Thailand

Aashly Jayan, Health and Wellness Advisor at Chiva-Som discusses the role of technology in our lives and when it might be time to consider a digital detox.

We sat down with Karina Stewart, co-founder of Kamalaya in Koh Samui, Thailand to discuss the vision behind this award-winning resort and the impact of both cultural ties and Traditional Chinese Medicine on their day-to-day offering.

What is Phuket Cleanse and who’s it for?

Phuket Cleanse is an all-encompassing active holiday that covers everything from fitness, nutrition to mindfulness, and mental wellness. It follows a dynamic cleanse and food-as-medicine philosophy, promoting the power of movement and clean eating as a means to detoxify the body. The retreat can be tailored for each individual’s goals and guests can choose to be as active and physical or as relaxed and meditative as they want. A wide range of activities are at your disposal, from hiking, Muay Thai, HIIT, strength training, to different yoga and meditation styles, stand up paddle boarding, cooking classes and more. Rest and recovery are also an integral part of the program, incorporating various practices such as hot and cold immersion therapy (alternating ice baths and sauna), breath work, and massage.

Tell us about the resort – what makes Kamalaya so special?

Having heard so many glowing reviews about Kamalaya, I was very excited to experience it myself and understand what makes it such a special place with such a high rate of repeat guests. From the beautiful location to the nurturing spa treatments and nourishing food, it’s impossible to visit Kamalaya and not feel instantly better in yourself.  

There is a special magic at Kamalaya, an award-winning sanctuary and holistic spa carved into the hillside of the lush Thailand jungle and overlooking the aqua blue sea. It is the perfect setting, a delight for the senses and also the winner of the title of Thailand's best spa. My journey begins at Koh Samui airport where I am greeted with a cool towel and a warm smile, I am glad to arrive after an overnight flight from Melbourne via Bangkok and enjoy being driven from the airport in an air-conditioned 4WD, on approach my driver calls ahead to ensure there is a cool welcome drink and my check in is both efficient and calming, this is to set the scene for the rest of my stay.

What is Amanpuri and who’s it for?

The first Aman hotel opened 28 years ago, Amanpuri is the original hotel in the luxury chain infamous for their exception service and incredible offerings. Amanpuri is the perfect retreat for those seeking something special, here under the direction of General Manager Paul Linden (Previously at the head of both Chiva Som and COMO Shambhala Estate) is a new level of luxury for the connoisseur wellness traveller.

What is Samahita and who’s it for?

Samahita, which is Sanskrit for centered, has its origins in New York in the 1990s where founder Paul Dallaghan established Centered Yoga and was exploring all elements of yoga, meditation, spirituality, health, nutrition, alternative living and more. This journey continued through India and Thailand, where along co-founder Jutima Chombhubutr they established the early Samahita, well known simply as Yoga Thailand, in 2003.

Travel Specialist Samantha spent 72 hours at Phuket Cleanse and this is her snapshot review…

Less than an hour from Phuket airport is a health and fitness haven Phuket Cleanse, owned by husband and wife team Stanton and Melanie Proctor. The private retreat is situated on a private property with 18 rooms split across three blocks. Each room is air-conditioned and optimised for sleep and features either a king-sized or twin beds, bathroom, fan, towels, and organic toiletries.

My last visit to Thailand was twelve years ago as a eighteen year old backpacker, My memories of this trip was of $5 a night guesthouses, full moon parties, long journeys on the back of old pick up trucks, lots of hangovers and greasy curries. So as you can imagine this luxury ten-day Thai health and fitness Discover Recover holiday was certainly a very different experience from my last visit, in fact it was was absolute bliss!

With its vast array of dreamy landscapes, from lush mountain jungles to white sandy beaches; Thailand is the perfect destination to escape on an activity fuelled holiday. Home to some of Asia’s best health and fitness retreats, there are a multitude of programmes suitable for all sporting fanatics that will boost fitness and well-being on an active holiday. With a plethora of activities to choose from, such as cycling, tennis, yoga, Pilates and various water-sports, you’ll never be short of things to do. Take a peek at our best active holidays in Thailand and feel inspired to explore the beauty of this culturally rich country whilst boosting your health and fitness within the realms of luxury.

