THAI STYLE - BACK TO HEALTH
Thai Style - Back to Health - Luxury Travel Magazine
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Thai Style – Back to Health | |||||
| By: Lucy Jones and Hansika Bhagani, Issue 46 – Autumn 11 | |||||
| (Thailand) | |||||
| WHAT TYPE OF HEALTH AND WELLBEING HOLIDAY IS YOUR THING? DISCIPLINE AND DEPRIVATION OR SOMETHING MORE ABOUT REST AND RELAXATION. LUCY JONES AND HANSIKA BHAGANI FOUND FIVE LUXURY THAI HEALTH RETREATS, AMONG WHICH YOU’LL FIND WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR. NOW YOU HAVE NO EXCUSE. | |||||
| Thailand’s five most popular resort destinations are also home to five of the country’s most celebrated health and wellness retreats. Which retreat you choose might depend on the type of treatments it offers, the level of deprivation you’re prepared to tolerate, or where in Thailand you’d like to visit. Here we give you a run down on each of the destinations, their climates, the best times to visit, and how to get there. We also give you the details on the luxury retreat you’ll find at each destination and what it offers the health conscious guest. | |||||
| CHIANG MAI | |||||
| This historic town in northern Thailand is home to more than 300 temples and is a major base for trekking to remote hill villages, white water rafting on the Mae Tang river and elephant riding through the lush Mae Sa valley. Winters are significantly colder than much of the country but the best time to visit is still from December to April. | |||||
| GETTING THERE CHIANG MAI: Thai Airways flies to Chiang Mai daily via Bangkok from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane with return economy class fares starting from A$1,371 and return business class fares starting from A$4,309. They also fly from Perth, return economy fares start from A$1,174 and business class fares start from A$3,540. | |||||
| Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi | |||||
| The Mandarin Oriental Dhara Devi is set amidst 60-acres of natural vegetation near the ancient city of Chiang Mai. The resort fit out has drawn upon the beautifully handcrafted antiques and the architecture from the time of the Lanna Kingdom (a state in northern Thailand that existed from the 13th to 18th centuries) to create a restful haven for its guests. In the Dhara spa, named after the goddess of longevity and spiritual enlightenment, the result is a magnificent space where culture meets calm. It has over 18 treatment suites where guests can engage in holistic therapy. Traditional and modern healing treatments are supplemented with spiritual and physical guidance on yoga, pilates and exercise regimes. There’s also a hydrotherapy room, Vichy shower, heated scrub table, hammam, Rhassoul (a room for clay treatments) and Watsu Pool. AMENITIES: Two pools, two tennis courts. TELEVISION: Yes TELEPHONES: Yes WIFI: Yes ALCOHOL: Yes RATES: From THB16,799 (around A$570) per room for a Spa Suite including breakfast, on call butler service, private bar, twice daily housekeeping and fresh fruit and flowers daily. | |||||
| WEBSITE: mandarinoriental.com/chiangmai | |||||
| GETTING TO MANDARIN ORIENTAL DHARA DEVI FROM CHIANG MAI AIRPORT: The retreat offers a limousine service from Chiang Mai airport. The journey takes around 15 minutes and costs THB1,100 (around A$37) one way. | |||||
| HUA HIN | |||||
| Hua Hin has been Thailand’s royal beach resort since the 1920s due to its proximity to Bangkok, five kilometres of beaches and some of the driest weather on the peninsula with only a short rainy season. Visit between December and February to experience Thailand’s premier golf courses, a cosmopolitan restaurant scene and the famous night market in warm, dry weather. | |||||
| GETTING THERE HUA HIN: Thai Airways flies direct to Bangkok from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane daily with return economy class fares starting from A$1,230 and business class fares starting at A$4,081. Return economy fares from Perth start from A$1,029 and business class fares from A$3,294. Hua Hin is around 200 kilometres south west of Bangkok. | |||||
| Chiva-Som | |||||
