Relaxing in Koh Samui is easy with a multitude of spas and retreats for visitors to visit. Here are a few recommendations to help you unwind and replenish your energy during your trip.

Absolute Sanctuary

This Moroccan-inspired boutique provides absolute sanctuary to those looking for an escape from the hassles of everyday life and seeking rejuvenate their soul. Absolute Sanctuary provides a range of bespoke detox programmes designed to reboot mind, body and soul. Lifestyle Programmes such as Anti-Stress, Be Fit and Absolute Weight Management will also compliment the health makeover guests receive and a variety of spa treatments can aid with feeling good on the outside. The yoga programmes are available for those who want to be one with body and soul.

Tamarind Springs Spa

Tamarind Springs is a luxury spa in Koh Samui, surrounded by beautiful hillside grove, natural water and tropical plants at the edge of a forest. Spa treatments take place in herbal steam caves and plunge pools with massages provided by skilled therapists. Private and group yoga sessions are also available.

Anantara

Anantara Spa can be found in two places in Koh Samui. One is on the quiet, northern end of Chaweng Beach and is just steps away from the ocean. The second is along a white stretch of sand in Bophut. Both locations offer a great variety of leisure activities such as yoga, water sports and cooking classes. The Anantara Spa uses a special blend of oils in its spa treatments to promote healing and wellbeing in the body. Additionally, the Balance Wellness courses by Anantara offer holistic activities with Masters of Wellness to boost energy and restore peace of mind.

Vikasa Yoga Retreat

Vikasa is the perfect place for beginners and seasoned yogis to practice their yoga, eat healthy food and meet like-minded people. This retreat is located on an ocean-side cliff with spectacular sea views from every angle. Unlike a typical beach holiday, a yoga holiday will encourage guests to focus on personal and spiritual growth, teaching them healthy routines that they can continue to practise once they return home. Vikasa is a place where everyone can truly relax in their own way, whether it’s by meditating on the cliff or reading a book in the infinity pool. To help guests feel good on the outside, Vikasa has a spa which specialises in authentic Thai, Swedish and Indian massage. All their scrubs, facials and skin treatments use organic and locally grown produce. 

Samahita Retreat

Visitors can practice yoga on a one on one basis with a yoga or wellness teacher. The yoga retreat can be combined with a detox plan to de-stress or promote healthy weight loss. A retreat to Samahita can focus purely on yoga and its philosophies or it can teach guests about health, wellbeing and creativity, depending on what is booked. Additionally, the wellness spa programmes offer a variety of therapies to compliment the yoga training and truly promote harmony from within.

Luxury Koh Samui Villas

Our luxury Koh Samui villas are the perfect place to relax and unwind during a Koh Samui vacation. Many homes come complete with relaxation salas, infinity-edge pools, spas, exercise rooms and massage areas.

Staff are on hand to offer a range of services including beauty therapies and authentic Thai massages.

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Like with any holiday destination, it is important to be aware of the local dangers and to keep yourself and your belongings safe.

Koh Samui is just as safe as any European city – the island has some of the friendliest and most helpful locals that you will ever encounter – so no one should feel unsafe during their stay. That said, accidents can happen so visitors should exercise the same caution here as they would at home.

Pick-pocketing and Petty Theft

This is not considered a real problem in Koh Samui, but the island is a place where tourists out-number the locals. Theft in busy places such as the full moon parties is more likely to be committed by foreigners than locals.

When visiting a busy place such as a nightclub, bar, shopping centre or marketplace it is advised to bring only the money that you intend to spend and nothing else. In general it is not a good idea to walk around with an open handbag. Valuables, passports and other travel documents should be kept in a hotel safe but it is a good idea to keep a copy of your passport on your person.

Road Accidents

Scooters and motorbikes are the most common vehicles on Koh Samui and are the cause of most road accidents. When riding a scooter, be sure to wear a helmet and keep an eye out for dogs running out into the street as well as any other hazards. Be aware of sand on the road, as most accidents occur when the driver loses control in loose sand. Riders should also beware of the ‘Samui Tattoo’ – a burn on the leg calf caused by hot exhaust from the scooter.

