Thailand was once—and in some places, still is—the party capital of Southeast Asia. Increasingly, though, it’s become internationally renowned for more than chaotic stag dos: a thriving wellness scene is taking over its idyllic islands and lush jungles. For Kamalaya Retreat in Koh Samui, the international practitioners combined with local Thai culture and traditions has made it one of the regions most renowned luxury resorts.
On a mini career break and seeking a place to cleanse and reset, CompareRetreats.com founder Dervla Louli checks into Kamalaya to review the seven-day Comprehensive Detox while recharging body and soul.
Location
Kamalaya Koh Samui, Thailand is a luxurious, award-winning Wellness Sanctuary and Holistic Spa resort with a team of international naturopaths. Located a 45-minute drive from Koh Samui airport, Kamalaya has its own private stretch of beach adjacent to Laem Set Beach, a small and peaceful lagoon.
Accommodation
The rooms, suites, villas and penthouses are all stylish, spacious and tranquil. The décor is simple and natural to encourage a restful and peaceful stay. I stayed at a Villa Sea View during my time at the resort and loved the view of the jungle and beach as well as the outdoor shower that made me feel at one with nature. It was comfortable, luxurious and clean.
Seven-Day Comprehensive Detox Programme
Recommended for experienced detoxers, this all-inclusive week-long package includes regular colonics, massages and infrared saunas in addition to numerous daily vitamins and minerals.
I felt grouchy on day one, exhausted on day two, and by day three I wasn’t fit for anything except for numerous naps in between treatments. The colonics were quite uncomfortable but the massages more than made up for them and the nurses and wellness experts carefully guided me expertly through every treatment.
On day four I began to get a little bit more energy back and availed of the fitness centre, and on day five and six I took part in morning yoga classes that set me up for the day.
Food Programme
Breakfast was a wheatgrass shot followed by a breakfast from the foods in the detox buffet. I had massive caffeine withdrawal symptoms which I eased with copious amounts of coconut water.
Lunch was enjoyed at the outdoor restaurant by the swimming pool and usually consisted of a large salad and juice or smoothie.
Dinner was a social affair, with the option to eat alone or at communal tables with other guests. I met fantastic people of all ages, backgrounds and industries who were travelling on their own, with partners or with friends.
I stuck to the detox menu for the entire seven days— I couldn’t get over the incredibly wide range of food I had to choose from, all of which was fresh and delicious.
Results
By day seven, I was a kilo lighter which I was a little disappointed with as I thought after eating from the detox menu all week I would lose a bit more weight. As I normally avoid refined sugar, processed and fried foods in my regular routine a great deal of weight loss was not to be expected which I understood from the beginning.
I felt and looked well rested and my skin glowed from all of the healthy food and treatments I experienced throughout the week. What I was really blown away by was how peaceful and stress-free I was by the time I left. I had so much time to reflect and just ‘be’ which doesn’t happen often in my usual day-to-day life. I would go back to this luxurious retreat to experience another programme in a heartbeat when I need a full reset.
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Great review!