About Banyan Group
Learn what we are all about
Our Story
Founded in 1994, Banyan Group has grown into an independent, global hospitality company with purpose. We create exceptional, design-led experiences across hotels, spas, residences, food and retail, with a portfolio of brands that cater to the diversity of our world.
Our diversified portfolio centres around an ecosystem of 12 global brands, including the award-winning Banyan Tree, Angsana, Cassia, Dhawa, Folio, Garrya, Homm, Laguna, and Skypark, as well as the brand extensions: Banyan Tree Escape, Banyan Tree Veya, and Angsana Heritage Collection.
Rooted in Sustainability
Our founders, Ho Kwon Ping and Claire Chiang, had lived in a fishing village called Banyan Tree Bay in the early years of their journey. Their shared experience led to a conviction that travel was transformative within ourselves, others and the world around us. Inspired by the name of the fishing village where they resided, as well as the symbolic significance of the banyan tree as a sacred shelter for travellers seeking refuge, Banyan Group was born.
A Regenerative Business
Championing our ethos of 'Embracing the Environment, Empowering People,' we harmonise business operations with natural and cultural heritage, cultivating meaningful partnerships with stakeholders. Each of our properties worldwide adopts a 'Stay for Good' framework, integrating responsible stewardship through creating exceptional, design-led experiences for guests, providing fair and dignified employment, enabling long-term prosperity for communities where we have a presence, protecting and remediating ecosystems, and generating sustained, long-term returns for shareholders.
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Laguna Resorts and Hotels, a Banyan Tree Holdings Limited subsidiary, acquires over 550 acres of abandoned tin mine land at Bang Tao Bay, Phuket, Thailand.
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With extensive site rehabilitation completed, Laguna Phuket, Asia’s first destination integrated resort opens.
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Architrave, the Group’s in-house architecture and design arm, is established in Thailand and Singapore.
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Laguna Phuket Golf Club opens.
A pioneer in education and community engagement, the Group establishes the Laguna Childcare Centre.
Laguna Phuket wins the American Express and International Hotel Association Environmental Award for remediating a toxic site.
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Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts is launched with the holistic ethos: “Embracing the Environment, Empowering People”.
The Group’s flagship luxury resort, Banyan Tree Phuket, is opened in Laguna Phuket. The resort includes the first Banyan Tree Spa.
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Banyan Tree Gallery is established.
The Group launches Laguna Bintan, our first project in Indonesia and second destination integrated resort in Asia.
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Angsana brand is launched with the opening of Angsana Bintan in Indonesia. Combining local chic with a fun-filled atmosphere, Angsana brings the adventure back into travel.
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The Green Imperative Fund is launched to formalise the Group’s sustainability efforts.
The Group establishes Banyan Tree Spa Academy, the first of its kind in Asia, to elevate therapists’ skills and the spa industry as a whole.
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The first resort-based facility in the Maldives, Banyan Tree Maldives Marine Lab, opens.
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Banyan Tree Ringha opens in Yunnan, marking the Group’s first foray into China.
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Banyan Tree Holdings Limited debuts on the Singapore Stock Exchange.
Ahead of its time in corporate reporting and transparency, the Group publishes its first Sustainability Report.
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Bintan Conservation Lab begins operations in Indonesia.
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Banyan Tree Management Academy is launched, marking a significant milestone in the Group’s commitment to internal talent development.
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Banyan Tree Global Foundation is established as the Group’s non-profit arm and an integral part of its management framework.
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The Group opens Laguna Lăng Cô, its first project in Vietnam and third destination integrated resort in Asia.
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The Group introduces its third brand, Cassia, to tap into the growing demand for lifestyle extended stay hotel residences.
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The first Cassia hotel opens in Phuket, Thailand.
Banyan Tree Spa enters the TTG Hall of Fame as Best Spa Operator.
The Group launches its fourth brand, Dhawa, aimed at meeting contemporary travellers’ demand for affordable and design-inspired full-service hotels.
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The first Dhawa hotel opens in Cayo Santa Maria, Cuba.
Banyan Tree Holdings enters a strategic long-term partnership with AccorHotels to develop and manage Banyan Tree-branded hotels around the world.
MATTER Prints, a textile-based artisan brand, enters Banyan Tree Gallery.
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Banyan Tree Group forms a joint venture with China Vanke Co. Ltd. focusing on active ageing and wellness hospitality projects.
The Group aligns its sustainability efforts with UN Sustainable Development Goals and a stakeholder-inclusive materiality framework.
Mandai Park Holdings appoints Banyan Tree Holdings as the operator of an eco-friendly resort to be located within the new integrated nature and wildlife destination at Mandai. This will be Banyan Tree Group’s first resort in Singapore.
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Banyan Tree Group celebrates its 25th Anniversary, Banyan Tree Marine Lab Maldives’ 15 th Anniversary and Banyan Tree Global Foundation’s 10th Anniversary.
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Banyan Tree Holdings Limited issues Convertible Bonds.
Banyan Tree Global Foundation inaugurates Greater Good Grants to support external environmental and community projects, in alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals and its ethos of “Embracing the Environment, Empowering People”.
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Banyan Tree Group launches Banyan Tree’s Wellbeing Sanctuary to clarify and democratise wellbeing for guests and associates through its 8 Pillars of Wellbeing.
Banyan Tree Group joins Expedia Group in the UNESCO Sustainable Travel Pledge, being among the first hospitality brands to do so.
Banyan Tree Group expands its ecosystem of brands with the introduction of Homm, Garrya and Folio, and two extensions of its flagship Banyan Tree brand – Banyan Tree Escape and Banyan Tree Veya. The first Garrya resort, Garrya Huzhou Lucun, opens in China, offering a distinct wellness approach in a modern, minimalist haven.
Homm Bliss Southbeach Patong in Phuket, Thailand, opens as the first of the Homm properties providing a sensible lifestyle and globally diverse experiences while embodying the feeling of home.
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The first Banyan Tree Veya opens in Phuket, featuring bespoke wellbeing journeys in a safe, relaxing space.
The Group launches its maiden properties in Japan, Garrya Nijo Castle Kyoto and Dhawa Yura Kyoto.
The first Banyan Tree Escape opens at Buahan, offering immersive experiences combining deep nature and sustainable design.
Banyan Tree Group and Laguna join the PGA Principal Partner Program.
Banyan Tree AlUla opens, marking the Group’s debut in Saudi Arabia.
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The launch of Angsana Heritage Collection as a brand extension of Angsana.
First Folio property in Osaka, Japan.
Laguna rewilding project in collaboration with SUGi.
70th Property Milestone.
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Banyan Tree Group Announces a Shift of its Name to Banyan Group.