Kamalaya Wellness, Koh Samui

Congratulations Kamalaya who have just been named Worldwide Heath and Wellness Destination of the Year at the World Spa & Wellness Awards 2020. This old bird is not surprised, she has been twice in the last few months and is plotting a third return.

What makes Kamalaya so special?

Embrace Life’s Potential, so says the tote bag I carry around since my recent stays. It’s a reminder of lessons reinforced, that the secret to an authentic, joyful, fulfilling life lies within.

Not that readers of this blog might think I have anything but a fulfilling life – our lives are certainly Covid blessed here in Thailand, compared with the rest of the world.  Protected as we are, our Covid experiences do bring angst of being closed-in. There are the uncertainties of the time and of political unpredictability, living in this region of the world. Our firmly shut borders have brought amazing opportunities, but they come at the high price of isolation from much-craved family connections.

Kamalaya gives you a precious moment in time amongst all the craziness to take stock, to press the pause button of life, to reassess, to work out what is important, to focus on self.

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. We 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?

I was initially invited to Kamalaya thanks to an Introduction through Expat Life in Thailand to write an article. My stay went by in a blur 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 is more than just a wellness resort it is about wellbeing. Each stay starts with a wellness consultation and a biodynamic analysis followed by a session with a naturopath. You can take as much or as little 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, 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 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’.

SEA VIEW SUITES & VILLA

‘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, has an outdoor shower, on return, my Sea View Suite has a bath on the balcony! Each room gives 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 of their East meets West connection. The room colours are soft and earthy and the neutral colours all blend in total harmony. As I admire and reach out to touch the wooden handles of the wardrobe, I could sense how everything has 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, except I was so at peace’

THE FOOD

Our food was always wonderful. You know that every bite is literally gourmet wellness on a fork. We started the day with a choice of four health juice shots, turmeric and usually a couple of green ones – watch out flabby tummy help is coming! The food is filling and we often enjoyed a half portion for lunch. Dinner was always a gastronomic feast of inspired healthy cuisine.

There was not the 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 very much is a place for all at Kamalaya, especially sceptical blokes who don’t believe they need wellness!

The other group I feel will benefit immensely is couples reconnecting after an enforced period of Covid absence. This is something that John and Karina the co-founders have personal experience of. Kamalaya would be such a beautiful place to find personal harmony with yourself and then with your significant other.

Kamalaya’s latest wellness program ‘Beauty & Glow’ has just been launched in November 2020. It is dedicated to give every skin a radiant glow of vitality and support true beauty from the inside out. This program is one that works well for a shorter stay and would be a great way to dip your toe in the Kamalaya experience. As everyone says, after a few days at Kamalaya you develop a Kamalaya glow!

The really good news is that this Kamalaya glow stays with you long after you depart!

KAMALAYA STAFF

Since Covid-19 with Thailand’s borders closed, Kamalaya has been rediscovered by a Thai domestic market after 15 years of international attention. Kamalaya never closed, during Thailand’s lockdown, they locked down with a handful of remaining guests. Staff kept their jobs,  and kept working.

During this time, to ensure continuous development of their staff they offered an extraordinary opportunity to enjoy a full guest experience. 100 staff participated in their choice of the many results-oriented wellness programs on offer. They checked in as guests, stayed as guests, ate as guests. How good is this? The options range from Detoxification to Stress & Burnout, as well as Healthy Lifestyle, Yoga Synergy and Emotional Balance.  

What a fabulous employee development opportunity not to mention putting Kamalaya firmly at the top of the Employer of the Year stakes!  

WHO ATTENDS KAMALAYA?

There is such a diversity of backgrounds of people you find at Kamalaya.  We join a Chinese Tea  ceremony with San Bao, 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 a bit like that dinner party game where you say which inspirational people you’d like to invite to dinner. Here at Kamalaya, you meet them all in one go, over a cuppa!  In 2020 everyone has a story to tell, don’t we all in 2020?!

The one thing we have in common? We bond over our wellness experience and a desire to achieve optimal wellbeing. More tea anyone?

EXPAT TRAVEL BONUS

How lucky are we in Thailand to have access to this multi-award-winning wellness sanctuary located on the southern coast of Koh Samui on our doorstep? For expats in Thailand, they are also one of the 300 hotels offering the 1,000 Baht Expat Travel Bonus.

Not surprisingly they have a long list of guests wanting to attend once the International borders reopen. 

I hope you have enjoyed getting to know the magic of Kamalaya a little better and perhaps if you are in Thailand you will check out this golden opportunity to book in now whilst the chance presents with unbelievable prices and current special offers. 

Kamalaya Koh Samui: www.kamalaya.com

Have a great day!