People speak of this magical place in hushed tones, how they had a new perspective on health and wellness lingering much after their visit, how their few days there, reset theirbodies and their minds. In this current age of quick fixes and the massive sprawl of the wellness industry (within which it’s hard to know what is grounded and what is not), the idea of an old-fashioned wellness resort with a stellar reputation set amidst lush foliage and on the Gulf of Thailand, was intensely appealing.
Landing in Bangkok, with rest and wellness on my mind, we whisked off on a two and a half hour drive to the seaside town of Hua Hin: formerly a sleepy fishing village andsince the 1920s, home to the summer residence of the Thai Royal family, Bangkok families in the know and our destination: Chiva Som.
We arrive to a beautiful Thai welcome and are escorted to our room: the spa- cious and plush Thai Pavilion. The resort is set within acres of green, with soaring trees and ponds teeming with fish, the sound of the waves just beyond and the spa, medical facilities and rooms tucked amongst the trees and gardens. Renovated just a few years ago, Chiva Som spans a variety of architectural styles, from traditional Thai to minimal modern, the common theme being a luxurious comfortable cocoon.
The core tenet of Chiva Som is long term health, with practical suggestions incorporated that will well and truly change not only the way of living but also the way of thinking. As with everything, one takes from an experience what one wants, but being seen by some of their legendary consultants who prescribed the host of treatments was extraordinary. For the first time, my entire body was analysed holistically.
We started with an hour-long consultation with one of the resident health and wellness advisors. Many scans and analytics, tests and questions later, a plan for my next four days was drawn up, tailor made for me and as treatments advanced, they were alsogently adjusted to what my body and energy required. (Many people come for weeks and months, and while I wish I had the time to spend a fortnight, four days was a good start). Multiple massages, hydrotherapy, physical therapy, exercise and nutrition. Days began as early as 7am with a morning treatment and ended as late as 9pm. Every day I wasdelivered a typed schedule of my next day’s activities and treatments, carefully planned, slipped into the mailbox of my room.
Imagine my joy upon discovering Day 1 consisted of a Signature massage, a stretching session, a facial, a ‘mindfulness with music’ session, and an hour in a floating tank. The goal, however, is not simply pampering and relaxation, no matter how worthy they are. Instead, ridding one’s body of toxins and guiding me to implement long term solutions was the goal, as was developing a repertoire of good habits to last a lifetime.
Given the time spent in treatments, one would think that the stunning coastline and the beautiful grounds, plus the amazing restaurant would be an afterthought. Quite the contrary, Chiva Som can lay claim to some of the best food I have ever had. Their local gardens, farms and fisheries provide their produce while their chefs work closely with thehealth practitioners to make sure every aspect of their cuisine is mindful, nutritious and delicious. However, it goes beyond the definition of ‘good for you’. The special quality of Chiva Som is that the seamless incorporation of healthier ways of living, eating and self care are so subtly and smoothly blended into ones’ daily routines that there is never afeeling of deprivation or effort. The food is bursting with flavour, the preparation exquisitely light and yet filling, the variety (Traditional Thai to Western) so perfectly done,that I would look forward to trying new dishes daily.
I learned more about food and the effects of what we eat in four days than I had ever known in the four decades before.Every morning and evening, we would sit at the seaside restaurant and begin and end our days. It was absolutely magical, the endless horizon of the ocean flowing into the bay, the gigantic palm trees swaying in the wind, the sun dappling over the water and the beach just below us. Without our phones in public spaces and without the clutter of constant information, it was a cleansing in every sense. Mind, body, palate and soul.
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Words Rymn Massand
Date 04.05.2024