Banyan Tree Phuket is the pinnacle of luxury and sustainability in Thailand’s Phuket Island. Since its transformation from an abandoned tin mine to a lush oasis in 1994, the resort has epitomized elegance and environmental stewardship. Boasting Asia’s largest all-pool villa resort, personalized service, and award-winning spa experiences, Banyan Tree Phuket offers guests a harmonious blend of luxury, nature, well-being, and unparalleled hospitality.

With over 218 luxurious pool villas, diverse dining experiences, and a need to adhere to sustainable practices, Banyan Tree Phuket remains a timeless sanctuary for travelers seeking supreme luxury and holistic well-being.

We had the honor of spending some time with the hotel’s general manager, Sittichai Jitnatham, and gained insights into the elements involved in making this retreat the special place that it is.

Luxury Lifestyle Awards: Congratulations on Banyan Tree Phuket being crowned the Best Luxury Spa Resort in Phuket, Thailand, 2024. How do you envision this recognition impacting the resort’s future direction and guest experiences?

Sittichai Jitnatham: My team and I are elated to be awarded this recognition as it is reflective of our commitment to excellence in being the preferred resort for guests who seek relaxation, balance, and renewal from their getaways. The timing of the award is extra special as this September we celebrate the hotel’s 30^th anniversary and are invigorated by the prospect of all the new experiences we plan on launching which will tie in with this award. We recently unveiled Banyan Tree Wellbeing Sanctuary Villas in our Phuket resort where the objective is to help guests achieve optimal well-being through well-being activities, workshops, and spa treatments that are designed to alleviate pains from modern-day lifestyle.

We are currently working on enhancing the hotel’s spa facilities and offerings to include onsen bathtubs, hot & cold plunge pools, spa rituals to improve gut health, mindfulness, and more.

LLA: Banyan Tree Phuket has a rich legacy of transforming an abandoned tin mine into a lush sanctuary. How does the resort’s commitment to preserving nature influence its day-to-day operations and guest offerings?

SJ: Our brand culture is rooted in the philosophy that everything is connected, whether it is through design and architecture that respects the local environment, the sourcing of our food, our associates’ empathetic service, or the experiences we curate.

LLA: The resort boasts Asia’s largest all-pool villa setup. Can you elaborate on how these luxurious villas contribute to providing an unforgettable guest experience, particularly in terms of privacy and personalized hospitality?

SJ: Designed as a Sanctuary for the Senses, Banyan Tree Phuket is infused with a distinctly restorative energy for mind, body, and spirit. Since we are not a beachfront hotel, our idea was to bring the tropical island experience to the villa, hence the ambitious idea to be the first-of-its-kind all-pool villa resort. After 30 years, this has become a hallmark of Banyan Tree resorts around the world – that they are luxury cocoons of rest in awe-inspiring places around the world, each carries its own intimate sense of place, inviting you to immerse yourself in the exceptional experiences that make life beautiful.

LLA: The Banyan Tree Spa has received prestigious awards such as the Kinnaree Gold Award multiple times. How does the spa maintain its reputation for exceptional treatments, and what innovative approaches does it take to stay ahead in the wellness industry?

SJ: These awards fill us with immense pride to witness the evolution of our commitment to excellence in hospitality and well-being. At Banyan Tree Phuket, we’re not just about accommodations; we’re about crafting experiences that nourish the mind, body, and soul and this approach is what sets our spa and wellbeing offering apart from the other resorts. Banyan Tree Spa is the first luxury spa in Asia to re-introduce an exotic blend of ancient health and beauty practices passed down from generations and celebrates the art of touch and the use of natural and native ingredients with a holistic focus. To further foster well-being among our guests we recently unveiled our new ‘Nature House’ which now houses an Apothecary – where we organize workshops to learn about aromatherapy, and herbal remedies and conduct tea culture classes, a fully equipped culinary studio for guests and our renowned Banyan Wellbeing & Spa Academy where offers a variety of holistic Spa and Wellbeing Courses, extending an invitation to enthusiasts seeking knowledge on wellbeing and natural remedies.

