Chiva-Som International Health Resort
Hua Hin, Thailand
It would be easy to wax lyrical about Chiva-Som International Health Resort in Thailand. After all, it is in the most beautiful of beachfront settings and has a gorgeous swimming pool, waving palm trees, outdoor eating areas with sea views and quaint Thai-style pavilions for open-air yoga or thai chi.
Even the impressive spa feels like a haven of tranquillity and peace.
There are no mobile phones, no children under 16, no particular dress code (you can walk around in your bathrobe all day if you want) and consumption of alcohol is not encouraged, all making for a quiet, peaceful, healthy and sleep-inducing stay.
However magnificent the setting and ambience, though, these are eclipsed by Chiva-Som's world-famous treatments. After an individual health and wellness consultation, guests are put on the path to better health and living - whether that be via iridology, naturopathy or allergy testing, backed up by a comprehensive range of healing treatments from watsu (a combination of shiatsu and hydrotherapy), to chi nei tsang (a Chinese abdominal massage of the internal organs), reflexology and acupuncture. A fitness programme could include anything from aqua-aerobics to Thai boxing and pilates.