| When people think health, luxury and Thailand in the same moment, they’re probably thinking of Chiva-Som. The resort unfolds over seven acres of flourishing tropical gardens. The rooms mix the beauty of Thai architecture with the comfort of contemporary western design. Traditional massages, facials, scrubs and wraps are offered as well as more holistic treatments for the spiritual traveller. The Emotional Freedom Technique has been described as “acupuncture for the mind”. It relieves blocks or disturbances in the body’s meridian energy system to eliminate problems such as cravings, stresses or phobias. Nearby at the Niranlanda Medi-spa doctors offer more familiar treatments like botox, laser skin rejuvenation or skin tightening with Thermage which uses heat to tighten collagen in the skin, meaning guests can get the benefit of a facelift without invasive surgery. Packages at Chiva Som are all inclusive and range from five-day taster packages to the 14-night Eternal Youth package. AMENITIES: Indoor and outdoor pool, bathing pavilion, library TELEVISION: Yes TELEPHONES: Yes WIFI: Available in the library. ALCOHOL: Wine and champagne available in the evenings only. RATES: From THB49,995 (around A$1,698) per person for a three night retreat staying in an Ocean View room including three spa cuisine meals a day, a health and wellness consultation, choice of daily massage, daily fitness and leisure activities and unlimited use of the water therapy suites. | |||||
| WEBSITE: chivasom.com | |||||
| GETTING TO CHIVA SOM FROM BANGKOK AIRPORT: The retreat offers luxury car transfers from Bangkok airport. They take around three hours and start from US$240 (around A$245) one way. Private helicopter or plane transfers can be arranged on request. | |||||
| KOH SAMUI | |||||
| This small island is only 15 kilometres across and all of its pristine white beaches can be reached by the one coast road. Located in the Gulf of Thailand to the east of the mainland, Koh Samui has a different climate to much of southern Thailand with only a short rainy season from October to November and warm weather year round. | |||||
| GETTING THERE KOH SAMUI: Thai Airways flies to Koh Samui daily via Bangkok from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane with return economy class fares starting from A$1,609 and business class fares starting from A$4,504. Return economy class fares from Perth start from A$1,591 and business fares from A$3,699. | |||||
| Kamalaya Koh Samui | |||||
| Kamalaya is built around a centuries-old cave that was once used by Buddhist monks as a place for meditation and spiritual retreat. The tradition of these monks continues at Kamalaya, where guests are encouraged to take advantage of the cave for quiet contemplation and perhaps meditation. The retreat itself is set in a stunning coastal landscape which stretches from a pristine white-sand beach to a dramatic hilltop. As well as traditional Eastern practices, this wellness retreat mixes Western healing practices into its programs. The programs have names such as Healthy Lifestyle, Detox, Yoga and Stress and Burnout. The activities at this retreat range from the traditional Western-style spa treatments such as massages, scrubs and facials to learning courses in yoga and meditation. The here is also guidance provided on nutritional requirements and stress management. Optional daily classes are open to all guests and include Pilates, yoga and meditation classes, beach walks and core fitness classes. AMENITIES: Two ocean-view swimming pools; an art gallery hosts exhibitions from local artists and often hosts an artist-in-residence who will conduct art talks and classes. TELEVISION: In common lounge, not in rooms TELEPHONES: Yes WIFI: At an extra cost ALCOHOL: Yes RATES: From THB7,100 (around A$241) per night for a Hillside room including initial wellness consultation, use of steam room, swimming pools and fitness centre and scheduled holistic activities. | |||||
| WEBSITE: kamalaya.com | |||||
| GETTING TO KAMALAYA FROM KOH SAMUI AIRPORT: The retreat offers airport transfers for THB1,250 (around A$42) one way and they take around 45 minutes. | |||||
| KRABI | |||||
| A coastal province in southern Thailand, Krabi is famous for its beaches, diving, national parks and as the rock climbing capital of Thailand. Facing the Andaman Sea, much of the region is accessed by boat, so the best time to visit is from November to April to avoid the summer monsoons that can make travel by sea difficult. | |||||