LLA: Banyan Tree Phuket offers diverse culinary experiences, including unique dining options like the lagoon cruise aboard Mekhala. How do these dining experiences contribute to memorable and culturally immersive stays?

SJ: While we were curating these dining experiences one of the main motivators for us was to make the beautiful setting an extension of our hotel and also make this a culturally immersive experience. For example, when you choose a romantic dinner aboard Mekhala – you are serenaded by the traditional music of the Khim a local instrument and music of Thailand. The meal includes fresh local seafood that is barbecued on the boat – so you can see the horizon in front of you while you eat your favorite seafood.

LLA: Personalized service is a cornerstone of the Banyan Tree experience. Could you share some examples of how the resort goes above and beyond to anticipate and fulfill guests’ preferences?

SJ: At Banyan Tree Phuket, luxury is synonymous with personalized service, and it is in our DNA to know who our guests are and anticipate what their needs may be. We do this by understanding the cultural nuances of where our guests travel from so that we can assist them better – there is nothing we cannot (within legal bounds) do as a resort. Floral arrangements, elaborate dining experiences, entertainment – think drone shows for a wedding/proposal, spa rituals, private well-being sessions, we can handle it all.

LLA: Sustainability is a key focus at Banyan Tree Phuket, evident in its minimalist and eco-conscious design. How does the resort balance luxury with sustainability, and what initiatives are in place to ensure responsible environmental stewardship?

SJ: Embracing the environment and empowering people is our ethos and through the last 30 years as a group we have taken great strides to ensure that we use the power of travel for the betterment of the communities we operate in. From being home to over 50 different species of migratory birds to ‘Sea Turtle Conservation’ in partnership with Phuket Marine Biology Center (PMBC) where we have worked tirelessly to raise funds, volunteer our resources to improve the survival rate from 0.1% – 90 over the last 25 years since we are involved in the project.

In fact, every year in April – May, we partner with PMBC to host a fund-raising event where we invite guests and patrons of the hotel to come participate in the sea turtle release – it is one of the most sought-after events for families where they can learn more about caring for them, environmental sustainability and caring for wildlife.

When staying at Banyan Tree Phuket, guests can take part in several initiatives and see their contributions towards living sustainably – guests can visit the Bang Tao village to see life and livelihood on the island which includes picking fruits at the orchard, learning to care for farm animals and about local ecosystems.

For those who are culturally curious can take part in the monthly almsgiving that takes place at the resort and make merit by offering essentials to the monks which is a way to immerse yourself in Thai culture and do a bit of good for the community around you.

We also have the weekly ‘Walk & Talk’ which is the hotel’s way of encouraging associates and guests to join in and clean up the beach shore. Some of these sessions have led to some very interesting exchange of ideas between associates and guests to further our sustainability efforts.

Another one of my activities is our on-property farm tours – this is a project very close to my heart. This small batch, of organic farming helps to provide vegetables and herbs for our restaurants, and we are now growing some seasonal tropical fruits that should start producing in the next year I look forward to it.

LLA: Banyan Tree Phuket has embraced technological innovation, such as smart services and a guest app. How do these technological advancements enhance the guest experience?

SJ: We are constantly evolving, and our effort is to meet our guests where they are at. Our guests are at the heart of all our innovation projects, and we do in-depth analysis to understand through focus groups, and surveys to understand what their needs are to ensure we continue to enjoy brand preference. The purpose of using a digital concierge app is so that we can simplify the hospitality experience for guests and ensure that everything they need is within their reach.

We thank you for giving us a glimpse into the world of Banyan Tree Phuket, Sittichai. We look forward to what’s in store for the award-winning hotel.

Visit https://www.banyantree.com/thailand/phuket to book your stay today.