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Banyan Tree Spa at The
Banyan Tree Phuket
by Julie Register
We visited the Banyan
Tree Phuket, on the Andaman Sea in June - the beginning of the
monsoon season in Thailand. The only evidence of this was a very rough
surf and occasional overcast sky. The resort had something for everyone.
My teenage children enjoyed the free-form pool with winding
"rivers" and swim-up bar that served a wide variety of exotic
fruit drinks. My husband and daughter enjoyed a round of golf at the
18-hole Banyan Tree Laguna Phuket Golf Course. My son enjoyed taking the
shuttle boat from one Laguna resort to another to sample the beaches. My
husband and I enjoyed the private Sanya Rak Dinner Cruise with our
own chef to prepare the traditional Thai meal and our own musician to
provide traditional Thai music while we floated around the lagoon. We
all enjoyed the beautiful room,
open-air tub, and Jacuzzi in our private garden. There were many nice
touches: stationary with our names printed on it, fresh fruit each day
such as Chompoo (Rose Apple) and Som-or (Pomelo), and a gift each night
such as a ceramic candle holder and a traditional Thai puppet.
I, of course, enjoyed
the Banyan
Tree Spa. Before I go into spa details, it is worth mentioning that
Laguna Phuket, home of The Banyan Tree and four other five-star hotels,
used to be an abandoned tin mine not that long ago. It had been written
off as too environmentally damaged to ever sustain vegetation again as
recently as 1987. The owners invested $300 million dollars to bring in
clean soil, replant the land, and create world-class resorts around a
lagoon. The results are impressive. The Banyan Tree Phuket opened in
1993 and the Banyan Tree Spa opened a year later.
Banyan Tree's motto is
"Sanctuary for the Senses." No where is this more evident than
the spa. Unlike any other spa I have been to, the Banyan Tree Spa, like
the resort itself, is a loosely associated group of spaces that blend
the indoors and outdoors. The spa reception area is accessed from the
open-air spa lobby. Here you can make spa reservations and check in for
treatments. The vast offering of spa services (below) blends ancient
Eastern healing and relaxation techniques, many using fresh ingredients,
with Western rejuvenation treatments. I scheduled a Thai Herbal Steam
and Thai Massage. I checked in, was escorted to a bench next to the lap
pool, and was given a refreshing drink. When time for my treatment
arrived, my therapist, Ms. Junya, lead me to a group of small buildings
on the other side of the lap pool and to my spa pavilion. Entering
through beautifully decorated doors, I found myself in a private
open-air room. The decor was exotic and breathtaking - inviting
relaxation area with sumptuous fabrics and pillows, lush vegetation,
tranquil pools, and twin massage tables covered in silk. I relaxed on
the pillows, sipping safflower tea while Ms. Junya gave me a foot bath.
I disrobed and had a steam in the private steam room large enough for
two then rinsed off in the open-air shower. I put on the loose garment
for the Thai massage and climbed on the table. This was my last Thai
massage in Thailand. Time was suspended. Ms. Junya was very thorough and
gave me what may have been the best Thai massage I have ever had. It was
fantastic! When it was over, I relaxed on the pillows, drank more
refreshing safflower tea, and ate some dried fruit. It was an
outstanding experience in an outstanding location.
The spa has twelve
self-contained treatment rooms like the one I was in, 4 of them older (6
years) and recently refurbished. Five rooms are located indoors in the
Beauty Garden and are air conditioned. Three private steam rooms are
also located there. Thirteen Spa Suites will be built by the end of
2001.
The Banyan Tree Spa opened
The Banyan Tree Spa Academy in May 2001. Here it trains all spa
therapists for all Banyan Tree and Angsana spas. Employees go through a
twelve-week course where they learn things such as positive breathing
and how to use proper body weight and energy (not strength) in massage.
Much like Tai Chi, they learn to use their centers. They learn to
transfer energy to their clients. After they graduate, they have
refresher classes every three-four months. With this program, Banyan
Tree can ensure quality and consistency of the spa services they offer
and protect their employees from the physical stresses treatments can
demand.
