2005

We visited the Banyan Tree Phuket, on the Andaman Sea in June - the beginning of the monsoon season in Thailand. The only evidence of this was a very rough surf and occasional overcast sky. The resort had something for everyone. My teenage children enjoyed the free-form pool with winding "rivers" and swim-up bar that served a wide variety of exotic fruit drinks. My husband and daughter enjoyed a round of golf at the 18-hole Banyan Tree Laguna Phuket Golf Course. My son enjoyed taking the shuttle boat from one Laguna resort to another to sample the beaches. My husband and I enjoyed the private Sanya Rak Dinner Cruise with our own chef to prepare the traditional Thai meal and our own musician to provide traditional Thai music while we floated around the lagoon. We all enjoyed the beautiful room, open-air tub, and Jacuzzi in our private garden. There were many nice touches: stationary with our names printed on it, fresh fruit each day such as Chompoo (Rose Apple) and Som-or (Pomelo), and a gift each night such as a ceramic candle holder and a traditional Thai puppet.

I, of course, enjoyed the Banyan Tree Spa. Before I go into spa details, it is worth mentioning that Laguna Phuket, home of The Banyan Tree and four other five-star hotels, used to be an abandoned tin mine not that long ago. It had been written off as too environmentally damaged to ever sustain vegetation again as recently as 1987. The owners invested $300 million dollars to bring in clean soil, replant the land, and create world-class resorts around a lagoon. The results are impressive. The Banyan Tree Phuket opened in 1993 and the Banyan Tree Spa opened a year later.

Banyan Tree's motto is "Sanctuary for the Senses." No where is this more evident than the spa. Unlike any other spa I have been to, the Banyan Tree Spa, like the resort itself, is a loosely associated group of spaces that blend the indoors and outdoors. The spa reception area is accessed from the open-air spa lobby. Here you can make spa reservations and check in for treatments. The vast offering of spa services (below) blends ancient Eastern healing and relaxation techniques, many using fresh ingredients, with Western rejuvenation treatments. I scheduled a Thai Herbal Steam and Thai Massage. I checked in, was escorted to a bench next to the lap pool, and was given a refreshing drink. When time for my treatment arrived, my therapist, Ms. Junya, lead me to a group of small buildings on the other side of the lap pool and to my spa pavilion. Entering through beautifully decorated doors, I found myself in a private open-air room. The decor was exotic and breathtaking - inviting relaxation area with sumptuous fabrics and pillows, lush vegetation, tranquil pools, and twin massage tables covered in silk. I relaxed on the pillows, sipping safflower tea while Ms. Junya gave me a foot bath. I disrobed and had a steam in the private steam room large enough for two then rinsed off in the open-air shower. I put on the loose garment for the Thai massage and climbed on the table. This was my last Thai massage in Thailand. Time was suspended. Ms. Junya was very thorough and gave me what may have been the best Thai massage I have ever had. It was fantastic! When it was over, I relaxed on the pillows, drank more refreshing safflower tea, and ate some dried fruit. It was an outstanding experience in an outstanding location.

The spa has twelve self-contained treatment rooms like the one I was in, 4 of them older (6 years) and recently refurbished. Five rooms are located indoors in the Beauty Garden and are air conditioned. Three private steam rooms are also located there. Thirteen Spa Suites will be built by the end of 2001.

The Banyan Tree Spa opened The Banyan Tree Spa Academy in May 2001. Here it trains all spa therapists for all Banyan Tree and Angsana spas. Employees go through a twelve-week course where they learn things such as positive breathing and how to use proper body weight and energy (not strength) in massage. Much like Tai Chi, they learn to use their centers. They learn to transfer energy to their clients. After they graduate, they have refresher classes every three-four months. With this program, Banyan Tree can ensure quality and consistency of the spa services they offer and protect their employees from the physical stresses treatments can demand.

Banyan Tree Resort Phuket  Located at the shores of Bang Tao Bay, Banyan Tree Resort Phuket is located at a 25-minute drive from the town. Bordered by the golden sands and gentle waves of the Andaman Sea, the resort is an oasis of peace and tranquillity. You can enjoy divine meals in the elegant surroundings of the restaurants. Satisfy a hearty appetite with tasty Thai classics and other tempting items at the cafe. A wide choice of villas is available at Banyan Tree. Where the Two-Bedroom Pool Villa offers ultimate pleasure and is designed with a Jacuzzi and spacious poolside terrace, the Spa Pool Villa epitomizes romance, indulgence and rejuvenation. Set against the backdrop of the panoramic Bay, the spectacular Pool Villa features a private pool flanked by fragrant gardens. Nestled amidst a picturesque garden is the Lagoon Jacuzzi Villa exuding peace and tranquillity, while the Jacuzzi Villa is luxuriously appointed and has an elegant open-air Jacuzzi.