Banyan Tree Samui, one of Thailand’s leading luxury resorts and a trailblazer in sustainability and eco-friendliness, marks its 15th anniversary in July.
Located at the southeasternmost point of the island of Koh Samui and tiered into a verdant hillside, the 38-acre property is rich in flora and plant life, commands its own private palm-fringed beach, and is flanked by coral reefs.
The site for this 5-star hotel was discovered and then developed by Asset World Corporation (AWC), which currently maintains the largest hospitality portfolio in Thailand. The group owns a diverse portfolio of best-in-class and award-winning hotel properties across the country, each reflecting authentic culture blended with luxury and refinement. All hotels in the AWC portfolio embrace socially-responsible ideals and sustainable practices.
In its 15 years as a landmark on the tropical island — recently in the spotlight as the film location for the US hit series The White Lotus — Banyan Tree Samui has won a string of awards and accolades for sustainability and environmental policies, and renown as a readers’ choice favourite in international travel magazines such as Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure.
"As we celebrate our 15th anniversary, we are truly grateful for the support and loyalty of all our associates [staff] and our guests, who together have raised the reputation of Banyan Tree Samui into the much-loved resort that it is today," said Remko Kroesen, the General Manager of Banyan Tree Samui. "We are committed to continuing our legacy for many more years to come.
“At the same time, we remain dedicated to the Koh Samui environment and to assisting the local community whenever we can, whether in funding work at schools or temples, or via our ‘Seedlings’ programme, which provides scholarships to young Samui students.
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“Thanks to the incredible successes at this resort in terms of outstanding guest reviews and awards for sustainable practices and environmental innovations, AWC was able to turn its attention to the Andaman coast, where a sister resort, Banyan Tree Krabi, was built on the same principals and launched in 2020,” he said.
Both resorts have established a code of conduct that prioritizes the sourcing of products from local suppliers who have demonstrated a commitment to sustainability. Seafood, cage-free eggs, fruit and vegetables are all sourced from nearby producers, while coffee and tea is purchased from northern Thai farmers. The resorts also provide an outlet for local artisans and vendors to sell homemade wares to guests.
The resort’s milestones:
2010: Banyan Tree Samui officially opens on 1 July.
2011: The “Seedlings” programme is launched with scholarship grants for three students. Over 15 years, Banyan Tree Samui sponsors 12 students. Banyan Tree Samui is selected in the TTG Travel Awards as “Best New Beach Resort Hotel”.
2012: At the Thailand Spa & Wellbeing Awards, Banyan Tree Spa Samui wins the People’s Choice Award for Amazing Resort Spa, while the Rainforest Indulgence scoops the prize for Innovative Spa Treatment.
2013: Banyan Tree Samui receives the first of six consecutive awards for Health & Wellness Tourism from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
2014: Recognising the resort’s commitment to sustainable hotel practices, Banyan Tree Samui is awarded Green Hotel Award Gold Certification by Thailand's Department of Environmental Quality Promotion.
2015: The resort launches marine excursions on its private speedboat, Sense of the Sea, giving guests the opportunity to visit some of Thailand’s most idyllic islands and lagoons.
2016: The resort’s signature restaurant, Saffron, is listed among Thailand’s Best Restaurants by Tatler Magazine.
2017: Banyan Tree Samui is welcomed into Virtuoso, the leading global network of travel agencies specializing in luxury and experiential travel, and becomes accredited with American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts.
2018: Two of the students from the Seedlings programme graduate high school. Banyan Tree Samui continues supporting them until they each graduate university five years later.
2019: Banyan Tree Samui becomes the first and only hotel in Thailand to be awarded “Gold Certification” at a single-property level by EarthCheck, the world’s leading scientific benchmarking, certification and advisory group for travel and tourism. Five years later, the resort would be granted “Platinum Certification” — once again the first hotel in Thailand to achieve this distinction.
2020: A giant sea turtle lays eggs on the resort’s secluded beach. Six weeks later, some 300 baby turtles are born under the watchful gaze of the hotel’s resident marine biologist and sustainability manager, Thepsuda Loyjiw, and her team.
2021: Banyan Tree Samui opens its Wellbeing Sanctuary, offering guests a tailor-made vacation dedicated to holistic and wellbeing pursuits.
2022: Following severe storm damage to a local school on Koh Samui, the hotel donates funds for reconstruction. General Manager Remko Kroesen and several volunteers from the hotel roll up their sleeves and help out with landscaping and other labour-intensive tasks.
2023: Leading US travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler reveals its “Best Hotels in Thailand” readers’ choice awards. Banyan Tree Samui comes in at Number 3 hotel in Thailand.
2024: The MICHELIN Guide recognises Banyan Tree Samui as a “Two-Key” hotel in its inaugural Thailand edition, while at the TTG Asia Awards, the resort wins the prize for Best Luxury Hotel in Koh Samui. The MICHELIN Guide also lists Saffron among its prestigious restaurant recommendations in Thailand.
A Sanctuary for the Senses
The resort's 88 spacious pool villas, each with its own private infinity pool, provide a serene and secluded oasis where guests can unwind and reconnect with nature. Designed to seamlessly blend with the surrounding landscape, the villas feature contemporary Thai architecture and are adorned with locally sourced materials and artwork, creating a truly authentic and immersive experience.
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.
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