{"id":1671,"date":"2015-09-02T00:00:13","date_gmt":"2015-09-02T00:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.sg\/stories\/koh-samui-thai-yoga-retreat\/"},"modified":"2022-07-11T17:36:47","modified_gmt":"2022-07-11T17:36:47","slug":"koh-samui-thai-yoga-retreat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.sg\/stories\/experience\/koh-samui-thai-yoga-retreat\/","title":{"rendered":"Weekend Retreat: A Wellness Fix in Koh Samui"},"content":{"rendered":"

How to live well, eat clean and train dirty in Thailand.<\/em><\/p>\n

The island of\u00a0Koh\u00a0Samui\u00a0is as much a party destination as it is a retreat for those on the hunt for inner peace and a healthier lifestyle. In need of a time out from my hectic city life, I decided it was time to enrol myself in a yoga retreat to reboot my health and fitness regimen after months of an unforgiving work schedule.<\/p>\n

Koh Samui Resort Retreats<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Koh<\/p>\n

Koh Samui’s beautiful sandy beaches and crystal clear water<\/em><\/p>\n

I chose\u00a0the Vikasa\u00a0Yoga Retreat for its daily schedule of meditation and yoga classes with a roster of reputable teachers. Other hotels on\u00a0Koh\u00a0Samui\u00a0that offer\u00a0detox\u00a0and fitness packages include\u00a0Six Senses\u00a0Samui<\/a>,\u00a0Absolute\u00a0Sanctuary<\/a> and\u00a0Kamalaya.<\/p>\n

As with many of the island\u2019s resorts, when I arrived I was greeted by a stunning, unhindered view of crystal clear waters and sunny, blue skies. I felt less fatigued almost immediately, both mentally and physically \u2013 according to local lore, the island sits on a bed of quartz crystal, which believers say exerts a positive energetic influence on its denizens.<\/p>\n

Even with this\u00a0newfound\u00a0burst of energy, it took a little discipline to wake up for a 7am meditation and\u00a0asana\u00a0practice\u00a0on my first day. Still, it was certainly a refreshing change to start the day with an invigorating sweat instead of lazily reaching for my\u00a0iPhone\u00a0when the alarm rings.<\/p>\n

For those who prefer to engage in more heart-pumping pursuits, why not pick up a new skill? Muay Thai is the local sport and\u00a0Koh\u00a0Samui\u00a0has plenty of Thai boxing gyms offering lessons for beginners. Many of these places also have a range of classes to choose from, such as\u00a0CrossFit\u00a0and self-defence training. Check out\u00a0Lamai\u00a0Muay\u00a0Thai Camp<\/a>,\u00a0Jun\u00a0Muay\u00a0Thai Camp<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0Lamai\u00a0Fitness<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

Thai Spa Indulgence<\/strong>
\n<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Take<\/p>\n

After all that physical activity, it\u2019s time to relax and restore sore muscles with some well-deserved pampering. You can’t go wrong with a Thai massage, where skilled therapists twist and stretch your limbs into yoga-inspired poses to stretch you out. The\u00a0Magnolia Spa<\/a>\u00a0has one of the best reputations in town and is well worth a visit.<\/p>\n

Otherwise, treat yourself to a spa treatment at one of the island\u2019s five-star resorts. Whether you\u2019re visiting the\u00a0W Retreat<\/a>,\u00a0Banyan Tree\u00a0Samui<\/a>\u00a0or the\u00a0Four Seasons Resort<\/a>, you will leave all stretched out and relaxed, satisfaction guaranteed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Food, Glorious Food<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Fresh<\/p>\n

Of course, no\u00a0detox\u00a0holiday is complete without embarking on an \u2018eat clean\u2019 diet. What I like about\u00a0Koh\u00a0Samui\u00a0is its variety of healthy eating options for those who are not keen on a strict juice diet. After all, a girl needs energy if she wants to\u00a0practice\u00a0yoga and learn kick-boxing!<\/p>\n

Those on the\u00a0paleo\u00a0diet will love the food at\u00a0Vikasa\u2019s<\/a>\u00a0in-house cafe, which offers meat dishes, on top of the usual vegetarian staples, such as wraps, rolls and salads. The menu is influenced by Thai flavours so you don\u2019t have to miss out on enjoying the local delights even while eating clean.<\/p>\n