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Banyan
Tree Spa
Treatments
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Spa
Services |
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Massotherapy and Body Treatments
- Tension Relief Massage
- Banyan Massage
- Swedish Massage
- Lomi Lomi Massage
- Essence of Earth Massage
- Sports Massage
- Indonesian Massage
- Honey Release Massage
- Thai Massage
- Asian Blend Massage
- Balancing Treatment:
- Senses
Reviver
- Spa Body Cleanser:
- Honey Seed
Rub
- Body
Stimulating Polish
- Salt
Glow
- Oasis
of Enlightenment
- Spa Body Treatment:
- Oriental Foot Massage
- Soothing
Body Mask
- Calming
Back Treatment
- Royal
Thai Honey Steam Wrap
- Natural
Thai Herbal Body Wrap
- Thai
Herbal Heat Treatment
- Mud
Body Mask
- White
Mud Body Wrap
- Seaweed
Body Mask
-
Javanese
Lulur
- Natural
Thai Herb Exotica
- Thai
Herbal Heat Reviver
- Thai
Herbal Heat Rejuvenation
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Beauty Treatments
- Facials:
- Thai
Honey Facial
- Earth
Essence Facial
- Exhilarating
Lifting Mask
- Natural
Indonesian Facial
- Banyan
Cleansing Facial
- Depilatory Waxing
- Nail Care
- Hair Care
- Margy's Jet Lag Treatment
- Valmont Collagen Facial
- Valmont Skin Whitening Facial
- Desensitising Facial Massage
Steam Room
Body Treatments
(for single or couple)
- Heavenly Package (Breath
of Herbal Scrub)
- Natural Dream Package (Mist
of Paradise Scrub)
- Purity Package (Ocean
Diamond Scrub)
- Sweet Harmony Package (Tropical Heaven
Scrub)
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Body
Cleanse & Massage (2 hours)
Includes Steam or Sauna
Oasis of Peace
- Steam or Sauna (20 min)
- Body Stimulating Polish
(40 min)
- Lomi Lomi Massage (60 min)
- Vision Enhancer Elixir
Oasis of Bliss
- Steam or
Sauna (20 min)
- Body Stimulating Polish
(40 min)
- Indonesian Massage
(60 min)
- Dream Elixir
Oasis of Bliss
- Steam or
Sauna (20 min)
- Body Stimulating Polish
(40 min)
- Indonesian Massage
(60 min)
- Dream Elixir
Oasis of
Harmony
- Steam or
Sauna (20 min)
- Salt Glow (40 min)
- Swedish Massage (60 min)
- Aromatic Elixir
Oasis of
Serenity
- Steam or
Sauna (20 min)
- Loofah Scrub (40 min)
- Essence of Earth Massage
(60 min)
- Herbal Elixir |
Massage
& Body Treatment (2 hours)
Spirit
- Indonesian Massage (60 min)
- White Mud Body Wrap
(60 min)
- Ginger & Cinnamon Elixir
Prana
- Tension Relief Massage
(30 min)
- Seaweed Body Mask
(90 min)
- Herbal Elixir
Chi
- Senses Reviver (60 min)
- Calming Back Treatment
(60 min)
- Yin & Yang Elixir
Earth
- Essence of Earth Massage
(60 min)
- Mud Body Mask (60 min)
- Vision Enhancer Elixir
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| Body
Cleanse & Massage For Couples
Romance
- Steam or Sauna (20 min)
- Loofah Scrub (40 min)
- Lomi Lomi Massage (60 min)
- Tropical Fruit Elixir
Javanese Lulur
- Indonesian Massage
(60 min)
- Exfoliation Scrub (30 min)
- Yoghurt Rub Down (20 min)
- Scented Flower Bath
(10 min)
- Jamu Elixir
The Asian
Affair
- Steam or Sauna (20 min)
- Body Stimulating Polish
(40 min)
- Swedish Massage (60 min)
- Dream Elixir
Sea of Senses
- Steam or Sauna (20 min)
- Salt Glow (40 min)
- Essence of Earth Massage
(60 min)
- Aromatic Elixir |
Half-Day
Programme (3 hours)
Voyage of
Peace
- Essence of Earth Massage (60 min)
- Seaweed Body Mask
(60 min)
- Natural Indonesian Facial
(60 min)
- Aromatic Elixir
Voyage of
Bliss
-
Lomi Lomi Massage (60 min)
- White Mud Body Wrap
(60 min)
- Earth Essence Facial
(60 min)
- Aromatic Elixir
Voyage of
Harmony
- Senses Reviver (60 min)
- Calming Back Treatment
(60 min)
- Thai Honey Facial (60 min)
- Yin & Yang Elixir
Voyage of
Transformation
- Swedish Massage (60 min)
- Mud Body Mask (60 min)
- Banyan Cleansing Facial
(60 min)
- Vision Enhancer Elixir |
One-Day
Programme (7 hours)
Includes Lunch
Vision of
Radiance
- Steam or Sauna (15 min)
- Cucumber & Ginger Body Cleanser (30 min)
- Soothing Body Masque
(30 min)
