- Absolute Sanctuary Thailand is a full-service wellness retreat in Northeastern Koh Samui, a lush tropical island anchored off the shores of Southern Thailand.
- Absolute Sanctuary is a short drive from Samui Airport and two of Koh Samui’s most beautiful beaches: Chaweng and Cheong Mon.
- Absolute Sanctuary offers more than 20 all-inclusive wellness journeys for both men and women, ranging from active aging and detox to stress management and weight loss.
- I opted for the five-day Men’s Vitality Program.Â
- Look over my shoulder as I relive my invigorating wellness journey!
The five-day Wellness Journey I took at Absolute Sanctuary Thailand in Koh Samui was a rejuvenating and invigorating experience.Â
The Absolute Sanctuary in Koh Samui offers more than 20 all-inclusive wellness and fitness programs for both men and women, ranging from active aging and detox to stress management and weight loss.Â
I opted for the five-day Men’s Vitality Program. Seven-day and 10-day Men’s Vitality programs are also offered.
With its focus on holistic wellness, my five-day wellness journey offered a range of activities and treatments aimed at enhancing your vitality and well-being. From invigorating fitness sessions to relaxing spa treatments, this program embraced a comprehensive approach to men’s wellness.
So look over my shoulder as I relive this exhilarating experience!
In This Post
Arrival at Samui Airport
I took a one hour and 45-minute Bangkok Airways flight from Chiang Mai to Koh Samui, arriving at 2.45 pm. I was met by a driver at Samui Airport, and he drove me to Absolute Sanctuary Thailand. When I walked into the outdoor lobby, I was greeted warmly by front desk staff.
My Room at the Absolute Sanctuary Thailand
After checking into Absolute Sanctuary, I was escorted through the beautifully landscaped grounds to Room 212, where I would be spending the next six nights.Â
It was a Sanctuary Deluxe Room measuring 37 square meters, or about 400 square feet.
The room was beautifully decorated with a restful white and blue color scheme. I could see instantly that the rooms at Absolute Sanctuary in Koh Samui had been given a compete makeover since my last visit 12 or 13 years earlier.
- Click HERE for a walk-through of my room!
The king-size bed took pride of place at the center of the room. There was an efficient work station to the right of the bed, where I would be working on my blog and updating social media during my stay.Â
The luxurious bathroom had both a walk-in shower and a generously sized bathtub. I managed to find time to soak in the tub a few times during my six-night stay.
I particularly liked the front porch, where I could relax after dark as the cicadas provided nature’s soothing answer to background music.
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Wellness Consultation – 5.30
My Wellness Consultation at Absolute Sanctuary Thailand started with a Bio Impedance Analysis, which estimates the body’s composition. In particular, it focuses on your body fat and muscle mass.Â
The same analysis would be performed at the end of my wellness journey to measure my progress.
My Wellness Consultant and Therapist was Stephanie, who interpreted the results for me. Considering I had not been able to exercise much for the last three years because of Covid, I was surprised to learn that I had a “good muscle to bone ratio”.
Then Stephanie explained how the program worked and how I could make the most of it.Â
The results of the first reading were better than I had expected. I was off to an encouraging start.
The Love Kitchen at Absolute Sanctuary Thailand 
The Love Kitchen at Absolute Sanctuary Thailand was an informal eatery with both indoor and outdoor seating. It was a friendly place, and conversation came easily between participants of the various fitness and wellness programs offered by Absolute Sanctuary Thailand.
The cuisine served at The Love Kitchen had the following characteristics:
- Natural and organic ingredients
- Low in calories and high in nutrients
- Enriched with superfoods and wholefoods
- Free of refined sugar and chemical additives
- Free of trans fat
You’re entitled to three meals a day at The Love Kitchen and two cold-pressed juices or smoothies between meals at either the kitchen or the poolside Vitamin Bar.
Depending on which program you’ve enrolled in, you’re given a specific Wellness Cuisine Menu, which will help you achieve your goals. But this is hardly a rigid diet!Â
In fact, there are multiple a la carte choices on both the breakfast and the lunch and dinner menus. And you can choose two items and one beverage at all three meals.
At breakfast, your choices include everything from omelets, boiled eggs, and scrambled eggs to fresh fruit, yogurt , oatmeal, muesli, muffins, porridge, and granola, Why, there are even hotcakes and pancakes!
The lunch and dinner menu runs from salads, starters, and soups to wraps, rolls, chicken, seafood, Thai curries, quinoa, and noodles. And there are those decadent – but very healthy – desserts!
As for beverages, your choice runs from hot teas and iced teas to juices and shakes.
The selection was so varied and tempting, I always found it difficult to make up my mind!
My First Dinner at the Absolute Sanctuary Thailand
For my first dinner at Absolute Sanctuary Thailand, I started with the Cucumber Dill Soup, which was described as a “refreshing alkalizing soup.”Â
Consisting of cucumber, avocado, coconut water, dill, cilantro, and olive oil, it was rich in vitamins, minerals, and monounsaturated fatty acids, which are reputedly good for your heart.