| GETTING THERE KRABI: Thai Airways flies to Krabi daily via Bangkok from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane with return economy class fares starting from A$1,360 and business class fares starting from A$4,298. Return economy class fares from Perth start from A$1,164 and business fares from A$3,530. | |||||
| Anantara Si Kao Resort & Spa | |||||
| Tucked away on secluded Changlang Beach, Anantara is set among some of the best natural scenery Thailand has to offer. Surrounded by lush national parks and overlooking islands in the Andaman Sea, the resort is a haven for those looking to stay well and truly off the tourist trail. The resort offers an extensive range of health programs. The Rejuvenate Me three day program involves yoga, massage and body scrubs, while the more intensive Quit Smoking Programme treats withdrawal in natural ways. Doctors are on hand to help with treatments to ease the stress in the five, seven or 14-day course. The programs and treatments embrace both traditional Western and Eastern practices, but also borrow from a range of new healing practices still becoming known around the world. One of the treatments the resort offers is ichthyotherapy, where small doctor fish nibble on the feet of guests, as a form of skin exfoliation. Standard guestrooms are spacious and those staying in one of the two suites can relax in their own plunge pool. AMENITIES: Swimming pool, fitness centre, Thai cooking and language classes TELEVISION: Yes TELEPHONES Yes WIFI Yes ALCOHOL: Yes RATES: From THB5,900 (around A$200) per night for a Deluxe Garden Terrace including breakfast and late check out. | |||||
| WEBSITE: sikao.antarana.com | |||||
| GETTING TO ANANTARA SI KAO FROM KRABI AIRPORT: The retreat offers limousine transfers from Krabi airport for THB2,750 (around A$93) one way per room. Transfers take one hour. | |||||
| PHUKET | |||||
| Thailand’s most famous island, Phuket lies off the south west coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea and offers a mix of beautiful beaches, lush jungle and heady nightlife. It has a typically tropical climate with a hot, wet monsoon season from April to August and a cooler dry season from November to March. | |||||
| GETTING THERE PHUKET: Thai Airways flies to Phuket daily via Bangkok from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane with return economy class fares from A$1,440 and business class from A$4,309. Thai Airways also flies direct to Phuket from Perth three times a week, with a stop in Bangkok on the return leg. Economy fares start at A$1,221 and business from A$3,317. | |||||
| Paresa | |||||
| Located on the Kamala cliffs, west of Phuket, Paresea is a luxury lifestyle resort where guests can spend downtime their own way. Unlike other retreats with strict and specific programs focused on the health needs of guests, Paresa takes a laid-back approach. Guests are invited to pamper themselves in the spa, or work up a sweat in a state-of-the art fitness centre with floor to ceiling views over the cliffside. Dining steers away from an austere food-as-energy philosophy to something more appetising and comprehensive. The resort offers traditional and fusion Thai as well as Italian cuisine and a wide-ranging selection for both Thai or English breakfasts. All of the resort’s 49 villas and suites are located on the steep cliffside to take advantage of million-dollar uninterrupted views out to the Andaman Sea and most offer private infinity pools. Inside the design is based on traditional Southern Thai homes. For guests who revel in the luxury and think they’ve died and gone to heaven, the resort does nothing to dissuade them. Staff are called Angels and will arrange anything including day trips to cooking classes. AMENITIES: Fiber-optic lit swimming pool, energy flotation pool, gym, library, gallery, cooking school, Kamala Beach Club TELEVISION: Yes TELEPHONES: Yes WIFI: Yes ALCOHOL: Yes RATES: From THB15,569 (around A$529) per night for a Talay Suite including breakfast. | |||||
| WEBSITE: paresaresorts.com | |||||
| GETTING TO PARESA FROM PHUKET AIRPORT: The retreat offers luxury SUV transfers from Phuket airport which take around 30 minutes and cost THB1,100 (around A$37) per room. They also offer a VIP international transfer service which includes airport fast track service and lounge use for departure and arrival. The VIP service costs THB1,600 (A$54) per person. | |||||
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