Relaxing and Renewing at Kamalaya

Room 29, my Sea View suite.  The room had everything needed for a relaxing and very comfortable stay. The highlight was being able to see the sea from my large and extremely inviting bed. The room was spacious with a separate indoor seating area, balcony and outdoor bath and shower. The only disappointment – the request not to use the bath due to water shortages. Like all of the property’s 76 rooms the suite included tea making facilities, with complimentary herbal teas, daily fresh fruit, options of different pillows and a sleeping mask. The feel of and views from the room made it, at times, hard to leave!

The spa treatments. My seven-day package included a number of different spa treatments including a traditional Asian hand massage, Indian head massage, traditional Thai massage, Vital Essence Oil massage, Upper Body Tension Relief massage, Anti-Aging Revive and Awakening facial and Lotus Scrub and Wrap.  Treatments were delivered by efficient and very friendly therapists and were brilliant.  On hearing what was involved in the Chi Nei Tsang abdominal massage I decided to replace it with a couple of other favourites.  While there was an extra cost, due to the discounts involved in packaging treatments, the Indian head massage and Asian foot massage were worth the money.

The staff. Everyone I came across was extremely friendly and helpful including the reception staff and engineer who on my arrival and the following morning worked hard to fix my air conditioning which was having a ‘few issues’.

The food. While the food wouldn’t classify as gourmet there were many options on offer according to the wants and requirements of guests. The al-a-carte menu featured local fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, whole grains and legumes. No red meat is served with protein options coming from eggs, fish, seafood and poultry. No processed foods, additives, preservatives, artificial flavourings or colourings, MSG or foods that contain trans-fats feature in any of the menu options. While some of the food/broths/juices offered on the Detox, Ideal Weight and Mediterranean Keto menus  didn’t look or sound all that appetising I was certainly satisfied with my options.

The resort’s design.  Built on a hill overlooking the Gulf of Thailand, the resort features plenty of tropical vegetation, streams, granite rocks and has a restful and aesthetically pleasing look and feel. It also features its own 250 metre beach. The only disadvantage – all the treatment rooms are located at the top of the hill which, given the May heat, meant arriving at the treatment room rather hot, sweaty and out of breath!

The facilities including a well equipped fitness centre, a hall where meditation and yoga are held, another fitness centre used for pilates classes, two swimming pools – one a lap pool the other a leisure swimming pool – and several different types of saunas and plunge pools.

There are three dining areas – the Soma restaurant which is open for breakfast and dinner, the Amrita Café which is open for lunch and the Alchemy Tea Lounge which serves afternoon tea. The resort is located around 50 minutes from Koh Samui airport and is rather isolated. While most guests seemed to want to spend their time enjoying the resort’s facilities it does offer a sunset cruise, a Thai Temple Tour and other sightseeing options at an extra cost.