Safety When Walking

While most areas are well lit by street lighting, the overall public lighting at night can be sporadic, leaving pedestrians invisible to drivers.

In some places this can be exacerbated by potholes and erstwhile traffic. Visitors are advised to wear bright clothing at night and to carry a torch in their bags. Women are especially advised to walk in groups after dark.

Beach Safety

As with any other beach holiday, protection from sun damage is very important. Be sure to stay hydrated, wear a sun cream with a high SPF factor and in particular apply it to the back of the neck and ears when snorkeling.

When enjoying water sports such as kayaking, always ask for a water jacket. Remember to pay attention to the flag warnings before stepping into the water. The sea may appear calm, but underlying rip currents do exist. During monsoon season waves can get very high so do not venture out if you are not a strong swimmer.

Scams

Unfortunately this is one of the bigger problems in Thailand, but they are easy to avoid when you take the right precautions.

When renting a car, scooter or a jet ski, it is wise to take pictures of their condition before taking them out for a ride. It is not unheard of to be overcharged for damages that were caused by previous users.

It may be better to rent these through your luxury villa in Koh Samui instead of with an independent seller. Do not assume that someone is not scamming you because they are not from Thailand; foreigners are just as likely to be scammers as the locals. Never take anyone up on a “great deal” – there is no such thing as a free lunch.

Koh Samui is a wonderful place to visit and is well known as being a very safe and friendly holiday hotspot. Like with any trip abroad the best thing to do is be cautious and exercise common sense.

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A Koh Samui vacation is a great way to relax and unwind – but that needn’t mean you pile on the pounds during your trip. From health spas and island activities to great food and stunning scenery, there’s plenty to keep you fit and healthy in Koh Samui.

Exercise in Koh Samui

Keeping fit in Koh Samui doesn’t mean running miles each day, instead why not pick active pursuits to pique your interest and physique? Koh Samui is a great place to hike, walk and wander, with a whole host of activities to embark on. Swimming, scuba diving and water sports are excellent water-based activities, while jungle treks, island hikes, cycling, golf, tennis and horse riding are great ways to stay active on land. Shopping and sightseeing are all great aerobic exercise, as is Thailand’s national sport Muay Thai boxing.  During evening hours why not enjoy dancing at Koh Samui’s many bars, beach parties and nightclubs? Koh Samui villas are a great place for fitness enthusiasts as many properties come equipped with private gymnasiums and swimming pools. There are so many interesting and exciting activities on the island, it’s easy to stay fit in Koh Samui, whenever and wherever you go.

Koh Samui’s Spas

No trip to Koh Samui is complete with a visit to one of its world-famous wellness spas. A spa visit can lower stress hormones, relax muscles and ease aches and pains making it a great alternative to a day on Samui’s white-sandy beaches. A trip to of the many spas in Koh Samui is a truly relaxing experience for mind, body and soul whether you enjoy a traditional Thai massage, meditation, a hot stone treatment, a sauna or facial. Wherever you travel on the island there is sure to be a spa nearby offering excellent facilities and a first-rate service. Many Koh Samui villas come equipped with massage salas and the option to enjoy a Thai massage as many times as you wish during your vacation. Alternatively why not enjoy an afternoon of yoga either at home or on the white sandy beaches in Koh Samui?

Eating in Koh Samui

Eating on vacation can often pile on the pounds but there is plenty of tasty, fresh and healthy food in Koh Samui. By making healthier food choices as you explore the island you’ll feel fitter and healthier so try to avoid filling up on snacks and sweet treats during the day. When evening arrives you will have plenty of room for a guilt-free meal in one of the excellent restaurants in Koh Samui – or in the comfort of your own villa. Healthy Thai food options include Som Tam, a delicious and healthy green papaya salad. Jim Jum, a Thai hot pot with ingredients personally added by each customer and Pad Thai, a healthy blend of fresh vegetables, noodles, seafood and meat.

