HUA HIN, THAILAND
Chiva Som
Integrative Wellness, Detox and Longevity
About Chiva-Som
Chiva-Som International Health Resort is a beachfront wellness retreat in Hua Hin, on Thailand's Gulf coast, open since 1995 and one of the longest-established destination wellness resorts in Asia. The name translates as "Haven of Life" — and the setting matches it: 6.7 acres of gardens running down to a private beach, with Thai pavilions set among the greenery.
Every stay begins with a health and wellness consultation, which shapes one of 16 retreats around individual goals across spa, fitness, physiotherapy, holistic health, nutrition and aesthetic beauty. The wellness centre runs to 70 treatment rooms and around 200 therapies, and all retreats include three wellness meals a day and a daily treatment of choice. Whether your focus is detox, weight management, sleep, stress recovery or healthy ageing, each programme is guided by a resident team of doctors, naturopaths, physiotherapists and nutritionists.
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3.5 hrs
FROM BANGKOK AIRPORT
54
ROOMS & SUITES
70
TREATMENT ROOMS
14+
MINIMUM GUEST AGE
Wellness Programmes
Who It's For
Chiva-Som suits guests looking for a comprehensive, programme-led wellness retreat in Thailand where every element — treatments, nutrition, movement, rest — is coordinated around individual health goals from day one. With 30 years of integrative wellness experience and a beachfront setting in Hua Hin, it's particularly suited to:
01
Those seeking a comprehensive wellness programme
16 retreats covering detox, weight management, stress recovery, sleep, healthy ageing and fitness — each shaped by a consultation across six areas.
02
Guests interested in integrative wellness
Over 200 therapies across 70 treatment rooms, combining traditional Thai and Chinese medicine with modern approaches — Watsu pool, Bathing Pavilion and full Pilates studio included.
03
Those wanting to disconnect properly
A digital detox policy keeps phones out of public areas, with a full daily schedule of classes from yoga and tai chi to pranayama and Thai boxing.
04
Solo travellers and guests wanting expert oversight throughout
54 individually styled rooms and suites, with shared classes and communal dining creating natural opportunities to connect.
Hotel Facilities
Chiva-Som sits within seven acres of tropical gardens running down to a private stretch of beach on the Gulf of Thailand. Facilities include indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a quiet library and a boutique. A 20-metre outdoor saltwater pool and a 13-metre indoor pool in the Bathing Pavilion both serve guests wanting to swim lengths.
The fitness centre is zoned for functional training, cardio, dance, yoga and Pilates, with a full Pilates studio housing reformers, cadillacs, combo chairs and ladder barrels. A daily schedule of up to 12 complimentary group classes runs through the week — yoga, Tai Chi, meditation, pranayama, aqua aerobics, Thai boxing and Gyrokinesis among them — held in movement studios and open-air salas.
Wellness Facilities
At the centre of the experience is Chiva-Som's Health and Wellness Centre, with 70 treatment rooms, restful lounge areas and hydrotherapy facilities. The physiotherapy environment includes specialist equipment supporting rehabilitation and movement optimisation — Neurac and isokinetic training among the tools available. The Niranlada Medi-Spa covers aesthetic and longevity treatments including hyperbaric oxygen therapy, focused ultrasound and skin rejuvenation. Genomic testing and hormone health assessments are also available.
Guests can experience flotation therapy, jet blitz showers and aquatic bodywork in the Watsu pool, or use the Bathing Pavilion with its sauna, steam room, Kneipp walk, Jacuzzi and cold plunge pool.
Dining
Nutrition is an essential part of Chiva-Som's approach. Menus are designed to balance flavour and nourishment, using organic produce from the resort's IFOAM-certified gardens alongside locally sourced ingredients, with three wellness meals a day included in every retreat. Wine and champagne are available after 18:00.
Guests can dine at:
The Emerald Room serves Western cuisine as well as the wellness-recipe Chiva-Som Siam Steamboat and a pescatarian menu in a formal fine dining setting overlooking the ocean.
Taste of Siam offers Thai cuisine in a more casual yet refined beachfront setting, with a barbecue buffet on Saturday evenings.
Orchid Lounge serves a light afternoon tea with herbal loose-leaf teas and a sweet of the day.
