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Our Wellness Journey at Absolute Sanctuary Koh Samui Review [updated 2024]

Is it time to take charge of your health and fitness? Have you always wanted to enjoy a wellness retreat in Thailand? How about a tropical paradise wellness resort on the island of Koh Samui in Thailand?

A week of recharging and revitalising ourselves has always been high on our travel to-do list.  When the opportunity arose for us to spend a week at the #1 Asia Wellness Resort – Absolute Sanctuary in Thailand we jumped at the chance.

Swimming Pool Absolute Sanctuary
Infinity Pool and Vitamin Bar at Absolute Sanctuary

Let us share with you how, during that week, we lost kg’s and cm’s, reduced our metabolic age, ate and drank healthily and came away with programs going forward to continue our personal journey to wellness and fitness.

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But first let us tell you a little about Absolute Sanctuary and how to travel there.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure for more information.

How To Get To Koh Samui

Koh Samui is one of the main islands in the Chumphon Archipelago in the Gulf of Thailand. Koh Samui at its widest measures 25 km and is the third largest of all of the islands of Thailand.

There is an airport on Koh Samui. It is one of the nicest airports we have travelled through with its open air pavilions and tropical gardens. Koh Samui is easily reached from Bangkok flying Bangkok Airways. The flight time is only 1 hour 10 minutes.

There are ferries available from the Donsak Pier on the mainland at Surat Thani. Seatrans is our ferry service of choice – the journey takes 1.30 and there are many sailings available each day.

You can also fly to Surat Thani from major Thai destinations as well as catch overnight trains or buses then connect with the ferry to Koh Samui.

Koh Phangan to Koh Samui is 1.5 hours by ferry.

Koh Tao to Koh Samui is 2.45 hours by ferry.

Grounds of Absolute Sanctuary

Where is Absolute Sanctuary

Absolute Sanctuary is located on the northeastern side of Koh Samui set on the hillside in Choeng Mon. Rock Beach and Chaweng Beach are located close by.

Address: 88 Moo.5, Cheongmon, Tambol Bophut, Amphur Koh Samui, Suratthani

How to get to Absolute Sanctuary on arrival at Koh Samui? Absolute Sanctuary offers an airport transfer service in Koh Samui, or a transfer from the ferry terminal as part of your package. It takes 15 minutes from Koh Samui Airport to Absolute Sanctuary.

Why Choose Absolute Sanctuary?

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Their tagline is “reconnect, recharge, revitalize and re-energize” which was enough to certainly get our attention.

Absolute Sanctuary is more than a holiday.  This is a ‘me’ holiday where you don’t feel guilty that everything that you do and choose is purely for you, and you alone.

If you are like us, we wanted to be able to switch off from our fast-paced ever-consuming busy life and eat well, exercise well and rest well during our time at Absolute Sanctuary.  You are not alone, everyone who is staying too at Absolute Sanctuary is there for the same thing.

The Absolute You Group has 9 fitness studios throughout Thailand and 4 in Singapore.  The only Absolute Sanctuary resort is located here in Koh Samui. It is the largest health lifestyle brand in Thailand. We were certainly in good hands!

To book your accommodation and wellness programme at Absolute Sanctuary click here

What Programs Are Available at Absolute Sanctuary?

Pilates Reformer Studio at Absolute Sanctuary
Pilates Reformer

Depending on the time you have allowed yourself there are excellent 5, 7 and 12-day programs that cover:

  • Detox – detox drinks and meals, colon hydrotherapy sessions, manual lymphatic draining massages, herbal supplements and supportive therapies are included
  • Spa – spa treatments, healing therapies, yoga, nourishing spa cuisine
  • Yoga – unlimited daily classes, daily massages, refreshing juices and nourishing meals
  • Anti-stress & burnout – spa treatments, emotional therapies and healthy juices and meals. (Duncan)
  • Fitness – two programs available – the Ultimate Fitness (which Jane chose) and the Be Fit program. Personalised fitness training is available for both programs and with the Ultimate Fitness private pilates reformer and private yoga sessions. Spa therapies, healthy meals and juices as well.
  • Weight Management – includes yoga, pilates, cardio boot camp, aqua aerobics, nutritional supplements, slimming body treatments, healthy cuisine and juices
  • Pilates reformer boot camp – includes a wellness consultation, spa treatments and scheduled group fitness classes with healthy cuisine and juices
  • Lifestyle change – three steps to a new you include cleanse, transform and anew.  Your end goal – a new you with tools to continue the good work that you have done.
  • Women’s Holistic Health – looks at empowering your physical and mental health, hormonal imbalances, wellness cuisines and juices
  • Men’s Vitality – if you are wanting to shred some extra kilos, de-stress and become fitter this program is for you with its cleansing therapies, physical activity, stress management sessions, treatments and healthy wellness cuisines and juices.
  • Sleep well – Learn sleep rituals, practice yoga, and enjoy massages and therapies to assist in quality sleep
  • Body Realignment – learn how to realign your body through Pilates reformer classes
  • Rest & Rebalance – Absolute Sanctuary holistic approach using stress management and life-balancing sessions, yoga, pilates and spa treatments.
  • Mindfulness – learn how to refocus, reconnect and rediscover to become a new you

You can also enjoy a Sound Healing Session and an Ecstatic Dance class that are held once a week.

