Why Sathorn Is One of Bangkok's Best Districts for Visitors — and Where to Stay

What Is Sathorn, Bangkok?

When travellers search for the best areas to stay in Bangkok, Sathorn consistently ranks among the top choices — and for good reason. Sathorn is one of Bangkok's most dynamic districts, offering a mix of cultural landmarks, art spaces, lush green parks, vibrant nightlife, and fine dining experiences. While it's well known as a financial hub, the district rewards visitors with far more than boardrooms and embassies.

Banyan Tree Samui Wins “Best Spa Resort – Thailand” at Global Spa Awards

Banyan Tree Spa Samui has been named “Best Spa Resort – Thailand” at the Global Spa Awards 2026, presented by UK-based wellness publication The Luxury Spa Edit.

Banyan Tree Krabi : Dining in a Bird's Nest

New Ideas Hatching in the Bird's Nest

Banyan Tree Krabi unveils new menu for its most iconic dining experience

Banyan Tree Krabi, a luxury 72-key resort situated on secluded TubKaek Beach, has revealed a menu resplendent in local recipes, reflecting the rich culinary culture of Southern Thailand, and served in one of the country's most Instagrammable locations.

200 Baby Turtles Born at Banyan Tree Samui

Thai resort nurses green turtles to life

The birth of some 200 green turtles has brought a moment of joy to the staff at one of Thailand’s top hotels.

Between April 4 and 24, three nests hatched on the secluded beach at Banyan Tree Samui resort, and a total of 200 baby turtles emerged under the watchful gaze of the hotel’s resident marine biologist, Thepsuda Loyjiw.

Banyan Tree Samui's CSR team had erected a fence
around the turtle nests to protect the eggs from predators.

Since a giant mother turtle laid the eggs in late February and early March, they’ve matured in the protective custody of Loyjiw’s team and the local Department of Marine and Coastal Resources.

“It was heartwarming to watch the baby turtles being born, and then scurrying to the sea,” said Loyjiw. “Ever since the mother turtle laid her eggs on our beach, we have been protecting them from predators such as birds and monitor lizards, and gauging the temperature of the eggs to make sure the hatchlings would be given every chance of survival.”

It appears that this mother turtle was in luck, because not only does Banyan Tree Samui employ a sustainability team headed by a marine biologist, but the 5-star hotel was singled out last year by global watchdog EarthCheck as meeting the highest standards for environmentalism in the country.

Banyan Tree Samui is located at the southeastern tip of Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand. The resort’s beach is sheltered in a cove, flanked by coral reefs, and isolated from the busy public beaches of Chaweng and Lamai.

When fully grown, green sea turtles generally weigh between 110 and 180 kg and measure about one meter in length. It is rare in Thailand for a giant green turtle (Chelonia mydas) to lay eggs so close to a tourist area; most seek out deserted bays in the Andaman Sea to make nests. However, since the onset of Covid-19, hotels on Koh Samui have been ordered to close, bringing the popular tropical island to a standstill.

Several recent news reports have noted that marine life and wildlife have regenerated on many of Thailand’s most popular tourist destinations since the coronavirus crisis began. Nests of rare leatherback turtles have been discovered on Phuket, and an increasing number of dugongs has been spotted close to Thai shores.

Samui Restaurant Reopens with Fiery New Menu

Beachfront dining includes everything from barbecues and brick ovens to wok fires and flambés.

If you smell something sizzling down in southeastern Koh Samui these days, chances are it’s coming from Banyan Tree Samui’s beachfront restaurant, Sands, where Chef Rainer Roersch is rolling out his smoking hot “8-Fires” cuisine.

“We were looking for a very visual and atmospheric theme,” said Chef Rainer. “Something eye-catching that our chefs could prepare under the coconut trees and the moonlight. The key element would be fire.”

The new-look Sands restaurant — which recently reopened after a three-month renovation that includes a new retractable roof — has been adapted to include eight workstations featuring different traditional forms of cooking with fire - brick oven, charcoal grill, wok fire, stove-top, table-burner, hot stone, Santa Maria grill, and flambé.

“There is something mesmerizing about food sizzling over an open fire,” said Chef Rainer. “From the native American concept of the sacred fire pit (bara-bicu) to Japanese hibachi, meaning ‘fire bowl’, to Indonesian satay and Middle Eastern shish kebabs, it has a global appeal and has existed since time immemorial.”

Sands’ new menu has been beefed up to include a selection of meats and seafood adaptable to the 8-Fire techniques. Diners have a choice of Australian Wagyu beef and Black Angus steaks, lamb cutlets, BBQ pork ribs, chicken breast or veal cutlets. Fresh local seafood choices include lobster, jumbo prawns, scallops and squid, as well as imported Norwegian salmon and Australian barramundi.

