Banyan Tree announces its first signed property in Europe

Banyan Group ("Banyan Tree Holdings Limited" or the "Group" – SGX: B58), an independent, global hospitality company, reflects on a landmark 30th year of progress and celebrations, alongside announcing an exciting pipeline for 2025. The Group is set to welcome its 100th resort for its homecoming debut in Singapore, and will see openings in new destinations beyond Asia, including Tanzania and the Dominican Republic. Photo credits: Banyan Group “We are in our next chapter of growth and innovation, building momentum from the last 30 years as we enter this new phase. 2025 will continue to be a meaningful evolution of our dynamic portfolio as we plant flags in new locations in Asia and beyond. With new destinations, products, experiences and partnerships, we also look forward to the deepening of our sustainability promise and commitment to wellbeing.” said Eddy See, President and Chief Executive Officer, Banyan Group. Brand Evolution Continues with New Frontiers in 2025 Growth momentum is poised to continue in the upcoming year, with 15 new hotel and resort openings, and five new branded residence developments set to expand the Group’s portfolio. Reflecting a continued brand evolution, key hotel and resort openings in 2025 will offer multi-concept spaces that transform the boundaries of traditional hospitality to offer guests a layered experience—integrating wellbeing, nature, culture, community, retail and more—that evolves throughout their travel. Highlights include: Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree, Banyan Group’s inaugural resort in Singapore. The 338-room resort nestled within the Mandai Wildlife Reserve—Singapore's integrated wildlife and nature destination—offers a nature-inspired stay where every element, from the architecture to the interiors, is designed to harmonise with the environment. Ubuyu, a Banyan Tree Escape, Banyan Group’s first safari resort and opening in Tanzania. Cradled within the largely untouched wilderness of Ruaha National Park and along the banks of the Great Ruaha River, the resort provides a purposeful discovery experience that brings deep connection and immersion into the local community, culture and wild encounters. Banyan Group’s first standalone integrated development, a boutique urban offering located in the vibrant city of Bangkok. Combining accommodations, spa, dining, a membership club, and a nightclub, the development offers a dynamic space where guests can connect, relax, and work, providing a rich, evolving experience within a single destination. More to be announced in 2025. Multi-brand expansion continuing in Asia, with new hotel and resort openings in the region, including Banyan Tree Zhuhai Phoenix Bay in China; Banyan Tree Haeundae Busan and Cassia Saekdal Jeju in South Korea; Cassia Ram-Intra Bangkok in Thailand; and Homm Mandaue City Cebu in the Philippines, among others. Expanding presence in the Caribbean, with the opening of Cassia Punta Cana, Banyan Group’s first resort in the Dominican Republic. Increasing retail footprint, with Banyan Tree Gallery products made available to global travellers on board Emirates and EVA Air from 2025. Banyan Group’s founding ethos of ‘Embracing the Environment, Empowering People’ will also continue to drive developments across the sustainability and wellbeing realms: Marine conservation efforts will be strengthened with the launch of the Coral Reef Restoration Project on Hainan Island, in partnership with the China Environmental Projection Foundation, as well as with the introduction of a new coral larval restoration method to be adopted in the Maldives. Supported by the Rewilding Banyan Fund, rewilding efforts aimed at restoring natural habitats will be expanded to include an upcoming bee-friendly forest on Bintan Island in Indonesia. Banyan Group’s proprietary 8 Pillars of Wellbeing will be further integrated across the stay experience through retreats, visiting practitioner programmes, alongside exciting developments to the Group’s spa brands in 2025. Photo credits: Banyan Group Landmark Year in 2024 Reflecting on the year passed, Banyan Group significantly expanded its portfolio and introduced a suite of anniversary events and commemorative initiatives globally. Highlights included: Record 18 new hotel and resort openings, with six in Japan and South Korea, and eight in China as part of the Group’s multi-brand expansion strategy across Asia—among them, Banyan Tree’s debut in Japan with Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto. Six new branded residence developments unveiled, including the first-ever Garrya Residences and projects within the nature-integrated Laguna Lakelands. Agreements were also signed to launch branded residences in Madrid and Dubai, bolstering the Group’s upcoming presence Europe and the Middle East. 11 new galleries, 12 new spa openings and a steadfast focus on wellbeing, with the launch of seven retreats and experiences of various themes and formats, designed to foster a global community of wellbeing enthusiasts and like-minded individuals who share a commitment to personal growth and fulfilment. Continued advocacy for sustainable hospitality, with the establishment of the Rewilding Banyan Fund, underscoring the Group’s commitment to environmental stewardship; the expansion of Our Marine Lab at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, reinforcing the Group’s leadership in marine conservation; and the funding of the Greater Good Grants initiative to benefit the local communities and environments in which the Group operates. Commemorative 30th anniversary initiatives, including a brand evolution and name shift to Banyan Group, the launch of an experiential members programme, withBanyan, and publication of a special edition anniversary book to mark the occasion. Key initiatives also centred around celebrating 30 years since the inception of the Group’s first and flagship Banyan Tree brand, which saw its hotels and resorts worldwide offering a curated collection of anniversary experiences, alongside the introduction of Banyan Tree Gallery retail exclusives. Banyan Group’s milestones and achievements were globally recognised in 2024 with over a hundred awards and accolades achieved across the business this landmark year. 