What is your focus on your path to well-being?

What Were Our Goals at Absolute Sanctuary?

I (Jane) was keen to up my fitness program.  I am a regular gym person back home in Sydney doing barre, boxing and body combat classes.  A few months ago I had an accident and tore my medial collateral ligament – a grade 2 tear that put me out of action for two months. I was on crutches and wore a brace.  It was touch and go whether I was able to fly to Thailand to attend.

As part of my week at Absolute Sanctuary, I was looking forward to relaxing and enjoying spa treatments, cutting out alcohol and coffee for the week and eating well with nutritious meals. Getting my fitness levels back was a high priority, it is amazing after two months how fast you lose it.

Duncan’s mental and physical health was affected by bad reactions to the covid vaccine Astra Zeneca plus a long-term neck injury meant he could not continue his exercise regime over the last few years.  He also needed to de-stress after a very busy six months.

First Impressions of Absolute Sanctuary

Our private car transfer was waiting for us as we arrived at the Koh Samui ferry port.  The journey took approximately 45 minutes. Absolute Sanctuary is located on a hillside surrounded by fragrant tropical gardens with views over the Gulf of Thailand.

Such a lovely greeting from the girls at Reception with a cold towel and refreshing drink was waiting for us.

Sanctuary Suite Bedroom
Sanctuary Suite Bedroom at Absolute Sanctuary

After a quick check-in, we were shown to our Sanctuary Suite. We were so impressed with the size of the suite with our own sitting room and a large ensuite bathroom with free standing bath. All the facilities we required for our 7-night stay were available in our room, air-conditioning, ceiling fan, safe deposit box, mini-bar, hair dryer, TV (which was not switched on at all during our stay), yoga mat and toiletries.

There are 38 rooms – 4 Sanctuary Suites, 10 Sanctuary deluxe rooms and 24 Sanctuary Superior rooms.

 

Sitting area in the Sanctuary Suite at Absolute Sanctuary
Sitting area of the Sanctuary Suite at Absolute Sanctuary

Soon it was time to get out and explore and as we arrived around 5 pm it was close to dinner time so we headed to check out  The Love Kitchen where we would be enjoying all our meals over the week.

The Love Kitchen menu was extensive, with scrumptious breakfast options and many tasty and healthy lunch and dinner options.  The healthy juice menu looked exciting.  There was so much choice we would need more than 7 nights to try everything on the menu.

We studied our next 7 days program whilst we enjoyed our dinner and both of us were excited to start our wellness journey the following morning.

Day 2 – Day 7 at Absolute Sanctuary

Dawn at Absolute Sanctuary
Sunrise at Absolute Sanctuary

Our day started at dawn as we awoke to the birds singing and the first orange and pink sunrise of our stay. The fragrant aroma from the flowers surrounding our accommodation wafted into our bedroom from the open door.  We both took deep breaths, breathing in the morning freshness and enjoying this quiet time before our day started.

Yoga studio at Absolute Sanctuary
Yoga in a tranquil setting at Absolute Sanctuary

We headed down to breakfast before taking our first meditation class at 8 am and yoga at 8.30 am. The open yoga studio had beautiful views down the valley and across to the ocean. A peaceful location for meditation and yoga even when the local chickens made their presence felt.

Day 2 was an important day for both of us as were booked in for our initial wellness consultation with our own personal Bio Impedance analysis. This is our starting point. Our weight, height and blood pressure was taken and the results were printed out for our meeting with Stephanie Rault who was our Wellness Consultant and Alternative Therapist. The Bio Impedance analysis measures fat-free mass, total body water, percentage of fat, body cell mass, intracellular water, and extracellular water.

The results for both of us were very interesting and with Stephanie’s assistance, we knew what we were to focus on during our stay.

Absolute Sanctuary

My daily itinerary for the next 7 days included meditation, yoga, personalised fitness sessions, pilates reformer foundation class and group classes, core suspend classes, private yoga class and a private stretching session. Daily massages, 4 x 30-minute  infra-red sauna sessions, steam room sessions and relaxing by the pool.

