Chiva-Som celebrates 30 years of health and wellness

Pioneering health and wellness resort Chiva-Som in Hua Hin is celebrating 30 years of wellness vacations this April.

Founded at a time when wellness vacations were unheard of, Chiva-Som underwent a multi-million-dollar refurbishment in 2018-19 and has introduced a Metabolic Reset, Weather-Responsive Wellness, and tailored men’s and women’s wellness programs.

Which I would dismiss as complete balderdash if the Thai resort did not have such a glowing reputation for luxury health and harmony retreats.

Chiva-Som’s Weather-Responsive Wellness program helps guests adjust their wellness practices to environmental shifts with wellness sessions, including sound baths and movement classes, as well as workshops and wellness talks. 
Responding to the rising use of weight loss medications (hello Ozempic), Chiva-Som has developed a Metabolic Reset programme to support guests transitioning off medication while preserving muscle, promoting healthy fat loss, strength and cardo training, and following a diet of high-protein, nutrient-dense foods.

Also new are gender-specific services for men and women, including pre- and post-pregnancy yoga, specialised exercises for perimenopause, menopause, and andropause, and a targeted pelvic massage to relieve pain, improve circulation, and enhance muscle function.

There are some birthday special offers if you book before March 31.

* Get 10% off on all stays in the Thai Pavilion or Thai Pavilion Suite throughout 2025.

* Stay five and pay only for four nights for stays between June and Sept. Plus, VIP fast-track service on arrival and roundtrip luxury car transfers, valued at 1,315 for two people. First-time guests will receive a further 10% off and repeat guests a further 15% off.

Contact Travel the World (Chiva-Som’s Australia representatives) on 1300 857 037, or visit https://www.chivasom.com/en/chiva-som-hua-hin/

Get to the bottom of your sleep disorders in luxury surroundings

Have you ever felt strangely sluggish over a prolonged period of time?

Are you constantly nodding off for a second, or falling asleep at inappropriate moments?

A lot of people with sleep disorders (I used to be one of them) are unaware of their issues - as well as possible solutions to them.

The Australian Institute of Health says getting too much, or too little, sleep is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, obesity, and death.

And nearly half of Australian adults have reported at least two sleep problems.

Chiva-Som, a pioneering international health and wellness resort since 1995, has recently introduced its Sleep Enhancement Specialisation, which includes two advanced sleep tests.

Guests at the resort in Hua Hin, Thailand, can sign up for a sleep hormone test that looks specifically at the melatonin and cortisol hormone levels at four key points throughout the day to assess any potential imbalances that may be affect sleep, or for sleep apnea screening, which takes place in the comfort of the guest’s room and focuses on several physiological parameters during sleep, including airflow, oxygen saturation, heart rate and brain activity.

After I underwent sleep apnea screening here in Australia, it was discovered that I needed to be on a CPAP machine every night to resolve my loud snoring and multiple sleep issues.

The tests are intended to provide comprehensive evaluations of sleep patterns to identify any disorders.

From the results, a personalised program can be developed including nutrition consultations and supportive wellness treatments to improve sleep quality.

Chiva-Som has a variety of in-room sleep support measures such as blackout curtains, chamomile and lavender teas, essential oils and mist diffusers to help create a soothing environment.

Supportive wellness treatments to help with sleep include Seiketsu Shiraku Acupuncture, Mien Acupressure, Soothing Back Brush, Signature Herbal Massage and Jet Lag Therapy.

There is a video here: https://www.instagram.com/chivasomhuahin/reel/C9ADfiWRVmV/