We have connected with Kamalaya, a Wellness Sanctuary and Holistic Spa Resort on the tropical island of Koh Samui, Thailand for some time. Recently, we interviewed one of the owners, Karina Stewart, and the director of communications, Donna Wells, on what makes Kamalaya a dream holistic wellness holiday destination.
The idea behind Kamalaya is that by the time you leave, you'll be happy, healthy and relaxed, but internally you'll have something to take away with you. All the other spas out there had better sit up and take notice, because this is where the industry needs to be.
- Tiffany Darke, The Sunday Times, UK
1. Could you briefly introduce Kamalaya? What is the concept of Kamalaya?
The synergy of place, people, and holistic wellness offerings is the foundation of the Kamalaya concept; the goal is reconnection. At Kamalaya, our aim is to reconnect our guests with life’s potential through a deeper connection with self, nature and people.
The Place. Connect with nature, the elements and the universal energies. Kamalaya rests on a very special piece of land on beautiful stretch of Koh Samui’s south-eastern coastline. At the heart of Kamalaya is a cave temple, once used by Buddhist monks as a place of meditative retreat. The tradition of these monks continues at Kamalaya and adds an aura of spiritual and sacred energy to the physical beauty of the land. Kamalaya was carefully designed to embrace the diverse natural elements of the landscape, to bring guests into intimate contact with these elements and the healing power of nature.
The People. Kamalaya was created as an inspiring place to regain a sense of community and belonging through one-on-one connection with Kamalaya hosts, wellness specialists and visiting healers as well as the group dynamic of retreats, events and interactions with other guests. From the General Manager to the therapists and the gardeners, all Kamalaya hosts are given the freedom and encouragement to connect with guests in a natural, meaningful and spontaneous way.
The Holistic Wellness. Connect body, mind and spirit. Kamalaya integrates holistic medicine traditions from East and West to offer a menu of over 70 therapies and treatments. The menu includes Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Naturopathy and Homeopathy, emotional and spiritual healing and other holistic services such as cranio-sacral therapy and sound healing. Optional daily classes are open to all guests in holistic fitness practices that range from Pilates, yoga, chi gong and meditation to adventure hikes and core fitness classes. The Kamalaya wellness experience goes beyond treatments and activities to include delicious fusion cuisine, wellness programs, group retreats and opportunities to work with visiting international healers and teachers.
Individually, these three pillars are rich with possibilities for healing and self discovery, but the synergy of all three creates a powerful holistic blend that inspires people to embrace life’s potential.
