The longest anyone has stayed at Chiva-Som International Health Resort in Hua Hin is nine months. One regular has made more than 90 visits. Guests have included Kate Moss, David Beckham, Serena Williams and royalty from around the world. The resort must be doing something right.
Yet when Chiva-Som first opened its doors 24 years ago, it was well ahead of its game. Asia’s first comprehensive wellness resort began as the brainchild of former finance minister and Thai banker, Boonchu Rojanastien. The beachfront property, which spans seven acres, was his weekend retreat, where he would go with friends to eat healthily and spend a restful, restorative few days away from the bustle of Bangkok.
Later he would transform the property into the acclaimed health resort it has become today, sharing his weekend rituals with the world and expanding its offering by employing wellness experts from around the world.
To call Chiva-Som a spa, a fitness resort or a health retreat would be to do it a disservice because it is all of those things and more. The resort has six modalities, offering guests the opportunity to focus on fitness, spa, nutrition, physio, ascetic beauty or holistic elements.
You can go to recuperate from injury, to rehabilitate, to work on weight management, to relax and revitalise mind and body, to improve strength and endurance, or to do a bit of everything—and whatever you choose, specialist staff, deeply knowledgeable in their fields, are always on hand.