“We can really showcase the true aromas and flavors of seafood and prime cuts by using smoke, flaming liqueurs and truffle spray,” said Chef Rainer. “And of course, the tableside presentation is spectacular. It’s fun for all the family with the sizzling fires in all directions, but it can also be a romantic evening for two with sea breezes, soft sand and fine wine.”

From the chef’s garden come the ingredients for vegetarian options including risottos, pizzas and casseroles, fresh salads, and pasta dishes such as pumpkin gnocchi. And among the many mouthwatering starters on the new menu are tuna tartar, pan-fried foie gras, beef carpaccio, Louisiana crab cakes (in green mango salad) and the overwhelming “Seafood Symphony for 2”.

Sands Restaurant overlooks the sapphire sea of the Gulf of Thailand from a secluded cove flanked by coral reefs. It is one of three signature dining venues at the award-winning Banyan Tree Samui resort, which is recognized as one of the leading hotels in Asia. The 38-acre property is nestled on a steep hillside and hosts 88 luxury villas, each with its own private infinity pool.

Sands seats 60 diners indoors and up to 42 on the open terrace. The restaurant is open to Banyan Tree guests and non-guests alike from 11:30am to 11pm, seven days a week. Reservations are recommended.

Villas at Banyan Tree Samui, each with infinity pool, start from US$550 per night.

Banyan Tree garners 241 global awards in 2018

Celebrating the year that was, in 2018 Banyan Tree Group were awarded 241 global award for their branding and exceptional experiences as a leading hospitality leader.

An international operator and developer of premium resorts, hotels, residences, spas, golf and integrated resorts, Banyan Tree continues to lead the luxury travel category, having won 117 international benchmark awards including:

·       Travel+Leisure US World's Best Awards 2018 Top 20 Hotel Brands in the World
·       DestinAsian 13th Readers' Choice Awards 2018 Best Hotel Brands for Leisure
·       Beijing News The Best Hotel Brand 2017.

The wide spread achievement across Banyan Tree's portfolio recognises the uniqueness and spirit of adventure found at each location. Banyan Tree began building retreats of rest and rejuvenation, championing the ethos of "Embracing the Environment, Empowering People". Their approach to sustainability means each building is built in harmony with nature, contributing to the growth and development of the community.

As a pioneer in sustainability, the Group was named Shanghai Morning Post Tourism Awards 2017 Best Social Responsibility Brand.

Offering a deep sense of place, across all locations, Banyan Tree highlights and infuses the uniqueness of the locale through design and build, guests' and associates' experiences to sustainability impacts.

With this in mind, Banyan Tree resorts were also awarded:

·       Top 50 Hotels of China for the new design-savvy Dhawa Jinshanling
·       Voyage Travel Awards 2018 Best Overseas Hotel  for Banyan Tree Tamouda Bay
·       Travel+Leisure US World's Best Awards 2018 - Top 10 Resort Hotels in Mexico for Banyan Tree Cabo Marqués
·       DestinAsian 13th Readers' Choice Awards 2018 Best Hotel in Macau for Banyan Tree Macau

Inspired by the romance of travel, Banyan Tree will continue to increase its global presence and foray into unique exotic destinations across the Europe, Asia-Pacific, Oceania and other regions.

Banyan Tree Spa is well loved for its art of touch and luxurious spa experiences by skilful therapists. Some of the awards it received include:

·       The 2018 TTG Travel Hall of Fame - Best Spa Operator for the 4th year since induction.
·       13th China Hotel Starlight Awards 2017 Best Spa Operator of China for the 10th consecutive year.
·       Shanghai Morning Post Tourism Awards 2017 Best Spa Brand for the 6th consecutive year.

Ms Ho Ren Yung, Vice President, Brand HQ of Banyan Tree Holdings said, "We value the importance of accreditations bestowed by the industry partners and our guests, which spur us to continually raise the bar in providing exemplary products and services. I would like to thank our guests and business partners for the ever-strong support and our associates, our pillar of success, for the dedication in delivering exceptional experiences and pioneering sustainability which Banyan Tree is synonymously known for."

"Sustainability has been ingrained as part of our corporate DNA from the very beginning and it is one of the key areas that we are truly proud of. Celebrating our Group's 25th Anniversary in 2019, these award recognitions reinforce our passion and commitment to grow our brands globally. We aspire to journey our guests to more exciting destinations around the world and foster our ongoing commitment towards driving sustainability for a better world," added Ms Ho.

With 26 successful signings of new hotel agreements for its four brands during 2018 there are now 48 hotels in operation with 7 new hotels slated to open in 2019.

Banyan Tree Bangkok marks two decades of fun, fitness and social goodwill

20th annual stair step footrace to benefit infants and nursing mothers

Banyan Tree Bangkok proudly announces the Vertical Marathon 2019, its perennial running event to benefit worthy causes and representing one of the city's most distinguished and challenging charity athletic events.

