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Fast Facts

Swimming pool

Where is it?

In the Laguna Complex, bordering the west coast Bang Tao Beach, about 30 minutes from Phuket International Airport. See map below...

How many rooms/villas?

All in all, there are 150 villas with six different types: 32 Deluxe Villas, 12 Plunge Pool, 46 Pool, 24 Two-Bedroom Pool, 22 Double Pool and 14 Spa Pool.

Villa ground sizes range from 170sqm to 1,300sqm.

Room facilities

Lagoon pool villa

The major leitmotif throughout Banya Tree villas is quality Thai fittings and tasteful design and décor. All rooms have free WiFi, DVD and CD players, private gardens and outdoor bathing facilities with tasteful Buddhist ornaments.

The Deluxe Villa has an outdoor sunken tub and a jet pool with a timber sundeck. Pool Villas feature sun loungers, a dining patio, a Thai Sala with an outdoor sunken bath.

Two-Bedroom Pool Villas have en-suite bathrooms, a dressing area, a living room and dining patio as well as sun loungers, an outdoor sunken bath and a Thai Sala.

The large (1,300sqm) Double Pool Villas have the same amenities with full-length glass windows and a 10-metre long infinity pool while Banyan Tree's outstanding Spa Pool Villas feature a 'floating' bedroom pavilion, a jet pool, private steam room, sun loungers, a spa pavilion and swimming pool with bubble mats.

Lagoon pool villa's bedroom

I stayed in a Pool Villa with access to the lagoon at the bottom of the garden. The villa had 'his and her' sinks and separate cupboards with gowns and slippers. The lighting was a bit of a challenge to control but maybe I should have paid more attention to the staff member who had earlier explained the villa's accessories.

There was a large rain shower, excellent complimentary toiletries (this was the first time I had come across free sun cream and usable, rather than token, razors and toothbrushes) as well as a mountain of quality towels. A coffee machine near the fully stocked minibar and a good tea selection were good touches. Wooden and marble tops throughout added chic while the king-size bed – on a raised platform – was comfort itself.

Restaurants and Bars

Saffron restaurant

Saffron, Banyan Tree's signature restaurant, specializes in contemporary Thai cuisine while the other five outlets – Tamarind, Watercourt, Banyan Café, the Lobby Bar and Wine Rack and Sala Terrace, serve up a variety of cuisines and cocktails ranging from snack lunches to an excellent Western and Asian buffet breakfast (at Watercourt).

Special mention should be made of the Sanya Rak ('Promise of Love') dinner cruise.

The vessel – a converted Thai long-tail boat – is fitted out with a kitchen at the stern while a musician playing a 'kim' (a Southeast Asian version of a dulcimer) is seated at the prow. Up to four guests are seated in the middle at a table.

Sunset on the lagoon during dinner cruise

For two-and-a-half hours the boat slowly makes its way through the extensive waterways of the Laguna Complex, flirting with sea views and the sunset over the Andaman.

The attention to detail and excellent service adds to make the experience truly memorable.

Business facilities

Laguna Phuket Golf Club

Banyan Tree, with its extensive facilities and adaptable boardroom and meeting rooms, are ideal for business meetings from 18 to 80 attendees.

A full day meeting package is available with a boardroom for 18 people, a classroom for 60 and a theatre for 80, handled by experienced coordinators.

With the Laguna Phuket Golf Club adjoining the Banyan Café, après meeting golf is a serious temptation.

Leisure facilities

Banyan Tree Spa

The award-winning and stunningly beautifully designed Banyan Tree Spa has to be seen to be believed. Treatments can be taken in air-conditioned comfort (with a steam room) or in quasi-open-sided Thai Salas or, indeed, in your Spa Villa. Spa therapists undergo 300 hours of training.

There is also an 18-hole golf course with a driving range, putting and chipping areas. As for swimming facilities; apart from the villa pools there is a lap pool adjacent to the spa and a freeform pool with bubble mats, and a rapid water canal.

The library has two online computers with 30 complimentary minutes of internet and a good selection of books and DVD's. Bang Tao Beach is a few minutes stroll away and on the beach the hotel has a reserved section with sun loungers, a minimart, water sports equipment, a café, several satellite restaurants and even a tailor shop! Children's facilities are slightly limited but facilities in other Laguna group hotels are available and are only a shuttle bus ride away.

Overall

Villas with total privacy

Banyan Tree Phuket is an extremely peaceful place to be. The only sounds to fall upon guests' ears are the hissing of water sprinklers, the chirruping of birds and the rasping of cicadas.

The resort's many frangipanis lace the air with fragrance and, what with the constant cheerful greetings of passing staff members, there is an almost surreal touch to a stay here.

Electric buggies trundle to and fro, delivering supplies to villas and transporting guests, but even the furthest located villas are a leisurely five-to-ten minute stroll from reception.