What to Pack for Koh Samui?

The trick to a healthy happy holiday is to pack with health in mind. Apart from the beach wear and party clothes you’ll need to keep health in mind so pack things that keep your body strong and well protected during your trip. Sunblock and protective clothing will help to avoid serious sunburn that can damage your skin and spoil your trip. You may also need insect repellent and holiday-type medications for indigestion and tummy ache. Other items to consider packing are antihistamines, basic first aid supplies, antiseptic wipes and sanitizer as well as comfortable warm clothes for the return plane journey.

Thai Culture and Traditions

When travelling to and from any holiday destination it is best to bear in mind the local culture and traditions. The traditional Thai greeting is a wai, to hold two hands prayer-like with palms together. If a local gives a wai to you, it is polite to give one back. You should not point your feet at people, touch people with your feet or put your feet up on seats or tables as this is considered rude, you should also avoid touching people on the head. Places like temples are highly respected by the locals for religious purposes, therefore you are required to wear ‘polite dress’ when visiting – this means no flip-flop, no shorts, no skirts above the knee and no sleeveless t-shirts. Also bear in mind that making derogatory remarks about the Thai royal family is against the law.

We hope you enjoy keeping fit, happy and healthy during your Koh Samui vacation!

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I’m glad that the chair’s in the shade!   But how about a hat too, and you still need sun cream even in the shade, and even on Ko Samui.   Did you know that 1% of our wrinkles are due to ageing: 99% are from how we live our life – and that includes too much sun.  Our skin is damaged by both UVA and UVB rays: both can cause skin damage and that means at the very least, wrinkles and dryness.    UVB is the main culprit for sunburn, but UVA does its stuff quietly: this is the one that does the most damage to your skin.

Do you know what the SPF number on your sunscreen actually means?   The higher the number, the more protection and the longer you can stay in the sun.  You must know your skin type, and how long it takes until you burn.  Once you know that, then your ’burn time’ x the SPF No of your cream = the maximum time you can stay in the sun safely.

If you have a fair skin, then you need higher protection than someone with a dark complexion.   Now you can find sunscreens up to SPF 70, but that doesn’t give you carte blanche (no joke intended) to slap it on and bake for hours.  As with most things, little and often is better than one huge dollop.

We’ve thought for years that a good tan looks wonderfully healthy and attractive, but now that we know just what the sun can do to our skins, thank goodness the times they are a-changing, and the look now is tending towards the pale and cool.   Which doesn’t help those of us with built-in freckles, age spots and other blemishes!   Not all of us have a beautiful smooth alabaster complexion, and, frankly, not all of us would be totally happy with that, especially after a couple of weeks on Ko Samui: a little smattering of freckles on honey-coloured skin is still a good way to say ‘Hey!  I had a great holiday!’

Here’s a few of the well-known Do’s and Don’ts, just as a reminder: we want your Ko Samui holiday to be one of the best you’ve ever had, and if your skin hurts, you have a headache or a fever, then you are not going to be able to enjoy yourself to the utmost:

•    Don’t sunbathe in full sun between 11 am and 3 pm
•    Don’t ignore the sunscreen if you are swimming in the sea or your private pool, or are spending the day on a boat.   You will need it more as the sun will be reflecting off the sea, and there may be a strong breeze to increase the drying effect
•    Don’t try to speed up your tanning by using anything other than a proper sunscreen
•    Don’t drink strong alcohol – this will dehydrate you.  But some say that a beer’s OK!  Save it for those sundowners in your Ko Samui villa sala …
•    Don’t forget to reapply your sunscreen every 2 hours
•    Don’t forget your sunglasses to protect your eyes
•    Don’t forget that your lips will burn faster than the rest of you.
•    Apply your sunscreen 20 minutes before going outside
•    Do make sure you use the right SPF factor sunscreen for your skin type
•    Do use proper sunscreens that you’ve used before – not one you’ve made, put together in your kitchen earlier …
•    Drink plenty of water: both sun and wind will dehydrate you
•    Make sure the kids are well covered up with sun protection tee-shirts, hats and proper children’s sunscreen.

