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The Wellness Holiday Boutique's review of Kamalaya



If you're looking for a place to truly recharge and restore your body and mind, Kamalaya in Koh Samui is a hidden gem I highly recommend. Nestled on the southern coast of the island, this multi-award-winning wellness sanctuary has earned its reputation as one of the world’s leading holistic retreats. From the moment you arrive, it’s clear that Kamalaya is designed to offer a complete mind, body, and spirit rejuvenation. The peaceful tropical setting and expert wellness programsme offer the perfect escape to focus on your physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

 

Getting to Koh Samui was a smooth and scenic journey for me, with a connecting flight and a one-hour plane ride that offered amazing views of the island. When I landed at Koh Samui's airport, which has been voted the ‘Most Beautiful Airport in Asia,’ I was greeted by a friendly driver who made me feel right at home. The 45-minute drive to Kamalaya was super comfortable in a luxury air-conditioned SUV, complete with cold towels and refreshing water, making for a relaxing start to my wellness journey.




The Hotel

 

Upon my arrival at Kamalaya, I was instantly captivated by the retreat's stunning natural beauty. Nestled on a hillside between lush jungle and the sparkling turquoise sea, the serene atmosphere made for an extraordinary wellness experience. The retreat blends seamlessly into its surroundings, centred around the sacred Arjan Cave, which has been a spiritual space for Buddhist monks for centuries. It's said to be the retreat's energy hub, adding an extra layer of tranquillity to the environment.

Every corner of Kamalaya has been thoughtfully designed with peace and rejuvenation in mind. The retreat offers a vast range of world-class facilities, including two expansive pools, thermal plunge pools, a steam cavern carved into the rock, infrared saunas, a yoga sala, and even a private beach. While the beach isn’t ideal for swimming due to its tidal nature, it’s perfect for quiet walks or taking out kayaks and paddleboards. The environment encourages a digital detox—phones are restricted to your room or the library, allowing you to disconnect and truly focus on self-care.

Wandering the retreat grounds felt like a meditation in itself. I loved getting lost among the lush, green pathways, exploring the thatched-roof buildings, airy pavilions, waterfalls, and lotus ponds. Although some of the hills are steep, the map provided helped me navigate, and buggies are available for anyone with mobility concerns.

What truly stood out for me at Kamalaya was the exceptional hospitality. Many of the staff have been at the retreat for years, and their expertise was clear in the personal care they offered. It was no surprise that I met several repeat guests, some of whom had visited multiple times in just a few years.

 

The Rooms at Kamalaya

 

My stay at Kamalaya was enhanced by the beautiful Villa Sea View, which offered the perfect balance of indoor and outdoor living. The villa featured a luxuriously comfortable bed, a cosy lounge area, and a generous terrace that led straight to the beach. From here, I could soak in the panoramic views of the turquoise sea.

With over 12 room categories, Kamalaya offers something for everyone, whether you prefer a hillside suite with a balcony, a jungle-side villa, or a beachside option with an outdoor bathroom. The rooms, suites, and villas are spread throughout the retreat, each designed with natural materials and minimalist décor that promotes relaxation. The resort’s hillside location means guests can enjoy varied views and experiences.

My Villa Sea View was situated at the bottom of the hill, which made for a good cardio workout on the way back up! The space was airy and spacious, with an outdoor shower, a terrace with a daybed, and stunning ocean views. Upon arrival, I was greeted with thoughtful gifts like a journal, a water bottle, and a tote bag, along with a pillow menu, a fresh fruit bowl, and a selection of herbal teas—small details that really enhanced my stay.

 




The Food at Kamalaya

 

The food at Kamalaya is a true highlight of the retreat. With two alfresco restaurants, Amrita by the pool and Soma overlooking the hillside, dining at Kamalaya is an experience in itself. The chefs use locally-sourced, organic ingredients to create nourishing, delicious meals that align with Kamalaya’s wellness philosophy.

Breakfast is served as a superfood buffet, offering a range of healthy options from fresh vegetables and salads to homemade bread, health shots, and a variety of milks I’d never tried before. For lunch and dinner, the à la carte menu features fresh and nutritious dishes inspired by both local Thai and international flavours. There are also detox and ideal weight menus for lighter meals, and the desserts are simply divine. To complement the food, there’s an extensive range of freshly made juices and mocktails packed with nutrients.

