100 Stories: Discover postcards from around the world
Travel leaves its mark on us in countless ways. The thrill of discovering a new culture, the healing power of nature, and the joy of spending quality time with loved ones. Our 100 Stories platform is a tribute to these moments: a collection of digital postcards shared by guests who have been moved by their experiences at our properties around the world – and an invitation for you to share your own memories if you have stayed with us.
Whether celebrating milestones in city hotels, watching nature unfold on remote island retreats, or learning from cultural traditions rooted in centuries past, these stories remind us that the best travel memories do not fade – they become part of who we are.
Creating new memories
The best trips are the ones that stay with us long after we’ve unpacked. They could mark a milestone, bring us together with family, or deliver a setting so extraordinary we need a moment just to take it in.
At Banyan Tree Bangkok, Yuan-I Huang welcomed the start of a new year in the glow of fireworks that burst across the city skyline, viewed from her hotel window. More than just a beautiful view, it became a moment that would stay with the family. “When the kids are older,” she reflected, “they won’t just remember what we did – they’ll remember how it felt: the magic of stepping into a fresh year together.”
Elika Ehsani Mahony felt a sense of presence and of place while staying at Banyan Tree Bintan, where the tropical Indonesian rainforest meets the sea. She described how the power of nature made her slow down and focus on what was in front of her: “The Banyan tree stood in quiet beauty...” she remembered. “Beneath it, the sparkling pool invited us to dive in, each splash echoing our laughter. I realised that true beauty lies in being present, crafting lasting memories for a lifetime.”
Sometimes it is nature itself that creates the memory. At Dhawa Ihuru in the Maldives, Ruxandra Ioana Smadea was awestruck when she saw bioluminescent plankton for the first time, a feeling that lingered long after the moment had passed: “I felt the quiet, magical power of nature,” she recalled. “The glow shimmered before our eyes, as it has for ages.”
Also in the Maldives, at Angsana Velavaru, Nathalie Aron felt this same sense of wonder while exploring the lagoon. As she put it: “It reminds me that we are all connected and part of something bigger.”
Learning and transformation
Travel can delight and transport, but it can also transform. When we step beyond routine into unfamiliar landscapes, we encounter new perspectives that can alter our point of view. Many of our guests experienced small awakenings when they stayed with us – moments shaped by what they saw, learned, or felt.
While staying amidst lush rice terraces at Homm Saranam Baturiti in Bali, Ngoh Gek Lan experienced profound gratitude watching a farmer soak his cracked feet in a basin of warm water after a hard day’s work. He reflected that, “every grain we eat, every path we take, is paved by someone else’s sacrifice and perseverance”.
Hanna Kristina Fabricius discovered a sanctuary of quiet reflection at Homm Souvannaphoum in Luang Prabang, Laos, a heritage boutique hotel that was once the residence of a prince. Amid serene gardens and gentle smiles, she remembered the importance of slowing down and moving mindfully. “Luang Prabang taught me that calm isn’t found elsewhere – it is something I can carry within,” she said.
Ivan Rodriguez found his moment of revelation on the rooftop of Banyan Tree Puebla in Mexico, gazing at historic city lights framed by distant volcanoes. “With a warm drink in hand, we learned the beauty of stillness, the value of breathing deeply, and the joy of savouring each moment,” he recalled.
Finding connection
One of the most powerful gifts of travel is the sense of connection. To the communities, stories, traditions, and environments that give each place its soul. Many of our properties are deeply embedded in cultural landscapes, offering you meaningful ways to experience the world through local eyes.
Set near Shuhe Ancient Town in China, Banyan Tree Lijiang takes cues from ancient Naxi design, offering a stay that is as immersive as it is elegant. Heritage here is not just a relic but an experience. Goh Jwee Lang captured the sensation of stepping into “a culture thousands of years in the making,” watching locals practice tai chi, calligraphy, and mahjong each morning – moments that transformed everyday life into an art form.
A verdant oasis in the shadow of Bangalore, India, Angsana Oasis Spa Resort is grounded in both nature and history. MR Apoorva spent Diwali here among glowing lamps and greenery, coming away with a feeling many travellers chase but rarely articulate. Surrounded by smiling faces he felt “truly connected not just to the culture, but to a shared human joy.”
Over in Greece, at Angsana Corfu, the welcome is as warm as the Ionian landscape. Rodanthi Kourti described the sensation not just of being hosted, but of being embraced, saying: “It feels like coming home – not just to a beautiful place, but to a state of being where you feel seen, restored, and inspired. That stays with you long after you leave.”
Read more about our 100 Stories moments in Banyan Tree sanctuaries around the world. You can also learn more about the experiences offered by our resorts and hotels with our stories. Or find out more about our relationship with nature, commitment to wellbeing, and dedication to travel with purpose.