TRIED AND TESTED
Resort spot check:Six Senses Destination Spa Phuket
BACKGROUND: Six Senses Destination Spas are dedicated to transforming the lifestyle of its guests through a complete immersion into healthy and mindful living. They offer structured and personalised programmes called ‘Life Passages’ that blend holistic fitness activities, organic fishetarian and raw foods cuisine, wellness education, self-discovery classes, relaxation and renewal. Owned by Bangkok-headquartered Six Senses Resorts & Spas, the destination spas division has been set up by Ana Maria Tavares of Chiva Som fame.
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LOCATION: On Naka Yai island – just five minutes by speed boat from Phuket’s Ao Por Grand Marina.
THE ARRIVAL: After clearing customs at Phuket International Airport guests are met by a very friendly Six Senses representative who escorts you to your private limousine – a five – or seven-series BMW, kitted out with cold towels and neck pillows infused with Six Senses fragrances, and refreshments. From the airport it’s a 30-minute ride to the Ao Por Grand Marina to transfer to the Six Senses speed boat where more water and cold towels await. It’s an invigorating five-minute journey to the pier at the Six Senses Destination Spa where you are greeted by staff and your very own butler. Before entering the property you are asked to hit the giant gong and make a wish before hopping on a golf buggy and heading to your villa where check-in is carried out.
THE POOL VILLA: Each pool villa is mainly outdoors with the exception of the bedroom. There is a meditation area, plunge pool, sundeck and day bed at the front – ours boasted sea views – and out the back is an outdoor bathroom and dressing area, complete with bath, shower, toilet and wardrobes. There is an enclosed shower too. This is really a back-to-nature experience because the garden areas are blooming with native flora and fauna and what’s more – it’s all edible. In fact, this is one of the defining features of the Six Senses Destination Spa Phuket – everything you see growing at the resort, you can eat- a concept called ‘edible landscaping’. Back to the garden area and all amenities are provided – shampoo, conditioner, after sun lotion, mosquito repellent – you name it, and it’s all lemongrass fragranced, although there is an option to choose lavender if you’d prefer. Inside the bedroom is a big bed, sunken desk area, another day bed and a mini bar stacked with healthy nibbles – from low-fat and ‘raw’ cookies to delicious smoothies. The villas are, where possible, made from local materials, which very much adheres to Six Senses’ commitment to creating sustainable and eco-friendly resorts. The villa gardens are also teeming with harmless wildlife – snails with beautifully-shaped shells and little geckos live in your garden but never get too up-close-and-personal with you. In addition to the many villa features, outside each are bikes with guests’ own personal number plate. In my case, ‘GG’, served me well as I cycled around the resort to the gym, pool, spa or dining area.
THE CONSULTATION: Once guests have settled in they are given a wellness consultation to determine their goals during their stay. The common misconception is that destination spas are for sick people or those on hardcore weight loss or detox programmes. This is not the case. Yes, weight loss and detox ‘Life Passages’ are available, but if your goal is solely to relax and chill, that’s fine too. My programme involved activities in the gym such as Kinesis, resistance training as well as yoga, combined with massages designed to ease stress and tension. All guests are offered two massages per day as part of their package, but any extras bear a surcharge. Consultants also recommend sessions with visiting experts, with services on offer ranging from Reiki, meditation and hypnotherapy to specialist massages, sailing and personal training.
LEISURE FACILITIES: Sitting at the heart of the resort is the infinity pool, which overlooks the beach and in the shallow area, is dotted with comfy sunbeds. There is a well-equipped gym, meditation and yoga ‘sala’, not to mention a library, tea room and chill out area. Six Senses products and other goods can be purchased at the Gallery or the Spa shop. Activities on offer include bike riding, sailing, snorkelling, beach walks, kayaking, excursions and much more.
THE SPA: Dubbed the 7th Sense and covering more than 3000 metres square, this is the mother of all spas that features four spas within a spa – Thai, Chinese, Indonesian and Indian meaning there is really something for everyone. Pre-treatment guests are offered chilled ginger tea and cold towels before their therapist escorts them through the labyrinth of walkways, some sand, some stepping stones over natural water features, to their treatment rooms. The therapists are friendly, courteous, listen to your requirements and carry out your treatments with professionalism and sensitivity.
THE CUISINE: Who says spa cuisine is boring. This is a total myth – it’s actually some of the best food you’ll ever taste. Why? Because it’s all organic and where possible, actually grown at the resort – you can see herbs, fruit and vegetables growing all around you, while fish and seafood is caught daily by the local fisherman. The upshot of this is that the food is incredibly tasty, not bland like much of the imported produce we get in the GCC – and it’s good for you. The main restaurant, Ton Sai, offers fishertarian cuisine and the menus and buffets all provide guests with calorie and fat content details. My personal favourites were the buckwheat pancakes for breakfast; the Thai red curry with vegetables and mushrooms for lunch and the seared snowfish for dinner, all washed down with delicious fresh juices and smoothies. There are wholemeal and gluten-free breads accompanied by tasty dips and even naughty treats such as brownies, ice-creams and ‘cheeze’ cakes made with dairy and sugar alternatives that taste like the real deal. However, my favourite meal was at the ‘raw’ restaurant, Dining at the Point. Raw foods preparation, also known as ‘Living Cuisine’, avoids the use of animal products completely. It is high in nutrients and minerals as a maximum cooking temperature of 42 degrees Centigrade (116 degrees Fahrenheit) is strictly observed. This raw food cooking method allows enzymes and vitamins to be preserved which cannot be achieved at higher temperatures. Raw foods preparations contain a higher nutritional content, resulting in higher energy levels. The result is dishes where you can taste every ingredient and your taste buds are awakened. I tried a spicy Thai gazpacho, vegetable kofta balls, ‘raw’ bread (made from nuts, seeds and vegetables such as sundried tomatoes) with a sweet banana crepe and ice-cream to top it off.
THE DEPARTURE: Your butler carries out in-villa check-out for convenience and then escorts you to the pier where before you board the speed boat, you sound the gong one more time in order to remind yourself of what you have achieved during your stay. Your butler and staff then wave goodbye as you sail off into the distance feeling refreshed, relaxed and determined to adopt a much healthier lifestyle once you return home.
EDITOR’S VERDICT: The Six Senses Destination Spa is for anyone who wants to be whisked away to a peaceful haven where they can take stock of their lives and look at how they can improve their health and wellbeing. It can be hardcore if you wish, with detox, weight loss and relationship management on the agenda, or it can just offer you the opportunity to relax and take care of yourself for a week or two. For me personally, this is the ideal holiday, offering a back-to-nature experience, relaxation, wholesome food and a reminder of what’s important in life – good health and good people. Forget the manmade ostentation of the GCC and be transformed to a lush, green destination where snails and frogs rule the highways. At the Six Senses Destination Spa Phuket you get back to basics and the simple things in life.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: For a virtual tour click here
To browse the resort’s new e-brochure click here
For recent stories on Six Senses Destination Spas click here
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