Banyan Tree bets on relationship-driven wellness

Banyan Tree, the flagship brand of local hospitality group, Banyan Group, has just launched Banyan Tree Connections, a wellness retreat designed specifically for two. Set to roll out in phases across four flagship resorts May 2025, the new programme is the first phase of Banyan Tree Spa & Wellbeing’s enhanced offerings, and reframes wellness tourism around the power of shared experiences as opposed to solo discovery. 

The programme

The four resorts where this new programme will take place are in the Maldives, Mexico, Thailand, and China, and is available as a supplement to a two- or three-night room reservation. Since the programme is designed for two, partners, close friends, or family members may find it helpful to reconnect with each other.

In each resort, Banyan Tree Connections begins with a personalised wellbeing consultation.  From there, guests embark on a curated itinerary inspired by Banyan Group’s 8 Pillars of Wellbeing — rest, mindfulness, growth, practice, connection, nourishment, movement, and groundedness. 

Since the programme is taking place across four retreats around the world, each one has activities tailored to the destination’s natural and cultural context. 

Each location offers a unique blend of destination-specific activities. In Vabbinfaru, Maldives guests can engage in a Maldivian cooking class followed by a private sunset cruise. Over in Mayakoba, Mexico the programme features a Temazcal purification ritual, a private mangrove kayaking session, and a recycled paper workshop.

At Phuket, Thailand the itinerary includes a private lagoon kayak sightseeing experience, and a herbal oil and reflexology workshop. Meanwhile, in Anji, China guests will be guided on a private hike through Lingfeng Mountain and take part in a White Tea aroma bath bomb workshop — drawing from the region’s rich tea culture.

Despite these regional variations, each property offers core wellbeing experiences including yoga or stretch sessions, sound meditation, and a Time Together spa treatment, all aimed at fostering intimacy and rejuvenation.

A timely change

The launch comes at a time when global conversations around wellness are expanding to include emotional and social wellbeing, and after the World Health Organisation declared loneliness as a global concern. As isolation and burnout continue to emerge, Banyan Tree’s emphasis on shared experiences taps into a broader movement toward relational health.

“In a world where time together is increasingly fragmented, genuine connection is becoming rare,” said Paul Hawco, executive director, Integrated Wellbeing, Banyan Group. “Banyan Tree Connections was created in response to this universal longing — offering experiences that nurture relationships, inner wellbeing and shared renewal in some of the world’s most awe-inspiring settings.”

“This programme reflects our belief that wellbeing is not just individual, but flourishes in togetherness.”

The programme will be available as an add-on to room reservations at participating resorts, beginning in May in the Maldives, June in Thailand, July in Mexico, and August in China. Banyan Tree Connections offers two day programmes in all countries, with an option for an additional day available to those who book the Maldives and Mexico experiences.