Compare Retreats’ founder Dervla Louli checks in and discovers the dream team and life-changing retreats at Asia’s hottest luxury wellness retreat.
Since launching Compare Retreats in 2017, I’ve been searching for a retreat that truly delivers across medical, holistic and aesthetic wellness—somewhere I could leave feeling relaxed, more energised, and visibly better. Until now, it felt impossible to find. That changed when I discovered Layan Life by Anantara. With just 72 hours to work their magic, the team did exactly that.
Here’s everything you need to know about Layan Life before booking a retreat that might just change your life. It certainly changed mine.
The Concept
Layan Life by Anantara is a next‑generation wellness retreat nestled within the lush grounds of Anantara Layan Phuket Resort in southern Thailand. More than a spa or fitness centre, it’s a holistic health destination that blends ancient healing traditions with cutting‑edge medical science to support every stage of life—from stress reduction and fitness optimisation to longevity and preventative health.
At its heart is a personalised wellness philosophy built around thorough assessments and expert guidance. From the moment you arrive, comprehensive diagnostics—including lifestyle consultations, body analysis and tailored testing—inform a bespoke programme designed to restore balance and enhance long‑term wellbeing.
A Seamless Arrival
The biggest mistake people make when booking a retreat is failing to speak to an expert beforehand. I always aim to gather Compare Retreats clients’ blood work, microbiome tests and scan results before they arrive, so valuable time on retreat is spent addressing issues—not collecting data. That’s why I loved that Layan Life requested this information during our very first call and was completely unfazed by the fact that I only had three days, rather than the recommended seven, to experience as much of the longevity programme as possible.
The energy, speed and efficiency of the Layan Life team are exceptional. The doctors, physios, nurses and therapists are a true all-star squad who have collectively treated royalty, celebrities and elite athletes, as well as clients of all ages who expect visible results—quickly and efficiently. Most importantly, their advice is practical, science-backed, and easily applied to everyday life long after you leave.
See also: 6 Wellness Retreats Royals Love, From Meghan Markle To Queen Camilla
Location & Facilities
Layan Life also ranks among the world’s leading retreats thanks to its exceptional location. Just 30 minutes from Phuket International Airport and set within the lush surrounds of Anantara Layan, it is exotic, luxurious and instantly iconic.
Overlooking the Andaman Sea, the resort comprises a hotel and private residences, a dramatic infinity pool, two more secluded swimming pools and a picturesque beach. An extensive active zone includes a zip line, tennis court, climbing wall and Muay Thai boxing ring. There’s also an excellent kids’ club, alongside activities for teens and tweens such as surfing, kayaking and Thai bamboo martial arts, plus a vetted babysitting service. It makes Layan Life a rare find: a serious wellness retreat that works just as well as a family holiday.
Accommodation
Guests can choose from the various suites, pool villas and residences at the adjacent Anantara Layan Resort and Layan Residences by Anantara. There are 13 accommodation types, from the 56-square-metre premier room to the two-storey seaview residences, complete with live-in butler service and VIP airport arrival and departure.
Dining
Layan Life’s cuisine—created by wellness chef Filippo Tawil—can be ordered anywhere across the resort. Breakfast is served as an abundant buffet that transforms into Zuma each evening at 6pm. The Layan Life breakfast offering is thoughtfully macronutrient-balanced, with an excellent range of healthy protein options—something I always look for. On several mornings, I opted for the Japanese breakfast, combining rice, ikura, salmon and greens. I’ve never eaten better at a wellness retreat.
Clean, fresh Japanese cuisine paired with wellness staples like protein smoothies and nutrient-dense green juices is hard to beat. There’s no fasting, no deprivation—just simple, delicious, genuinely healthy food. And while the Layan Life team can fully support fasting or cleansing programmes if that’s your preference, strict diets tend to stress me out and spike my cortisol, so they’re personally not for me.
Wellness
The Layan Life facility is state-of-the-art—light, bright, modern and calming. Spanning almost 2,000 square metres over two floors, it houses a Technogym AI gym, yoga studio, reformer and Cadillac Pilates studio, hydrotherapy area, saunas, steam room, and more. It has all the equipment you would expect from a luxurious medical wellness retreat, from cryotherapy and hyperbaric chambers to colonic, IV and scanning technology.
To get the most out of your stay, I highly recommend completing blood work, DEXA and microbiome tests a month in advance so the team can address any issues immediately on site, rather than waiting for results. The aesthetics offering is equally impressive, led by a qualified MD and supported by a skilled team of nurses. From the best HydraFacial you’ll ever have to Ultherapy plans that can genuinely transform your appearance, it’s a retreat I plan to return to annually for a literal lift. In addition, the resort has a separate spa facility for facials, massages and treatments that rank among the finest you’ll experience anywhere.
What truly elevates Layan Life is the team caring for you. Led by Jennifer Sanvictores, an award-winning wellness retreat veteran with decades of experience in Asia, you couldn’t be in better hands. After my consultations with Dr Sataporn Wangthitkul (Dr A), physiotherapist Pacanut Intafong, Traditional Thai Medicine doctor Kornpathy Lipikorn, and nutritionist Tiah Julius, I left with a completely new wellness playbook—for myself, my parents, and my children. Every professional I met was at the top of their field, and I am seriously considering returning annually, entrusting Dr A with the science-backed longevity programme I want to pursue, and bringing my parents along in the future.
See also: Inside The Wellness Travel Trends Defining Luxury Retreats In 2026
Layan Life offers a fully customised approach to wellness, with an extensive menu of treatments—from NAD+ IVs to postural analysis and colonics—that can be booked individually. But the most profound results come from enrolling in a full wellness retreat programme. I chose the Longevity Programme, designed to enhance healthspan and vitality. Other programmes focus on Restorative Sleep, Detox, Traditional Thai Medicine, Shape, Mindfulness, Beauty, Active, and more. Booking a retreat at Layan Life might just change your life—I know it changed mine.
To learn more about Layan Life and to embark on your next wellness journey solo or with the family, get in touch for personalised recommendations, Virtuoso benefits, and exclusive offers at dervla.louli@compareretreats.com.
