Tag Archives: spa

Banyan Tree Samui, Thailand

Posted on by

The archipelago of southern Thailand is a tourist trap and Koh Samui, the third largest island, has been growing rapidly in popularity, attracting foreigners with its pristine beaches and laid back culture.

Initially, as we drove past Chaweng Beach, I wondered where the brochure shots came from… how could the busy strip of tacky shops and vendors be the idyllic paradise to which visitors trekked? I could not imagine the oasis at the other end of the island.

But drive a little further and you reach Banyan Tree Samui, a breathtaking, awe-inspiring property with villas perched on the green hillside. They surround a quiet secluded bay, used exclusively by the hotel guests.

The experience begins at reception where smiling staff welcome you to the view, I felt dizzy looking out… this is the postcard landscape that you will never get used to at Banyan Tree Samui. Cooling coconut water and a flower garland followed then it was all aboard the buggy with a personal butler ‘Summer’, and off to our hill crest villa. The hill grew steeper and steeper until we reached a grand wooden door. More steps led to a three room luxury villa. This elevated structure reflects traditional Thai architecture, spacious with a high ceiling and floor to ceiling windows offering views out over the Gulf of Thailand. Summer chatted away about the immaculate detailing of the facilities, I zoned out as I gawped at the view and wondered, who can I FaceTime first?

The stylish rooms show continuity with dark wood panelling, beige and brown furnishings with a touch of warmth from the burnt orange detailing. Despite the size and space the rooms feel cosy and homely. The huge white bed looks out to the incredible infinity pool which can be accessed from anywhere in your villa, and it is tempting to spend an hour struggling to take ‘selfies’ of yourself from every angle in the pool, my iPhone very nearly drowned.

Through to the bathroom and a giant indulgent bath tub looks ready to relax even the sternest of guests, black granite covers the surfaces. A glass-enclosed power-shower is also provided should you need it. Branded patterned bathrobes and wash bags are yours for the stay or available to buy to take home. We were lucky enough to see the sunrise, a spectacular vision at 6.15 in the morning.

There are numerous ways to occupy yourself whilst staying at Banyan Tree. We took part in coral replantation on the beach, which was both educational and fun, testament to the conservation work the staff do. The spa is renowned throughout Thailand boasting unrivalled facilities and expert staff; with hydrotherapy pools and a rainforest complex, there is a wealth of treatments to try. I can personally vouch for the Rainforest indulgence, a three hour experience which involves a hydro and Thermo circuit followed by a balancing massage. It is a sensory experience not to be missed.

The hotel has three exemplary restaurants: the Edge for breakfast, Saffron for traditional Thai and Sands for casual beachside cuisine. We enjoyed an atmospheric dinner at Saffron, which showcases the finest Thai flavours and cooking techniques. The meal begins with a ritualistic hand cleanse and a flower behind the ear! The food was faultless: sticky sweet pork ribs with honey was a highlight, tender juicy meat with a crisp caramelised edge coated in sweet marinade. Red curry was great too, and it was fun choosing between the four rice varieties that accompany the dish. Sticky rice, mango and coconut ice-cream was made to perfection here also.

Sitting at the highest point of the resort listening to the lyrical local music and gorging on the divine delicacies was unforgettable. I commend Banyan Tree on their beautiful establishment.

More information and book to stay at Banyan Tree Samui here: www.banyantree.com/en/samui/

The Pavilions, Phuket

Posted on by

The Pavilions Hotel in Phuket is the ultimate romantic destination. This quiet, secluded adults-only resort was our first stop in Phuket. The blissful and beautiful location conveyed an idyllic impression of Thailand’s largest island, little did I know of the tourist invaded streets a short car ride away.

Found at one of Phuket’s highest points, the Pavilions’ villas nestle amongst the lush greenery looking out towards the azure Andaman Sea. After a twenty minute air-conditioned drive, the smart hotel pick-up service delivered us efficiently at the main reception. The staff seemed excited to see us, chiming the ceremonial gong and greeting us with sweetly scented flowers and a refreshing, tangy welcome drink.

Thankfully nippy buggies escort guests around the resort which is rather hilly. There are a variety of luxury villas on offer for couples to choose from. We experienced two types, first the grand and indulgent ocean-view pool suite. This huge apartment showed an obvious Chinese influence, with a deep red and glossy black colour theme. I ran around frantically discovering new details, it was impossible to choose a favourite room.

A few features stood out: the super-sized sofa plumped up with cushions, the sleek bar complete with golden Buddha and the stunning private terrace and shimmering infinity pool. The modern amenities were disguised discreetly amongst the décor, though a giant flatscreen TV was particularly decadent in the main room. The bedroom was one of a kind, with an uber-comfortable big bed, topped with a retro ‘amore’ pillow and a brilliant bright red rose carpet on the floor.

I was pleased to notice characterful and intriguing artwork and artefacts adorning the suite. The bathroom had a beautiful black and white print on the wall, while other rooms had more colourful graphic pictures by Christiam Develter on the walls. Spacious and airy, the bathroom was like a salon or spa in itself, with enough floor space to hold a small yoga class! Marble surfaces, a duo of sinks and piles of soft towels and regal maroon dressing gowns completed the luxury.

For our second night at Pavilions, we were lucky enough to try a Spa Pavilion featuring its own private spa and steam room, a facility I have never seen in a hotel room before! Equally attractive but with differing features and less vibrant interior design, this was a lovely variation illustrating the versatility of the resort. Pavilions is known for its exemplary spa and its talented therapists. The massage was faultless, a ritualistic treatment that began with a relaxing foot massage before the balancing oil body massage, it was all enjoyed in the comfort of our own villa. For spa-keen couples it really is an unmissable feature.

