Thailand is one country that has definitely mastered the art of wellness. With many outstanding spas and skilled practitioners, it’s the ideal destination if you wish to pamper yourself. Here are some of the best Thailand luxury escapes, perfect for regenerating your mind and body.
Ultimate Thailand Luxury Escapes for Wellness
With so many great Thai spa luxury resorts, you may find it hard to limit yourself to just one. We’d definitely recommend that you go island hopping in Thailand. Start in Krabi, then head to Phi Phi Island, exploring Thailand hidden gems Koh Yao Yai and Koh Ya Noi before finishing at Big Buddha Phuket.
1. The ShellSea Krabi
Thanks to the impeccable service at this Krabi boutique hotel, you can leave your worries at the doorstep. They magically clean your villa while you’re enjoying breakfast and are always warm and smiling.
There’s a great selection of complimentary fitness and wellness classes at The ShellSea Krabi. In addition to more energetic pursuits like beach volleyball and paddle boarding, they have many relaxing activities like Pilates and yoga.
The yoga class takes place on the lawn overlooking the beach in the morning while it’s not too hot. Their highly skilled instructor will take you through a series of poses designed to increase flexibility and balance.
The tandem bikes are fun to try out and they also have regular bicycles for guests to borrow. You can either cycle with a group to Fossil Shell Beach or like we did, bike towards a nearby reservoir.
The hotel’s Otium Spa has the very latest technology, since the hotel opened recently. As is the case in most Thai spas, you’ll be asked to leave your shoes at the door and they’ll equip you with slippers before bringing you a welcome drink.
We tried the couple’s Thai massage where you have a treatment side by side with your partner. We particularly appreciated the large modern spa beds with their padded face cushions.
If you’re wondering about how strong a Thai massage is then fear not as you’re asked beforehand whether you want a light, firm or strong massage. The therapists also check if there are any areas of the body that you’d like them to focus on.
A firm massage like the one we had here is perfect for relaxation, while a stronger pressure is more like a sports massage. The therapists do a great job of eliminating tension in your body and you’ll feel completely relaxed afterwards.
2. Amari Vogue Krabi
Breeze Spa at Amari Vogue Krabi is one of our favourite spas in Thailand. Located in an ornately decorated building within the hotel grounds, it’s set over three floors.
There are two Spa Suites for couples, and all the treatment rooms have a bathtub and private steam room. Their Signature Mood Massages are designed to take the guesswork out of picking the right treatment.
Whilst you savour a glass of blue butterfly pea tea, the spa therapists ask how you are feeling and how you would like to feel – dreamy, energized, invigorated, rejuvenated or serene.
Their spa treatments use drainage and aromatic massage techniques combined with carefully chosen massage oils to speed up the removal of toxins. The oils have the added benefit of leaving your skin glowing and super soft.
This luxurious retreat is highly conducive to relaxation, with several swimming pools on different levels. If you’re keen to get active then it’s a handy base for kayaking or a visit to Khao Ngon Nak National Park next door.
3. Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort
Blessed with an 800 metre white sand beach, Phi Phi Island Village is one of the most beautiful Thailand retreats. Set over 80 acres, the accommodation has a traditional style that blends in perfectly with the surroundings.
The sea here is a lovely shade of blue-green unlike anything you’re likely to have seen before. The snorkelling is second to none and the hotel’s Dive Centre arranges great trips to nearby Maya Bay.
This Thai bay is famous as the setting for the film, The Beach, starring Leonardo di Caprio. Wana Spa is located near the hillside villas and the largest swimming pool in the resort.
The friendly therapists carry out the treatments in individual spa huts, starting with a relaxing foot wash. We recommend the Wana Signature Massage which blends therapeutic healing techniques from the East and West.
This relaxing massage helps to release tension, improve circulation and boosts overall wellness. At the end there’s a nice surprise for ladies, as your therapist expertly arranges your hair into a plait with a fresh flower as a decorative touch.
There are some other interesting massages such as the Coconut Amarita Treatment, where you’re wrapped in banana leaves and your body is covered in pure honey and yoghurt.