Good to Know
Chiva-Som operates a digital detox policy. Mobile phones, laptops and tablets are kept to guest rooms and the library, where wifi is available, which keeps the rest of the resort quiet and helps many guests settle more quickly into rest and routine.
Accommodation
Chiva-Som has 54 rooms and suites, with interiors using Thai teak, bamboo and silk in soft neutral tones and floor-to-ceiling doors opening onto private balconies and terraces. Ocean-facing rooms and suites look directly across the Gulf of Thailand; the traditional Thai Pavilions sit within the gardens for a quieter, more secluded feel.
Every room includes a complimentary wellness minibar. Suites include butler service, with details personalised from mattress firmness and pillow choice to essential oil scents and bath amenities.
Location
Chiva-Som sits on the Gulf of Thailand at Hua Hin, around 185 kilometres south of Bangkok and roughly three hours by car from Suvarnabhumi Airport. The Thai royal family built its summer palaces here in the 1920s, and the town has kept that unhurried character since, with long beaches and night markets rather than the nightlife of the southern islands. The resort is at Nong Kae, just south of Hua Hin town, with a shuttle bus running into the centre and out to Chiva-Som's organic garden. Private plane and helicopter transfers from Bangkok are also available for guests wanting to shorten the transfer.
Offers
We don't have any offers at the moment but watch this space!
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Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Chiva-Som Health Resort in Hua Hin unique?
Chiva-Som has operated since 1995, combining around 30 years of integrative wellness experience with a beachfront setting on the Gulf of Thailand. It offers more than 200 therapies across 70 treatment rooms, from traditional Thai and Chinese medicine to modern diagnostics, physiotherapy and genomic testing, all organised into a structured programme from the first consultation. See more wellness retreats in Thailand.
Where is Chiva-Som and how do I get there?
Chiva-Som is on the beachfront in Hua Hin, a coastal town on the western shore of the Gulf of Thailand, around three hours by road south of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport. Transfers can be arranged as part of the booking.
What wellness programmes are available at Chiva-Som?
Sixteen programmes run from three to 14 nights across spa, holistic health, fitness, physiotherapy and nutrition, including The Art of Detox, Sustainable Weight Management, Gut Health, Ageing Well, Tension Release and Yoga for Life. For a first visit, A Taste of Chiva-Som offers an introduction. Every programme is shaped by expert consultations on arrival.
What wellness facilities does Chiva-Som offer?
The Health and Wellness Centre has more than 70 treatment rooms, hydrotherapy suites, flotation therapy and a Watsu pool. The Bathing Pavilion includes a sauna, steam room, Kneipp walk and cold plunge pool, and the fitness area covers functional training, cardio, dance, yoga and a full Pilates studio. Up to 12 complimentary group classes run daily, including yoga, Tai Chi, meditation, pranayama, aqua aerobics, Thai boxing and Gyrokinesis.
What kind of food is served at Chiva-Som?
The food is health-focused but refined, using organic produce grown on site and locally sourced ingredients. Menus are designed around goals such as detox, weight management or healthy ageing. Guests can eat at The Emerald Room, enjoy casual beachfront meals at Taste of Siam or have light refreshments at the Orchid Lounge.
Is Chiva-Som suitable for beginners in wellness?
Yes. Guests of all experience levels are welcome. Newcomers to yoga, fitness or holistic therapies are guided gently, while experienced guests can choose more intensive routes. The initial consultation shapes the programme around each guest’s starting point.
How long should I stay at Chiva-Som?
Five to seven nights suits a short reset, while 10 to 14 nights allows time for deeper change. Longer stays are often chosen for detox, weight loss or wider lifestyle changes.
Is Chiva-Som suitable for solo travellers?
Yes. Many guests come alone. Personalised daily schedules, group classes and communal dining make it easy to meet others, and the calm, private atmosphere suits guests who want to travel independently without feeling isolated. The solo-friendly retreats page has more options.
When is the best time to visit Chiva-Som?
Hua Hin is generally cooler and drier from November to March. Chiva-Som is open year-round, and the warm tropical climate suits both summer and winter stays.
What do guests say about Chiva-Som?
Guests often mention the depth of the treatment team, the beachfront setting and the sense of routine that makes it easy to switch off. Read The Wellness Holiday Boutique’s review of Chiva-Som for a first-hand account.