Absolute Sanctuary Koh Samui: Body & Soul Retreat

After one year of non-stop traveling and working, we finally decided to do something just for ourselves – a Wellness Retreat! This was our very first Body & Soul Retreat, and we were incredibly excited to dive into a week of full rejuvenation. Just before continuing our journey, we chose to stay at Absolute Sanctuary Koh Samui, which is widely recognized as one of the leading wellness resorts in Thailand.

Located on a quiet hillside in the northeast of the island, the resort combines privacy with panoramic views and is only a short drive from Koh Samui Airport. From the moment we arrived, we could sense the calming atmosphere—every detail, from the Moroccan-inspired architecture to the tropical gardens, was designed to help us unwind. Moreover, the resort specializes in holistic health programs, offering a wide variety of retreats focused on detox, fitness, mental balance, and nutritional healing.

Our Body & Soul Retreat included a personalized wellness consultation with a bio-impedance analysis, followed by a structured daily schedule of yoga, pilates, and guided meditation. In addition, we enjoyed relaxing spa treatments, therapeutic massages, and a gentle detox plan supported by delicious, nutrient-rich meals served at The Love Kitchen—Absolute Sanctuary ’s award-winning wellness restaurant.

Although the week was filled with activity, it was also incredibly peaceful. The combination of physical movement, mindful practices, and clean eating allowed us to fully reconnect with ourselves. For the first time in a long while, we felt completely rested—mentally, physically, and emotionally.

Absolute Sanctuary turned out to be a truly life-changing experience for us in more ways than we ever expected. Since it was our very first wellness retreat, we honestly weren’t sure what to expect. As full-time travelers and content creators, we’re constantly on the move—so the idea of staying in one place for an entire week felt almost foreign to us.

When we selected the 7-day wellness retreat, we couldn't help but wonder: Will we even be able to slow down? After all, the past few months had been packed with intense travel schedules, daily content creation, and endless to-do lists. Because of this constant momentum, relaxing—let alone completely switching off—had become incredibly difficult.

However, choosing this retreat was exactly what we needed. Although it felt unfamiliar at first, taking time to unwind, be present, and disconnect from work gave us a new kind of freedom. For the first time in a while, we were able to breathe, reflect, and simply be—without rushing from one destination to the next.

🧘 Asia’s Leading Wellness Resort for Fitness, Health & Lifestyle

Absolute Sanctuary is recognized as Asia’s leading wellness resort, especially for those seeking a transformational experience in fitness, health, and lifestyle balance. Unlike traditional spa resorts, Absolute Sanctuary is the only dedicated wellness and fitness resort of its kind in the region. It doesn’t just offer relaxation—it delivers structured programs with real results.

Thanks to its connection with ABSOLUTE YOU, Thailand’s largest health and lifestyle brand, the resort is backed by years of expertise in yoga, pilates reformer, nutrition, and detox. Therefore, each program is designed to combine movement, mindfulness, and nourishment in a way that feels both natural and sustainable.

Whether you’re looking to detox, lose weight, improve your core strength, reset your lifestyle, or simply step away from everyday stress, there’s a targeted retreat to meet your personal goals. Moreover, all programs are customizable and supported by expert trainers, in-house therapists, and a holistic wellness team.

In addition, what sets Absolute Sanctuary apart is its unique combination of science-based consultations, group fitness classes, and plant-based cuisine that fuels your body throughout your journey. This is not just a holiday—it’s a life reset.

💡 Travel Tip: Book your program at least 1–2 weeks in advance, especially during peak season (December–March), as many of the wellness packages have limited availability due to personalized schedules. You can book your stay HERE.

📍Where is Absolute Sanctuary Located?

Absolute Sanctuary is located on the northeastern side of Koh Samui, perched on a peaceful hillside just a 5-minute drive from Koh Samui International Airport. Because of its prime location, it offers the perfect balance between serenity and easy access to the island’s popular attractions. Both Chaweng Beach and Choeng Mon Beach are nearby, making it ideal for beach lovers who also seek wellness and quiet. You can book your stay HERE.

To make things even more convenient, the resort offers a complimentary shuttle service twice a day to both Chaweng and Choeng Mon beaches. In the evenings, you can also hop on their free shuttle to Fisherman’s Village or the Chaweng Night Market, giving you a chance to explore local culture and food without the hassle of arranging transport.