Family resort Alma will ring in the biggest event on the Vietnamese calendar, the Lunar New Year, with a six-day program filled with traditional games and competitions, live entertainment, floating champagne breakfasts and more. Photo credits: Alma From Lunar New Year’s Eve, Tuesday Jan. 28, until Sunday Feb. 2, 2025, Alma’s Tet program will feature chung cake, egg cake and ginger jam making classes, as well as kite flying, dragon dances, making lucky envelopes, Tet movies at Alma Cinema, and afternoon tea for two. Overlooking Long Beach, one of Vietnam’s most stunning stretches of sand, the resort starts its Tet program on Jan. 28 with a floating champagne breakfast for guests staying in pavilions with private pools. At Alma Food Court, guests are encouraged to try their hand at crafting the quintessential Tet staple “Banh Chung” (Chung cake), wrapping sticky rice and mung bean inside dong leaves from 8.30-10.30am, as well as egg cake and ginger jam making from 3-5pm. A complimentary kite flying competition will be held on Alma Hill from 4-5pm. On the first day of Tet, Tuesday Jan. 29, the lush 30-hectare resort’s Tet festivities kick off with dragon dancing in the lobby and Alma Garden from 8am. Alma will host the following Tet festivities daily from Jan. 29 until Feb 2: Floating Tet breakfast at private pool pavilions with Vietnamese “Banh Mi”, beef or chicken noodle soup, Vietnamese cold cuts and fish sauce, “Banh Beo” steamed rice cake, two farm eggs any style with choice of bacon, pork or chicken sausage, yogurt and fruit, and a selection of freshly squeezed juices. A Tet Corner affording traditional Vietnamese fruit candies at Alma Food Court from 11am-5pm. An exquisite Vietnamese Afternoon Tea for two brimming with savoury and sweet treats, including Banh Chung and traditional candies, served at both Alma Food Court and Alma Lounge from 2-5pm. Live entertainment including Alma’s resident pianist Ben playing a grand piano from 2.30-3.15pm and 3.30-4.15pm at Alma Lounge. Bartenders crafting special Vietnamese cocktails from 6-9.30pm at Alma Lounge. The cocktail list includes ‘Sampan Sour’ comprising Vietnamese Sampan White Rhum, Cointreau, chili, salt, Chinese coriander, lime, and sugar syrup, and ‘Moc Chau Plateau’ made up of Ruddy Face Apricot Liqueur, D.O.M Benedictine, honey, ginger syrup, lime juice and Peychaud’s Bitters. Movies and popcorn at Alma’s 75-seat cinema. Photo credits: Alma On Wednesday Jan. 30, the Kids Club will help children make lucky envelopes for “li xi”, which translates to “lucky money” traditionally given during the Lunar New Year to bestow blessings of good luck and happiness upon recipients. On Jan. 30 and Friday Jan. 31 the Kids Club will host smash lucky balloons games from 3-4pm before kite flying is held on Alma Hill from 4-5pm. The young and the young at heart will also blow giant rainbow bubbles on Alma Hill on Jan. 31 from 3-5pm. To a backdrop of sweeping views of Long Beach aquamarine waters and buttermilk sands, with islands strewn offshore, a picnic package will be on offer at Alma Hill from 7-9am and 3-5pm on Sunday Feb. 2. Beachfront restaurant Atlantis, Italian trattoria La Casa and Asiana, which serves Thai, Korean, Japanese and vegan fare, will offer a la carte dining throughout Tet. “There’s plenty to see and do at Alma during such an extraordinary time of the year celebrating with family and friends,” said Alma’s managing director Herbert Laubichler-Pichler. “As we welcome the Year of the Wood Snake, at Alma we will look to apply the snake’s keen insight and the wood’s ability to grow and adapt in 2025 as we embrace all sorts of new possibilities ranging from offering exciting new guest experiences such as welcoming local artists to sketch portraits of our guests to protecting the environment with the rollout of what is believed to be Vietnam’s most ambitious solar power project for a hotel.” Featuring 13 separate treatment villas