Luxury retreat of yoga, bliss and relaxation - Koh Samui, Thailand

Thailand's mecca for holistic, spa and wellness holidays can be found on the beautiful island of Koh Samui in the south, a tropical paradise for both purists and hedonists alike. From yoga and detox to fine dining, massage, relaxation and romance, this island serves it up in cosmopolitan style.

Combining the very best elements of a yoga retreat with all the sophistication of a luxury villa escape, Villa Michaela is offering a fantastic 7 night yoga retreat from 7th - 14th October this year for couples wanting to immerse themselves in a total mind and body experience in a stunning seaview villa. 

Your teachers Teresa and Kes Kennard are the founders of The Yoga Retreat on the neighbouring island of Koh Phangan, and they have been living and teaching yoga in Thailand for almost a decade. Together they will bring their combined knowledge of ashtanga yoga, meditation and pranayama to guests of Villa Michaela with daily classes in luxurious surrounds. There is also an in-house spa where you will be treated to daily massage plus a sauna, an infinity-edge pool and expansive decking for your relaxation, as well as a full time Thai chef to prepare delicious dishes for your stay.

The cost is USD $3,900 for two people sharing a master suite, or you could get your friends or some other couples together and book the whole house out - with a maximum number of only 10 guests, you're assured a really intimate ambience.  Reconnect to your bodies and to each other with the perfect holistic holiday in paradise. You're in for a truly special and transformative island experience! 

A stylish new obsession at Sareeraya Villas & Suites - Koh Samui

OK so I'm a little bit obsessed with Thailand. I am in love with the people, the beaches, the crystal clear ocean, the food, the culture, the massages .... I could go on (and on, and on!). And as I am, as we speak, planning my next trip back there - and slotting in a visit to Koh Samui (a fave!) - this right here is where I want to stay: The Sareeraya Villas & Suites on Chaweng Beach. 

Sareeraya has that whole 'Oriental Chic' style going on, and it looks like the kind of place you could really find yourself chilling out in style! Chaweng is one of the busier strips of Koh Samui - this is where most of your best shopping is, and there's a definite bar culture - but don't let that sway you from Sarreraya if you're looking for something a little more quiet. This place has been designed as a real retreat, tucked away down one of the quieter spaces of Chaweng Beach. And the beach is stunning! Sunset walks along the sand would be the order of every day. Tropical island romance, anyone? ... 

Escape to your own seaside villa with private pool or one of the gorgeous suites with spacious terraces, enjoy intimate dining with a view of the stunning Gulf of Siam with fine wines and cocktails to wash it all down, and loose yourself in island time. And you've got the best of Samui right on your doorstep. Loving the look of this place!

Kamalaya Koh Samui awarded Destination Spa of the Year

Congratulations to Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa which was was honoured with the award for Destination Spa of the Year: Asia & Australasia at the World Spa awards hosted in London last night! Kamalaya is an incredible health and holistic retreat located on one of our favourite islands in the world - Koh Samui, Thailand. In these awards it was shortlisted alongside three other finalists Chiva-Som International Health Resort, The Dheva Spa & Wellness Centre at The Mandarin Oriental, Chiang Mai and Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat on the Gold Coast Australia ... all of these are truly spectacular destinations in their own right. Tough competition!

The awards included two categories across multiple territories allowing the best spa and hotel resorts to be recognised geographically. The two awards for Hotel Spa of the Year and Destination Spa of the Year were segregated into regions encompassing Asia & Australasia, America (North & South), Africa, Middle East & Africa as well as Europe. Following a visit from both an “official” judge and a “mystery” judge the final winners in each category were selected for best practice, excelling in client service with a well researched and comprehensive menu of treatments, high quality training and having a point of difference from the opposition through implementation of innovative ideas amongst other criteria.

This latest award follows on from Kamalaya’s success in 2011 winning three awards; including two awards for its cuisine voted winner of Best Conscious Cuisine at the 2011 Crystal Awards Asia Pacific in Singapore and named Spa Retreat of the Year and Spa Cuisine of the Year at the 7^th Annual Asia Spa Awards in Hong Kong in November. Since opening in 2005, Kamalaya has won more than 22 awards.

Well done Kamalaya! 

Making memories at Santhiya Resort & Spa - Koh Phangan, Thailand

Sigh. I've been day dreaming about an escape to one of my favourite islands in the world - Koh Phangan in the Gulf of Thailand. And after staying at Santhiya Resort & Spa for a week of tropical bliss a little while back, my mind has been wandering to that luxury little villa we had, set in the jungles in the hills surrounding the perfect crescent beach of Tong Nai Pan. 

