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Santiburi Secret Garden Walks Explore The Enchanting Beauty Of A Tropical Koh Samui

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Published
08/24/2017 by

Koh Samui’s leading beachfront hotel, Santiburi Beach Resort & Spa, is offering guests guided walks through the resort’s stunning landscaped grounds; a beachside garden oasis of colourful flowers and towering trees that provides a hidden haven for many local species. 

Covering some 36 rai (over 14 acres), Santiburi’s gardens comprise an impressive 60% of the resort grounds and offer guests an enchanting expanse of natural beauty right by one of Koh Samui’s best beaches. Landscaping began over 25 years ago, when a symbolic golden shower tree, now a symbol of Thailand, was planted by the owner. A quarter of century later, thanks to continuous care and professional attention, the gardens have grown and flourished to help make Santiburi Beach Resort and Spa one of Koh Samui’s most attractive tropical destinations. 

Santiburi’s guided walks take guests on a magical mystery tour of the flora of Thailand and Southeast Asia. They discover some of the plants used in rural medicine, many of the natural ingredients used in traditional Thai dishes, and learn about flowers that can be steeped to make fragrantly scented teas. 

The rich, vibrant landscape includes the iconic lotus flower and the dramatic bird-of-paradise plant. Water lilies and jasmine flowers provide splashes of pink and white, butterfly pea flowers stand out with their deep purple petals, which are used to create refreshing drinks and add colour to Thai dishes. Lofty poinciana trees sprout pretty yellow buds, whilst snapdragons, torch ginger and golden helicona add to the depth and diversity of the floral display. 

Mature Yang Na trees tower above the resort’s villas, an impressive species that stands for hundreds of years, whilst Ironwood trees, considered a protector against wild animals in some parts of Asia, guard the Santinuri grounds. Fruit trees also abound, including dragon fruit, coconut, banana, rose apple and passion fruit varieties, and in the garden nursery, more delights flourish, with a banyan tree, Chinese roses and paper flowers being nurtured there. 

Sprouting orange guppy flowers attract some of the many birds who have made the Santiburi gardens their home, and the resort has gained something of a reputation amongst birdwatchers. Species include the socialble myna bird, the softy cooing dove, the yellow browed warbler and the red whiskered bulbul, to name but a few. The air is filled with delightful birdsong every morning and guests can listen out for cicadas at dusk and spot dragonflies, rabbits, geckos and lizards in their natural habitat at various times of the day. 

Santiburi Beach Resort and Spa General Manager, Cedric Bonvin says the gardens offer a rare experience of Thailand’s natural diversity. “Most guests visit Santiburi and Koh Samui for its white sand beach and turquoise-blue waters, as well as to experience our luxury resort and spa experience. The Santiburi guided garden walks enhance guests’ experience, revealing a whole different side to the island and a window on Thailand’s rich natural beauty.” 

Guests can connect with nature whilst staying at the Santiburi Resort & Spa next to the quiet sands of Mae Nam Beach; discovering a true paradise found. 

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