sprinkled onto the landscape, Alma’s Le Spa is offering a variety of indulgent treatments including ‘Lunar Renewal Therapy’, ‘New Year Radiance Ritual’, and ‘Double Happiness’. Lunar Renewal Therapy is a 70-minute customised aromatherapy massage with a choice of traditional Vietnamese, Balinese or deep tissue massage techniques to release muscle tension, promote deep relaxation and restore energy. The 110-minute New Year Radiance Ritual starts with an aromatic herbal steam and sauna, followed by a 30-minute body scrub, 50-minute massage and 30-minute facial treatment. The 60-minute Double Happiness treatment for couples offers a choice of Balinese, Vietnamese or deep tissue massage. To contact Alma or to make a booking, please visit alma-resort.com, call +84 258 399 1666 or email info@alma-resort.com

JA Manafaru Maldives is pleased to announce that it has once again received the respected Worldwide Kids (WK) Accreditation for the second consecutive year, highlighting its commitment to providing a family-friendly experience. This independent seal of excellence recognises resorts that uphold the highest international standards in childcare training, health and safety, and consistently enhance the experience for families and young guests. Photo credits: JA Manafaru Maldives Nestled in the heart of this idyllic all-natural island paradise, JA Manafaru offers a wealth of dedicated facilities for families. The resort's CoolZone play area, complete with a separate family pool, Recreation Pavilion, and the ChillZone indoor games room, provide young guests with the perfect space to play and explore, all while their parents enjoy some well-deserved relaxation. With this thoughtful offering, the resort ensures that both families and couples can enjoy the best of both worlds – a serene escape and a safe, fun-filled environment for children. JA Manafaru's childcare facilities have successfully passed the rigorous WK audit, underscoring the resort's commitment to a safe and nurturing environment for its younger guests. The resort's dedicated childcare team has undergone extensive accredited training by Worldwide Kids, equipping them with the specialised knowledge and skills to provide exceptional care. Parents can feel confident that their children are in good hands while they enjoy the resort's spa and dining experiences. Photo credits: JA Manafaru Maldives "I am incredibly proud of my team for receiving this recognition for two consecutive years. It underscores our commitment to guest safety, particularly for our young visitors. Our thorough health and safety audit, combined with rigorous training, ensures we adhere to the highest international standards. This accreditation not only highlights our dedication to safeguarding our guests but also reinforces our mission to create memorable experiences for families during their stay,” says Rita Gupta, Director of Spa & Recreation. Jason Kruse, General Manager of JA Manafaru Maldives, says, "We are thrilled to receive the Worldwide Kids accreditation for the second time, as it reflects our continued commitment to providing a memorable experience for our youngest guests. The range of activities we offer allows families to enjoy the beauty of the Maldives together, while parents can relax, knowing their children are being well cared for." The Worldwide Kids Accreditation reinforces JA Manafaru's dedication to offering not just a luxurious retreat for families, but a resort that prioritises the well-being and enjoyment of young guests. This prestigious recognition highlights the resort's commitment to maintaining the highest standards of childcare and ensuring that all guests – whether young or old – enjoy a memorable, worry-free stay. With this accolade, JA Manafaru Maldives continues to stand out as one of the Maldives' top resorts, offering families and holidaymakers exceptional service and unforgettable experiences. For more information, visit our website.