Santhiya really embraces the natural beauty of such a stunning position - the resort has a very strong eco chic ethic, and the beauty of Thai culture and architecture shines through in the glorious teakwood accommodations. We even had our own private pool complete with outdoor bath tub and lush tropical gardens bursting with the sounds of wildlife. 

Cascading waterfalls run in to the amazing pools that stager the walk down from top of the resort to the beach below, which is calm and quiet - perfect for lazy days lying on lounges and dashing in to the ocean for dips! There's an amazing spa where you can bliss out, and the staff here are just so friendly. As for the ambience, couples will really appreciate the total privacy and peace here - romance is always on the agenda!

And though there is little reason to leave the comfort of the resort - everything you need for a holiday is right here - if you do feel like getting out to explore, the main beach of Tong Nai Pan is just a short stroll away over the headland. It makes for a lovely way to spend the afternoon sunsets, wandering along the shoreline to find the perfect little beach bar to pull up some sand under a coconut palm and enjoy the view (cocktail optional!), before wandering back to your resort retreat for a candlelit dinner by the beach or at the hilltop restaurant with a view of the bobbing lights of fishing boats below and the starry sky above.

Santhiya is only 30 minutes by speedboat from neighbouring island Koh Samui, so it's easy enough to tie it in to a longer stay and go island hopping around this incredible part of the world. 

Seeing these images makes me wonder .... what's taking me so long to book my next holiday? Time for another idyllic escape I think!

A year-round Valentine's Indulgence Package at Hansar Samui

So it's common knowledge we adore the island of Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand. Perfect island bliss, with equally ideal luxury to suit. And with Valentine's Day coming up soon (for the hopeless romantics!), we're thinking this could be a winner. Hansar Samui have just announced some tempting packages for couples wanting a tropical Valentine's escape. Situated just 10 minutes from the Island’s International airport, Hansar Samui is located on the tropical stretch of golden sands and turquoise waters of Koh Samui’s up-market Bophut Bay, which offers a front seat to island life.  

Hansar Samui offers 74 luxurious, beachfront, spacious accommodations with unobstructed sea views from every room, and super size private balconies and oversize daybeds for outdoor living and entertaining.  Not too shabby surrounds for that indulgent retreat together!

Hansar Samui’s romantic Valentine Indulgence Package includes:

- Private round trip airport transfers

- 3 nights luxurious stay in a Sea view or Sea view XL 

- Hansar  signature cocktail upon arrival

- Local fruit selection upon arrival

- Daily a la carte breakfast 

- A romantic private dinner for 2 with a specialised menu prepared by Chef Stephen Dion (choice of Thai or western set menu) 

- A hands-on ‘Pamper your Partner’ massage lesson for couples including certification from our Spa Manager upon completion of the class.  

- A healing Reiki session accompanied by the soothing mystical sounds of Tibetan Bowls 

- A floral foot bath 

- A herbal steam 

- A warm relaxing romantic candlelit floral and milky white chocolate bath 

- A Chocolate Glow: The LUXSA’s Signature Massage – heaven in itself

- Blended herbal tea

- Brunch-in-bed, complete with Butler service

- Nightly turn down treat

- Early check-in/late check-out 

With prices starting from US$1,250 for the Sea View room and US$1,437 for the Sea View XL based on a three nights stay, you might like to put it on your wish list ... and leave it somewhere obvious for your other half to find! Hint hint ...
Oh, and Hansar Samui have even allowed you to extend this special offer, so it's Valentine's style romance all year round. Perfect!

Editor's Choice: Bangkok to Koh Samui, Thailand's got the love

Muse Hotel - Bangkok

We've just had our two editors - Tanya Joslin and Rhonda Bannister - return from another fantastic trip to Thailand. They've come home all refreshed with that post-Thailand glow ... and after hearing all about the amazing places they visited and stayed at, we know why!

Rhonda Bannister starts off the tales of their whirlwind visit in one of her favourite cities in the world - bustling, crazy exciting Bangkok. Great to hear this great city is well on the way to a full recovery after the shut down of tourism due to the recent floods ... 

Bangkok is back in business!

Rhonda says: "From shopping extravaganzas in the city's ubiquitous markets and glamorous shopping malls to marvellous cultural experiences - Bangkok has the lot and it's open for business and waiting for you to return - there is no water in the city at all - never has been - so come on, start planning your next trip to the Land of Smiles.

