Located just a stone’s throw from charming Fisherman’s Village, a taxi ride from the hustle and bustle of Chaweng’s nightlife and on a two-mile stretch of golden sand, Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort offers a tranquil pool setting by the beach. With a lily pad pond, a stunning spa with a tropical water garden, and two brand new wellness retreat programs, this resort is the perfect luxury wellness escape.
ANANTARA SPA
It is one of the most enchanting spas we’ve ever experienced, located in a lush 3,000-sq-ft walled garden filled with lotus flower ponds and coconut trees. Similar to an ancient temple village that has been taken over by nature, this ethereal and otherworldly sanctuary creates a safe haven where spa guests feel nurtured to take the next steps on their transformational wellness journey. Spa-goers can indulge in pampering Thai and Western body treatments and facials in a beautiful spa suite, complete with tropical outdoor rainshower.
FITNESS AND ACTIVITIES
Guests can choose from a range of watersports, such as kayaking, snorkeling, deep-sea fishing, parasailing, flyboarding and scuba-diving, as well as an array of yoga and Muay Thai classes, tennis lessons, and fitness gym sessions.
If the ocean isn’t for you, sign up for a Thai cooking class and hone your culinary skills. The Spice Spoons cooking school sessions include a trip to the local market for a complete experience.
Guests are also encouraged to check out the surroundings, such as the golden Buddha statue (which can be reached by taxi) that presides over Koh Samui’s main ferry port. Arrive in the morning to see the monks chanting their prayers and residents making offerings.
See also: Koh Samui Wellness Guide
WELLNESS RETREATS
The All-Inclusive 5-Day Wellness Package alternates between relaxation and fitness, and cleanses you from the inside out with three healthy meals per day and cold-pressed juices. Enjoy sunrise yoga or qi gong, and challenge your fitness skills with Muay Thai or a morning run to work up a sweat. Then head to the mystical spa sanctuary for some purifying treatments and de-stress body and mind, following it up with a detox massage, a herbal compress or a detox body wrap. A number of meditation classes are also scheduled throughout the retreat, so you can recharge and transform on a physical and mental level, and return home with renewed vigor and new zest for life.
Retreat starts at US$365++ per room per night.
The 3-Day Holistic Wellness Retreat is a shorter version for people who want to dedicate less time, yet still want to revive their fitness and wellness journey. Guests can clear their mind and rejuvenate their body by giving themselves this 3-day escape where they dedicate time and focus solely on themselves. Get back into the swing of things and regain your motivation with private meditation, yoga, and qigong classes. Then unwind and let your sore muscles be soothed with a Thai herbal steam and a detoxifying or stress release massage. The retreat comes with three nourishing Asian-inspired wellness meals a day, as well as a daily healthy juice. Leave recharged and cleansed, looking and feeling your very best, ready to take on your life again.
Retreat costs US$324++ per individual per night, US$613++ per couple per night.
See also: Top 9 Wellness Retreats in Phuket
EAT AND DRINK
Full Moon is an open poolside restaurant, adjoined by the pond. Serving up char-grilled dishes (juicy steaks and fish) for lunch and dinner, it is Anantara Bophut’s flagship restaurant and regarded as one of the island’s best. The homemade mushroom ravioli and the compressed watermelon salad with feta cheese are a dream. If the weather allows, guests can dine on the beach, enjoying a dinner buffet of Thai and Western cuisine against the backdrop of a spectacular fire show.
The air-conditioned Eclipse Bar serves delicious local Thai cuisine for lunch and dinner, and High Tide offers a generous buffet breakfast on the patio, and casual dinners.
Romantic beach dinners, Dining by Design, can also be arranged for couples who are planning a special evening.
See also: Top 10 Most Beautiful Bathtubs Around the World
ROOMS AND SUITES
Rooms feature elegant interiors, with Thai elements and private balconies or terraces with garden or ocean vistas.
For a luxury experience with a wrap-around balcony with impressive views, book one of the Royal Sea View Suites. The Anantara Beachfront Pool Suites with private plunge pool, garden and terrace are also tempting abodes.
Deluxe Rooms on the second and third floors have private balconies with cozy sofas for chillout time, and all come with a large bathtub for two, situated just a few steps from the bed.
See also: A Wellness Retreat on Koh Samui to Relax and De-Stress
WHEN TO GO
It is hot all year on Koh Samui island, with average daily highs above 30 degrees Celsius. Peak tourist season is January to March, with February and March being the driest months. November to December is considered wet season.
Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort
99/9 Bophut Bay, Koh Samui Island, Surat Thani 84320. Tel: +66 77 428 300
anantara.com
See also: Modern Luxury with a Touch of Thai Royalty at the Athenee in Bangkok
