What to Expect at a Wellness Retreat in Thailand - Absolute Sanctuary review

We landed at the Samui airport after a morning flight from Chiang Mai. Before the flight even took off, I found myself 'sizing up the competition'. While waiting at the gate for our Bangkok Airways flight, I immersed myself in my favorite pastime of people watching, and I quickly noticed a handful of women in athleisure sets. I spied a few different groups and also solo travelers, all dressed to the fitness nines, milling about the waiting area. When I saw them in their fitness-forward outfits, I thought only one thing: they, like me, were most likely headed to Koh Samui for a wellness retreat.

I tried to eaves drop as best I could to find out if my hypothesis was true:

if they're on a flight to Samui wearing a Lululemon set, then they are going to a Thai wellness retreat.

Even more, my curiosity got the best of me dying to know if they were going to the same exact retreat as me.

Personally, I'd never attended a wellness retreat before. I had done my fair share of yoga, pilates, and spa experiences, but I'd never done them all in a concerted manner over a span of a week. I also had never experienced spending multiple days in a row cohabiting, eating, and relaxing next to my 'classmates'. Usually, I'd leave yoga class and maybe see a familiar face or week or two later. Instead at the retreat, my classmates and I would be lounging next to each other at the pool or sitting side-by-side waiting for our spa treatments. For some, this pretense of new people to meet might be exciting. For an extroverted introvert like me --  who also was clearly confusing a wellness retreat for a high school clique -- I sure felt nervous.

I had expectations of what a wellness retreat would be. It was something I'd always wanted to try, and knew I's enjoy. I also felt anxious, mentally preparing for the uber fit walking around in their Sweaty Betty and drinking juices all day. I imagined being left in the dust of other yogi's handstands and arm balances while I hoped to make it through my sun salutation.

There, in the airport waiting area, I had no clue that by the end of that very day, I'd be journaling, "I feel like we were meant to be here."

Prefer to watch the video of the whole experience? Check out the wellness retreat travel vlog of our stay at Absolute Sanctuary.

From the moment of arrival at Absolute Sanctuary

Even before we arrived, the team at Absolute Sanctuary signaled they'd be taking good care of us. In the weeks before, the sent via email initial forms and questionnaires to prepare for our stay. They asked things like the kinds of pillows we preferred, anything we needed in the room, what our goals might be.

They also included a map of where to meet them for our pick-up. After we landed and gathered our bags from baggage claim, we followed the winding path out of Samui airport and made our way to the transfer zone. Just as one always hopes when arriving at an airport, there was someone waiting for us with our name on a sign.

We were greeted and guided over to the transfer van. To my surprise, out of everyone on our flight, it was only us heading to Absolute Sanctuary. All of my earlier sizing up was done in vain. I was back to the drawing board in picturing the looks and vibes of the other clientele at the resort.

One of the small reasons (amongst the many) Absolute Sanctuary is a good choice when visiting Koh Samui: It's in a beautiful location set in the mountains, while also being only a short ride from the airport. After a 10 minute ride snaking through Samui, we were being helped out of the van and guided up the stairs. Arriving at the welcome desk, we were met with towels and refreshing drinks waiting just for us.

From the moment of arrival, they don't miss a moment at Absolute Sanctuary. In their open air reception, we checked-in and received a brief orientation: our schedules, meal times and building locations, and of course the keys to our room. We didn't have time to spare, as our first appointment on our schedules was about to begin: the initial wellness consultation with bio impedance reading.

My husband Alex and I attended the retreat together, so we shared this initial consultation and our meal times. Other than that, we were on our own journeys.

Stephanie, the in-house wellness consultant and therapist, met us at reception and whisked us away for our initial evaluations. We stood on scales, had our blood pressures taken, and anxiously awaited our results as the information made it's way through the printer. From the consultation room, we moved to Stephanie's office to really dig in and set the tone for the days to come. She asked us questions like why we were there and what we hoped to get out of the week. She reviewed our schedules with us and helped us understand what we'd experience.

It was the moments in Stephanie's office, with its beautiful glass window filled with the lush vegetation beyond, where this retreat became more than just a physical fitness experience. While I moved through the daily routine of eating well, exercising, and relaxing, the included 'supportive therapy' sessions are what solidified it as a holistic experience. For that week, while I was looking after my body, I was also looking after my mind.