Embrace your adventurous side whilst exploring the untamed beauty of Asia through our exclusive range of Discover Recover holidays, designed for solo travellers looking to combine a singles holiday with adventures in local culture. From volcano hiking in Bali, to visiting the floating markets of Vietnam and experiencing the breath taking Taj Mahal in India, discover your chosen country on a cultural solo travel adventure. Recover after your active adventures at one of our luxury wellness retreats, with group fitness classes and relaxing spa treatments.

The phrase ‘beauty is pain’ is one that is well known, yet inherently misleading. Beauty is relaxation, it is inner peace, it is health. Beauty is most certainly not meant to be painful, and if it is, then there’s a strong chance you're heading to the wrong places. So, to shepherd you in the right direction and save you from your beauty woes, we’ve put together a list of the best beauty spa holidays around the world. Whether you’re after traditional cosmetic treatments, chasing the latest and greatest in beauty technology, or fancy opting for something a little more holistic and spiritual to find your inner gorgeousness, we have the spa, and the destination, that’s right for you. Discover the best beauty spas in the world below:

With January now nearly behind us, we're all looking forward to our upcoming plans for the year ahead. No matter where we are on our wellbeing journeys, caring for our health and fitness should be a priority in the months to come. With the gloomy Winter weather we’re enduring, a wellness holiday to look forward to in the Summer is undoubtably a fantastic solution, allowing us to take out all the guesswork and enjoy picturesque destinations, delectable cuisine and the finest wellness activities and therapies all in one beautiful place.

Health and fitness holidays are becoming more and more popular, as they not only allow you to enjoy beautiful natural surroundings, but return home fitter than when you left. Fitness holidays are built around your health and well-being and aim to challenge you physically in a holistic experience that will leave you feeling reinvigorated.

Stand up paddleboarding is one of the fastest growing water sports for so many reasons and it is becoming increasingly accessible on watersports holidays. It is a brilliant way to get in shape while having fun! It offers a full-body workout, which can burn more calories in an hour than most sports as it combines strength, balance, core and endurance. You’ll most certainly build up your tan and look even more radiant on and off the water. Being around large bodies of water can be incredibly calming, therefore paddling along while soaking up the natural surroundings is meditative.

Considered one of the most welcoming countries around the globe, Thailand translates as ‘Land of the Free’. Travellers have been flocking to this country for years to enjoy the enriching culture, spectacular landscapes, and 3219km of gorgeous coastline. Thailand has also garnered itself prestige for having some of the most incredible wellness retreats, infused with the nation’s spirituality, medicine practises and meditation, becoming a standout destination for a wellness pilgrimage.  

Stress is not necessarily a bad thing.  After all, it’s because of this distinctive ability to feel stress that our species have survived for billions of years. It triggers our ‘fight or flight’ response whenever we’re under attack or in the brink of danger, keeping us safe from potential threats. However, when left unchecked, stress becomes overwhelming – leading to a host of mental and physical problems that may consequently be detrimental to our health.

The art of acupuncture has been practiced for over two millennia, in which time it has built a substantial reputation as a leading alternative therapy. With the simple,  non-invasive application of delicate needles, all manner of uncomfortable or life-altering conditions can be eased. Many mental illnesses, like anxiety and depression, can be treated through acupuncture’s gentle stimulation of the nerve endings. The symptoms of physical conditions such as migraines can likewise be dramatically lessened, including muscular issues like hypertension, chronic pain and menstrual cramps.

In a world full of distractions, it has never been more important to take time out and reconnect with yourself, and what better way to do this than on a relaxing wellness spa holiday at one of the best spa hotels in the world. Run by expert practitioners within the wellness industry, these spa destinations offer a diverse range of tailored health programmes, combining the perks of a detox holiday, as well as fitness, weight loss and sleep-enhancement solutions. With a variety of approaches, treatments and classes, these luxury spa retreats are sure to leave you feeling relaxed and invigorated. So, whether you fancy a spa break a little closer to home on the golden beaches of the Mediterranean, or prefer to venture to the deep blue waters of the Caribbean, we’ve rounded up the best spa holidays to completely relax the mind and leave your troubles at home.

If you’ve been suffering from symptoms of stress, anxiety, or depression, the world can seem like an intimidating and isolating place. But there is no need to shut yourself away, as a wellness recovery holiday could be needed after suffering from stress-induced burnouts by offering a de-stressing escape in secluded and peaceful spa destinations worldwide.