Kamalaya is also a perfect wellness retreat for solo travellers, as there’s a community dining table set each morning and evening for those who want to meet other guests from around the world. It’s a wonderful way to connect with like-minded individuals during your stay.

 

My Wellness Programme - Embracing Change and Emotional Harmony

 

Kamalaya’s unique philosophy goes far beyond physical pampering, offering a range of wellness programmes that seamlessly blend ancient Eastern healing traditions with cutting-edge Western medical practices. This East-meets-West approach allows Kamalaya to tailor wellness programmes to meet individual needs. Whether you’re seeking stress relief, a deep detox, emotional healing, or a path to self-discovery, there’s something for everyone. With 18 wellness programmes to choose from and over 70 therapies and treatments available, Kamalaya boasts a team of more than 50 certified wellness professionals, including naturopaths, doctors of traditional Chinese medicine, Western medical doctors, registered nurses, nutritionists, life transformation experts, Thai therapists, fitness specialists, and yoga, meditation, and pranayama teachers to support your wellness journey.

I chose the Embracing Change and Emotional Harmony programme, which Kamalaya describes as a path to self-discovery, where you work with their Life Enhancement Mentors to explore your inner life and emotional patterns. Like many of us, I’d been feeling unbalanced since the pandemic, adjusting to uncertainties and changes in both my professional and personal life. I wanted to learn how to better manage stress and equip myself with sustainable tools to restore my emotional well-being.

My programme began with a personalised wellness consultation with a naturopath, who helped me determine my physical, spiritual, and emotional needs and finalised my schedule. The wellness receptionists were always happy to assist with adjusting my treatment schedule to fit in any additional holistic activities I wanted to try.

My Embracing Change sessions with my mentor, Raj, were incredibly insightful. They helped me recognise my stress triggers and allowed me to talk through past experiences to better understand my emotional patterns. We also practised guided meditations and pranayama breathing techniques, which supported me in being more mindful and forgiving of the pressures I placed on myself.

In addition to the emotional work, my schedule was filled with incredible relaxing and restorative spa treatments and wellness therapies known for their ability to unblock natural energy flow, release accumulated emotional stress, and regulate the body’s circulatory and nervous systems. These included Chi Nei Tsang (an abdominal massage), traditional Thai massage, head massage, traditional foot soak, and Traditional Chinese Medicine sessions. These therapies took place in open-air treatment rooms, where the sounds of nature provided a soothing backdrop to my wellness experience.

 

The Wellness Facilities at Kamalaya

 

At Kamalaya, the ethos is all about nurturing your mind, body, and spirit through a holistic approach to wellness. The resort boasts a wide range of facilities to support personal development, including yoga salas, a meditation hall, a three-floor fitness centre with stunning sea views, a functional fitness centre, and a Reformer Pilates studio.

Kamalaya offers a weekly schedule packed with at least five holistic activities each day, all designed to support your personal growth. These activities range from workshops and emotional well-being sessions to mindful living, yoga, meditation, and fitness classes. There are also cooking classes and cultural excursions available, all aimed at empowering you to make lasting lifestyle changes.

For those looking to enhance their wellness journey even further, the Longevity House provides a range of functional medicine therapies and treatments. Guests can supplement their programmes with contemporary therapies like IV Therapy, Ozone Therapy, and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, all designed to promote healthy ageing and improve overall quality of life.



 

My Personal Verdict of Kamalaya

 

My time at Kamalaya was truly life-enhancing. The personalised approach, coupled with the expertise of the staff and the stunning surroundings, allowed me to unwind and reconnect with myself on a deeper level. I left feeling lighter, healthier, and equipped with valuable tools to maintain my well-being long after returning home.

 

Who’s Kamalaya for

 

Kamalaya is perfect for anyone looking to prioritise their health and embark on a transformative wellness journey. Whether you’re seeking emotional healing, stress relief, or simply a peaceful escape, Kamalaya offers a truly life-enhancing experience. It’s an investment in yourself that you won’t regret.


The Wellness Programmes at Kamalaya



Ready to Book Your Wellness Retreat at Kamalaya?


If you're interested in booking your life-enhancing wellness retreat to Kamalaya, enquire here or call to speak to one of our specialists on +44 (0)203 886 0082.


 

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