With passports in hand and anticipation in the air, there’s something uniquely special about setting off on a journey with a cherished friend by your side. For me, that destination was Chiva-Som in Hua Hin, Thailand — a place I’d visited before, but this time would be different. This time, I had Cathy with me.
Situated along the Gulf of Thailand, Chiva-Som isn’t just a wellness retreat — it’s a sanctuary where time stretches out, stress melts away, and the mind and body begin to remember what balance feels like. As we drove to Hua Hin, we both knew this wasn’t just a holiday. It was a gift to ourselves — and to our health.
Celebrating 30 years of pioneering wellness, Chiva-Som was the perfect place for two friends to press pause on life and say yes to restoration, laughter, and a little luxury. What many don’t realise is that before it became a global wellness icon, it was once the private beachfront home of founder Boonchu Rojanastien. When it opened to the public in 1995, it offered something revolutionary for the region: a retreat that blended holistic healing, spa therapies, and Thai hospitality in one serene space. Now, still family-owned, Chiva-Som remains the gold standard beloved by wellness seekers across the globe.
Cathy and I had both been before, though never together. Travelling solo had its own rewards, but sharing the Chiva-Som experience with someone who knows you well brought a completely new layer of enjoyment. From the moment we arrived — greeted like family with warm smiles and herbal welcome drinks — to the moment we were farewelled with hugs, we felt cared for.
We were also spoiled, of course. Our very own butler attended to our every need, but it was the deeper care and the intuitive kindness of the long-time staff including Sean our yoga teacher that made us feel like we truly belonged. It’s easy to see why so many guests return year after year. Some even come back multiple times within the same year. I ran into a guest I’d met on a previous visit, which felt like reconnecting with an old friend rather than a coincidence. That’s the kind of place Chiva-Som is where wellness and community go hand in hand.
Each day, Cathy and I embraced a rhythm of treatments, movement, and mindfulness. We compared notes after our massages, swapped insights over detox teas, and encouraged each other to try new things. Cathy nudged me into the hydrotherapy pool with reflexology stones underfoot; painful at first, but oddly addictive. I talked her into a private stretching session that left her walking taller and lighter.
We laughed a lot. We lounged by the sea, swam in the pool, and floated between yoga, meditation, and fitness classes. We dined under the stars, savouring fresh Thai dishes crafted by Chef Sinchai, his food somehow nourishing and indulgent at the same time. One morning, we joined his cooking class and learned how to reimagine everyday meals with healthier techniques, like braising instead of frying. Now, we both swear by his Emerald Soup, and I’ve taken to adding lemongrass to my tea every morning.
One of my favourite treatments was the Therapeutic Lymphatic Drainage massage, which gently stimulates the immune system and helps restore the body’s natural flow. Another standout was the South Indian Body Pampering experience, where three therapists worked in synchrony using oils, Ayurvedic herbs and steamed poultices. It was less of a treatment, more of a ceremony and one that left me glowing inside and out.
But perhaps what made this retreat so transformative was not just the world-class facilities or the indulgent therapies, it was sharing it all with a close friend. Studies show that wellness goals are more likely to stick when pursued with a friend, and I believe it. We kept each other on track, not just in the moment, but long after we returned home.
As women, we often put others first—partners, kids, careers. But there’s something beautifully restorative about investing time and energy into yourself, especially when it’s done in tandem with someone who cheers you on. For Cathy and me, this trip wasn’t just a wellness reset. It was a reaffirmation of our friendship, our health, and the joy of women supporting women.
As Chiva-Som celebrates its 30th anniversary, I can’t think of a better reason to plan a visit or a return. The retreat may have evolved over the decades, but its heart remains the same: a place of healing, connection, and transformation. And if you’re lucky enough to experience it with a dear friend by your side, it becomes so much more.
Latest Chiva-Som News
Restore and Recharge at Chiva-Som Hua Hin this June–September
From June through September, Thailand’s renowned wellness sanctuary, Chiva-Som Hua Hin, welcomes guests to reconnect with their well-being through a thoughtfully designed program of talks, fitness, and holistic experiences.
June: Move for Mental Health
Kickstarting the season is a focus on the powerful link between physical activity and mental clarity. Dr Punnapat Thawepornpuriphong will lead an insightful session on the psychological benefits of exercise, covering everything from stress relief to improved brain function, with special relevance to men’s mental wellness.
Guests can deepen the mind-body connection through Flow Yoga, a dynamic blend of hatha, vinyasa, and ashtanga, crafted to bring harmony through breath and movement. June and July also feature a special monthly evening class on Fall Prevention, aimed at maintaining balance and mobility with age.
Supporting whole-body health, the resort also offers twice-weekly breathing exercises and weekly Nutrition Integration Talks by visiting UK-based consultant Lucja Maslowska. Her holistic approach combines nutritional science with massage, Chinese medicine, and meditation for comprehensive wellness.
