Banyan Tree Resort: A Brand Experience in Paradise
In the dead of winter, I think back on a vacation I took at the Banyan Tree Resort in the Maldives – an experience I will never forget.
where i stayed
That week was spent under the sun, with the ocean right outside my villa. I walked on the whitest and softest sand in the world, swam in the most beautiful clear blue waters, watched stingray feedings every afternoon and had the chance to swim with sea turtles.
Sound like paradise? It was. But it wasn’t just paradise because I was in The Maldives. The Banyan Tree resort provided the experience of a lifetime.
Every morning, the hotel staff shifts bags of sand to save the island from erosion. There were also chicken that ran free around the resort – they were there to eat bugs, so no pesticides were used on the island. The hotel provided marine biology classes for all guests, so I had the chance to learn about their Turtle Conservation Program. They gave us two small sea turtle plush toys with a note saying that they hoped we would accept them and if we did, they would donate an extra dollar from our account to the Turtle Conservation Program.
On my second day, I found a leaf-shaped letter on my bed explaining the damaging effects of laundry wastewater. I had the option to leave the letter on my bed as a sign that I didn’t need my sheets to be cleaned that day. I ended up keeping that letter on my bed throughout my stay; I wanted to help maintain the beauty I was surrounded by.
The Banyan Tree brand has stuck with my family and I years after we visited the Maldives. We took a trip to the Banyan Tree Phuket, Thailand where we continued to donate to the Turtle Conservation Program. This summer we’re planning to visit the Banyan Tree Bangkok, Thailand. Especially since they opened their restaurant Vertigo, an open-air rooftop restaurant on the 61st floor of the hotel that looks over all of Bangkok.
Banyan Tree created a brand that merged top-notch quality and service with maintaining the environment that gave their resorts the touch of nature guests want to experience. Though Gen Y’s won’t necessarily be brand loyal just because of what a brand does for the world, they do believe saving the environment and helping the world is vital to a brand’s success. Kelly Yen, a sophomore at the University of Washington said, “I think doing good for the environment should be something that is already built in, though quality and service are key to winning loyalty.”
While others would like to see hotels and resorts pay attention to maintaining the environment and ecosystems during construction, “Show me that they’re acknowledging the fact that yes, they know what harm they can cause the environment and that they’re trying to minimize it as much as possible.” Said Maggie Chuang, a Junior at Simon Fraser University.
What I learned from my experience with Banyan Tree Resorts was that quality doesn’t always mean sacrificing the environment and wildlife. The reason why my vacations at the Banyan Tree Resorts were so great was because saving the environment was worked into the service the hotel had to provide.
When people have the chance to have a luxurious vacation and feel good from connecting with nature and helping preserve it, they will keep coming back. If paradise were a brand experience, Banyan Tree sure knows how to provide it.
This is a great post, Vicky! I personally don't get to travel a lot but this seems like a gorgeous place to stay. It's too bad we can't all experience it.
Thanks McKenzie! I guess growing up in Asia, all the countries are really close together so there is more opportunity to travel to other countries while in the US the same amount of time used to fly from Taiwan to the Maldives would only get you from Boston to SF.
This is a great post Vicky! Travel is quite expensive and may be seen as not very eco-friendly. Airplanes to get there, hotels, going out to eat, etc. But Banyan tree makes you feel more comfortable about traveling because they give back to the community as much as they can!!!
It sounds great and looks beautiful! If only it weren't so expensive.
However, I do agree that by creating this sense of environmental concern the hotel has gone above and beyond the expectations of its guests and therefore will create loyalty.
It sounds and looks beautiful! If only it weren't so expensive.
However, I do believe that by showing their environmental concerns the hotel went above and beyond the guest's expectations and by doing so they have created a loyal following.
This sounds like a very cool place to visit, and a very neat thing for the resort to do. I know “going green” is becoming the new thing, and more and more places are trying to get on the bandwagon by doing little things, but it's nice to know there are places that were doing it before it was popular.
This is by far the most imaginative posts I've read since my last travelling magazine. I've never been to the Banyan Tree but after reading your post, it made me feel closer to it. I like all the details you've included. Thumbs up!
Does “Turtle Conservation” involve riding sea turtles around underwater? I know that probably oversteps the line between conservation and recreation, but it's something I'd like to experience. =)
I noticed the keycards at the last hotel I stayed at were biodegradable. Plastic with magnetic strips and yet they degrade within 3-5 years in a landfill. Isn't that cool? Little stuff like that adds up quickly.
Really great article, Vicky. I'm a fan of Banyan now!
Thanks for reading my article Seth!
But nope, no riding sea turtles underwater.. they swim way too fast for you! But I did have the chance to hold the baby ones!
Nice post vicky! I like how they are actually spending time and money giving back to the community. Keep this blog going! It's awesome
wow! that sounds great vicky!
your post reminded me of my last visit to the Maldives. Even though I was only 4 years old at the time, but I remember it was really beautiful! I couldn't imagine what it would be like for me to go back there again. I'm glad you had a great and memorable experience like I did! And I guess I overlooked the fact that much effort was needed to preserve such a beautiful environment like the Maldives. You've made a great point! I would be sure to remember if I get another chance to go there again!
great article, keep it up!
Maldives sounds and looks amazing. I love how Banyan is doing whatever they can to preserve our precious gifts on earth. Them making this a priority is what means the most to me. After all, what would we have left without our environment? Thanks for writing this article and making everyone know how we can't take anything for granted and each of us have to do our part. Companies should emulate Banyan's conscience and efforts. Economy and Environment should go hand in hand for all intents and purposes.
It's really great to see the Banyan Tree Resorts take such a proactive approach in minimizing their carbon footprint. I'd like to see more hotels getting involved and really start giving back to the environment for a change. Because honestly, it's not just islands which are on the verge of sinking that need to tend to their sands and not use pesticides – it should be readily applied by hotel chains worldwide, regardless of their locations. Great post. Let us all try to be more green and environmentally-conscious!
I love your title: a brand experience in paradise! It brings me lots of good memories while I reading your artical. You really do a good job! I am so proud of you!