Koh Samui, Thailand - 19 February, 2014 - Vana Belle, A Luxury Collection Resort, Koh Samui, is pleased to introduce its distinctive and fascinating concept. Exquisitely nestled in a stunning cove overlooking the Gulf of Siam near Chaweng Beach, Vana Belle, Koh Samui is a private haven of luxury offering an enchanting getaway and memorable experiences.

"We look forward to welcoming Koh Samui visitors to Vana Belle, the most recent addition to The Luxury Collection brand and one of the most spectacular properties in the region" said Mr. Mark O'Sullivan, General Manager. "A unique gem to be discovered, Vana Belle will allow guests to experience cultural immersion into Thai-style island living through a magical and majestic journey".

The name 'Vana Belle' literally means 'Beautiful Forest', Vana being the ancient Sanskrit word for forest and Belle, meaning beautiful, in French. The concept of the resort is based around the

'Himmapan', a mythical forest which is located somewhere in the Himalayas, outside of the human realm, somewhere between Heaven and Earth, and is invisible and inaccessible to mortal beings.

The forest surrounds the base of Mt. Meru, a gigantic mountain in the Himmapan World, home to Lord Indra the Hindu deity, and believed by many to be the gateway to Nibbana (Nirvana). The forest is populated with weird and wonderful creatures, unknown to human realms. Usually these creatures are a mixture of two or more animals, such as the Kinnaree, possibly the most beautiful and gracious of all Himmapan Creatures, a stunningly beautiful hybrid with the head and body of a young woman and the legs and wings of a swan.

With this mythical forest as an inspiration, Vana Belle's buildings and structures were designed around existing trees and natural rock formations, to work harmoniously with nature and complement the native flora and fauna around the resort. A forgotten land of enchantment, where one can relax and unwind, a million miles away from the stresses and strains of the 'real world'. Kiree (literally: mountain in Sanskrit) is Vana Belle's signature venue, and sits atop a hill offering unparalleled views over the cerulean waters of the Gulf of Siam, and serving the finest authentic, Southern Thai cuisine Samui has to offer. Panali (literally: Wooded Area) is located beach side, next to the fine white sand, of which Chaweng Noi is famous for, and serves scrumptious Italian cuisine throughout the day.

Sitting pride of place in our lobby, with unrivalled views over the ocean, sits Vana Belle's lucky mascot, the Kunchorn Waree, a marine creature with the head and front legs of an elephant and the body and tail of a fish. Believed to be the only hybrid creature capable of crossing Sithandon, a vast ocean surrounding Mt. Meru, and possibly the vehicle by which Lord Indra travels to and from his home, in the clouds.

Vana Belle, A Luxury Collection Resort, Koh Samui will take guests into an unforgettable journey to a beautiful forest by opening the door to a secret realm of magic and mystery, which must be seen to be truly believed.

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About The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts 


The Luxury Collection® is an ensemble of hotels and resorts offering unique, authentic experiences that evoke lasting, treasured memories. For the global explorer, The Luxury Collection offers a gateway to the world's most exciting and desirable destinations. Each hotel and resort is a unique and cherished expression of its location; a portal to the destination's indigenous charms and treasures. Magnificent décor, spectacular settings, impeccable service and the latest modern conveniences combine to provide a uniquely enriching experience. Originated in 1906 under the CIGA brand as a collection of Europe's most celebrated and iconic properties, today The Luxury Collection brand is a glittering ensemble of more than 75 of the world's finest hotels and resorts in more than 30 countries in bustling cities and spectacular destinations around the world. The Luxury Collection includes award-winning properties that continuously exceed guest expectations by offering unparalleled service, style and class while celebrating each hotel's distinctive heritage and unique character. All of these hotels, many of them centuries old, are internationally recognized as being among the world's finest. For more information, please visit  www.luxurycollection.com

About  Starwood Preferred Guest

Starwood Preferred Guest® (SPG®) is an innovative, award-winning frequent traveler program that unites each of Starwood's 9 distinctive hotel brands and includes more luxury hotels in more destinations around the world. SPG reinvented the hospitality loyalty landscape when it launched in 1999 with its breakthrough policy of no blackout dates, and over the years has continued its tradition of innovation with enhancements such as Cash + Points, SPG MomentsSM, and most recently Your24TM and SPG LifetimeTM. In addition to Free Night Awards at over 1,100 hotels and resorts and Award Flights on over 350 major airlines without blackout dates, the Starpoints® that members earn through SPG can be redeemed for access like to no other to experiences in music, sports and the arts through SPG Moments. SPG also has an ongoing commitment to digital innovation to meet the needs of today's connected global traveler - from the SPG app for iPhone that utilizes state-aware technology to create a more personalized hotel stay to Starwood's Best Rate Guarantee on SPG.com, to SPG's integration within various social media platforms. Offerings such as these have helped SPG build a passionate member base among the world's most frequent travelers. Learn more at  spg.com and  spg.com/momentsand connect with us on  twitter.com/spg, instagram.com/spg, facebook.com/spg,  foursquare.com/spg,  pinterest.com/spglife, and youtube.com/spg.