4. Paradise Koh Yao Noi
The charm of this luxury Andaman hotel lies in its setting on an unspoiled stretch of coastline. This boutique resort and spa is nestled within a private bay and surrounded by limestone cliffs.
The pace of life is relaxed on the island of Koh Yao Noi and if you travel around you’ll see buffalo grazing amidst rubber plantations. It’s one of the most charming hidden gems in Thailand.
Paradise Koh Yao Noi is popular with those looking for Thailand yoga retreats. Twice daily classes take place in a beachfront sala – a traditional open fronted pavilion.
The resident teacher combines traditional and contemporary methods of meditation and yoga to great effect. Another must do is the resort’s Serenity Spa.
A complimentary 30 minute beachfront massage is available to all guests. However you definitely want to experience the full spa experience.
The luxurious treatment starts with your therapist helping you to put on a traditional Thai garment known as a paasin, a tube of fabric that’s folded and tucked to your body. After that you’ll spend time alternating between the aromatic steam cave and the outdoor waterfall plunge pool.
Your therapist will then lead you through the spa’s private garden across a footbridge to your private sala. There’s a wide range of different treatments including body scrubs, hot stone massages and foot reflexology, using the best organic products.
The hotel also has a lovely swimming pool close to the beach, for complete relaxation. If you’re looking for a truly unique place to stay on Koh Yao Noi then their sister property next door fits the bill.
TreeHouse Villas Koh Yao Noi Luxury Beach Resort is an adults only resort with air conditioned villas in an idyllic location.
5. Santhiya Koh Yao Yai
An eco-luxury resort, Santhiya Koh Yao Yai will wow you with its intricately carved wooden buildings and private beach. Ayurvana Spa has a good selection of pampering treatments including the secret of Siam herbal compress and an aloe vera after sun massage.
Before your treatment, you’ll be handed a non-alcoholic drink decorated with palm leaves and fresh orchids. We tried Santhiya’s Signature Massage, which blends reflexology, shiatsu, ancient Thai massage and Ayurveda therapy using hot oil.
This pampering session helps to restore the energy flow within your body and the elimination of toxins in the lymph, as well as improving the circulation of blood vessels. After a treatment you feel like you’re on cloud 9.
One of the great things about Santhiya is the range of complimentary daily activities for total cultural immersion. Guests can try their hand at Thai boxing and classical dance as well as fitness and yoga classes.
If you prefer pure relaxation there’s an infinity pool on the hillside and another beautiful pool with a waterfall and boat shaped loungers in the heart of the resort.
6. Cape Panwa Phuket
Our final destination is Phuket and the stunning Cape Panwa Hotel. This luxury hotel has been a favourite with celebrities for many years.
Leonardo di Caprio stayed here while filming The Beach nearby and Elizabeth Taylor, Catherine Zeta Jones and Jean-Claude Van Damme have all visited. The resort has a lovely setting overlooking the Andaman sea, within the remnants of a coconut plantation and all the rooms have a sea facing balcony.
There are two lovely pools, the main one near reception with its shady cabanas and another by the beach. Cape Panwa Hotel is also a great base from which to explore Big Buddha Phuket.
Situated within the grounds of Cape Panwa Hotel, Cape Spa is the newest in the area. There are spacious treatment rooms, saunas and steam rooms and a relaxation area.
Visitors can enjoy a variety of wellness programs such as a full moon anti-stress herbal compress and massage. We enjoyed a herbal foot bath and Siamese massage which incorporates yoga stretches.
This Thai treatment stimulates the acupressure points and energy lines in order to loosen tightened muscles. The skilled pressure point massage techniques used by our therapists certainly relieved all tension.
With this traditional massage, you wear a robe provided by the spa and the treatment is performed over your clothing. The advantage of oil not being used is that you can change into your clothes straight afterwards, so it’s handy if you want to use the pool right away.
As you can see, there are some amazing Thailand luxury escapes for spa and wellness. It’s worth spending 2 weeks in Thailand if you have time, as there are so many hidden gems and wonderful wellness retreats to enjoy!
