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Thailand's best health resort for body, mind and spirit

published August 29, 2005

Published By
( 12 votes, average: 4.2 out of 5)
What do you think about this article? Rate it using the stars above and let us know what you think in the comments below.
How intriguing! I hoped something special would occur and looked forward to a variety of holistic treatments. Listening to the many choices, I felt like a kid in a magic kingdom. Several treatments were for improving overall well-being and anti-aging, as the resort is dedicated to revitalizing and healing body, mind and spirit.

Since I came from a tradition of Western medicine, many of these - reiki, meridian tapping and iridology - sounded mysterious. Yet I knew I was in good hands because Chiva-Som has received top awards for its superb reputation.


Chiva-Som (which means "Haven of Life") is revered in this land of pampering spas, rich cultural heritage, beauty and tranquil Buddhism - a land respected for its long tradition of healing based on herbal and holistic treatments.

The resort is located on the Gulf of Thailand in the coastal town of Hua Hin (home to the King and Queen of Thailand). It was not damaged by the tsunami of last December, as the landmasses of Malaysia and Indonesia protected it.

So here I was, expectant and open to ancient herbal and holistic techniques based on Eastern philosophies and definitely in need of healing. I felt toxic from food intolerances, and was only too happy to lose a few pounds. Nicole reviewed my health concerns before suggesting an individual wellness program.

Within a day, I picked up the sweet rhythm of this blessed place. Mornings provided choices of exercises: tai chi chuan, stretch class, yoga, meridian tapping, and my energy even kicked in for aqua aerobics in the indoor pavilion pool. I alternated these with flow yoga, pilates, dance and meditation classes.

Afternoons were dedicated to massages and treatments. (Daily massages, Jacuzzis and saunas were included in the room rate. Packages include treatments.) A detox-oil massage felt miraculously beneficial and daily sweet almond oil was most relaxing.

One afternoon, I emerged from a body-shaping session feeling sleekly elongated. Was I or wasn't I? Only my masseuse knew for sure. There wasn't enough time to sample the six body hydrotherapies, which blitzed, floated, polished and more.
In all, professionally trained personnel offer 100 different treatments and diagnostic sessions, from ancient to cutting edge. The newest diagnostic addition, bio-terrain analysis, assesses the body's acidity, antioxidant status, electrolyte and toxicity balances, and hydration - all necessities for optimum health and aging gracefully.

Holistic health treatments include aquatic therapy, reiki, shiatsu, chi nei tsang (stomach massage), acupuncture, naturopathy consultations, nutrition counseling, flower remedies (healing with essences) and ayurvedic therapies.
I chose reiki, an ancient Japanese technique to re-balance the body's energies, and meridian tapping to stimulate acupuncture points.

The EQ4 nutritional-allergy stress analysis revealed my food intolerances, so naturopath Jeff Nieuwenhuizen recommended diet changes. An iridology test (an ancient European diagnosis through studying the eyes and irises) of my general health surprised me, because, to tell the truth, I was a little skeptical. To my astonishment, it clearly indicated my short-term memory loss. The treatment? Breathing exercises and specific vitamins.

The other guests were equally committed to improving their well-being. Couples and singles came from England, Scotland, Australia, France, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, South America, India and China. Some 80 percent are repeat guests who consider Chiva-Som an extension of their lives.

There's no doubt about it, this exclusive, elegant resort has fine-tuned everything. Open lounges enhanced with wood, marble and glazed ceramics admit the sea breezes from the Gulf of Thailand. The seven-acre property contains 57 rooms with ocean views. Traditional Thai pavilion suites nestled among exotic foliage around a lake are adorned with classical details, including tiled, sloping roofs and flame-shaped carvings on the gables.

Chiva-Som's restaurants (one interior with exterior terrace, another seaside) serve Thai and international gourmet meals based on an imaginative spa cuisine of salads and a la carte choices, emphasizing health and weight loss. Executive Chef Paisarn Cheewinsiriwat prepares delicious dishes free of fat, sugar and salt. Instead, herbs, spices and natural fruit juices give delicious accents. (All meals are included in the room price.)

In the cooking class, sous chef Prapaporn Nakwaranon taught us facts about healthy food preparation, such as never to fry with oil, but to use vegetable broth - preferably fresh - instead. The resort grows its own organic herbs, fruit and vegetables. Thai cuisine possessed such a sway over me with its accents of lemongrass (a natural diuretic), cilantro and ginger (heals a number of ailments) that I ate heartily. Breakfast buffets of exotic fruit, mango, papaya and dragon fruit included pineapple (anti-inflammatory), so I dug right in to all three meals a day and still lost 10 pounds in two weeks.

A number of healing changes occurred for me, one during reiki and another in a "life enhancement" session when my "blocked energy shooting straight out the top of my head" was redistributed throughout my body. No kidding!

And the life-changing event that Nicole hinted about? Most unexpected of all, my short-term memory loss could be reversed. What a difference to my quality of life! In all, it felt like I'd been given a new lease on life.

IF YOU GO

Getting there: Thai Air International has four flights a week from Los Angeles to Bangkok, (800) 426-5204. Chiva-Som is in Hua Hin, a two- to three-hour drive from Bangkok: taxi is $50 one way, hotel limo is $160 one way, a shuttle flight is $130 round trip.

Chiva-Som's programs range from three- to 28-night retreats. The holistic-homeopathic approach offers a wide choice of therapies. A traditional medical service is on-site for diagnosis and treatment.

Selections offered: 12 types of body massage (traditional Thai, Oriental, Russian deep tissue, lymphatic), 17 body therapies (salt scrubs, mud wraps, honey polishes and pol-la-mai-siam using herbs and flowers), ayurvedic therapies and nine facial massages. Treatment rooms are elegantly decorated in marble and wood.

Ocean-view rooms for three nights at $1,035 per person (double occupancy), Golden Bo suites at $6,230 per person for seven nights (a favorite with celebrities and heads of state). Room prices include three meals a day, daily massages, consultations, fitness programs, leisure and exercise activities, sauna and Jacuzzi. Each diagnostic session and treatment costs about $100 extra; however, ask about special prices for inclusive packages, such as yoga, detox, mother-and-daughter. Membership: 40 percent less on room and 20 percent less on treatments.

The resort has two swimming pools: beach side and pavilion. Golf, tennis, biking and sea kayaking are offered. Children under age 16 are not accepted.

Chiva-Som: 73/4 Petchkasem Road, Hua Hin, Prachuab Khirikhan 77110, Thailand; phone (032) 536-536, Fax (032) 511-615; e-mail reserv@chivasom.com, Web site www.chivasom.com.

For more information on Thailand contact your travel agent or the Tourism Authority of Thailand, www.tourismthailand.org.

Meredith Grenier is a staff writer for The Daily Breeze in Torrance, Calif.

published August 29, 2005

( 12 votes, average: 4.2 out of 5)
What do you think about this article? Rate it using the stars above and let us know what you think in the comments below.