If you're arriving from Bangkok, there are two main options. You can either fly directly to Koh Samui, or take a combination of bus and ferry via Surat Thani. Flying is definitely the fastest way—Bangkok Airways and Thai Airways offer hourly domestic flights from both Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang Airports. For international travelers, direct flights to Koh Samui are also available from Singapore and Hong Kong via Bangkok Airways and Silk Air, and from Kuala Lumpur with Bangkok Airways and Firefly.

💡 Travel Tip: Looking for the best way to get to Koh Samui? Compare flight prices and book your tickets easily HERE.

💡 Travel Tip: If you're not flying directly to Koh Samui, you can explore the best travel connections and overland options on 12GoAsia HERE.

Alternatively, if you’re on a tighter budget or seeking an overland adventure, you can take a bus to Surat Thani followed by a ferry ride to Nathon Pier on Koh Samui. This scenic ferry journey takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes and allows you to soak in the stunning views as you approach the island.

💡 Travel Tip: If you're arriving late at night, consider booking your first night at a hotel near the airport or pre-arranging a private transfer to Absolute Sanctuary, as shuttle services typically don’t run after 8 PM.

🏨 Accommodations

Absolute Sanctuary’s offers a variety of comfortable and thoughtfully designed accommodations to suit different needs and budgets. The resort features 38 rooms spread across five tranquil buildings, surrounded by lush gardens and views of the tropical hillside or the sea. Whether you’re looking for something simple and serene or a bit more luxurious, there’s a perfect space waiting for you.

Guests can choose from four main room types:

• Sanctuary Superior – Ideal for solo travelers or short stays
• Sanctuary Deluxe – A more spacious option with stylish interiors
• Sanctuary Deluxe Seaview – Featuring sweeping views over the Gulf of Thailand
• Sanctuary Suite – The most luxurious category, perfect for longer stays or couples seeking extra space and privacy

During our stay, we chose the Sanctuary Deluxe, which featured a king-sized bed, a beautifully designed bathroom with a large bathtub, and a private terrace where we could unwind after each wellness session. The design was modern yet calming, with natural materials and earthy tones that complemented the peaceful vibe of the resort. You can book your stay HERE.

🌿 Wellness Programs

Absolute Sanctuary’s takes a truly holistic approach to wellness—one that is centered entirely around your personal goals, lifestyle, and energy levels. Whether you’re looking to detox, destress, manage your weight, improve your fitness, or simply enjoy a meaningful break from your routine, this is the place to do it. Because all programs are fully customizable, you can choose the pace, intensity, and focus that suit your current needs best.

There are 22 signature wellness programs across 15 distinct categories, so it’s safe to say that there’s something for everyone—from seasoned yogis and fitness lovers to burnt-out professionals or wellness beginners. These programs include structured retreats focused on Detox, Yoga, Pilates Reformer, Weight Management, Anti-Stress, Women's Health, Sleep Well, and even Lifestyle Reset.

What makes these retreats at Absolute Sanctuary stand out is their commitment to nurturing mind, body, and spirit simultaneously. The programs are designed not just to relax you in the short term, but to inspire a real shift from within, helping you reconnect with yourself and become the best version of who you are.

🧖‍♀️ Our Harmonizing Program Experience

For our wellness journey, we chose the 7-Day Spa Program—one of Absolute Sanctuary’s most nurturing and restorative options. Designed to deeply relax, pamper, and restore the nervous system, this program was exactly what we needed after several intense months of full-time travel and constant content creation. It allowed us to truly slow down and reconnect with ourselves on every level.

The Harmonizing Spa Program includes a wide range of indulgent treatments, from daily massages and healing therapies to grounding yoga classes and wellness cuisine crafted to support inner balance. In addition, the peaceful setting of the resort enhances every experience—whether you’re meditating in the open-air yoga shala or enjoying a detox juice by the pool. You can book your stay HERE.

✨ What’s Included in Every Spa Program

No matter which spa retreat you choose at Absolute Sanctuary, you’ll benefit from a generous list of standard inclusions designed to support your wellness journey from the inside out. These thoughtful additions ensure that your stay is not only relaxing but also results-driven, balanced, and fully immersive.

Each spa program includes the following:

✔️ Initial Wellness Consultation with Bio-Impedance Analysis
On arrival, you'll meet with a wellness specialist to assess your health status. The results help customize your treatments and set realistic goals.

✔️ Three nutritionally balanced meals per day
Prepared by The Love Kitchen, all meals are crafted to support detox, healing, and energy balance—without compromising flavor.

