CHIVASOM HUA HIN THAILAND

The most famous shot of Chiva Som

We should all salute Chiva Som. It took a long time to come into my orbit but we all know it is a trailblazer in the world of Spa and Wellness . All of South East Asia has tried to follow the format of Chiva Som. (And if I may say so, none has been able to replicate it in the same way). Most have taken only bits and pieces out of the whole and has therefore never been able to match up to the wholesomeness of ChivaSsom.
So lets salute the Founder Mr Boon Chu Rosjanastein!

Statue of Mr Boon Chu Rosjanastein

After attending The Global Spa and Wellness Summit in Delhi, I rushed out that night to experience this great resort, having had it on my wish list for the longest time ever.

So here I was at Bangkok airport, being met by a portly chauffeur in a Mercedes. Sawadeeka! I hadnt slept all night so I took advantage of the 3 hour ride to Hua Hin to catch a nap.

Taking photographs in the property was totally prohibited, as was your mobile phone and computer. However Note, the PR Manager, escorted me around to take some shots one morning so I did the best I could. Stay tuned........

The resort was beautifully green with little lakes, boats and bridges connecting the Thai style pavilions sprawling out towards the huge spa and wellness area and finally out to the beach.The centre has 58 residential rooms and 70 treatment rooms with 30 therapists for the spa treatments. 5 for the holistic treatments, 15 fitness instructors, 3 pool instructers, 2 yoga  instructers and 9 physiotherapists. Above them all are 6 Wellness Advisors/Counsellors that check out your needs! Hows that for size?

When I arrived, they wasted no time to book me an appointment with one of their many Counsellors. I was introduced to Maam, the charming Wellness Counsellor who sussed me out quite fast. I was only visiting for three nights so we decided not to go in for any serious detox or weight loss programme. We chose a mild option that could just address some of those nagging aches and pains that remain in the body which usually you learn to live with.

Quite rightly, after the sleepless night Maam recommended an oriental scalp massage and a Chiva Som signature massage. A soothing mild treatment that gave me time to get my bearings. I realised that their treatments are categorised into massage, holistic treatments and physio treatments. I liked that differentiation. Even the treatment rooms were decorated according to these categories. The massage rooms were very basic, the holistic rooms were adorned with Buddha images and artefacts and the physio rooms were like going to a room within the gym!

Holistic treatment room

Room decor

The jacuzzi at the water therapy area

In the evening I chose the Chi Nei Tsang treatment which I had only ever experienced in Dhara Dhevi before. A gentle, beautiful Japanese therapist, kneaded and prodded my stomach to unblock the energies of my abdomen and to allow all the negative toxins to release (so she said). She also told me I needed to take care of my liver (TCM analysis) and that Chi Nei Tsang is more effective when we at least do three sessions in a row.

I wanted an early night the first day so I went to the famous Emerald Room for a quick soup dinner and then to my cosy pavilion with the most comfortable bed ever!

Emerald room

Next morning I chose to try out Tai Chi class. As a Tai Chi practitioner myself, I found the breakup of the patterns interesting. Tai Chi is always experienced differently from different teachers. His repetoire was limited as he did not know the entire sequence but whatever he taught was thorough. No complaints.

The Beach side restaurant

The library

Then Maam recommended a super stretch class (50 min) which was a unique stretch combination to refresh and rejuvenate my muscles, and aid the bodys recovery process. I found this stretch very interesting as it was neither a full fledged physiotherapy nor was it a form of yoga stretches. It was in between . And it is these in betweens that make Chivasom so thorough. Here I am, pretty fit for my age, a regular practitioner of Yoga and Tai Chi, proud of my level of flexibility yet the super stretch took me just that little further. Great stuff.

I had a delicious lunch by the sea side, wandered around the grounds, went to the well stocked Chiva Som boutique (they use their own oils), watched a water aerobics class in the indoor pool and a Thai boxing class in the Yoga pavillion, enjoying every minute of the stay.

Note, my PR escort outside the shop

In the late afternoon I took my deep tissue massage, after being checked out by the Physiotherapist Benz. I loved the touch of his hands (what do the Thais do that make their hands so special????) and immediately got hooked on to him. He was checking out my old spondylosis injury that periodically threatens to immobilise me. He dug deep and out came more pain from within. I booked another session with him immediately for the next day.

Taught by a Thai teacher, the Ashtanga class I attended went a bit too fast for beginners who are not used to doing the Primary Series. I enjoyed it but saw some others struggling. Yoga can be equally effective done at a slow pace, I wish people didnt think it always has to be done fast. See recommendation below.

All in all Chiva Som was a buzzing place with lots and lots of activities on offer at various levels. The food was healthy, organic and delicious. All dishes were marked for vegetarians, wheat free, lactose free sugar free etc and each had it own calorific value.

What I experienced was only a tip of the iceberg. They also offer hydrotherapy, watsu, pilates, kinesis, private bootcamps, craniosacral therapy, colonic hydrotherapy and cosmetic laser surgery in their Niranlada spa.

My boat 

At dusk, enjoying the sea breeze

Recommendation: It would be good to have some serious meditation being taught here, especially to reduce stress. I also recommend breaking down the Yoga asanas as was done for the Tai Chi class. It would make great sense for beginners. Ayurveda treatments also need to be authenticated. (Ill be happy to help!!)

Id like to thank Lubna, Shiela, and Maam for making this experience so special.

May the Chiva Som flag continue to fly high!