Tea in the treetops
Sup afternoon tea in the trees at Banyan Tree Krabi in Thailand.
30 January 2025
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Afternoon tea, as everyone knows, is a civilised affair. A delicate dance of porcelain cups, tasteful finger foods, and gentle conversation about whether scones should be eaten with jam first or cream first. (For the record, it’s jam first – civilisation would collapse otherwise.)
But at Banyan Tree Krabi, Thailand, they’ve decided that simply sitting at a table isn’t dramatic enough. No, here you can sip your Earl Grey in an actual tree, perched several metres above the resort, in what they call the Bird’s Nest tables, three utterly bonkers yet brilliant dining platforms suspended in the foliage, overlooking the Andaman Sea.
Yes, that’s right. You’ll be drinking tea at altitude, presumably while trying very hard not to drop a macaron into the abyss.
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What’s on the menu? (Besides mild terror for those afraid of heights)
The Setting
A trio of precariously stylish tables attached by a walkway to Saffron, Banyan Tree Krabi’s signature Thai restaurant.
The Food
Forget cucumber sandwiches. Here, afternoon tea involves Pani Puri Caviar, Truffle-Braised Wagyu Beef, and a Mango Sticky Rice Mousse Cake so pretty you’ll feel slightly guilty eating it (but not that guilty).
The Tea
Supplied by the Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company, which means the selection is fancy but familiar: English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Jasmine Green, Peppermint, and Chamomile—all soothing enough to calm the nerves of anyone who realises halfway through their scone that they are, in fact, quite high up in a tree.
The Crockery
You don’t just get tea; you get it served in one of three exquisite porcelain sets:
- Citrus Charm Collection (Elegant, with a hint of “I own property in the South of France”)
- Sapphire Sips Collection (Classic, timeless, vaguely royal)
- Birdsong & Blossom Bliss Collection (A name so long it could be a rom-com title, but absolutely delightful).
The Presentation
The whole feast is delivered on a three-tiered birdcage curate, because apparently tea in a tree isn’t theatrical enough without turning the food into an ornithological statement piece.
The Scones
And because no afternoon tea can be taken seriously without scones, they’ve gone all out with:
- Sesame Puff Filled with Pandan Custard
- Sweet-Sour Lychee in Orange-Flavoured Syrup.
They are, apparently, so good that they justify the cost of an international flight, which is precisely the kind of confidence we respect in a pastry.
How to book your own high-stakes afternoon tea
Bird’s Nest Table Reservations
2 pm – 3:30 pm (For the early birds – literally.)
3:30 pm – 5 pm (For those who like their tea with a sunset.)
Price Per Couple:
Signature Afternoon Tea: 2,900 THB
Vegetarian Set: 2,200 THB
Perfect for anniversaries, birthdays, or just proving to yourself that you can drink tea in a tree without losing your dignity.
And while you’re here …
Banyan Tree Krabi is not just about gravity-defying teatime experiences. Set on Tubkaek Beach, it’s home to 72 pool suites and villas, including a seven-bedroom Presidential Beachfront Pool Villa, which is exactly the kind of place you’d expect to find a Bond villain taking a well-earned break.
Beyond the tea, you can expect
A beach bar for when tea simply won’t cut it. A kids’ club (for distracting the small people in your life). An award-winning spa (for the people who overdid it on the scones).
To book a Bird’s Nest table or get more info, contact krabi@banyantree.com or call +66 75 811 888.
So, if you’ve ever thought, Yes, afternoon tea is lovely, but it would be improved if I were higher up and slightly more concerned about dropping my cutlery, congratulations, your time has come.
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