Scheduled for Sunday 10 March 2019, the Vertical Marathon features a 61-floor stairway course that rises more than 1,000 steps through the 5-Star Banyan Tree Bangkok Hotel. The once-a-year race attracts dozens of devoted competitors—young, older, experienced and not—whose collective dash to the top ends at the award-winning Vertigo Grill and Moon Bar, the rooftop dining venue renowned as one of Southeast Asia's highest-altitude outdoor restaurants. For those not wanting to run the 61 floors can enter as a team of two or four people and share the fun.

Registration fee for the Vertical Marathon 2019 is Baht 400 per runner, which includes an official event T-shirt, while those who succeed in summiting the nearly 200-metre tower on North Sathon Road will receive a commemorative medallion in recognition of their achievement.

All proceeds from the event go to the Thai Red Cross HIV Formula Feeding Fund under the patronage of Her Royal Highness, Princess Soamsawali. The fund provides essential infant formula for babies of HIV afflicted mothers.

Runners who think they have what it takes to meet this uniquely demanding physical challenge may register online at http://www.gotorace.com/event/vertical-marathon-2019 or at the front desk in the lobby at Banyan Tree Bangkok, now through 1 March 2019, or for further information call 02 679 1200, or visit banyantree.com

To support persons who are living with HIV, runners are asked to wear a red ribbon and take a selfie at the event, then public-post on Facebook with the hashtag: #RedVM2019. One lucky-draw winner will receive a gift voucher for set-menu 3 course dinner for two from Vertigo restaurant. (Winner will be notified by 20 March 2019.

Banyan Tree Expansion: 26 New Hotel Signings

Banyan Tree Group, the leading international operator and developer of premium resorts, hotels, residences and spas, announces its continuing global expansion with the successful signing during 2018, of 26 hotel agreements for its four brands. These are in addition to the current 48 hotels in operation at end 2018, and seven new hotels slated to open in 2019.

Banyan Tree Bangkok’s high-altitude rooftop chill bar

Banyan Tree Bangkok is proud to announce that its popular rooftop chill venue Moon Bar is again welcoming guests following completion of extensive renovations that include a number of stunning new features and a dramatic re-positioning to the opposite side of its rooftop perch.

Highly acclaimed bar – which shares Banyan Tree’s 61st-floor rooftop sky zone with Vertigo Restaurant – has undergone a complete design transformation. The ground-up architectural modernising treatment includes a dramatic diamond-form bar as well as the “Moon Walk”, a glass “bridge” vista point where couples can enjoy the breath-taking city views. Fresh cocktail offerings will also be debuted.

The massive makeover is a significant evolution step for Moon Bar, one intended to build upon its international and industry recognition. “Because Moon Bar has become a Bangkok nightlife icon, we felt the time was right for a big upgrade to redefine the ambience as more exiting and vibrant” explained General Manager, Ms. Nopparat Aumpa.

While according to GM Nopparat, Moon Bar’s new look is intended to appeal to Bangkok visitors as well as discerning locals and expats, the well-established venue already enjoys a measure of international renown having been named one of the World’s Top 10 Rooftop Bars 2018 by Conde Nast Traveller.

Banyan Tree and AccorHotels announce strategic partnership

Banyan Tree Holdings today announces that it has entered into a heads of agreement with AccorHotels. Under a long-term partnership, both parties intend to collaborate to develop and manage Banyan Tree branded hotels around the world. Banyan Tree will also have access to AccorHotels' global reservations and sales network, as well as its loyalty programme Le Club AccorHotels.

AccorHotels will invest an initial SGD 24 million (c. €16 million) in Singapore-based Banyan Tree and both parties will then co-develop the brands owned by Banyan Tree around the world. This investment will be made through a mandatory convertible debenture that at conversion will give AccorHotels an approximately 5% stake in Banyan Tree. AccorHotels has an option to purchase an additional approximately 5% stake.

Ho Kwon Ping, Executive Chairman of Banyan Tree, said: "This agreement is not only transformational for Banyan Tree, but is also an innovation for the global hospitality industry. With the current consolidation of mega hotel companies, smaller but also global players – many family-controlled – are also seeking strategic alliances with the global giants. Our strategic alliance with AccorHotels allows us to remain an independent company, enabling us to continue securing hotel management agreements on our own and yet accelerating Banyan Tree's speed and scope of expansion but with AccorHotels helping us to grow our brands around the world. We believe this agreement will propel our brands rapidly to global reach and range and strengthen our ability to embrace change and innovation in the hospitality industry with a strong global partner. We are excited and committed to this partnership."

Sebastien Bazin, CEO and Chairman of AccorHotels, said: "Our collaboration with Banyan Tree is a great opportunity to complement our business proposition to owners with iconic brands, while always better servicing our guests. Banyan Tree Holdings has created key leading positions across Asia with luxury resorts, one of the fastest growing segments in the industry. We will bring scale to the network through our ability to develop and manage hotels under the Banyan Tree brands globally, hence strengthening our leadership in the luxury hotel space. We are confident that our investment will create incremental value for our shareholders."