What happens at a wellness retreat

Adapting to the wellness retreat lifestyle

One thing I didn't expect was how busy each day would be. Who knew it was possible to be 'busy' with massages? Obviously, it's a different kind of busy -- a good busy. It was like a full class schedule, maxed out on credits. I had on average, three different activities a day (spa, fitness, wellbeing) not counting the three regular meals. The beauty of it was that we had just spent the last few weeks having to plan every activity and every meal for ourselves, and now everything was decided for us. As each day went by, we started to feel more and more like we were in a cocoon, well looked after and well taken care of. It’s for these reasons that I’ve included attending a wellness retreat as a way to having a meaningful travel experience when visiting Thailand.

The fitness programs at Absolute Sanctuary

Our schedules were influenced by the wellness programs we chose. With 15+ different programs from which to choose, you'll definitely find a program for your goals. I spent too much time debating between the yoga, anti-stress, mindfulness, and the rest and rebalance programs.

Why I chose Rest and Rebalance program at Absolute Sanctuary

I looked through all of the programs and decided I wanted something health and fitness forward, but not too intense. I also figured out after looking at the different programs that I wanted a nice balance of fitness and spa services. Additionally, I wasn't interested in doing a detox or cleanse so that also helped me narrow down my choices. My program included coaching sessions, private and group yoga, private and group pilates, multiple massages, and a reiki session. If I were to do it all over again, I'd pick the same program. It aligned perfectly with how I like to work out and look after myself.

Why Alex chose the Sleep Well program at Absolute Sanctuary

Well, as the name suggests, he just hadn't been sleeping well. From previous injuries to travel stress and changing sleep cycles, he wasn't getting deep sleep. We often laughed leading up to it that his package included a 90 minute massage every night and would he just be a body of butter by the end. Funny enough, he hit a point for him where there is such a thing as too many massages. He even ended up opting out of one or two. His program included supportive therapy, multiple massages during the day and at night, private yoga nidra, and a group pilates class.

The day-to-day experience at Absolute Sanctuary a Koh Samui Wellness Retreat

The programs above dictated our schedules. The team at Absolute Sanctuary does a great job of coordinating appointments, especially when attending with someone else. They arranged our sessions and treatments in a way where we usually had lunch together at the same time. We would maybe have some free time by the pool together, and we'd always end with dinner together in the evenings.

Each day, we closely followed our schedules and flowed between the different buildings on the resort in almost a rhythmic way.

Mornings at Absolute Sanctuary

The day began the same every morning. We started with meditation and yoga at the open air, raised platform Yoga Shala. We'd arrive to mats, towels, and props already placed for us. The breeze would flow through to cool us down as we moved through the different poses, and the views of abundant greenery and sea views would add to the overall zen vibe. Once class finished, we'd filter out back to the main buildings to have breakfast at the Love Kitchen. The staff would be at the ready as we all trickled into the dining area after our class meeting us with smiling faces and enthusiasm.

After breakfast, Alex and I would have between 30 min to 2 hours before our first activity. Most often, we filled that free time relaxing by the pool doing a bit of reading, journaling, swimming, and sun bathing. Some days, the chairs would fill up quickly. Other days, we would have our choice for spots. Some guests were guilty of leaving their towels and belongings at a poolside chair as they came to and from their different activities ti always having 'their spot' to return to. I may have done that once or twice myself.

Afternoons at Absolute Sanctuary

We'd make our way to lunch based on the time noted on our schedules. We'd most often have one activity, session, class, or treatment after breakfast and then we'd head to lunch. Lunch would be back at the Love Kitchen. The restaurant wouldn't be as full for this meal as each guest's schedule varied. I'd eat lunch as early as 1 pm and as late as 3 pm. Lunch was always followed by a short break before we'd get back to our wellness programs.

The afternoons would have a mix of spa treatments, therapy sessions, and fitness classes. With the Rest and Rebalance program, I'd end with my activities by 6 and have an hour and a half free before dinner. Usually at this time, Alex would be in a private yoga nidra class or getting a massage. This pre-dinner time was my favorite time to come back to the room, take a shower if needed, and lounge in my robe.

Evenings at Absolute Sanctuary

Dinner for us, and for most guests, was at 7:30 every night. We'd make our way back to the Love Kitchen and find our table. In the beginning we sat just the two of us, but by the end of the 5 days, we were sharing tables with other guests who we'd met over the week and started friendships. As everyone was on different programs, we'd all order off of our specific menus, and then we'd go back to chatting about our days.

