Banyan Tree to Open First Hot Spring Resort in China

Banyan Tree Chongqing Beibei will open to guests in the Summer of 2013 and each of its 48 suites and 59 villas will feature private hot spring pools for guests to enjoy the water's healing benefits in privacy and comfort.

The award-winning Banyan Tree Spa with three Standard Double Rooms, five Deluxe Double Rooms and one Royal Double Room, will offer its celebrated spa and wellness treatments. An all new spa innovation for total rejuvenation, there will be a total of seven indoor and outdoor Hot Spring Pools within the facility, exclusively for guests of Banyan Tree Spa and Banyan Tree Chongqing Beibei. This is the first time private healing pools have been introduced in Western China by Banyan Tree, echoing the group's continued mission to combine the best of local nature and culture with exhilarating holiday experiences.

Many inspired dining options will be showcased with five culinary venues at the resort. Exquisite contemporary Chinese delicacies can be found at Jin Yao Xuan, such as braised beef ribs seasoned with chili and Sichuan pepper served with soft tofu and the region's celebrated hotpot cuisine. Bai Yun offers authentic Cantonese food such as stir-fried crystal shrimp and stewed crab craw and tofu with black truffle. Guests can dine on an array of delicious international favorites at Ming Yue where hearty breakfast buffets, a la carte lunches, and themed dinner buffets are all part of the experience. To savor relaxing moments with friends and family, the Qing Feng lobby & cigar bar is the perfect place to taste both premium Chinese and Western teas, fragrant coffee, and light snacks. Aromatic wines, aged whiskeys, and signature cocktails are available for guests interested in enjoying alcoholic refreshments. Cigar aficionados will be pleased with the bar's fully stocked humidor of fine Cuban cigars. The Pool Bar, with its casual and welcoming ambience, is an idyllic place to enjoy refreshing fruit juices, designer cocktails, or nourishing snacks.

Located 40 minutes from the main city of Chongqing in the peaceful area of Beibei and surrounded by the magnificent landscape of Jin Yun Mountain and Jialing River, the resort's design has a strong sense of place and reflects the start of the Minguo era with traditional multi-story folk houses and an open bamboo-lined courtyard and foyer. The interiors will combine contemporary and traditional design with dark wood furnishings, marble floors and soft thick carpets complemented by the renowned Shu embroidery, brocades and lacquer art craft.

Surrounded by rich flora and fauna, caves and temples at the foot of Jinyun Mountain Natural Reserve, Banyan Tree Chongqing Beibei offers a restful escape from fast paced city living. Blessed with a year-round warm climate, picturesque natural scenery, and vivid local culture, the enchanting Beibei is renowned for its impressive local attractions. At the Three Little Gorges, guests can board rustic river boats for grand sights of stone cliffs tucked away in remote mountains. Fairy Mountain, an ideal location for luxurious summer strolls along the beautiful hillside grassland, transforms into an exciting winter sports hub during snow season. Dazu Rock Carvings, a World Heritage site, offers an amazing experience to observe the majestic carvings of religious statues and the ancient inscriptions dating back as far as the 7th century AD.

For more information, visit www.banyantree.com