Chiva som has been created on the european model
of medical destination spas such as would be found in switzerland

As you arrive at the resort “they” greet you with “Welcome to Paradise”! The resort is located about 3 hours from Bangkok, in Hua-Hin. It is set in a beautiful setting but “Paradise” it is not. Created on the European model of medical destination spas such as would be found in Great Britain, Hungary, Germany, France or Switzerland, “Chiva Som” is well structured and very regimented with an array of Do’s and Don’ts. The closest thing to Chiva Som in the U.S. would be “Canyon Ranch”.

The majority of guests come from the U.S. and Europe. Recently Russians and Turks have been coming. The U.S. accounts for about 10% of the clients. “Chiva Som” is well managed. Its Swiss G.M. Paul Linder has a great deal of experience running high-end properties: The Palace in St. Moritz for example and so he has that special European touch of class that makes guests feel welcome and feel like VIPs.

The service there, as in all other four and five star properties in Thailand is superb. In an era where “service” is disappearing as snow under the sun, it is a true delight to patronize a resort where service is the way it should be.

The food is quite tasty for “healthy fare”! Low fat, no salt, plenty of salads and veggies. In fact one of the restaurants by the pool serves a strictly Vegetarian menu. Liquor is not served at the resort, but wine and champagne can be ordered after 6:00pm. No beer though? Why? There are two main reasons. Wine and champagne bring a lot more money than beer and also to keep a classy image in a country that has been invaded by Australians and Brits who have, let us say: “gone out of control”?

The spa is a supermarket of holistic and western medicine offerings. Doctors are on hand to perform various procedures such as laser depilation, dermabrasion, botox and other injections while an excellent foreign staff of naturopaths, acupuncturists, homeopaths offer services for detox, slimming and anti-aging. Local therapists perform the traditional “spa” treatments.

The menu of massages, body treatments and facials is a bit antiquated and below the level you would expect at a “world ranked spa”! In a country known for its massages, it is a disappointment to have so little choice. In spite of that fact, the overall quality of the therapists exceeds that found in America or Europe, but it is inferior to what can be found in Day Spas and small massage parlors throughout the country. Of course everything is relative and for those who have not tried treatments outside of the resort they will probably have been satisfied.

During my stay I tried several massages:

1.) The “Chiva Som” Signature Massage: which is a basic “Swedish Relaxation” massage has the merit of being a true “full body massage” including hands, feet, stomach, chest and butt. A welcome version when compared to the U.S. version.

2.) The Traditional Thai: was in fact a truncated version of the “Classic Thai” and quite inferior to those found everywhere in Thailand at ten times cheaper!

3.) The “Lymphatic” massage: which had nothing to do with any lymphatic manipulation! At best, the same “Chiva Som Massage” done a little slower. Very disappointing!

4.) The Energizing massage: basically was the same as the others!

Management is very protective of its clients and do not encourage them to try local restaurants or businesses insinuating hygiene and security problems. Upon arrival and shortly after check in, guests are scheduled for a “consultation”. A welcome step to allow them to ask questions but mostly a good occasion for staff to sell “extra” services. A stay at Chiva Som is full board and one 40 minute massage per day. Everything else is “a la carte” a bit different from the European destinations which include 3 to 4 treatments per day. The European influence is there, nevertheless Champneys, Vichy Thermes, Royal Evian, Palace in Montreux, Quiberon have influenced the operation. Fortunately the Thai influence makes the regimented, clinical atmosphere less bothersome.

Chinese medicine is the foundation of many treatments and the practitioners providing these treatments are excellent. Ken Rosen, an American acupuncturist with over 10 years experience and Mae Tanarrat Ymsuk who does an awesome Chinese Chi Nei Tsang (stomach massage) are among the dedicated staff members that guarantee a high quality of care. Part of the package is a large number of group classes: Tai Chi, Yoga, meditation, aerobics etc.. which are included in the price. Private trainers are also available at an additional charge. The majority of clients are between 25 and 45 years old except during the December to March period where the age median rises to above 65, mostly from older people from the U.K fleeing the cold weather.

The ownership of the resort is planning the opening of another “Chiva Som” in the northern region of the country; it will be larger and hopefully updated. For those looking for an exotic experience in Asia that is not too far out from an American perception, Chiva Som is a good choice. If you can afford it, you will enjoy it. If, you are bold enough, while in Thailand GO to the small day spas and massage parlors and experience the unadulterated real massage experience of the country.

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