✔️ Two fresh juices or smoothies daily
These nourishing drinks are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to boost your body throughout the day.

✔️ One group Pilates Reformer or Core Suspend class
You’ll experience one of Absolute Sanctuary’s signature classes that help improve posture, strength, and alignment.

✔️ Unlimited access to yoga and meditation sessions
Enjoy daily yoga classes across a range of styles and levels, plus group meditation to help calm the mind and deepen awareness.

✔️ Unlimited group fitness classes
Depending on the weekly schedule, options include:

• Sunrise Beach Walks
• Aqua Power classes
• HIIT Training
• Myofascial Release
• Functional and Weight Training

✔️ 10% discount on spa, detox, à la carte treatments, yoga & pilates classes
This gives you the flexibility to add extra sessions and treatments to deepen your retreat experience.

✔️ Roundtrip airport transfers
A stress-free arrival and departure are guaranteed, so you can begin your journey with peace of mind.

Because these inclusions are available across all spa programs, they allow you to focus on rest and rejuvenation while receiving expert support throughout your stay.

💡 Travel Tip: Be sure to attend the wellness consultation with an open mind—many guests are surprised by the insights from the Bio-Impedance Analysis, which can help guide lifestyle changes long after your retreat ends.

🥗 The Love Kitchen – A New Standard for Healthy Cuisine

All meals at Absolute Sanctuary are served at the resort’s signature restaurant, The Love Kitchen—and we can confidently say it was one of the highlights of our stay. Every single dish was not only beautifully presented but also bursting with flavor, proving that healthy eating can be incredibly satisfying and even indulgent.

Because the restaurant focuses on nutrient-dense, whole food cooking, each dish is made with ingredients that are fresh, high in vitamins and minerals, and low in empty calories. While everything we tried was light and clean, it was also rich in taste. Honestly, there wasn’t a single meal we didn’t love—each plate changed our perception of what healthy food can truly be. You can book your stay HERE.

In addition to meals, Love Kitchen offers a wide selection of wellness beverages, including:

• Freshly pressed juices
• Creamy smoothies
• Whole young coconuts
• Calming herbal teas

The ingredients used are a mix of locally sourced produce and imported high-quality superfoods, which means the meals are both authentic and globally inspired. Whether you’re eating Thai-style quinoa porridge, vegan lasagna, turmeric-spiced chicken, or a raw cacao dessert, the love and care put into each recipe is unmistakable.

To cater to different wellness goals, Love Kitchen offers three carefully crafted menus:

• Wellness Menu – Balanced, high-energy meals perfect for recovery and revitalization
• Detox Menu – Light, cleansing dishes that support elimination and digestion
• Weight Loss Menu – Low-calorie, portion-controlled meals designed to nourish without excess

Each wellness program at Absolute Sanctuary is paired with the appropriate menu. Since we were enrolled in the Wellness Program, we enjoyed the full variety of the Wellness Cuisine. We were honestly impressed with how extensive the options were—I didn’t repeat a meal the entire week (except for the Greek Salad, which I couldn’t resist ordering more than once!).

💡 Travel Tip: Don’t be afraid to explore the full menu and ask for daily recommendations. Even if you're on a structured meal plan, the chefs are happy to accommodate taste preferences or food sensitivities—just let them know during your orientation.

💆‍♀️ The Spa – Healing, Recovery & Deep Relaxation

One of the most rewarding parts of our program at Absolute Sanctuary was the daily access to the Sanctuary Spa—a tranquil space designed for full-body healing and mental relaxation. A variety of massages were included in our retreat package, and we genuinely looked forward to each one. Not only did these sessions help us unwind after full days of yoga and fitness, but they also played a key role in our physical recovery.

The spa therapists at Absolute Sanctuary are exceptionally skilled and deeply intuitive. Every treatment felt tailored to our body’s needs, and we want to send a heartfelt thank-you to Khun Maew, Nun, and the entire spa team for their care and dedication. Their healing hands worked magic on our tired muscles, day after day.

The Sanctuary Spa features both indoor and outdoor treatment rooms, so depending on the weather and your mood, you can enjoy your massage in a calming, air-conditioned space or in the open air surrounded by tropical greenery. This variety made each treatment feel new and refreshing.

