The Newest Wellness Resorts In Asia For A Zen Escape
The pandemic has made wellness even more important and visible than before, and these new resorts in Asia do it best
By Sandhya Mahadevan -
Oprah Winfrey once said, “Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.” And throughout the pandemic, this was an important thing to remember, as our personal and work lives merged in one venue. We ate and slept and binge-watched our favourite movies and television shows within the same four walls that we worked and worked out in. The concept of me-time collided with one big jumble of activities.
Oprah’s quote reminds us to breath and stay in the moment and not transition from one mode to another. It reminds us that wellness is an important concept to practice and keep top of mind (as much as possible).
Since the pandemic ended, luxury wellness resorts have been cropping up in abundance to fulfil those wellness needs. These hotels, focused on easing the mind and body in attractive destinations will make it easy for you to breathe and be in the moment.
So leave the kids at home for a cheeky weekend (or more) and head to one of these resorts to keep calm, and relax for a better life (and if we're honest, to be better parents).
Not a newcomer to the game, Chiva-Som has been one of the pioneers of wellness tourism since 1995. Its flagship resort in Thailand Hua Hin, Chiva-Som has been one of the proponents of holidays that cater to mind, body and soul. Condé Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards 2022 awarded it the Top Spa Resort Destination accolade for yet another year and counting. It has also been recognised as Asia’s and Thailand’s Best Wellness Resort at World Spa Awards 2021.
The resort sits over seven metres of coastline on the Gulf of Thailand—a two-and-a-half hour drive from Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok—offering views of uninterrupted lush greenery from every corner of the resort, including its 54 rooms.
Traditional architectural elements and accents—think Thai silk bed throws, embroidered pillowcases and oriental carpets—underscore the focus on natural elements.
A holiday at Hua Hin, Chiva-Som opens guests’ minds to the prospect of a lifestyle transformation with personalised treatments and programmes that merge rich indigenous traditions with evidence-based wellness. Even the food that is served is organically grown in its own garden.
Wellness at Hua Hin, Chiva-Som extends from the food to the treatments to the fitness programmes. Revolving around the concept of healthy dining, the resort’s kitchen serves up gourmet cuisine that is low in salt and saturated fats, high in natural ingredients and complex carbs. Add to that it has its own organic garden. The concept behind its culinary offerings is healthy, nutritious food that does not compromise on flavour or quality of ingredients.
As far as treatments go, there are a whopping 13 of them, from the signature Taste of Chiva Som to those with specific focus—from weight management and detox to cell vitality and cranial relief and more. The resort’s expert health and wellness advisers utilise the best in modern, specialist medicine to create a dedicated programme for each guest, based on individual goals. Chiva Som also has its own Medi-Spa, which offers a wide range of clinical services including cutting-edge aesthetic treatments and micro-invasive cosmetic surgery.
With the idea of promoting a healthy balance of mind, body and spirit, spa treatments are complemented by a diverse programme of holistic fitness activities including ‘gyrokinesis’ (a combination of yoga, dance, tai chi and gymnastics), Tabata training (high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts), Tai Chi, Zumba dance classes, TRX circuit training, aqua aerobics, yoga classes, Pilates sessions and neurobic mental fitness classes (a boot camp for your brain).
With mind and body taken care of, indulge in some food for the soul with some conservation work.
Hua Hin, Chiva-Som leads a mangrove restoration project, which tourists and community members can visit. You can also join group clearing and plantation sessions, and do your part in the restoration of the environment.
Top Tip: With views of the sun setting on the Gulf of Thailand, a swin at the resort’s main pool is a great way to wind down for the day.
Suites at Hua Hin, Chiva-Som run from $1,500++ per night, inclusive of accommodation, all meals, a health and wellness consultation, daily treatments, and unlimited access to wellness facilities and group activities.
From the Far East to the dunes of the Middle East, Chiva-Som takes its brand of luxury to Qatar. Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som. Launched in March 2022, the resort has been designed by Qatar’s premier developer, Msheireb Properties.
The largest wellness resort in that part of the world and the first in the world to have a family wellness offering, Zulal transports you into a world of its own with wellness treatments and activities for all ages. In November last year, the resort also launched a two- to eight-night Mother-to-be retreat. Put together by a team of licensed maternal care experts, nutritionists, chefs, therapists and personal trainers, the retreat includes tailored nutrition programmes, holistic therapies and pampering spa treatments, as well as gentle pre-natal exercises that promote movement as much as wellbeing.
There’s nothing like the vastness of a desert landscape to marvel at where you are at your current stage I life and reflect on the direction you want your life to take—priceless moments for a woman bringing a life into this world. Best yet, the programmes can be customised based on age, stage of pregnancy and health status.
“Zulal” is Arabic for “pure natural water”, so it has been designed with sustainable mindset with luxury wellness as the goal. In that sense, it’s a place that promotes oneness with nature, and an opportunity for families to bond through their wellness journeys through positive experiences and interactive activities that urge a healthy lifestyle.
