It might be peak festive season, when minds are tuned to mince pies, mulled wine and mistletoe frolics, but as seasoned partiers, we also know that come January, we’ll be longing for an overhaul.
Whether you’ve partied a little to hard, had one dessert too many or are looking for a total life revamp, a detox retreat is just what the (homeopathic) doctor ordered. Thailand is where in-the-know wellness travellers go when they want to transform their bodies into clean and lean machines – fast. Whether you have three days or three months, want a quick spring clean or a full reboot, or simply want to add an extra green juice or two to your daily routine, Dervla Louli of CompareRetreats.com handpicks five detox retreats in Thailand that will help you press reset.
Comprehensive Detox Programme at Kamalaya
This intense detox programme at award-winning Kamalaya in Koh Samui includes colonics, massages, infrared sauna sessions and daily vitamins and minerals. Simple, stylish villas tucked into the jungly hillside or by the (virtually) private beach are luxurious and peaceful. Apart from the daily wheatgrass shots (which can be a little strong to stomach), the cuisine is delicious with plant-based meals and fresh coconut water taking precedent. A team of holistic practitioners, nurses and wellness therapists work together to ensure guests are wholly recharged when they check out.
Detox Programmes available for 7-21 days. 102/9 Moo 3, Laem Set Road, Na-Muang, Koh Samui, www.kamalaya.com
The Art of Detox Programme at Chiva-Som
With a dedicated research and development director and a guest list that includes Madonna and Kate Moss, Chiva Som is touted as the world’s original luxury detox destination. Radical or subtle dietary change can be requested during the initial consultation, and the main aim is to coax your digestive and metabolic systems into functioning correctly. Supplements, massages, colonics, cleansing food and acupuncture are all included in the five, seven, 10 and 14-night programmes. Should you need a little ‘pick-me-up’ during your detox, the on-site Niranlada medi-spa offers the latest aesthetic and cosmetic treatments administered by US-trained dermatologists and plastic surgeons.
73/4 Petchkasem Road, Hua Hin, www.chivasom.com
Absolute Sanctuary
This Moroccan-inspired hideaway perched in the hills above Koh Samui’s Choeng Mon Beach is a favourite for its comfy-chic chambers, plant-packed food and flexibility. You choose from the Signature, Holistic or Modified Detox Programmes, and can opt out of colonics, fasting and anything else that seems a tad too drastic for your detox needs. Additional pampering comes by way of Indian head massages, body scrubs, Reiki, infrared sauna sessions and facials, plus there are daily yoga classes and a sublime saltwater pool. Detox packages are available for six, eight and 13 nights.
88 Moo 5, Choeng Mon, Koh Samui, www.absolutesanctuary.com
Amatara Detox at Amatara
Situated in Cape Panwa, in the southeast corner of Phuket, Amatara is an ultramodern resort with incredible panoramas of the Andaman Sea. The signature Amatara Detox ranges from three, five and seven nights, and features supplements, colonics, abdominal detox massages, infrared sauna sessions, private yoga and holistic therapies. Expect your bowels, skin, kidneys, liver and lymphatic system to get a complete overhaul while you relax and unwind amid luxurious surroundings.
84 Moo 8, Sakdidej Road, Cape Panwa, Phuket, www.amataraphuket.com
‘You Changed My Life’ at The Spa Resort
If you’re willing to forego five-star service in exchange for incredible results then The Spa Resort’s no-nonsense cleanse is for you. Booked by special request, the seven and a half-day programme is not for the faint of heart – it involves a liquid-only diet and double daily self-administered enemas. The resort in Koh Samui is spread across two locations: choose from either a no-frills wooden A-Frame on the beach if you’re feeling sociable, or a simple, rustic villa in the hillside ‘village’ for more seclusion (if the thought of either option gives you hives, the plusher Le Meridien is but a flip-flop’s toss away). Daily meditation, yoga and weekly tea ceremonies are included in the programme. Results vary, but you can expect to leave a few kilos lighter and several inches tighter.
71/7 Moo 3, Maret, Koh Samui, www.thesparesorts.com
Hero image: Chiva-Som in Hua Hin