We started our visit to Bangkok with a surprise stop at the Qantas First Class Lounge at Sydney's international terminal and I've got to say it was - well, first class in every way. For instance Veuve Cliquot and Bollinger are the Champagnes on offer and the restaurant quality menu created by Neil Perry is almost like dining at Rockpool Restaurant. And then there's the dedicated spa where you can pop in for a massage or facial ... oh to be a Gold or Platinum Frequent Flyer member.

Mind you our business class flight was fabulous with the best food and wine served by friendly and highly professional staff offering the sort of service that has made Qantas an Australian icon - surely it couldn't be that much better in first class (although I'll probably never know!). 

Bangkok is a bold and exciting city of chaotic sights and sounds that assault the senses and send the mind reeling and you'll either love it or hate it - I love everything about it but only because I get out and enjoy as much as I can on every trip and now there's a skytrain, getting around is simple - although taxis are really cheap and the traffic is not so bad outside of peak hours - just like any major city really. 

SHOP

On the streets you'll find sleek, sophisticated shopping malls and department stores, small shops brimming over with bargain fashion buys and some wonderful bustling street markets. Then there's the gi-normous Chatuchak weekend market which takes up entire blocks and is so big you couldn't even get around it all in two days - but we gave it our best shot on one day and bought some amazing things - even a fish tank. Now think about getting that home as excess baggage! 

After shopping all day we'd pop in to a spa just down the road from our hotel and for the princely sum of $10 enjoy an hour-long leg and foot massage. These spas are all over the city so make sure you indulge at least once a day because it really leaves you feeling on top of the world and ready to face the shopping excursion again that night.

EAT & DRINK

The bar and dining scene in Bangkok is amazing with quite a few bars and restaurants perched at dizzying heights on top of skyscrapers. We've been to a few on previous visits but on this trip we splurged and took ourselves off to Mezzaluna Restaurant at The Dome at Lebua to enjoy both the sparkling view from the 64th floor and the exquisite tastes of the six-course chef's tasting menu prepared by the very talented brotherly cooking duo, Mathias and Thomas Suhring. This is without doubt the BEST meal I have ever had and I now understand the whole 'foodie' thing. The wines were a perfect match and it was interesting to note how the right wine can enhance the taste of a particular food. Don't miss this fabulous dining event - it's expensive but worth every cent! Little wonder that Mezzaluna picked up the coveted 'Restaurant of the Year (The Best in Asia)' award at the recent Hospitality Asia Platinum Awards 2011- 2012 - as well as three platinum awards including 'Thailand's Best Restaurant', 'Most Unique F&B Concept' and 'Most Exquisite Dining Experience, Western Cuisine'. Pretty impressive, wouldn't you say?!

STAY

You'll find all the top name hotel chains in Bangkok and believe me, some of these places are seriously gorgeous - all sleek marble and crystal chandeliers but for this trip we stayed at a brand new, boutique hotel which is part of the MGallery Collection of unique hotels.  Hotel Muse is located on prestigious Langsuan Road, a quiet residential part of this sprawling city, just around the corner from the American Embassy and Lumpini Park, Bangkok's oldest and largest park gifted by King Rama VI in 1920 to his people. Elegant, seductive and leading-edge interior design makes this hotel a very hip place to stay - check out the images and you'll see what I mean. The bedrooms are spacious and beautifully furnished, the service is fast and efficient and the ambience is - well quite frankly - sensual - with moody, opulent interiors throughout, including the restaurants and bars . And if your favourite cuisines include traditional Italian and Thai, this will be your temple to taste sensations - check out the their two great restaurants and the exclusive The Speakeasy bar occupying the entire 24th and 25th level of Hotel Muse ... truly sensational!

Heading south from Bangkok to the island escape of Koh Samui, it was time to get a dose of tropical luxe in the Gulf of Thailand. Tongsai Bay has been a favourite place to escape to when we are on the island, and our editor Tanya Joslin says this charming resort remains as beautiful and stunning as ever! 

Tongsai Bay - Koh Samui

Tanya says: "We recently returned to one of our favourite islands in South East Asia - Koh Samui.  Samui first captured the attention of young backpackers twenty or so years ago, but today it is the perfect blend of international sophistication and the real Thailand. We're yet to meet somebody not charmed by Samui, and while the island has seen a swarm of international brand hotels set up shop here, one of the original luxury getaways still holds a special place in the collective heart of the Holidays for Couples team. 

