WHERE'S THE BEST DESTINSTION SPA IN THE WORLD?

SINCE OPENING ON A WHITE SAND BEACH IN THAILAND OVER 25 YEARS AGO, CHIVA SOM HAS LED THE WELLNESS BRIGADE AND GAINED A CULT FOLLOWING ALONG THE WAY. FRESH FROM A FOUR-YEAR REVAMP, IT'S BETTER THAN EVER.

- Karen Anand

Visiting Chiva Som in Hua Hin had been on my bucket list for many years. For almost three decades, Chiva-Som has drawn travellers from around the world in search of peace and rejuvenation of body, mind and spirit. With its unique, holistic approach to wellness that is highly personalised and backed by some of the most extensive wellness facilities and experienced practitioners in the world, it has won multiple awards throughout its history. Western practices and Eastern philosophies is what attracted me - these are brought together across a comprehensive spectrum of 'retreat' stays with a huge number of treatment options and innovative facilities. Each is founded upon six wellness modalities: Spa, Fitness, Physiotherapy, Holistic Health, Nutrition and Aesthetic Beauty. This holistic approach to health is what I found intriguing because it focuses not only on the body but also on the mind.