Chiva-Som Hua-Hin

Thailand
Asia

The Experience

Chiva-Som isn't just another beach-spa getaway. With 80 rigorously trained therapists and world-renowned experts in well-being, this is the place to renovate your lifestyle. Sure, there's the waterfront tai chi and spa cuisine for health junkies, but this resort goes far beyond, with in-depth consulting on health and wellness. There’s even an acupuncture program that can help guests stop smoking. The beach town's Chiva-Som resort pioneered the Western-friendly health retreat in Asia when it opened seven years ago, and it continues to innovate. Of course, its location is a huge incentive to get healthy. Situated on seven acres on the Gulf of Thailand, the lush landscape fits into the same goal of soothing and renewal.

The Rooms

Chiva-Som is the first spa/health resort in the world to exceed a ratio of more than one-to-one treatment rooms to guest rooms. Though the outnumbered guest rooms and suites are attractive--done in traditional Thai style, with king-size beds and lots of teak--the resort chooses basic and streamlined over grand and luxe. Even standard rooms have balconies and overlook the Gulf of Siam, while suites include much larger terraces for drinking in the sea air. Thai pavilions are the most soothing, and while more spacious than standard rooms, you have to forfeit the Gulf view; these are clustered around the lake, where you can watch carp swim by. To glam it up, book the sole Golden Bo pavilion. With views of the Gulf, a large living room and a foyer and lounge area, it's the resort's Presidential Suite.

The Service

The total staff-to-guest-room ratio is six-to-one, so the wait-time on requests is short. Where Chiva-Som excels, however, is not in typical resort service but in real medical awareness: Upon arrival, guests meet with a health and wellness consultant to tailor a program and evaluate health basics. From there, the class choice is limitless.

The Highlights

Chiva-Som is constantly bringing in world-class experts (in pilates, cooking, group therapy) to lecture and teach, so you could visit three times in a year and have a different experience each time. You set the pace, choosing from basic yoga and life-coaching sessions and a true holistic getaway with colonics, iridology and acupuncture. Be aware that the focus is on group participation, though you can still take a private trip into town or have a quiet in-room meal. But you won't forget you're in Thailand. The food is flavorful (though healthy), the design is unembellished but authentically Thai and the beaches are among the best in the world--the ultimate setting for morning tai chi.

 

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