Nights wrap up fairly early. Most often, by 9 pm we were heading back to our room. I'd use that time in the room to take advantage of the big bath or just relax and prepare for the next day. If you're looking for something more, Chaweng Beach is only a short taxi away with shops and beach front to explore.

What it's like staying at the Absolute Sanctuary resort

The rooms at Absolute Sanctuary

We stayed in a Sanctuary Deluxe room. Our room was on the ground floor, so we didn't have a direct sea view, but it never really felt necessary. First, we didn't spend a ton of time in the room, especially during the day when the sea would be visible. Second, the resort has beautiful views all around, so we never really felt like we were missing out on anything. Obviously a room with a view is always a treat, but I would say you'll enjoy your stay either way.

Some of the reviews I read of Absolute Sanctuary mentioned a recent redecoration of the resort - most notably the change in color of the buildings from yellow to pink. The redecoration was also apparent in the rooms. The design, colors, and furniture of the room felt very new and had a clean, modern design. Some might say the room was sparse, but the more minimalist approach made it feel serene and tidy. In the deluxe room, we had the standard room setup of a bed and end tables, and it also included a desk and a built-in long bench to sit on.

The highlight of the room for me was the bathroom. It provides a total spa bathroom experience by including a deep standalone bath tub, a separate shower, and plenty of space to make your way around the room.

Each night, the staff would do a turn down service, lighting the essential oil diffuser in the bathroom and placing a small healthy treat on the bed.

The pool at Absolute Sanctuary

If you ask Alex, this was one of the best pools we experienced during our time traveling throughout Asia. The pool, sat central to the resort, is big and has sweeping views of the lush greenery. We loved leaning against the infinity ledge and contemplating the day. The pool was always the perfect temperature and was never busy. I always had moment at some point of the day where I had the pool completely to myself.

The restaurant and food at Absolute Sanctuary - The Love Kitchen

I'm craving the food at Absolute Sanctuary just writing about it. I’m also regretting not buying their cookbook.

The big question: it's a wellness retreat, so did we ever feel full?

And the answer is yes, with every meal.

Surprisingly, I never went hungry during our week at a wellness retreat. The amount of food sometimes looked small, but based on their approach to balanced meals and including the proper nutrients, I never felt like I needed another bite.

Breakfast always came with a plate of fruit and a main dish off of the menu. One breakfast tip, feel free to order any cafe style drink you'd like. It's not directly on the menu, but they make lattes, cappuccinos, and ice coffees. A breakfast dish that continues to live in my mind: B's breakfast bruschetta (I think that's the name. . .). It had a savory creamy cashew based spread with bruschetta on top. Delish.

For both Alex and I, our programs included two courses at lunch and dinner. At each meal, we could choose a starter and a main, main and dessert, or if we really wanted to, just two desserts. I started to find my favorite dishes by day 2 of our 5 days there, but I also wanted to try something different as much as possible. The menu included many Thai classics as well as fresh, health focused dishes.

Some of my favorites:

• Citrus salad

• Burrito wraps

• Red curry

• Coconut curry

• Turmeric chicken

• Spring rolls

• Pad thai

• Fried rice

• Carrot cake

• Chocolate cake

The Spa at Absolute Sanctuary

The spa, located just off of the pool, is predominantly open air. The beautiful tiled floor, soft fabrics, and breeze moving the space makes it a soothing place to visit.

For our wellness programs, we each had spa treatments every day. The location just off the pool made it easy to go back and forth between lounging at the pool and going for massages — tough life I know. We'd arrive a few minutes before our scheduled appointment and a cup of tea and a small snack would be waiting for us.

For most massages, they have spa rooms just off the main waiting area. For Thai style massages, they use the an open air area. Cushions on the floor, curtains hung from a high ceiling for privacy, and the beautiful sounds of nature and the breeze all around. If you're new to Thai massage, a reason why it's easy to be open air is because you have clothes on for it. Overall, this area was my favorite part of the spa.

The Fitness Facilities at Absolute Sanctuary

Fitness is a key part to the wellness experience at Absolute Sanctuary. Multiple wellness programs include both private and group classes throughout the week. The private classes provide a chance to work with the instructors one-on-one and create a deeper connection when joining group classes. My program included scheduled fitness sessions in addition to other group classes I could join as I preferred.

Yoga at Absolute Sanctuary

I loved starting my day at the yoga shala. I genuinely looked forward to it. It was the first time in a while that I was even excited to wake up in the morning. On the first morning, I arrived early (first day of school vibes) and was the first one there for at least 5 minutes. The special part was, even though I arrived early, all of the mats and equipment were set out and ready to go.