The resort’s architecture is a perfect example of that. Muted palette and clean lines that do not detract from the surroundings or overwhelm, rather they offer a harmonious blend. The resort offers two exclusive zones for health and wellbeing, where wellness gardens comprise mainly of local plant species that are drought-adaptive and saline-tolerant.
Top Tip: The resort honours the importance of the Qatari mangroves with a dedicated Mangrove Education Centre which teaches guests about the biological value of the mangrove ecosystem and hands on planting to conserve them.
Suites at Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som run from SGD2,500++ per night, inclusive of accommodation, all meals, a health and wellness consultation, daily treatments, and unlimited access to wellness facilities and group activities.
A wellness destination nestled in the azure turquoise waters of Noonu Atoll, Soneva Jani has 51 over-water and three island residences. It is one of the world’s lowest density resorts and boasts some of the largest and most luxurious villas in the Maldives.
Choose between Water or Island Villas, each with sweeping views of the ocean and invite the outdoors in while providing the utmost comfort and privacy.
Add to that, Soneva, the luxury resort brand behind the project has also launched a new wellness brand called Soneva Soul in its popular hideaways in the Maldives and Thailand. Combining ancient traditions with modern science wellness programmes at Soneva Soul work on the principle of “lifestyle evolution”. In other words, a five – to seven-night stay at Soneva Jani will involve a comprehensive package tailored to suit personal preferences, current state of mind and long-term goals. Think rejuvenating treatments and therapies, complimentary consultations with resident wellness specialists, and daily movement and meditation sessions.
Complementing this transformational journey, each package also includes wholesome meals in selected dining establishments within the resort—a carefully curated menu of plant-based and adaptogenic foods with the aim to restore immune balance.
Families with children, rest assured, your me-time will not be compromised. Soneva Jani has many fun-filled children's zones that offer sensory to mental and physical stimulation—from a pool with slides to a musical piano dance floor to teen hangouts.
One-bedroom villa rates at Soneva Jani run from USD 3,000 (about $3,973). A second adult may join the Wellness Package for an additional USD 500 (about $662) per night.
Nestled on the banks of the Chao Praya river, this unique resorts sits on the island of Bang Krachao across bustling Bangkok. There’s nothing better than gazing at the skyscrapers looming large on the horizon while being cocooned in the most idyllic of settings.
The 63-acre resort spreads out like a mini city with villas situated within sois (side street in Thai). Moving around is a breeze with buggies manned by very polite and attentive staff. Or you can bike around the resort. Every villa—they have garden and pool villas—has two retro-looking bicycles parked in the front garden.
Rakxa Wellness and Medical Retreat is the result of a partnership between regional hospitality giant Minor Hotels, leading Thai developer MK Real Estate, and VitalLife Scientific Wellness Clinic, which is part of Bumrungrad International Hospital, and is one of the first in Thailand to house fully integrated medical and wellness centres. Merging these resources with science and the healing philosophies of the East and West, Rakxa takes a full-spectrum approach to wellness.
The approach at Rakxa is about appealing to all the senses—taste, touch, sight, smell and sound. Soft neutral tones in the architecture and design blend gently with beautiful green spaces for mental stimulation that is subtle and elevating.
In the villas, the reverence to local materials is evident—from the use of natural materials such as driftwood, rattan and bamboo—as is the celebration of Thai craftsmanship where possible.
A refreshing welcome drink offers a precursor for wellness holiday chock-a-block with kombuchas, artisanal teas and healing cuisine complementing indulgent and curative therapies.Your journey starts with a consultation with the coordinators, including a fitness analysis, who then help you achieve your wellness, weight and fitness goals.
There are more than 10 unique programme based on your lifestyle, challenges and goals—Including Detox, Weight Management, Gut Health, Mobilisation, Immunity Booster and a Discover RAKxa programme. This includes the one-of-a-kind preventive Your DNA programme—a blood analysis of diseases, ailments and conditions that you could be at risk of.
Rakxa is another resort in the list which acknowledges and promotes the importance of a healthy gut to mental and physical wellbeing. “Our overall approach to food is guided by an anti-inflammatory philosophy. Macro and micronutrients are calculated to optimise and support each guest with their health goal,” explains Rakxa’s executive chef Attaporn Petthong. The other focus? Taste and flavour. The team worked with doctors, nutritionists, and health and wellness advisors on the menus and planned it so that local ingredients were honoured completely in the way they were cooked.
Top Tip: Escape into Old World tea lounges with Rakxa’s Tea Lounge. The cosy tea parlour is designed with a ‘bar’ area at the centre and offers 360-degree views of the lush surrounds and Chao Praya River.
Villa rates at Rakxa Wellness And Medical Retreat are tagged with the packages of your choice. Visit the website for more information