Since opening its first resort
in 1994 in Phuket, Banyan Tree resorts and spas has come to be known for its
luxury properties in exotic locations. Now the family of boutique resorts is
offering an asset-backed Private Collection membership for those regularly
seeking an exclusive haven at some of the world’s most alluring destinations,
including the Maldives, the Seychelles and Bintan, in Indonesia.
The Banyan Tree destination club allows members to
stay at any of the resort company’s two-bedroom villas for one week per year.
Top: Villas at the Bintan property feature traditional Balinese
architecture and are raised on stilts to maximize views of the South China Sea.
Bottom: Members can choose to stay at any of the four villas at Banyan Tree’s
flagship resort in Phuket, all of which have a floating bed pavilion, in-villa
spa and glass-edge pool. Photography courtesy Banyan Tree. (Click images to enlarge)
A Private Collection membership, priced at $120,000 with annual
dues of $3,000, provides members seven nights at a two-bedroom villa at any of
the Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts. (In comparison, a one-week stay for a
non-member at one of the villas can cost up to $43,600.) Membership benefits
include discounts at the resorts’ restaurants and spas. And in addition to
two-bedroom villas at the Banyan Tree’s resorts, the collection’s inventory
includes two stand-alone, four-bedroom villas in Tuscany and Provence, as well
as a two-bedroom apartment in London.
As new resorts open, Private Collection members can take
advantage of Banyan Tree’s growing inventory of destinations. "Currently, Banyan
Tree has seven destinations, with over 10 more resorts slated to open by 2008 in
Mexico, Barbados, India, Morocco and Greece," says Rannie Tan, director of
membership sales of Banyan Tree Private Collection.
Top and Bottom: Each of the 55 single-story villas
at the Lijiang property in Shangri-La, China, is oriented northeast to take in
the views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Each villa measures at least 1,148
square feet, with a private garden and heated outdoor pool. The Garden Villa is
built with local materials such as pink stone, gray Naxi bricks and red clay
roof tiles. Photography courtesy Banyan Tree. (Click images to enlarge)
Each destination features a long-standing tradition of
complimentary services, specialty restaurants, world-famous spas and golf
courses. Although all Banyan Tree resorts feature these same high standards and
amenities, each is uniquely imbued with the local culture, decor and design. For
example, in Shangri-La, China, Banyan Tree purchased authentic Tibetan
farmhouses from locals, then dismantled and rebuilt them on-site. "Each of these
spacious two-story lodges now features a luxurious interior, including a
handcrafted wood bathtub and a blazing fireplace," says Tan. The resort in
Bintan, Indonesia, features Balinese-inspired villas perched on the lush
hillside, offering views of the South China Sea below.
Combining luxury services and decor with a cultural framework
has become part of Banyan Tree’s signature style. The in-house architectural
firm, Architrave Design and Planning, ensures that each destination offers what
Tan calls "a unique sense of place that is specific to its surrounding cultural
and physical landscape."
 The Vabbinfaru Villa in the Maldives is designed to
reflect the spiral of a seashell. The Banyan Tree is the only resort on the
island, granting guests exclusive use of its white sand beaches. Photograph courtesy Banyan Tree. (Click image to enlarge)
All memberships are transferable to other individuals and can
be held in perpetuity. Presently, each Private Collection villa offers 52
memberships, and as the number of villas increases, so will the number of
memberships. However, Tan notes that working in the framework of the existing
resorts offers members a unique feature. She explains, "We are able to draw upon
the inventory of the resorts at times when members’ demand exceeds Banyan Tree
Private Collection’s own inventory."
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