Thanks to the large numbers of health-conscious\u00a0clientele, many of the bigger resorts offer a variety of vegetarian options, too, or have in-house cafes with healthy fare. You can also check out the\u00a0Sweet Sisters Cafe<\/a>\u00a0for hearty, wholesome vegetarian meals, or\u00a0Juice Queen<\/a>\u00a0for delicious organic cold-pressed juices.<\/p>\n

I was only on this island paradise for six days, but I left feeling refreshed, revitalised and fit, both in mind and body. The challenge, of course, is to keep this momentum going once the daily grind catches up with me again. Thankfully,\u00a0Koh\u00a0Samui\u00a0is but a short flight away!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[tabs]<\/p>\n

[tab title=”Best Time to Visit Koh Samui<\/strong>” icon=”entypo-light-up”]<\/p>\n

Weather in Koh Samui:<\/strong> In Koh Samui, expect tropical hot weather with a chance of thunderstorms all year round. However, the best time to visit is during the dry season from December to February when it isn\u2019t too hot. March till August is typically the hottest time of the year and the monsoon season sets in from September to November.<\/p>\n

Best Time of Year to Visit:<\/strong> Book flights and accommodation well in advance if you are planning to visit during\u00a0Songkran (Thai New Year) in mid-April. If you are in Koh Samui for the festivities, join in the celebrations by splashing water on passers-by for good luck and partake in the excellent parties and festivals. For an otherworldly experience, visit the island in November during the Loy Krathongfull moon festival, when locals release paper lanterns and mini candlelit floats into the water for good luck and fortune.<\/p>\n

[\/tab]<\/p>\n

[tab title=”Where to Stay<\/strong>” icon=”entypo-suitcase”]Hotels in Koh Samui:<\/strong> Pamper yourself with exceptional service, a wide range of health and wellness treatment options and plenty of water-based activities at the\u00a0Six Senses\u00a0Samui<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0Banyan Tree\u00a0Samui<\/a>. For a mid-price range, Absolute\u00a0Sanctuary<\/a> is highly regarded for its yoga and detoxprogrammes.<\/p>\n

Those on a budget can base themselves at a central location such as Pandora Lifestyle Hotel<\/a> or\u00a0The Avenue\u00a0Samui<\/a>\u00a0in\u00a0Chaweng, with both offering easy access to nearby activities.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[button style=’blue’ url=” icon=’entypo-suitcase’ fullwidth=’true’]\u00a0https:\/\/www.expedia.com.sg\/Koh-Samui-Hotels.d3657.Travel-Guide-Hotels[\/button]<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[\/tab]<\/p>\n

[tab title=”Getting There<\/strong>” icon=”entypo-address”]Singapore to Koh Samui:<\/strong> Bangkok Airways and\u00a0SilkAir\u00a0fly direct from Singapore to\u00a0Samui\u00a0International Airport (USM). You can also fly via Thai Airways to\u00a0Koh\u00a0Samui, with a stopover in Bangkok.<\/p>\n

[\/tab]<\/p>\n

[tab title=”Visa Requirements” icon=”entypo-book”]Singaporean nationals do not require a visa to visit\u00a0Koh\u00a0Samui.[\/tab]<\/p>\n

[\/tabs]<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Feature Image: Wat Plai Laem Temple Buddha Statue in Koh Samui.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Image Credits: Getty Images,\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

How to live well, eat clean and train dirty in Thailand. The island of\u00a0Koh\u00a0Samui\u00a0is as much a party destination as it is a retreat for those on the hunt for inner peace and a healthier lifestyle. In need of a time out from my hectic city life, I decided it was time to enrol myself… Continue reading Weekend Retreat: A Wellness Fix in Koh Samui<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[44,70,13,12,55,160,131,85],"tags":[243,162,115,125,163],"authors":[242],"class_list":["post-1671","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-activities","category-asia","category-beach-holidays","category-experience","category-outdoors-and-nature","category-relax","category-thailand","category-weekend-getaways","tag-koh-samui","tag-relax","tag-short-trips-from-singapore","tag-weekend-getaway","tag-yoga","authors-karen-tee","entry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nA Wellness Fix in Koh Samui, Thailand | Travel Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Thai island of Koh Samui is both a party destination as a peaceful retreat. 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