For Banyan Tree Group heiress Ho Renyung, the world is quite literally her kingdom—and she is reigning over it with heart, humanity and a renewed sense of purpose
n 2016, Ho Renyung took on the role of senior vice‑president of her family’s business, Banyan Tree Group. Taking the reins of a globally renowned luxury hotel and resorts brand might sound like something glamorous out of Gossip Girl or Succession. But the soulful scion prefers to fly under the radar and has been quietly working to bring the Banyan Tree brand into the future with an acute sense of purpose, specifically in the areas of sustainability and humanity.
“Through the years, luxury has evolved to become more personalised,” says Ho, who is based in Singapore. “Customers today want experiences they have a personal connection with, and brands that drive emotional responses will be the ones that last through seasons and trends. True luxury is feeling rejuvenated through the healing power of nature, or having a renewed sense of purpose after experiencing local culture.”
And nothing exemplifies Ho’s vision for the brand quite like Buahan: A Banyan Tree Escape in Bali, which opened in June this year. One of the most anticipated and talked about resort openings for 2022, the property has made headline after headline for pioneering a bold “no doors, no walls” concept.
Located in a secluded pocket of Ubud, Buahan sits next to the Ayung River and waterfall, with sweeping views over the valley. The resort’s 16 balés (villas) are open spaces that blend living and sleeping areas with the surrounding landscape, a concept Ho hopes will “allow guests to fully immerse in the sounds and sights of nature”.
She also hopes that Buahan’s thoughtful use of local materials and produce will encourage a sense of connection between guests and the Balinese community. For example, its menu concept uses ingredients sourced from local suppliers and Banyan Tree’s own farm—all within an hour’s drive from the resort. Upcycled Ulin wood—also known as ironwood from Indonesia’s Kalimantan region—previously used on boat piers and fishing boat decks, hand‑smithed copper, and naturally dyed fabric can also be found throughout the property.
“At the same time, we’re ramping up our efforts in biodiversity conservation and protection,” Ho explains. As a pioneer of resort‑based conservationism, Banyan Tree has over the years established an impressive network of world‑leading research facilities, including the Banyan Tree Marine Lab in the Maldives, to study environmental health and use those findings to help the most vulnerable havens of biodiversity thrive. Closer to home, Banyan Tree has focused its efforts on protecting natural habitats in Thailand and Indonesia, where some of its earliest science‑based conservation initiatives have taken root.