Sister resorts in southern Thailand recognised for “exceptional stays”
KOH SAMUI/KRABI, Thailand : Two of Thailand’s most iconic beachfront resorts, Banyan Tree Samui and Banyan Tree Krabi, have been awarded Two Keys by the MICHELIN Guide to Thailand for the third consecutive year.
Equivalent to MICHELIN stars for restaurants, the award of “Two Keys” is bestowed on a hotel or resort described by MICHELIN as “an exceptional stay”, in that it offers a remarkable experience in every regard, including distinctive character, outstanding design and impeccable service.
The announcement follows a comprehensive evaluation of the 5-star hotels by anonymous MICHELIN Guide inspectors and reaffirms Banyan Tree’s leadership in meaningful luxury hospitality in southern Thailand.
“To retain Two Keys in an increasingly competitive market is a significant achievement,” said Banyan Tree Krabi General Manager Haruethai Maneerat. “This is a reminder that hospitality today is not just about luxury — it’s about consistency, soul, and a connection to place. Our resort embodies Banyan Tree’s founding ethos: a Sanctuary for the Senses where nature, culture and wellbeing come together.”
“Two MICHELIN Keys is a wonderful moment for all of us,” said Stuart de San Nicolas, General Manager of Banyan Tree Samui. “It belongs to our team, who bring such warmth and heart to everything they do. Banyan Tree Samui has always been a sanctuary, a place of stillness above the sea, where guests can find silence and reconnect with themselves. What they carry home is not a memory of a room, but a feeling that stays with them, something of the soul of Samui. That, for us, is the truest form of luxury.
“Thai hospitality is already admired around the world,” he added. “To have MICHELIN recognise what our team brings to that tradition, here on our hillside in Samui, means a great deal to us.”
A Wellbeing Sanctuary
Situated on the secluded shores of Tubkaek Beach with dramatic views of limestone cliffs jutting from the waters of a marine national park, Banyan Tree Krabi is celebrated by MICHELIN inspectors as a destination for restoration.
At its heart is the Banyan Tree Wellbeing Sanctuary — an initiative pioneered by Banyan Tree Krabi and Banyan Tree Samui in October 2021 to provide guests with an opportunity to combine a leisure vacation with a daily programme designed to enrich mind, body and soul — from meditation and yoga to Thai boxing, from spa treatments and massage to nature trails and sailing lessons — complemented with a nutritious diet and personal consultations.
Guests staying in Wellbeing Sanctuary Pool Villas and Suites can choose from an itinerary of healthy-living facilities, including Banyan Tree’s award-winning Rainforest, a unique hydrotherapy facility available at both resorts with vitality pools, steam rooms, saunas and ice fountains.
Thai Heritage Meets Haute Cuisine
Perched on the peak of a lush hillside and overlooking the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Thailand, Saffron is Banyan Tree Samui’s signature restaurant, hosting evening dinners in a sophisticated and tranquil ambience.
Listed as a recommended restaurant in the MICHELIN Guide to Thailand for the past two years, Saffron’s chefs are renowned for creating combinations of flavours through a delicate blending of Thai herbs and spices, such as: khong wang ruam, an appetiser featuring freshly prepared crisp rice noodle-wrapped prawn; grilled tender chicken breast satay; fried seabass rice noodle rolls; and pomelo salad with tamarind sauce. Signature dishes include Massaman of slow-braised Wagyu beef.
Likewise at Banyan Tree Krabi, Saffron offers traditional Thai classics with a contemporary twist. The restaurant sits high above the resort, accessible by electric funicular, and commands spectacular vistas of uninhabited islands in the Andaman Sea. The restaurant has the added attraction of three Bird’s Nest tables, nestled among the trees — a photogenic spot for afternoon tea or sundowners.
Both resorts have been lauded in the MICHELIN Guide for their contribution to local communities, including an ongoing commitment to marine conservation in Koh Samui, support for Krabi’s local fisheries, and the elimination of single-use plastics.
