Banyan Tree Group starts the year on a positive note with over 30 awards and accolades received in the first quarter. These recent acknowledgments bring the Group’s total number of awards to over 450 since Banyan Tree’s inception 14 years ago in Phuket. With close to 30 resorts slated to open in the next four years, the awards reflect Banyan Tree’s strong global branding and continued focus on innovation as the Group continues its expansion beyond Asia-Pacific.
Growing in Strength in China
Banyan Tree Lijiang was given the nod by China’s prestigious Hurun Report for Best Yunnan Luxury Resort in the 2009 Best of the Best Awards. Banyan Tree Ringha has also added a well deserved feather to its cap with its inclusion as one of the Best Hotels for Rooms in Asia in Condé Nast Traveller’s 2009 Gold List. The reputable Condé Nast Traveller Gold List is a combination of the editor's choice and the highest ranking hotels in the previous year’s Readers' Travel Awards.
China Hotel Starlight Award 2009, meanwhile, awarded both Banyan Tree Lijiang and Banyan Tree Ringha the title of The Top 10 Glamorous Hotels of China. In addition, Banyan Tree’s latest foray in China, Banyan Tree Sanya was recognised as one of The Best New Opening Hotels of China.
These awards and accolades further boost Banyan Tree’s growing presence in China. The Group currently operates four resorts in China and will be opening Banyan Tree Hangzhou later in 2009. This growth is in line with the Group’s pipeline of upcoming properties and spas in China under the Banyan Tree and Angsana brands.
Recognition by Industry Specialists
Banyan Tree Phuket has been voted the Winner of Best Brand Experience in Singapore-based AdAsia magazine’s 2009 Readership Travel Survey. Banyan Tree Bintan was a close front-runner as second runner-up in the same category. AdAsia Magazine is a leading monthly publication for the advertising, marketing and media industry with an affluent, discerning group of readers who travel frequently. Another respected industry magazine, CEI Asia Pacific, has named Banyan Tree Phuket the Best Spa Resort in the annual CEI Asia Pacific: Industry Survey 2009. CEI is Asia Pacific's leading title for the convention, exhibition and incentive travel industry.
Employer of Choice
Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts has been named as one of the Top 10 Best Employers in Thailand by the Hewitt Best Employers in Thailand 2009 study. Hewitt Associates, a global human resources consulting and outsourcing company, conducted the survey with over 17,000 Thai employees, making this the largest and most comprehensive employee-based study in Thailand.
Wellness Reigns
Banyan Tree Spa affirms its position as one of Asia’s leading spa operators after being awarded Best Spa Chain by China’s respected Hurun Report, Best of the Best Awards 2009. This follows from Banyan Tree Spa coming in as Best Spa Operator of China in the 2009 China Hotel Starlight Award. Banyan Tree Spa Phuket was also recognised in the highly regarded UK’s Condé Nast Traveller’s Spa Special as one of the Best in Asia and Indian Subcontinent.
Cementing Banyan Tree Spa’s position as a popular choice with spa connoisseurs, Banyan Tree Spa Phuket was named as Best Spa Resort in Asia Pacific in DestinAsian’s 2008 Readers' Choice Awards, while Banyan Tree Spa Bangkok was voted as the Best City Spa in Asia Pacific. DestinAsian is a leading, travel and lifestyle magazine in the Asia-Pacific region.
2009 Awards and Accolades
Following the awards announcements in December last year, Banyan Tree Group has since received the following commendations:
Travel
“Best Yunnan Luxury Resort”
~ Hurun Report “Best of the Best Awards 2009”
Banyan Tree Lijiang
“Best Hotels for Rooms - Asia”
~ Condé Nast Traveller (UK) “Gold List 2009”
Banyan Tree Ringha
“Best Spa Resort”
~ CEI Asia Pacific “Industry Survey 2009”
Banyan Tree Phuket
“Top 25 Asia Resorts”
~ Condé Nast Traveler (US) “Gold List 2009”
Banyan Tree Phuket
“Top 10 Glamorous Hotels of China”
~ “China Hotel Starlight Award 2009”
Banyan Tree Lijiang
Banyan Tree Ringha
“The Best New Opening Hotels of China”
~ “China Hotel Starlight Award 2009”
Banyan Tree Sanya
“Top 10 Honeymoon Hotels Worldwide”
~ The World’s Best Hotels 2009
Banyan Tree Seychelles
“Top Spa Resort in the World”
“The Best 100 Resorts”
~ Resorts Magazine “Hospitality Award 2009”
Banyan Tree Al Areen
Banyan Tree Lijiang
Banyan Tree Ringha
Banyan Tree Bintan
Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru
Banyan Tree Seychelles
Banyan Tree Phuket
“Best Hotel in Phuket”
~ DestinAsian’s “2008 Readers' Choice Awards”
Banyan Tree Phuket
“Top Spa Resort in the World”
“Top Ten Resorts in the World”
“Top Desert Resort – 2nd”
~ Resorts Magazine “Hospitality Award 2009”
Banyan Tree Al Areen
“Best All Inclusive – 9th”
“Best Luxury, Asia – 8th”
“Best for Romance, Asia – 7th”
~ Trip Advisor “Travelers’ Choice Awards 2009”
Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru
“Indulge in Luxury”
~ “World Hotel Award 2009”
Banyan Tree Seychelles
Spa
“Best Spa Chain”
~ Hurun Report “Best of the Best Awards”
Banyan Tree Spa
“Best Spa Operator in China”
~ China Hotel Starlight Award 2009
Banyan Tree Spa
“Best in Asia & Indian Subcontinent – 6th”
~ Condé Nast Traveller (UK) Spa Special
Banyan Tree Spa Phuket
“Best City Spa in Asia Pacific”
~ DestinAsian “2008 Readers' Choice Awards”
Banyan Tree Spa Bangkok
“Best Spa Resort in Asia Pacific”
~ DestinAsian “2008 Readers' Choice Awards”
Banyan Tree Spa Phuket
CSR
“Save the Planet Awards 2009”
~ Travart.com
Angsana Velavaru
Corporate
“Singapore 1000: Sales Turnover Excellence Awards”
~ Singapore 1000 “Singapore SME 500 2009”
Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts
“30 Most Influential People of China’s Hotel Industry”
~ “China Hotel Starlight Award 2009”
Vice President, Area General Manager, Banyan Tree Lijiang, Maximilian Lennkh
“Top 10 Best Employers in Thailand”
~ “Hewitt Best Employers in Thailand 2009 study”
Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts
