THE BOISTEROUS GARDENER

Artfully wild tropical gardens, plush daybeds and ornate bed frames in lobbies and bars, and rescued elephants as resort attractions - these now-popular hospitality experiences were started by one boisterous American gardener who has gone native in South-east Asia. ASIH JENIE talks to Bill Bensley about his oeuvre, his biggest fear, and his most memorable recollections.

- ASIH JENIE

You can take the man out of California, but you - can't take California out of the man. Bill Bensley is a sunny, bouncing ball of energy who is always excited to talk about plants, animals, and hotels. Bill is the name behind many of Asia's most lush resorts, and oftentimes he is also the architect of the most unforgettable experiences offered by such luxury getaways. "King of Exotic Luxury Resorts", "Asia's Number One Spa Designer", as well as a spot in Time Magazine and Architectural Digest's top 100 designers are just a few among the evergrowing list of accolades he has accumulated from over 26 years of designing resorts.

"I'm just a gardener," he says. Growing up, has he always wanted to be a gardener? I asked. "I had no choice," he says. "By the time I could walk, I was given a hoe and was told to work in the garden because that was what kids do in my time." 

Bill grew up on a family farm in Anaheim, Orange County ("When there's still orange trees there"), a stone's throw from Disneyland ("The happiest place on earth"). He traded sunny California for hot and humid Asia in 1984, all thanks to Thai Architect Mathar "Lek" Bunnag, Bill's Harvard classmate. "Lek asked me on graduation day, 'So, what are you going to do now?' I wasn't sure. I thought of bumming around Europe for a while. Lek was going to teach at NUS and invited me to Singapore. I jumped. I said, 'Sure! Singapore - that's in Asia, right, under China?' That was back in 1984."

The Asian Adventure