Amity Wellness Resort , Phuket - Part One

If restoring your health is a goal, and you want do it as a couple in a chilled, boutique retreat setting on a tropical island in Thailand, Amity Wellness provides the ideal spa vacation. It has carved out a distinct personality in an overcrowded health retreat market, offering a spa break with an unwavering focus on wellness, and which combines authenticity, simplicity and genuine staff.  

• Where are we: Cleansing and restoring at the Amity Wellness spa resort in Phuket.
• Highlights: The series of wellness lectures to inspire and educate guests, covering a range of topics including spinal alignment, nutrition, mindfulness and meditation.
• The Details: Amity Wellness is a 50 minute drive from Phuket airport (to read our full review of Amity Wellness click here).

On Location

City stresses evaporate after a few hours at Amity Wellness. Arriving late in the afternoon, I check in and enjoyed a delicious raw meal with decadent dips and delightful crackers made from cashews, zucchini and flaxseeds, masterfully blended with a range of herbs to create a mouth-watering entree to accompany my colourful salad with sweet beetroot sauce. The days here start with a friendly morning gathering by the pool, where the guests come together with the Wellness Director to enjoy a fresh made ginger tea, have the daily cleansing tonic, and share in a conversation about our collective experiences. It’s also an opportunity to sign up for the day’s scheduled activities and health lectures. The cooking class proved to be the most popular activity on the schedule, and everyone signed up. I also joined the list for the evening meditation with Tibetan bowls and for Kristen’s yoga class the following day.  

With the harsh sun beaming down, I decide to hit the pool for a swim to cool down, layering on the suntan lotion and a hat to shade my face. The feeling of tranquillity washes over me and I slowly start to mellow, this is what health retreats are all about; tropical pools with glistening turquoise water, pretty umbrellas offering respite in the heat with scenic views of palm trees and sweet coconuts to sip and rehydrate. Later, as the sun slowly sets, I head to the yoga room for the evening meditation. Grabbing a cushion I find a place on the floor, and am greeted by the teacher as she lit candles to enhance the mood, welcoming us to get comfortable. She started the meditation with a guided visualisation to gently lead us into stillness, and I could feel myself sink into a deeper state of calm. As she began to play the ancient bowls each one varying in size, creating powerful notes with a range of harmonious frequencies and soul soothing sounds, the most beautiful way I can think of to end the day at this idyllic spa retreat.

To read part two of the On Location blog at Amity Wellness, click here.

For more information on writer and photographer, Gaye Gerard, visit www.gayegerard.com.