Each spa suite at the Anantara has its own private courtyard and a terrazzo bath for two where signature Elemis bath treatments are given. The color therapy steam bath is designed to balance all seven chakras and is not to be missed.
The Anantara Spa was designed by award-winning landscape architect Bill Bensley whose intention was to create a space where guests feel "at one" with nature.
Inside the spa suites are dual al fresco rain showers suspended in cast-bronze cages inspired by traditional Thai fish traps. Bill Bensley is regarded as a master of little decorative touches like these: along with stone figurines, antique birdhouses and ceramic vases, they are all a tribute to the ancient Thai and Khmer heritage of this region.
Two therapists work in rhythmic harmony to deliver the signature Anantara Four-Hand Massage, which is a blend of five massage techniques including traditional Thai, Japanese Shiatsu, lomi lomi Swedish and Balinese.
A treatment room set up for a Thai massage, one of the most popular items on the menu here.
Many activities, including horse riding along Hua Hin beach, are offered at the spa.
Beautifully landscaped Thai gardens and ponds surround Thai-style villas and treatment pavilions at Chiva-Som.
CHIVA-SOM INTERNATIONAL
HEALTH RESORT
HUA HIN, THAILAND
Integrative medicine combining the best of East and West is the basis of the spa of the future—and no other spa currently combines traditional Asian therapies with the best of rejuvenating Western medicine as well as Chiva-Som.
With a name that means "the haven of life," Chiva-Som is set within seven acres (three hectares) of lush Thai gardens on the beach at Hua Hin. With world class facilities and 57 pavilions and oceanview suites, it's a luxurious antidote for any physical or emotional challenges you may be experiencing. It is also a place where you can relax easily either alone or with friends.
Recognizing that "whole" and "healing" derive from the same root, every treatment program and session is geared towards encouraging you to fulfill your potential. From the excellent food that includes detox juices, wheatgrass juices, organic produce and raw food options, to the quality fitness, yoga, martial arts and dance classes that run from 7 am until dusk, wellness here is very much about enjoying life's offerings.
Upon arrival at the spa, each guest is given a health and wellness consultation that sets the pace for the time ahead. In addition, there is a consultation with a spa professional that helps the guest design an individual program for treatments. The packages range from overnight one-day, two-day and three-day stays to 10-to 28-day retreats.
What sets this destination apart is the pre-treatment diagnostic therapies that are offered at the start of your stay. Whether you decide to embark on the popular detox program or simply want to treat the time as a relaxing but healthy holiday, there are a host of medical services such as blood testing nutritional anaylsis, physiotherapy, live blood analysis, echo-cardiography examination and bio-terrain—designed to give a complete picture of the internal workings of your body.
Preventative health is a passion and, if it's a transformation in your lifestyle and self that you seek, then rest assured that the quality of healers, health practitioners and therapists here is very high. There are over 130 therapies including reiki, weight management programs, colonic irrigation, ayurveda, TCM therapies and craniosacral therapy, together with skin rejuvenation treatments such as meseotherapy. The Niranlada Medical Spa Rejuvenation Center also offers Botox (Botulinium Toxin Type A), laser skin rejuvenation and restylane, to name but a few. Water therapies abound. Every guest is encouraged to take a steam, sauna or hot and cold water therapy prior to treatments to keep their bodies fully cleansed and energized. Massages are also plentiful, or if you want to lie about the pool and observe the day go by with a good book, that's fine too.
Many guests depart with a deeper understanding of their own health—and many return. Be prepared to emerge from Chiva-Som feeling inspired to continue taking care of yourself. By integrating the very best of Eastern and Western modalities, Chiva-Som gives you the potential to really rejuvenate.
The Bathing Pavilion contains a Kneipp Walk, a dome-shaped steam room, ozone swimming pool, chilled plunge pool, Jacuzzi and relaxation areas. Activities offered here include H2O therapy, aquatic watsu therapy, water tai chi, water Pilates and aqua-box.
The pool area facing Hua Hin beach features a bar where wheatgrass and other healthy juices are served. Chiva-Som is renowned for its detox, yoga, spa, weight-loss and fitness retreats that are held ail year round.
The Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is based on 5,000-year-old ayurvedic principles and can be loosely described as a "psychological version of acupressure." Here, therapist Paul Emery performs a "tapping" technique to help release blockages within the body's meridian energy system, that in turn releases submerged emotions and memories that may prevent you from living to your full potential.
The stunning Floatation Chamber offers treatments designed to relieve jet-lag, hypertension and insomnia.
A nurturing and therapeutic aquatic watsu therapy is given in the watsu sala. Like an underwater dance, guests are gracefully swirled and stretched for 90 minutes to a place of profound peace and deep relaxation.
Thai-style villas located near a banyan tree and koi pond—the place to rest after spa therapies.
SIX SENSES SPA
AT EVASON HUA HIN RESORT
HUA HIM. THAILAND
The Evason Hua Hin Resort sits along the peaceful Gulf of Thailand near the seaside market town of Hua Hin. Its clean-lined, pure white architecture, delicate lotus ponds and tropical gardens all face the sea and induce a sense of calm.
The spa itself is designed to complement the resort experience and offers pampering and healing therapies centered around health, de-stressing, relaxation and beauty. Blending indoor and outdoor life, it comprises five thatched salas (outdoor pavilions) set amongst tranquil reflecting ponds. Inside is the Cocoon Room where therapies are performed. Next door in the Evason Hideaway at Hua Hin is one of the most eco-friendly spas in the region—the Earth Spa by Six Senses. Here, Eco-cocoons (five salas in the northern Thai style constructed out of a local clay) rely on the surrounding lotus ponds