Food and drink can be enjoyed in the resort, or guests may choose to sample the nearby traditional Thai restaurants, which come highly recommended. I loved beach eatery Som, where you dine on Asian delicacies with your feet in the sand. For sundowners the cocktails at 360 Bar in the hotel cannot be beaten. Try the fruity love potions while admiring the view and picking at flavoursome tapas snacks. Breakfast is immaculate too, with the flakiest croissants, delicious coffee and a very tasty hot French toast from the a la carte menu. I found the staff particularly endearing here too, so smiley and keen to chat about English football! It is worth noting too how efficient and practical the concierge staff at Pavilions are, eager to help plan an excursion or to help you navigate your way to the nearby Layan beach, which can be reached by the hotel’s complimentary open air ‘songthaew’ shuttle.

As the gong sounded to mark our departure, I realised how sad I was to be leaving Pavilions behind. This resort ensures every couple visiting has an unforgettable stay, I understand now why their return rate is so high.

More information and book a stay at The Pavilions Phuket here: www.thepavilionsresorts.com/phuket-home/

Mandarin Oriental Bangkok

Posted on by

The Mandarin Oriental is without doubt the most recognised and renowned hotel in Bangkok.  An impressive 138 years old, this institution offers an oasis of Oriental cool and calm and all the luxuries you could ever desire.

Mandarin Oriental is the only property in Bangkok with facilities both sides of the Chao Phraya River. It was the first luxury hotel in south-east Asia. Originally titled just ‘Oriental,’ the hotel joined with the Mandarin company in 1974 and together they built the new River Wing. It was only in 2008 that the name changed to the Mandarin Oriental. It is still known to many locals and loyal visitors as just ‘The Oriental’.

The road is quite ordinary and typically Thai. It was a revelation to discover the hotel amongst street stalls and jewellery shops; most of the city’s five star establishments are found on main roads huddled together, but here in downtown Bangkok the vibrant flavour and culture of Thailand is more evident than ever. It is testament to the quality of the hotel that it has survived and thrived for so long in such a contrasting area.

Driving up the leafy driveway, I could feel my anticipation and excitement rise. My grandfather had already made me promise… “If there is one place you visit in Bangkok it must be The Oriental”. I’d heard stories of evenings spent in the glittering lobby and couldn’t wait to step inside and see it for myself.

Traditional and fragrant jasmine flower wreaths were placed, like Christmas tree baubles on our thumbs as we were welcomed into the breezy air conditioned foyer with a smile. It definitely has the wow factor, a magnificent deep purple beaded chandelier hangs heavy from the ceiling, lanterns hint at the history of the country, and full length windows offer natural light and a peek of the lush green gardens outside.

Upstairs our deluxe room continued to exceed all expectations. A heavenly soft bed to ease you to sleep, a giant bath to wash away the stress of the day and a wonderfully comforting chocolate brown silk robe to wear when you are feeling weary. From our twelfth floor room, the view over the river and city is spectacular, and I noticed a surge on my social media as I proudly posted the photograph I’d taken. The usual luxuries are all in place, exceptional amenities and features… but I was thrilled to discover the thoughtful little extras that the Mandarin Oriental provides for guests. I particularly noticed the specially made gold leaf embossed writing paper neatly arranged on the desk, personalised for each guest, the generous bottle of Thai bath oil and the lovely fan, left as a gift. On the desk we also found the hotel newsletter, appropriately named ‘The Oriental Times’ – designed to replicate a broadsheet, this offers interesting news and information about the hotel.

Food options are plentiful at The Mandarin Oriental; Le Normandie is famous for its French fine dining; The China House offers authentic Cantonese dishes in a contemporary style and Lord Jim’s enjoys a worldwide reputation for its seafood. For more relaxed dining, The Verandah is open all day, whilst Bamboo bar showcases live jazz and boasts an unbeatable cocktail list, for simple sundowner drinks and Italian tapas there is Ciao Bar. We skipped these tempting eateries in search of the finest Thai food on the river’s edge at Sala Rim Naam, sitting on the idyllic terrace where we could enjoy the warm, exotic breeze. Keen to try a selection of specialities we let the staff choose our meal… deep fried herbed crab meat and minced chicken salad was a highlight. For mains the sweet and spicy red curry with lychees and roasted duck was fragrant, flavoursome and creamy while Australian lamb chops with tamarind sauce featured the highest quality meat cooked to perfection. There are many exemplary Thai restaurants in Bangkok, but few which provide such a spectacular view from the table.

When it comes to relaxation and revitalisation, the Oriental Spa provides the ideal refuge. The spa is located across the Chao Phraya river, though easy to reach by the complimentary river shuttle provided by the hotel crossing every five minutes.  We experienced the Oriental Signature Treatment, an essential oil massage with Thai and European techniques. This 90 minute massage was our first spa experience in Thailand, and is still memorable even after numerous treatments in Asia. The staff went to extra trouble to ensure we were comfortable and relaxed every step of the treatment. Tailoring the treatment to suit me entirely, my therapist attended to stiff areas of my back, stimulating and soothing my body from head to toe. A hot ginger tea was refreshing, nourishing and hydrating at the end of the treatment. Beauty by Mandarin Oriental has recently opened, teaming up with QMS Medicosmetics, adding another experience to your must-try itinerary!

Next morning as we enjoyed our breakfast on the terrace, I marvelled at my surroundings. Mandarin Oriental Bangkok has history, elegance and style that is unrivalled in this city.

More information and book here: www.mandarinoriental.com/bangkok/