Banyan Tree Krabi joins hands with a local fishing village, giving visitors an intimate opportunity to help create local products

Banyan Tree Krabi, a luxury 72-key resort situated on secluded Tubkaek Beach, is encouraging its visitors to immerse themselves in the local Southern Thai culture, by joining weekly excursions to a nearby island renowned for producing beautiful batik fabrics and woodcrafts.

The initiative is part of the Banyan Tree Group’s “Stay for Good” programme, launched two months ago, aimed at enticing guests at 5-star hotels worldwide to roll up their sleeves and join neighbouring villagers at work.

At the Balinese property of Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape, for example, guests spend a day with local farmers, foraging for fruits and edible plants, while at Garrya Nijo Castle Kyoto in Japan, visitors learn how to entwine grass to make traditional thatched roofs for villagers’ homes.

“At Banyan Tree Krabi, we invite our guests to embark on a day’s adventure at the quiet fishing town of Ban Koh Klang on a small island in the middle of the Krabi River,” said Sustainability Manager Ms Thepsuda Loyjiw. “It’s a great opportunity to travel by traditional longtail boat along the river where they might spot some rare bird species and wild monkeys among the mangroves. The island itself is a spectacular natural setting and among the hidden gems we visit is a series of majestic limestone caves.”

A lunch, inspired by home-grown fruits, vegetables and recipes passed down from one generation to the next, is served on a floating restaurant among the mangroves, then the guests meet the villagers and interact.

Among the daily pursuits the foreign visitors can experience are: joining the local craftsmen who intricately carve and create wooden models of longtail boats, which are sold in Krabi as souvenirs; and sitting with the women of Ban Koh Klang who are veterans of batik art, mixing organic dyes and skillfully painting colourful fabrics. Harvesting rice in the fields with a local family is included as a seasonal activity.

Launching the programme in May, Banyan Tree said it hopes the visits will “encourage a deeper connection with each destination while honouring the heritage and traditions and contribute to creating more opportunities for local communities.”

Constantly vying to reduce the hotel’s carbon footprint, in December Banyan Tree Krabi partnered with a local artisan, Souvenirs From the Sea, a project involving beachcombing for refuse and waste products that could be upcycled into sellable items such as tote bags.

Banyan Tree Krabi’s other recent sustainability initiatives include an Earth Day beach clean-up, and the introduction of Forest Bathing, a nature-based educational tour for guests, including children, to help raise awareness about environmental conservation and protecting local flora and fauna.

“Of course, many guests come to a serene destination to relax, to enjoy cocktails at sunset, spa treatments, and wining and dining,” said Loyjiw. “However, they also want to see the local customs, and nothing feels better than giving something back to the community.”

For more information, contact Banyan Tree Krabi at: krabi@banyantree.com or tel: +66 75 811 888.

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Banyan Tree announces its first signed property in Europe

Banyan Tree Varko Bay targets opening in 2026,
promising one of the best sustainable luxury experiences in Greece

Banyan Tree Group, one of the world’s leading multi-branded hospitality groups, is set to debut in Europe with the upcoming Banyan Tree Varko Bay. The new luxury resort to be developed on the Varko Peninsula in Pogonia, Aitoloakarnania, is the result of the successful collaboration between Banyan Tree and the French hospitality group, Accor. Targeting to open in 2026, the five-star resort will consist of approximately 116 villas and 43 branded residences, seamlessly embedded into the stunning coastal surroundings of the Varko Peninsula in Pogonia.
 
Applying Banyan Tree’s pioneering expertise across the all-pool villa concept, the resort aims to offer a unique sense of place through tranquil, wellbeing-centred accommodations, backdropped by unforgettable views of the Ionian Sea and the surrounding islands of Lefkada, Meganisi and Skorpios, as well as luxurious facilities for rejuvenation of both mind and body. This includes the award-winning Banyan Tree Spa, a water sports center, several state-of-the-art venues for meetings and events, a beach club, several bars and three restaurants including the signature Saffron where guests can dine on delectable Thai fare.

In keeping with Banyan Tree’s core pillar of sustainability, Banyan Tree Varko Bay will be constructed and operated with an uncompromising approach to sustainability and eco-sensitivity, immersing guests in a flourishing natural environment. Built in partnership with the award-winning Greek Elastic Architects, the resort aims to be the first in Europe to achieve LEED Gold (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification and to become a model of sustainability for the hospitality sector. Mirroring existing Banyan Tree developments, the resort will prioritise responsible water use—70% of water will be reused for irrigation, the use of renewable energy sources and the encouragement of vegetation growth. By ensuring the majority of all its hotels are covered with vegetation and developing plant-centred tropical spas, Banyan Tree creates beautiful contemporary spaces that are also friendly to the surrounding environment.

Banyan Tree Group operates over 60 hotels worldwide, with a potential pipeline of more than 50 projects  by 2025. The addition of Banyan Tree Varko Bay will build on the brand’s core concepts of sustainability and wellbeing-centred luxury, while reinforcing Banyan Tree’s leadership in this highly demanding sector.