Thought I’d share my wonderful experience at Chiva Som was. I’ve been back nearly a month and sadly any Zen like calm has evaporated. Oh well!
It was an amazing experience. I can’t speak highly enough about the accommodation, the staff and the food!
The rooms were amazing and they even gave me a late checkout in a gorgeous suite for free!
Food to die for. Don’t go to detox as you would miss out on the wondrous food. So much delicious but healthy fare.
Staff wonderful and classes great. You get about $500 extra to spend on top of your daily massages on anything from Botox to crystal therapy.
Negatives well the drive! It well and truly 3 hours from Bangkok and I didn’t get into my room till 3 am Australian time. Private car the way to go. On a coach it would have been a night mare.
Really quite scary busy busy highway. If I go again which I plan to do. I would stay overnight at the Sofitel near the airport and go to Chiva Som next morning.
The beach is pretty ordinary too but I live near th best beaches.
All up I cant wait to go back!

Chiva Som is the most amazing place - from the moment I was picked up from the Bangkok airport I felt very looked after and nurtured - it was everything that I was looking for as a retreat where I could replenish my body and soul. One of the stand-out features for me is the staff. They really are delightful and make the Chiva Som experience special. Another amazing aspect of Chiva Som is the food. It was delicious and I always felt very satisfied, despite the fact I did not touch coffee, alcohol, dessert, and many other things that I tend to eat a lot of and love on holiday (wine, bread dripping in olive oil, cheese etc). I even lost a few kilos and become so virtuous over the course of a week that I took my own food for the flight to London (made by Chiva Som!). September is apparently traditionally quiet and it lived up to that reputation - the group classes were always small (6 people or under) and two of the classes I attended become private (I was the only attendee) which resulted in some unique and amazing experiences (yoga and meditation). I loved being able to float about in my Chiva Som provided cotton PJs, makeup free, technology free, attending yoga and mediation in the morning, partaking of some hard cardio around lunch time and having a massage in the afternoon. It really was blissful. My only constructive criticism is that the gym equipment felt a little dated, the gym itself was so hot, the room I had would feel cramped for a couple (perfect for a single, with a wonderful view), and the beach is underwhelming even for walking. Minor issues. Regardless, it is a wonderful experience and I can't wait to go back.

Stayed for 7 nights about two weeks ago. The Resort is small and very quiet, so it is not an action packed place. However people come here to relax, eat healthy (and very good), get some treatment and a lot of opportunities for exercising.

After the seven days I really got a great kick-start to a better lifestyle, not least because of the advice I was given from the Australian nutrition specialist and other staff members, who advice how to get rid of some bad habits.

Rooms and other facilities are good - you can probably find better in Asia for 500 $ a night, but they would not have the other aspects mentioned above.

It is not a cheap vacation, but still well worth the money, if you are looking to spoil yourself the "healthy way".