- Indonesian Massage (90 min)
- Banyan Cleansing Facial
(60 min)
Lunch (75 min)
- Royal Manicure and Royal Pedicure (120 min)
- Jamu Elixir
Vision of Calm
- Steam or Sauna (15 min)
- Seaweed Body Mask
(60 min)
- Lomi Lomi Massage (90 min)
- Earth Essence Facial
(60 min)
Lunch (75 min)
- Royal Manicure and Royal Pedicure (120 min)
- Dream Elixir
Vision of
Serenity
- Steam or Sauna (15 min)
- Mud Body Mask (60 min)
- Swedish Massage (90 min)
- Thai Honey Facial (60 min)
Lunch (75 min)
- Royal Manicure and Royal Pedicure (120 min)
- Aromatic Elixir
Vision of
Peace
- Steam or Sauna (15 min)
- Sports Massage (90 min)
- Mud Body Mask (60 min)
- Banyan Cleansing Facial(75 min)
Lunch (75 min)
- Royal Manicure and Royal Pedicure (120 min)
- Herbal Elixir |
Two-Day
Programme
(1st Day: 4 hours, 2nd Day: 3 hours
Journey to
Inner Wisdom
1st Day
- Seaweed Body Mask (60 min)
- Indonesian Massage (60 min)
- Natural Indonesian Facial
(60 min)
- Creme Bath Treatment
(60 min)
- Aromatic Elixir
2nd Day
- Honey Seed Rub (30 min)
- Essence of Earth Massage (90 min)
- Pedicure (60 min)
- Dream Elixir
Journey
to Nature
1st Day
- Mud Body Mask (60 min)
- Lomi Lomi Massage (60 min)
- Earth Essence Facial
(60 min)
- Creme Bath Treatment
(60 min)
- Jamu Elixir
2nd Day
- Cucumber & Ginger Body Cleanser (30 min)
- Soothing Body Treatment
(30 min)
- Essence of Earth Massage
(60 min)
- Manicure (60 min)
- Vision Enhancer Elixir
Journey
to Spirit
1st Day
- Lomi Lomi Massage (60 min)
- White Mud Body Wrap
(60 min)
- Thai Honey Facial (60 min)
- Creme Bath Treatment
(60 min)
- Jamu Elixir
2nd Day
- Body Stimulating Polish
(30 min)
- Swedish Massage (90 min)
- Manicure (30 min)
- Ginger & Cinnamon Elixir
Journey
to Enlightenment
1st
Day
- Senses Reviver (60 min)
- Calming Back Treatment
(60 min)
- Banyan Cleansing Facial
(60 min)
- Creme Bath Treatment
(60 min)
- Dream Elixir
2nd
Day
- White Mud Body Wrap
(60 min)
- Essence of Earth Massage
(60 min)
- Pedicure (60 min)
- Herbal Elixir
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Banyan
Tree Activities Program
-
Full Range of
cardiovascular machines and weights
-
Yoga and Meditation
-
Stretching
-
Step Aerobics
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New Body Aerobics
-
Aquacise
-
Circuit Work Out
-
Abdominal Classes
-
SCUBA Diving
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Beach Jogging and
Volleyball
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Darts Tournament and
Pentaque
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Sailing and Windsurfing
Lessons
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Fruit Carving and
Coconut Leaf Crafts
-
Phuket Town Fresh Market
Tour
-
Thai Cooking
Demonstration
-
Bike Tour
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Banyan
Tree Phuket
Awards of Excellence
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Banyan Tree Spa
Banyan Tree Spa Central Lobby
Spa Gallery through door on Left
Spa Reception through door on Right
Pool & waiting area through doors ahead
Spa Gallery
Spa Waiting Area in front of lap pool and
Tamarind Restaurant (healthy cuisine) under roof
Ingredients used in Spa Treatments
Ingredients used in Spa Treatments
Ingredients used in Spa Treatments
Exterior of Open-Air Treatment Pavilions
Inside Treatment Pavilion
Relaxation Area
Inside Treatment Pavilion
Treatment Area
Inside Treatment Pavilion - Shower & Entrance to Private Steam Room
Inside Treatment Pavilion - Entrance
My Therapist, Ms. Junya
Another Treatment Pavilion
Treatment Area
Open Air Shower
Relaxation Area
Indoor Facial Treatment Room in the Beauty Garden
Fitness Pavilion
Fitness Pavilion
Photos copyright 2001,
Julie Register
Licensed to About.com
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Banyan
Tree Jacuzzi Villa
Banyan
Tree Pool Villa
Banyan
Tree Spa Academy
The
Tropical Spa
Lonely
Planet Thailand (Thailand, 9th Ed)
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