The core of the spa remains its lush treatments, consistent throughout all its operations thanks to its accredited spa academies in Phuket, Bintan and Lijiang.
With the company's emphasis on corporate social responsibility, many of its therapists are recruited from poor villages and trained so they don't just gain jobs, but skills they can take away with them. And as they garner more experience, the good ones get to work in Banyan Trees overseas - like the Singapore outpost.
So even if the new spa looks different, the software is comfortingly familiar, from the uniforms of the therapists, their gentle demeanour and the quietly elegant decor. As a nod to the national flower, all the rooms are named after different orchid varietals. The orchid theme is also evident in the signature Harmony Banyan treatment which has been tweaked with an orchid scrub and the use of blended orchid oil in the two-therapist massage.
"Low-tech, high touch" is the spa group's maxim, emphasising personal technique over fancy equipment, and put to good use in its wide range of massages from Thai to Lomi Lomi. If you like gadgets though, the Tropical Rainmist treatment complies. Adding to the experience are well-appointed single or couple's rooms, while the ultra deluxe suites would make the casino high rollers feel right at home whether they win at the tables or not.
But the newly massaged mortal needn't feel deprived because healthy yoghurt desserts and herbal drinks await at the cosy tea lounge, and retail therapy can be had at the gift shop.
Banyan Tree may have waited a long time for the right location and opportunity - but it looks like the homecoming has been worth it.
This article was first published in The Business Times.
