Nearly four decades after Khun Akorn Hoontrakul first saw Tongsai Bay from the sea, the resort he planned still lives by one simple belief: “Natural to the Core.” General Manager Manuel Lang explains how Garrya Tongsai Bay Samui carries that legacy through its 28-acre living landscape, its long-serving team and its Thai traditions, and why a new generation of guests is finding it more relevant than ever.
Dear Mr. Lang, thank you for taking the time to speak with Wanderlust Tips about how the Tongsai Bay legacy continues to live and evolve at Garrya Tongsai Bay Samui, as part of our Living Heritage feature.
The Tongsai Bay story began in 1985, when Khun Akorn Hoontrakul first saw the bay from the sea and spent three months sleeping on the beach to plan his ideal resort. Nearly four decades on, how does that founding spirit still shape the everyday character of Garrya Tongsai Bay Samui?
Our slogan and belief, “Natural to the Core”, have remained the same for many years, and this did not change with the rebranding. Sustainability and heritage are also core pillars of Banyan Group, which is one of the reasons the owner of Tongsai Bay selected Banyan Group as the operator.
Opened in 1987 as the first five-star resort on Koh Samui, the property began a new chapter in 2022 when it joined Banyan Group under the Garrya name. How has the resort brought together its original Tongsai Bay identity and the Garrya philosophy of simplified, contemplative living?
Garrya as a brand is defined by wellbeing, nature, space, beauty in simplicity and a “less is more” approach. Tongsai Bay was the perfect choice for the first Garrya-branded hotel in Thailand, as it embraces all of this naturally.
Since 2000, the resort has been guided by Khun Thanakorn and Khun Saisiri, who share Khun Akorn’s passion for the environment and Thai hospitality. What does this continuity of family stewardship mean for the way the team carries the legacy forward today?
Khun Thanakorn and Khun Saisiri, and Khun Akorn before them, have created a beautiful atmosphere among our associates, our guests and nature. Our associates are dedicated to their responsibilities, and they work out of passion. This foundation was laid many years ago and still shapes the way we operate today. That is why so many guests return to us every year, even after the rebranding: the “feeling” has not changed.
Across its 28 acres, Garrya Tongsai Bay Samui is home to more than 85 bird species and over 170 plant species, and trees are removed only when safety requires it. How does the resort see this living landscape as part of its heritage, and how is that respect for nature shared with guests?
Nature is part of our work. It is part of our signature, and it is what guests appreciate about our resort. If you stay at Garrya Tongsai Bay Samui, you will not only see nature, you will feel it. We live here almost isolated from the outside world by nature, yet guests can reach Choeng Mon town in just a 10-minute walk.
Guests can join our complimentary Nature Walks, where our team explains the nature around them. At the end of the walk, you reach the highest point of the resort, where a stunning view takes in all the natural areas that belong to Garrya Tongsai Bay Samui.
The organic garden, established in 2003, keeps practical traditions alive, from propagating plants with the layering method to distilling citronella and making charcoal from fallen wood. How do these hands-on practices help guests connect with a more traditional island way of living?
Guests enjoy learning simple, new things. They learn about local plants and herbs, and they can see, smell and touch what goes into the food we serve in our restaurants. Guests also appreciate that we reuse and recycle so many items they would usually never think about. We have a very passionate gardening team and a Sustainability Manager who love to share their experience with guests.
At RHOY RHOY!, dinner celebrates Thai comfort food true to the regions where each dish originates, while the Thai Cooking Class begins with produce from the resort’s own organic garden. How does the culinary team keep these regional recipes authentic while making them meaningful for international guests?
We always stick to the original recipes. Some of our chefs have been working here for many years, and their experience and knowledge of Thai traditions help us keep our food authentic. Our team also always enjoys sharing stories with guests about the history of each dish, its ingredients and more.
From Thai classical dance at the Saturday Thai Street Food BBQ Buffet to the local handicrafts at NEST, cultural expression appears in many corners of the resort. How does Garrya Tongsai Bay Samui bring Thai arts and craftsmanship into the guest experience in a way that feels natural and respectful?
At Garrya Tongsai Bay Samui, we don’t educate guests; we share experiences. Our workshops are not lessons: we interact, and we demonstrate in an interactive way. We use what nature gives us and turn it into something meaningful for our guests, from coconut scrubs that guests can make themselves to fruit carving demonstrations they can try for themselves.
8LEMENTS SPA offers traditional Thai massage and Thai herbal steam within the resort’s natural surroundings. How does the spa team keep the wisdom of Thai healing traditions alive within a modern, salutogenic approach to wellbeing?
Our team brings “Thainess” into every aspect of a modern wellbeing approach, from a welcome drink of Thai green tea infused with coconut to the products we use. We concentrate on the basics, but we do them right and meaningfully: Thai traditions brought into today’s world, with a focus on slowing down, resting, relaxing and doing something positive for body and mind.
Through initiatives such as the solar-powered drinking water system at Baanplailam School and the Seedling Program for local students, the resort invests in the people around it. How does Garrya Tongsai Bay Samui see its role in sustaining the life and future of the surrounding community?
We operate in a community that allows us to be here. We are grateful for this opportunity, and we therefore see it as our responsibility to be respectful and helpful to our community. 97% of our employees are Thai, and most of our team members have roots on Koh Samui or in the surrounding areas, so we are happy to support the community where our team has its roots.
As the resort approaches four decades since its opening, Khun Akorn’s legacy is now being carried into a new era. What does Garrya Tongsai Bay Samui hope this living heritage will mean for the next generation of guests and team members?
We see that our guest demographics have changed slightly. We are welcoming more and more younger guests who share an interest in sustainability, wellbeing, nature, space and unwinding somewhere private and quiet. So we believe that our “Natural to the Core” concept is timeless and ageless.
When I ask new team members why they would like to join us, they all mention the quietness, the nature and the history of the resort. This tells us that our values are still relevant, and that they will be as important in the future as they are today and were in the past.
Wanderlust Tips sincerely thanks Mr. Lang for sharing his insights into the living legacy of Tongsai Bay. We wish him and the Garrya Tongsai Bay Samui team continued success.
About Garrya Tongsai Bay Samui
Nestled within 28 acres of tropical landscape along a private bay on Koh Samui, the resort has been guided by a deep respect for nature since its beginnings in 1987. Surrounded by nature, it offers a sense of space, peace and privacy, while remaining within easy reach of Koh Samui Airport and popular attractions such as Fisherman’s Village.
The long-standing “Natural to the Core” philosophy continues alongside Garrya’s focus on wellbeing, simplicity and mindful living. Guests can slow down through holistic treatments at 8LEMENTS SPA, wellbeing activities, Nature Walks and locally inspired experiences. Dining reflects the destination through Thai flavours, fresh seafood, locally sourced ingredients and produce from the resort’s organic garden, bringing together nature, local culture and mindful living in one peaceful Koh Samui retreat.
Read more: Breathing New Life into Mekong Heritage