Architrave designs Banyan Tree Krabi with rainforest-themed spa
– Robert Sexton
Banyan Tree Group has begun welcoming guests to a new 72-key beachfront resort and spa in Southern Thailand, named Banyan Tree Krabi.
Design studio, Architrave, realised the new resort which is inspired by Buddhism, as well as the surrounding natural landscape, water and a mythical sea creature from local Krabi legends.
Owned by Asset World Corporation, the five-star hotel houses a 517sq m rainforest-themed spa offering traditional Thai healing rituals using locally-sourced ingredients, with eight treatment rooms and two outdoor plunge pools.
Guests are offered a range of Thai massages and beauty therapies, as well as a Signature Rainforest Treatment, described by Banyan Tree as an ‘Amazonesque’ journey through vitality pools, a steamroom, sauna, ice fountain and rejuvenating water jets.
“Long ago, people believed that the ‘Great Naga’ – a mythical sea serpent – lived in the rollercoaster-shaped mountain range behind the new resort,” said GM Robert Sexton.
“You’ll see Naga-themed design inspirations throughout the hotel, including wavy artwork on the walls and amenities in all the rooms.”
Architrave has also designed a centrepiece for the resort in the form of an open-air lobby with a large circular cascading waterfall that falls into a running stream below into an underground room. The lobby is linked to the underground room using a Naga-shaped staircase
In keeping with Banyan Tree Group’s “Safe Sanctuary” programme rolled out during the pandemic, guests at the new resort will be assured of enhanced safety and hygiene protocols.
Among them is a personalised check-in and check-out service in their rooms. Prior to arrival, each guest is assigned a Banyan Tree Host - similar to a dedicated butler.
Upon checking in, guests receive a smartphone to contact their host at the touch of a button and enjoy personalised service.
Additional resort facilities include two restaurants and a beach bar, a kids’ club, a fitness centre and a meeting centre.
Banyan Tree Krabi becomes the Group’s fourth Banyan Tree resort in Thailand, following Banyan Tree Phuket, Banyan Tree Bangkok and Banyan Tree Samui.
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