Besides massages, the spa menu also includes:

• Deep-cleansing facials
• Detoxifying body scrubs
• Herbal compress and aroma oil therapy
• Traditional Thai stretching treatments

Moreover, the spa facilities go far beyond the basics. Guests also have access to an infrared sauna, steam room, and a detox spa center equipped with modern colon hydrotherapy suites. Since Absolute Sanctuary is known as a destination for detox holidays, these facilities are maintained to the highest standard and guided by experienced therapists who ensure you feel safe and supported throughout the process.

💡 Travel Tip: Book your spa appointments for late afternoon—after your fitness or yoga classes—so your body is warm, relaxed, and ready to fully benefit from the massage. You’ll sleep much deeper that night!

🏋️‍♀️ The Fitness Experience – Rebuild, Recharge & Push Your Limits

Absolute Sanctuary is more than a wellness retreat—it’s also an excellent choice for those looking to reset their fitness goals in a supportive and structured environment. We joined the program with the intention of challenging our current fitness level, and by the end of the week, we not only felt stronger but also more motivated to maintain a healthy routine moving forward.

Because the resort focuses on a holistic wellness approach, fitness here goes far beyond the gym. Guests have access to a varied schedule of both indoor and outdoor sessions, allowing everyone to train in a way that suits their preferences and energy levels.

At Absolute Sanctuary Some of the options available include:

• Cardiovascular workouts
• Weight training sessions
• Sunrise beach walks (a peaceful yet energizing way to start the day)
• Aqua Power classes held in the pool
• Beach Boot Camps that combine bodyweight training with ocean air
• Muay Thai kickboxing lessons for those craving intensity and technique

Additionally, the fitness center offers both resistance and cardio equipment, so guests can work on strength, stamina, or flexibility at their own pace.

What made the difference for us was how seamlessly fitness sessions were integrated with mindfulness practices. Each morning began with a 30-minute meditation, followed by an hour-long yoga class. The yoga offerings varied daily and included Hot Flow, Ashtanga, Yin Yoga, and other gentle or dynamic styles. Sometimes the sessions challenged our flexibility and focus, while on other days they provided a much-needed space for stillness and grounding.

Because the schedule is so diverse, you can easily build a routine that mixes strength, cardio, flexibility, and inner calm—all in one retreat.

💡 Travel Tip: Be sure to check the weekly fitness schedule upon arrival so you can plan your day around your energy levels. Don’t miss the sunrise walk—it’s one of the most peaceful and inspiring ways to begin your day at Absolute Sanctuary.

🏝️ The Pool, Scenery & Surroundings

Absolute Sanctuary is tucked away in a peaceful residential area in the northeastern hills of Koh Samui. While it offers a sense of retreat and quietude, it’s still conveniently close to the airport, beaches, and local markets. Because of its elevated position, some rooms offer lovely glimpses of the ocean, while others are surrounded by lush greenery and serene views of the resort’s centerpiece: the gorgeous infinity pool.

If you’re staying in one of the Sanctuary Deluxe Seaview rooms, you’ll likely enjoy distant ocean views from your second-floor balcony. For all other room types, the pool becomes the heart of your scenery—and what a view it is. The expansive infinity pool reflects the sky in every shade, from morning mist to brilliant blue afternoons. Whether you're relaxing on a lounger or taking a quiet swim, it’s an ideal space to unwind and soak up the tranquil atmosphere.

The pool deck is beautifully laid out with comfortable sun loungers, umbrellas, and natural shade from surrounding trees. You’ll also find the Vitamin Bar just steps away, offering a refreshing menu of detox juices, smoothies, herbal teas, and coconuts. One of our favorite moments was relaxing by the pool during the daily juice Happy Hour from 2 to 4 PM—a small treat that felt like a reward after yoga or spa treatments.

Additionally, right near the pool is the resort’s steam room, which is ideal for continuing your detox or simply enjoying a warm session to relax your muscles post-workout. The layout is intentionally compact and calming, so everything—from spa to fitness to pool—flows together in a way that enhances your overall retreat experience.

💡 Travel Tip: Plan your spa or yoga sessions in the morning, then spend your afternoon lounging by the pool. If you’re doing a detox or wellness program, use the steam room before your daily massage—it helps open the pores and boost circulation for even better results.

For all the details and more, check out:

Website: www.absolutesanctuary.com

Address: 88 Moo 5 Tambol Bophut, Amphur Koh Samui Surat Thani 84320 Thailand

Tel: +66 7760 1190     
E-mail:  bookings@absolutesanctuary.com