Being a food lover isn’t always the best recipe for living a healthy life. Ryan Varga-Clark tried a detox resort for a cleansing holiday, meaning he could then hit Bangkok for some post-detox treats with a clear conscience.
There are several ways to detox and not all of them involve cabbage diets. Traditionally focused on ‘hardcore’ fasting and colonic hydrotherapy, there are now a number of less aggressive options focusing on food and mental detoxing although the delights of butter, bacon and alcohol are a definite no-no.
Absolute Sanctuary
A Yogi’s sanctuary
Absolute Sanctuary sits on the east coast of Koh Samui, the big sister to the neighbouring island Koh Phangan, famed for the ‘full moon’ parties. Absolute offers one of the more traditional fasting packages run over a three day-one week period. A popular option is the ‘Ultimate Detox’, which includes daily colonic hydrotherapy, yoga classes (Absolute runs yoga centres throughout south-east Asia), nutritional supplements and detox smoothies containing psyllium powder to help you feel full ¬– but no food.
If you aren’t that keen on the idea of a week without a meal the ‘Love’ kitchen can phase in raw and light meals. To ease your detoxing system, a full selection of spa treatments and massages fill the gaps between shakes.
Moroccan-themed rooms inspire a sensation of calm – although with only a curtain between the bedroom and the bathroom, if you share, make sure it’s with someone you’re very comfortable around! Resort life is chilled and focused on morning yoga and early nights, but if you (or your less-inclined-to-detox other half) are looking for a little nightlife one of the busiest strips on the island, Chaweng Beach, is a five minute taxi ride away. Those easily tempted by alcohol and street food are advised to confine themselves to quarters.
Six Senses
A guide for the senses
If your idea of detoxing doesn’t include hydrotherapy or yoga, you might be better off heading to the Six Senses Destination Spa on Naka Island, off the coast of Phuket. This resort boasts 60 private villas offering a truly reclusive way to cleanse your diet and mind.
You are greeted with a wellness consultation where your health and lifestyle are assessed and targets set for your stay – whether they’re improved fitness, a better diet, or to leave feeling truly pampered. I learned that my posture isn’t perfect and set myself the goals of fitness and relaxation. A course of Thai massages, yoga, Thai boxing, and the option of a personalised one-to-one training programme were prescribed. A full calendar of complimentary activities from Kayaking to Thai boxing is available and changes weekly.
The resort’s ‘fishetarian’ restaurant offers balanced and healthy food with nothing over 5% fat and the average main course containing only 300-400 calories (displayed proudly on the menu). No oil is used in cooking – the chefs preferring to dry ‘sear’ the food and use vegetable stock in place of oil for pan cooking. Cooking classes are available if you want to take some of the techniques home, a worthwhile investment for those used to cooking seafood in mounds of salt and butter.
The second part of the philosophy is a mental detox – the calm and quiet of the island, the serenity of the villas, and the beautifully designed spa are all centred around helping you forget about whatever it was you were worrying about when you arrived.
Naka beach
Does it work?
In a word, yes. Both resorts offer programmes that make you feel better and provide you with a place to abstain from alcohol and processed foods – just these changes make a difference without undertaking any of the treatments or programmes. If you’re suffering from an unhealthy lifestyle or poor diet, you’ll almost certainly come away feeling revitalised. It is, of course, up to you to make the most of it, and be warned, if you’re a night owl and not fully prepared for a week of calm, it may feel more of a priory than a paradise.
It’s certainly worth taking one of these programmes as part of a longer trip – Thai food is so wonderful, a food lover really would be missing out if they just went for a detox.
The details
Absolute Sanctuary, Koh Samui: a three day individual detox package is from £572 for a single room. Website.
Six Senses Destination Spa, Naka Island, is a 40 minutes drive from Phuket airport: a three day wellness package is from £1600 for two people. Website.
Both are all-inclusive.
Getting There
No culinary-based trip to SE Asia is complete without a visit to Thailand’s capital, Bangkok – ideal for indulging in fine or street dining.
The Metropolitan, Bangkok is from £60 per room/night ($99) staying room-only in a city room. This 'Ultimate Savings Offer' is for a minimum of two nights booked at least seven nights prior to arrival and paid in full at the time of reservation. For bookings, visit the website.
- Emirates flies to Bangkok via Dubai, from £589 per person. Website.
- Thai Airways operate flights to Phuket and Koh Samui. Website.