By WONG YUN WEN

Soft-launching in October this year, luxury resort specialists Banyan Tree Group has transformed yet another exclusive destination into an abode of lavish intimacy and splendor, this time round in Hangzhou, China, in partnership with Hangzhou Westbrook Investment Co. Ltd.

Banyan Tree Hangzhou is in the Xixi region, a historic and scenic site that enjoyed much accolade in Tang Dynastry poetry. Located within the Xixi National Wetland Park, the resort is a pretty sight combining nature and traditional Jiang Nan style architecture, replete with dark wood features and furniture complemented by vivd silk brocade and tapestries.

There are 71 suites and villas in the resort, with each villa coming with a landscape courtyard with an outdoor heated jet pool. Their one and only Presidential Villa is 386 square meters, with a separate kitchen, walk-in wardrobe, sunken jet-pool and dedicated spa treatment furnished by the award-winning Banyan Tree Spa.