to take in the sweeping views
of the sea as well as the mesmerizing islands that rise out of the ocean and dot
the horizon.
Sitting on my chaise lounge enchanted by the creek that snakes its way in front of the beachfront villas as well as by the picturesque scenery, I allowed myself to truly relax, listening to the birds and the rustling of the leaves as a late-afternoon thunderstorm rolled in. The moment was pure magic, but the resort had many more such moments in store for me, including my interactions with Krabi’s staff—as attentive as Samui’s—with every little detail anticipated and delivered flawlessly.
First stop: the spa, which features its own hydrotherapy journey in a cave-like setting. Let clients know that booking The Rainforest experience ensures it will be an exclusive, private session. I opted for one of the spa treatments—Thai Essence massage—and it was no ordinary experience. My therapist led me into one of the eight elegant treatment rooms, thoughtfully designed with separate areas for changing, receiving the treatment (which was outstanding) and savoring a post-treatment tea. Included in the wellbeing lineup are tai chi, yoga and meditation classes as well as forest bathing and a Thai potpourri-making class. My favorite, though, was the one-on-one breathing class I had in one of the beach cabanas, led by the resort’s Wellbeing Practitioner.
The resort’s various eateries are a treat, as well. The Naga Kitchen was my chosen spot for breakfast, featuring a top-notch buffet that will satiate all taste buds; and the alfresco Kredkaew Bar was the ideal place for lunch as it’s near the pool and sits along the shoreline. For dinner, I hopped on the mini-funicular (yes, you read that right) to head to Saffron, where like at Samui, I had mouthwatering Thai food. But it’s the Bird’s Nest dining venue that steals the show. This “elevated” experience mimics a bird’s nest with the tables literally perched among the treetops. With three set tasting menus to choose from—vegetarian, turf or seafood—guests indulge in exquisite dishes, but it’s the setting and the bird’s-eye view of the pink-hued sunset sinking into the Andaman Sea that linger.
After idyllic stays at these Banyan Tree resorts, I finally felt reality gently tug me back—it was time to head home, although I knew that the hours that lay ahead would be quite comfortable as there was a seat waiting for me in Prestige Class aboard Korean Air.
Korean Air Gets Your Clients There & Back
Getting to Thailand from the U.S. was a breeze (as was coming back home). Yes, it was 13 hours from Atlanta to Seoul and then another handful of hours to get to Thailand, but I flew Korean Air’s Prestige Class, so it was an experience steeped in luxury while I drifted through the clouds.
Beyond ATL, Korean Air—which has been named a five-star airline by Skytrax in its 2025 World Airline Star Rating—flies direct to Seoul from several U.S. gateways, including Los Angeles, New York (JFK), San Francisco, Seattle and Honolulu, meaning it’s pretty seamless for any of your clients to get to Thailand (and when you have access to the Delta Sky Club—as I had in Atlanta pre-flight—then it makes the journey all the more restful).
The onboard Prestige Class experience was welcoming from the moment I stepped onto the plane. There are, of course, the spacious, cocoon-like lie-flat seats; the in-flight dining experience with a varied menu, including a focus on Korean food; and the premium amenities such as the noise-canceling headphones and soft seat-topper for a more comfortable rest. I liked knowing that if I wanted uninterrupted sleep, the crew wouldn’t wake me for meals (whenever I was awake, though, I could enjoy yummy snacks). Best part, though? The in-flight cabin crew that’s genuinely warm and professional.
In fact, Skytrax awarded Korean Air five stars in part because of its cabin crew. Other reasons the airline received high marks—only 10 carriers worldwide earning the coveted five-star distinction—were streamlined passenger experience, premium in-flight dining options, expertly curated wine selection, convenient meal pre-ordering service and advanced entertainment offerings.