Sam, my personal fitness instructor measured me on day 2 and put together a daily gym workout program.  What a motivation she was, I don’t think I have worked harder but the results showed at the end of that week. A 3 kg weight loss, 4cm off my waist, .5 cm off each arm and leg and a metabolic age of 22 years less than my real age.

Kevin guided me through a private Pilates reformer foundation class, pilates reformer classes, a private stretching session and the core suspend class.  I learnt so much from Kevin about my body composition and how to work with the issues I have with my injured knee and other issues I have going on with my body. I have come away with so much knowledge.

My heartfelt thanks go out to both Sam and Kevin.

Duncan worked hard on his destress programme with Stephanie and enjoyed daily meditation and yoga classes, stress management sessions and reiki.  Stephanie is trained in Reiki, hypnotherapy and integral yoga.  She brings her holistic approach to health into the programs that she runs. Duncan also booked a private session with Kevin to assist in his neck injuries which he benefited greatly from.

We both enjoyed a range of daily massages, sauna and steam room treatments.  In between we chilled out at the infinity pool whilst enjoying fresh juices and power shakes from the Vitamin Bar at the pool.

By working hard with the program that was given to us, eating and drinking well the results showed even in a week. I did try to give up coffee but after the first day decided that I would only have one in the morning instead of my usual 2 – 3.

There are opportunities to visit Fisherman’s Village Walking Street on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings. There is an evening shuttle to Chaweng Beach on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday evenings as well.

Wat Phra Yai Big Buddha Temple Koh Samui
Wat Phra Yai Big Buddha Temple

On Mondays and Thursdays, you can take a Temple Tour that includes a visit to the Big Buddha and Plailean Temple in the afternoon.

A Look At The Love Kitchen Wellness Cuisine Menu

Wondering what your typical daily menu could look like?

There are a range of hot herbal teas and herbal iced teas, juices and shakes to accompany your meals.

Breakfast options at the Love Kitchen
Some breakfast options at the Love Kitchen

Some delicious breakfast choices are coconut yoghurt fruit bowls, omelettes, poached eggs, porridge, pancakes, boiled rice with fish and goji berries.

Lunch options at the Love Kitchen
Lunch or dinner options at the Love Kitchen – Red Curry and Grilled Fish

The lunch and dinner menu is combined and you have two choices (depending on your chosen program). There are soups, starters and salads, wraps and rolls, chicken and seafood, curries, quinoa and noodles and many vegetarian options. For dessert lovers, there are 8 yummy options. You could choose one option from the lunch and dinner menu and a dessert or two options from the lunch and dinner menu.

Dinner options at the Love Kitchen
Dinner options – Grilled Prawn Mango Salad and Gado Gado Samui

Spa Treatments at Absolute Sanctuary

Sanctuary Spa
Sanctuary Spa

Depending on your chosen program there are a variety of spa treatments available.

Both of our programs included a variety of  massages shown below:

  • 60 minute head massage
  • 45 minute upper body flow and head massage
  • 90 minute Thai stretch massage with herbal heat compress
  • 60 minutes deep calm massages
  • 60 minute foot massages
  • 15 minute deep calm foot soak
  • 45 minute body polish scrub
  • 45 minute facial yoga treatment
  • 30 minute Far infrared sauna sessions
  • 30 minute herbal heat steam

Final Words

Our time at Absolute Sanctuary exceeded both of our expectations. The results we achieved during that week were incredible. We spoke to other couples and solo guests whilst we were there and everyone stated that they could not have been more happier with the resort and the results that they achieved. Many were repeat guests. We will be repeat guests as well on a regular basis. Absolute Sanctuary is the perfect wellness retreat in Thailand for all.

If you are looking for a wellness retreat in Asia we can highly recommend Absolute Sanctuary.  You can reach out to us at any time if you have any questions on our stay and the programs that we chose.

Absolute Sanctuary sponsored our stay and as always our opinions are our own.

Travel Insurance

We recommend taking out travel insurance as soon as you book your flights and pay deposits on any cruises, tours or hotels. Travel insurance offers protection when things go wrong before or during your travels, that is why we highly recommend that you take out travel insurance.

 

 

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Absolute Sanctuary Koh Samui

Absolute Sanctuary Koh Samui

 

 

Absolute Sanctuary Koh Samui

 

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Thanks for stopping by and welcome to To Travel Too – Australia’s top Baby Boomer lifestyle and travel blog, with an international worldwide audience in mind, run by the married couple, freelance writers and full-time travellers Jane and Duncan Dempster-Smith. Come with us as we explore the world. Our two mantras that we live by are 'chase time not money' and 'age is no barrier when it comes to travel'.

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