Tongsai Bay - they advertise themselves as Samui's most romantic retreat, we'll tell you a bit about it and then you can do your own research to decide if you agree. Us? We were sold on Tongsai Bay around 10 years ago, and having recently returned, we are pleased to say some things don't change!

Flanked by pristine tropical jungle with the turquoise waters of a private bay lapping its shores, Tongsai Bay Resort  is sheer honeymoon bliss - although, to be honest, you don't have to be on honeymoon to bliss out here - take it from us, we were 'working' (somebody has to research these places!) and managed to slip away to a state of absolute relaxation within about ten minutes of checking into our Grand Villa. It is partly the connection to nature you feel while here - the whole resort has been sensitively designed to respect and preserve the surrounding wilderness – without skimping on five-star luxuries – Tongsai Bay is committed to both the natural environment and the pleasure and comfort of its pampered guests. 

Back to those villas. Tucked discreetly away on a hillside, the indulgent Grand Villas and Pool Villas are the ideal honeymoon choices with features like outdoor spa baths, sweeping decks, relaxing day beds and private plunge pools. There are some that even boast their own private pool, our pool had views to die for!  The sense of privacy extends beyond the villas though - and this is one of the beautiful things about Tongsai Bay, the fact that you're tucked away in this enclave, surrounded by two headland peaks (so while it is not actually legal to say you have a private beach on Samui, one would have to go to a great effort to get to Tongsai's beach!), enjoying a serene enviornment where nature dominates the view regardless of which way you look, with only resort guests or the few outside visitors who come to enjoy the incredible restaurant. sharing this privileged space.

Active honeymooners can head into the buzzy Koh Samui township of Chaweng, just a ten or fifteen minute drive away, to shop, dine and party. Or you can easily enjoy a day trip to one of the picturesque neighbouring islands like Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.

Chef Choms serves authentic Thai cuisine and the fabulous Po-Lad, situated on the beach and boasting a new chef that is creating a bit of a stir on the Samui dining scene (and believe us, the island may be laid back but the dining is world-class!), is the perfect place to enjoy a casual lunch or a gorgeous candle-lit dinner. And don't miss the Prana Spa which offers a range of decadent treatments including a romantic 'Return to Prana' couples experience. 

However, from our experience there's really no need to leave the peaceful confines of the resort. That’s if you don’t mind the idea of spending your days lazing on the beach, swimming in the gorgeous bay, dining on fresh Thai cuisine and surrendering to yet more spa indulgence! It's the perfect place to fall in love all over again. 

Creative detox at Absolute Sanctuary - Koh Samui

We have received word about a unique kind of wellness retreat created by photographer Gaye Gerard in Thailand, combining three of my passions - yoga, photography and the beautiful island of Koh Samui. It's happening from October 8 to 16 at the five star Absolute Sanctuary, which got us thinking about a long held desire to try this beautiful wellness retreat that we've heard so much about. 

Created by Gaye Gerard - herself an avid spa devotee and a renowned professional freelance photographer with Getty Images (she's shot Eric Bana, Cate Blanchett, Miranda Kerr, Nicole Kidman, Beyonce, Pink, Megan Gale, Richard Branson, David Beckham and their friends!) - the Wellness and Photography Retreat has been designed for those looking to cleanse the body and mind and enhance their creativity with a camera. Guests on the eight day retreat not only get direct access to Gaye Gerard's professional photographic expertise and guidance but will also embark upon a supervised seven day full fast, light raw food fast or vegetarian detox with daily yoga, meditation and spa massage treatments, night market excursion and half day photo tour. The Wellness and Photography Retreat will also feature guest workshops on health and well being and includes all meals and detox supplements.  The cost is $2897 per person twin share. For more information on Gaye Gerard visit her website.

Absolute Sanctuary is well known as a wellness retreat on the island. It's a stunning, Moroccan-inspired boutique resort that is haven to those seeking a journey back to balance, rejuvenation and a healthy lifestyle - a place to immerse in, to cleanse, recharge and revitalize. They have amazing yoga programs, and their special programs range from anti-stress and burnout management for busy corporates, to holistic detox and juice fast cleanse. But that's not to say that a stay here is all about abstinence - Absolute Sanctuary makes sure you never feel lacking anything, and their Love Kitchen is testament to their theory that healthy food can be deliciously satisfying! Considering I've just emerged from a really hectic month with too much work (and a little bit too much socialising and indulgence!), a wellness retreat in a stunning locale is exactly what the doctor ordered!