If this if your first holiday in the sun this year, then take it easy too: just a couple of hours out there for the first few days should break you and your skin in to the idea of a daily dose of those rays.  Children should be out there for less time.

If you do get a sunburn –

•    Don’t sunbathe any more that day!  Your mild sunburn may turn to 2nd degree burns, and require medical attention
•    Have a cool shower or bath
•    Gently rub in some aloe vera cream or gel, or the juice from a fresh leaf.   It might be an idea to get some aloe vera gel or cream before you go on holiday, just in case
•    Moisturise with a good moisturiser, like a cocoa butter cream
•    If necessary, take some pain relief.

If you don’t have any cooling aloe vera, then here are some household remedies you might want to try to cool your skin if there is nothing else to hand:

•    mash up some tomatoes, add them to crushed ice, place on the burnt skin
•    slices of cucumber or apple will have a similar cooling effect
•    ditto plain yoghurt, vinegar, tomato ketchup.

If the symptoms are far more severe and include fever, headache, and confusion, then the sufferer may have sunstroke.   This happens when the body has become overheated, and cannot reduce its temperature quickly enough by sweating.  You must lower the person’s body heat immediately by giving cold water to drink, and a cool soak in the bath.  Don’t wrap the person in cold, wet towels or other cloths as this traps the heat in.  If you are at all worried, then please seek medical help.

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Every man is the builder of a temple called his body.

That quote is obviously from pre-PC days! But whether man or woman, are you thinking of improving on the original version of your body? Or perhaps you ‘want to go private’ for some medical treatment or surgery, but just cannot afford it at home.   Do you want laser eye surgery? Dental implants? Some form of body sculpting? Stomach banding? Do you need some form of specialised surgery, such as gender reassignment, that would not be considered on your health service or insurance?

Have you considered coming to Thailand?

Thailand is a leading destination for medical tourism with approximately 400 hospitals throughout the country offering procedures. Not only does Thailand have the largest private hospital in Asia, but one of its centres was the first to receive the ISO 9001 certification in Asia, and currently 14 hospitals are listed as accredited (for various programmes) with the JCI. (Joint Commission International: which sets standards to improve patient care.)

You can learn about the JCI at www.jointcommissioninternational.org/about-jci/ and if you go to ‘Find Accredited Organization’ at the top of the page, you can search Thailand for a list of hospitals. It will show in which programme they are accredited, and you may wish to contact the hospital to check that their accreditation covers things that you want it to cover.

Procedures vary in cost from a tenth of the US rate, to at tops about 80%, and of course final rates may well depend on your own personal health history, once your chosen physician has taken all the details he/she needs.

Of course, by having to travel to your hospital destination you have to take into account your fares and some recuperation stay after you come out of hospital, but even so, you may be pleasantly surprised by how much you will actually save by travelling to Thailand for your treatment – and having a short holiday afterwards!

www.health-tourism.com/thailand-hospitals/ gives you information on all the hospitals in Thailand which cater for medical tourists, what procedures they offer, and whether they are JCI or ISO accredited.

The Bangkok Hospital Samui on the island has ISO certification, and if this hospital is your treatment choice finalist, and you want some pampering and relaxation after your procedure, check out our Koh Samui Villas.  We will help you recover by making your stay totally stress-free and relaxed.

BUT – be sure to -
• CHECK each hospital’s accreditations carefully before making a decision
• CHECK that the hospital and its consultants are fully cognisant of what you want to happen while you are there
• INFORM your own GP or consultant what you are considering doing well before you actually book anything: he/she may be able to help you.

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