Congratulations, Kamalaya, a multi-award-winning wellness sanctuary with another stellar year. A glance through their website awards page shows their incredible achievements. I was there in 2020 when they were named Worldwide Health and Wellness Destination of the Year at the World Spa & Wellness Awards. This old bird is not surprised. She has been twice and is plotting a third return.
What makes Kamalaya Koh Samui so special?
Embrace Life’s Potential, says the tote bag I have carried around since my recent stays. It’s a reminder of lessons reinforced: that the secret to an authentic, joyful, fulfilling life lies within.
It’s not that readers of this blog might think I have anything but a fulfilling life. Kamalaya gives you a precious moment in time amongst all the craziness to take stock, press the pause button of life, reassess, work out what is important, and focus on yourself.
I never went in search of life wisdom; that was a bonus!
The Kamalaya visitor’s book is full of appreciation:
Emotionally nourished, cleansed, toned, balanced and loved! As ever, I leave Kamalaya with so much more than with what I came – Jenny UK Jan 2019, 2018, 2017, 2013, 2011.
Thank you for invigorating my spirit, helping me fix my injuries and treating me with such kindness – Rachael Australia Jan 2019
Thank you, Kamalaya! We arrived weary, depleted and stressed and leave refreshed, re-energised and relaxed. We will be back – Alana and Rob Adelaide
‘If all you came for was the silence, that would be enough’
Why Kamalaya?
Thanks to an introduction through the magazine Expat Life in Thailand, I was invited to experience Kamalaya for an article. My stay went by in less than 24 hours. I had a wellness consultation, cried in a Reiki session, and committed to returning at the earliest opportunity—not for anyone else but for me.
A flash sale the following week, together with the availability of special-price tickets on Bangkok Airways, provided the extra incentive, and so, along with my Bangkok best friend, I returned to the warm embrace that awaits at Kamalaya.
The staff smiled as I arrived. You see, John and Karina Stewart the founders know, once you’ve been to Kamalaya, you are highly likely to return again and again.
Open your heart, rest your mind, nurture your body and engage your spirit.
Connect with the power and wonder within. Karina Stewart
What Kamalaya Offers
Kamalaya Koh Samui is more than just a wellness resort; it is about well-being. Each stay starts with a wellness consultation and a biodynamic analysis, followed by a session with a naturopath. You can take as many or as few of the extra sessions as you want.
Free daily exercise classes, talks and other activities are on offer. Throughout our stay, we attended aqua aerobics, walking meditation, and some word I can’t remember what it was, for chair yoga! We also attended an excellent talk called Open Your Heart – A Journey into a World of Emotions.
My friend Julie explains Kamalaya more eloquently than I : ‘The more I engaged with the staff and guests, the more I walked through the beautiful tranquil spiritual grounds, past the cave used for meditation by Buddhist monks for 300 years, and walked amongst the stunning gardens and lotus ponds surrounded by the boulders incorporated into the architecture, the more I became to understand their philosophy …
It’s all about “reconnecting, living gently and becoming more aware of yourself and your surroundings’.
The rooms
‘There are times when we stop, we sit still.
We listen, and breezes from a whole other world begin to whisper – James Carroll.
The rooms have a massive wow factor. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a nicer room or setting on Koh Samui. My first stay, in a Sea-View Villa, had an outdoor shower. On return, my Sea-View Suite had a bath on the balcony! Each room gives you your own private, intimate connection with nature. Each offers the safe space of ‘home’ to connect with Koh Samui’s natural beauty, and this is the perfect environment to connect with yourself.
No two rooms are alike. Individual Asian artwork has been gathered from around the region and reminds us of the connection between East and West. The room colours are soft and earthy, and the neutral colours blend harmoniously. As I admired and reached out to touch the wooden handles of the wardrobe, I could sense how everything had been considered down to the finest detail.
‘I woke up on the second day of my stay, opened my curtains to the most fabulous sea view, and I, although I can’t honestly explain what happened, I was so at peace.’
