Koh Samui Spa & Massage

Koh Samui has always attracted those in search of a place to relax and recharge, with many new age centres established years before Spas became mainstream. The alternative venues with liver fasting and meditation are still around, complemented by an increasing number of sophisticated new Spa resorts, many located in hotels.

Asian beauty secrets, traditional massage, de-stressing body treatments...Samui is the place to find them.

Spas in Chaweng Beach

Something guaranteed to provide a relaxing and indulgent alternative to the beach is a treatment at one of Chaweng's many high-quality Spas. You can find many massage, reflexology and beauty salons scattered along the beach road. Most of these have trained staff and provide a great level of service and range of treatments, but for a truly pampering experience in opulent surroundings, try one of the spas attached to the smarter hotels, or an independent day spa.

Tamarind springs

Our proven recipe for relaxation: Take a tropical island coconut grove in the shade of a gently sloping mountain. Tuck a herbal steam room in between two huge rocks. Nestle a cold plunge pool nearby. Surround with lush natural landscape. Fold in an hour or two (or more...) of soothing massage with essential natural oils. Mix thoroughly. Garnish with a refreshing herbal drink.

Repeat many times. Beautifully designed day spa in a spectacular hillside setting. Treatments are centred around massage (with some skin care treatments) and focus on back, neck and shoulders, as well as some fusion oil massage, hot stone massage and sport massage. All are offered in conjunction with a visit to their herbal steam room, which is impressively set between two huge boulders. There's also a café/juice bar and luxury accommodation available in eight spacious villas. Route 4169, Lamai,

Tel. 077 424 221

Health Oasis

The Health Oasis puts an emphasis on a healthy lifestyle, especialy regarding food, rather than a quick fix. Some fairly radical cleansing and liver flush fasts among the diet programs are aimed at steering you in the right direction. The Health Oasis is also known for their blind masseuses, who are very effective in feeling and dealing with tense muscles. A simple , basic and inexpensive set-up in a nice beach location.

Baan Sabai

Located in a charming compound of Ayutthaya style teak houses and salas, next to the beach at Big Buddha. The houses and their well-tended tropical gardens are dotted with Buddha images, terracotta pots and antiques. All the treatments take place with the sound of the waves lapping nearby, which enhances an already very relaxing experience. A wide range of massages, wraps and facials is offered, the standout being the Herbal Steam Massage - a Traditional Thai Massage supplemented with a soothing herbal compress. The houses can be booked for a half or full package of treatments. Big Buddha Beach, Tel. 077 245 175

Samui Dharma Healing Centre

Intense fasting spa run according to strict Buddhist principles offering 7, 10, 14 and 21 day courses. During the programme, fasters complete an elimination fast that includes drinking various nourishing mineral drinks throughout the day, taking a Chinese Herbal Cleansing formula and colonic irrigation. In addition to the fast, each person is given an Iridology consultation with personal physio-nutritional, psycho-spiritual and emotional counselling. Introductory classes in Meditation, Yoga, Qi Kung, Buddha Dharma, Nutritional Healing and Conscious Eating are included in the programmes. Accommodation is available at several bungalow resorts nearby and can be arranged by the spa staff. Lipa Noi Beach, Tel. 077 234 170 or 077 234 031 at Sawai Home Bungalows.

Santiburi Spa

Very decadent and correspondingly expensive day spa nestling in the extensive grounds of the Santiburi Dusit Resort. The spa features four double treatment rooms, private gardens, two steam saunas infused with fresh Thai herbs, and two outdoor jacuzzis shaded by traditional Thai sala's. Massages include Swedish, Traditional Thai, Remedial, Reflexology and Tibetan Energy Balancing, which is unique to Santiburi on Samui. Body treatments include the Santiburi Salt Glow, the Thai Herbal Body Polish, the Dead Sea Thermal Mud Wrap and their signature treatment, the Tropical Enzyme Wrap. Many of the massages, treatments and facials can be combined in packages. Santiburi Dusit Resort, Maenam, Tel, 077 425 031/8

The Imperial Spa

Using all natural Thai oils, fruits and clays, the Imperial offers a comprehensive range of massages, scrubs, wraps and facials as well as manicure, pedicure and waxing services in five elegantly designed treatment suites and a walled outdoor sala. Each room boasts individual features such as a steam sauna, Jacuzzi, deep bath and multi-directional showers to further enhance your visit. Considering the quality of the treatments and the products used, the Imperial Spa also represents excellent value for money. At The Imperial Boat House Hotel, Choeng Mon, Tel. 077 425041-52 ext 8123.

Spa Samui Resort

Spread over two locations in Lamai - one beachside and one in the hills, Spa Samui Resort is now famous worldwide for its fasting and cleansing programmes, and kick-started the whole trend for alternative health spas with its opening in 1992. Fasting packages range from one day to seven days and are augmented by reflexology, meditation and yoga classes.

For the passing visitor there's also massages, including Thaiatsu, Aroma Oil and Healing Clay, facials and other treatments on offer. Their mostly vegetarian restaurant (same menu at both sites) was recently voted one of the fifty best restaurants in the world by an international magazine and serves a huge array of salads and health shakes unavailable elsewhere on the island. Accommodation is available at both locations although the hillside site is much newer and its bungalows are a higher quality than those on the beach. Lamai Beach and Route 4169, Tel. 077 230 976.