Yoga is offered in two different areas of the resort and usually multiple times a day. The morning meditation and yoga sessions mark the beginning of each day and are often automatically added to your schedule. Additional group yoga classes are offered either before or after lunch or sometimes an evening class before dinner.

Jana leads the majority of the yoga classes at Absolute Sanctuary. She also led the private sessions for both Alex and I. During my private session, Jana helped me find better alignment and improve my form. For Alex, she led him through two sessions of yoga nidra — which is deep relaxation guided meditation.

Pilates at Absolute Sanctuary

They go beyond the basic mat pilates and have pilates reformers in multiple areas including a group reformer pilates room and a reformer studio for private sessions. Kevin led both the private and group sessions. The group session was fun and challenging, just how I like my pilates classes. The private session gave me the guidance and specifics I needed to get more from my workout.

Kevin is an overall personal trainer giving guidance beyond the pilates reformer. He talked to me about my cardio and how I should do more interval training for heart health. He also gave me exercises to do at home to find relief in the tight areas. I had a lot of fun working with him, even from one private session, and I enjoyed trying different and challenging routines on the reformer.

Activities at Absolute Sanctuary

Each day, the resort offers different activities in addition to the planned schedule. From trips into town exploring more of Samui to bringing in different experts. They support guests in choosing their own adventure in addition to the schedule they create. The activity I joined was a session with an astrologist. In a group setting, he reviewed the meanings of the different planet signs and gave examples of how insights from astrology helped explain world events. It was more or less an advertisement to book a one-on-one session with him, but interesting none the less.

Absolute Sanctuary Samui Wellness Retreat FAQ

How to prepare for the wellness retreat at Absolute Sanctuary

Guess what. No preparation needed. At Absolute, they're ready for you to arrive at square one and guide you each step of the way. No need to panic and work out trying to get in shape in advance. Some people who attend are trying yoga and pilates for the first time, so no expert status required. If you are an expert, they have the facilities and the staff to challenge you along the way. Keep up your normal routine, and prepare to have open mind as you count down the days to your stay.

What to Wear at Absolute Sanctuary Wellness Retreat

Come exactly as you are. It's not a wellness retreat full of the fanciest fitness wear. Instead, it's a group of people looking to relax and reset. Some people dress it up, others dress it down. Just wear your normal fitness favoritse and whatever makes you feel the most comfortable. Looking for inspiration? Here's what I wore while I stayed at Absolute Sanctuary.

We're all here for the wellness - why I recommend Absolute Sanctuary

I wish I initially chose the retreat for deeper raeasons, but I came to Absolute Sanctuary because they agreed to content collaboration (my stay was covered in exchange for me sharing the experience). I felt silly in my early consults with the different practitioners when they'd ask why I was here or why I'd pick Absolute Sanctuary. My true answer was that it was offered to me. I admittedly hadn't done much research before. I didn't read blogs like this one you're reading to find out if it was any good. I noticed it had a Conde Nast review of the resort so it must be good enough.

Little did I know that Absolute Sanctuary was right where I was supposed to be. It was the wellness retreat I never knew I needed. I entered expecting to have a week of intense yoga and healthy eating and nothing more, but I left with new ideas and different outlook.

My concerns, like being cooped up in a resort with overly perfected fitness fanatics, couldn't have been further from the truth. It's a resort that welcomes people from all different places with all different backgrounds. Everyone wore what they wanted and came as they were with greasy hair, casual outfits, and all. Even dinner didn't have to be an occasion, where people wore what felt comfortable and easy that night.

We were all there to take rest, look after ourselves, and be nothing other than who we were, all body types and ages, all fashion styles, all genders and sexualities, different nationalities.

I was nervous I was going to be in a quasi high school cafeteria experience. Little did I know, while I was busy eyeing up the competition at the airport, that by the end of the retreat, we would be sharing tables with other retreaters. The last few nights were spent laughing and relaxing with new friends.

On the day Alex and I left, I felt refreshed. I also felt nervous about leaving the cocoon. For the past five days, everything had been decided for us. The lovely staff at Absolute Sanctuary planned our days and shepherded us through the motions of the day. When we left, we'd be back to making daily decisions of what to do, where to eat, and how to get there. I wasn't sure I was ready to leave, but I did know that I had gained new ideas to carry me through the next few months and even years.

Looking for more Koh Samui inspiration? Check out the ultimate guide to Koh Samui.