The Food
Our food was always wonderful. You know that every bite is gourmet wellness on a fork. We started the day with four health juice shots, turmeric and usually a couple of green ones – watch out, flabby tummy, help is coming! The food was filling, and we often enjoyed half a serving for lunch. Dinner was always a gastronomic feast of inspired healthy cuisine.
There was no emphasis on weight loss as such, and certainly, no calorie information is provided, but each menu highlighted detox dishes.
Who benefits from Kamalaya?
Anyone who opens their hearts and minds to attend… I have loved my stay as a solo traveller on a girls’ trip. Next, I want to return with Mr Wren. I was surprised at how many men were at Kamalaya. There is very much a place for all at Kamalaya, especially sceptical blokes who don’t believe they need wellness!
Kamalaya wellness programs are extensive and varied and found focused on:
- Healthy Lifestyle
- Detox and Reset
- Stress and Burnout
- Cultivating Heart, Body and Soul
- Longevity and Regeneration
You can find the programs at www.kamalaya.com/wellness-retreats
Kamalaya Staff
The Kamalaya Staff are professionals in their fields and offer incredible service. The staff are very skilful and knowledgeable and provide the highest level of wellness treatments.
Who attends Kamalaya?
You find such a diversity of backgrounds at Kamalaya. We join a Chinese Tea ceremony with San Bao, a Chinese Tea and Qi Gong master. Here, we meet others and chat over tea.
We find a solo burnt-out business executive, a couple just reunited after seven months apart, a Thai Oil Exec, a Spa Director from another leading Thai spa, us girls on a girls’ week away, a Mum taking time out, an actress and a few celebrities.
It’s like that dinner party game where you choose which inspirational people to invite to dinner. Here at Kamalaya, you meet them all in one go over a cuppa!
The one thing we have in common is a desire to achieve optimal well-being and a bond over our wellness experience. More tea, anyone?
The details
Getting to Koh Samui
Koh Samui is an Island in southern Thailand serviced by Bangkok Airways. Located in Surat Thani province, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Thailand. The most convenient way to get there is to fly from Bangkok or Phuket. You can take the cheaper ferry option from Don Sak (Surat Thani) to Koh Samui, which takes about 1.30 hours.
Flights to Koh Samui
Most flights from Europe are via a transfer in Bangkok or Phuket to a Bangkok Airways flight.
Address: 102/9 Moo 3, Laem Set Road, Na-Muang, Koh Samui, Surat Thani, 84140, Thailand
Website Kamalaya Koh Samui: www.kamalaya.com
Final Thoughts
Kamalaya Koh Samui is an award-winning wellness resort and a holistic sanctuary for rejuvenation and self-discovery. It is in a beautiful tropical setting amidst lush greenery with gorgeous ocean views. It offers luxurious accommodation—I love the outdoor shower. Your days can be filled with thoughtfully curated wellness programs, whether you seek relaxation, detoxification, or personal growth.
Kamalaya provides a serene environment to reconnect with yourself and nature. It’s a destination that leaves a lasting impression, making it an unmissable experience for those seeking a meaningful escape.
If you have enjoyed this post, check out my other Spa, Heath, and Wellness posts:
- The Sensational New Sense Cera Spa Bangkok
- Out of the Ordinary: The Oasis Spa Laguna Phuket
- Why Your Next Trip Should be a Wellness Retreat (in association with The Adventures of Poss and Ruby)
- Absolute Sanctuary, Koh Samui
- Mastering Menopause at Revivo, The Pavilions, Phuket
6 comments
Looks and sounds wonderful 🙂
All the best Jan
How elegant and yet warm and comfortable it looks. I like the idea of a digital detox but think I’d need these kind of surroundings to make that happen.
Wow – what an amazing place! You’re soooo lucky!
You and your friend stayed at such a beautiful resort. I enjoyed looking at the photos and learning about this place. I bet the food was fabulous and the beach looks so inviting. I’m glad you had a good time relaxing with your friend.
Thanks for the blog visit and have a nice weekend.
The place of my dreams… so incredibly beautiful and enjoyable. 🙂
The photographs are perfect.
Wishing you a lovely weekend! xx
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I can see why Kamalaya won the award. It looks like a paradise to help you relax and center. You are truly blessed to be able to visit so often.