For dessert, I indulged in the Cashew Chocolate Tarts. Full of antioxidants, they had a crust made of coconut, and the chocolate filling was made with cacao, cashews, coconut palm sugar, coconut oil, and vanilla.Â
How could something this delicious be good for you?
Fisherman’s Village Night Market
Following dinner, I boarded the shuttle for a complimentary trip to the weekly Fisherman’s Village Night Market at Bophut. OMG! I could not believe it! It was wall to wall people!
There was live music, there were food stalls, there were cocktail stations, there were stands selling artifacts and souvenirs and clothing.Â
I managed to extricate myself from the night market, which takes place every Friday , and check out Fisherman’s Village itself. This was more my style. To start with, it was far less crowded!
Fisherman’s Village is a seaside district along the shores of Bophut Bay with countless restaurants, cafes, coffee houses, day spas, boutiques, hotels – you name it!
This venue was more laid-back. But it wasn’t without drama. I managed to get lost and had a difficult time finding my way back to where the shuttle bus was going to pick us up and take us back to the Absolute Sanctuary.
Day 1 at Absolute Sanctuary Thailand
Optional Meditation – 8.00 am
Following a restful night’s sleep, I awoke early and headed to the open-air Yoga Studio, which was located atop a hill with a view of the Gulf of Thailand. We began with a 30-minute meditation session.
Optional Group Yoga – 8.30 am
Yoga followed meditation at the same location, with the same instructor. I’m not a big fan of yoga, but – much to my surprise! – I really enjoyed the 60-minute class.
Was it the breathtaking setting? Or was it the engaging yoga master? I think it was both.
Jana had an breezy personality and an uncanny ability to inspire, explaining just enough for it all to make sense. I find it easier to relax and concentrate when I understand why I’m doing it.
Foundation Pilates – 9.30 am
Hot of the heals of the yoga class was my first private session: Foundation Pilates. I must admit, the Pilates machines looked kind of intimidating!
Apparently, participants need personal coaching in order to use the Pilates equipment correctly. The 30-minute private session with Kevin would be followed by a full-hour group session in the afternoon.
Breakfast – 10 am
I had worked up quite an appetite, so as soon as my Pilates session was over, I high-tailed it downstairs to The Love Kitchen. I enjoyed a nutritious breakfast of scrambled eggs with a side salad.
In addition, I had a Fresh Muffin, which was made of fresh fruit, whole meal spelt flour, and organic oils. There was a choice of apple, banana, or chocolate, and I chose banana.
BTW, in addition to the two dishes you can order at breakfast, you are served a complimentary Tropical Fruit Platter, which consists of papaya, pineapple, banana, and lime.
 Free Time – 11 am
I had two hours to kill, so I started by doing laps in the  infinity swimming pool for a full hour. Then I moved to my comfortable room to work on my blog and update social media.Â
Group Pilates Reformer Class – 1 pm
The Group Pilates Reformer Class lasted one hour. It was a follow-up to the 30-minute private class earlier in the day. I must say, it was unlike any Pilates class I had ever taken before.
None of the other classes had such sophisticated equipment. Pilates at the Absolute Sanctuary in Koh Samui took things to a whole new level!
 Lunch – 2 pm
For my first lunch at the Absolute Sanctuary, I started with the Moroccan Red Lentil Soup, which consisted of lentils, turmeric, cumin, garlic, carrots, and ginger. It came with organic yogurt and paprika.
In addition to being spicy and delicious, it was highly nutritious!
For my second course, I ordered the Larb Salmon, which was prepared with fresh herbs, mint, sweet basil, and organic greens.
So what, exactly, does “larb” mean? It’s the name of a spicy Thai dressing popular in Isaan in Northern Thailand,
Herbal Heat Steam – 3.30 pm
I enjoyed my first herbal heat steam session at the steam room next to the swimming pool.Â
Optional Yoga Class – 5.00 pm
I took my first afternoon optional yoga class, which took place indoors. The same teacher, but an entirely different vibe. No view! Nonetheless, it was very relaxing and enjoyable.
Free Time– 6.00 pm
With an hour to kill, I started by relaxing over a nutritious smoothie at The Vitamin Bar overlooking the swimming pool. Then I roamed the beautiful grounds of Absolute Sanctuary Thailand looking for appropriate photo ops.
Absolute Thai Stretch Massage – 7.00 pm
A daily massage was included in the Men’s Vitality Program. For Day One, I enjoyed the Absolute Thai Stretch Massage. OMG! It was pure bliss!
Dinner – 8 pm
For my second dinner, I started with one of my all-time favorite Thai dishes: Pomelo Salad.
In addition to pomelo, it was chock full of shredded green and purple cabbage, shallots, mint, and sweet basil. Without a doubt, this was the best pomelo salad I’ve ever had!Â
For my second course, I enjoyed the Pan-grilled Sea Bass, which was served with grilled vegetables and a yummy mustard sauce. Absolutely divine!
Day 2 at Absolute Sanctuary Thailand
Power Walk – 7.00 am
Once a week, there is an early morning walk to the beach from Absolute Sanctuary Thailand, and I wasn’t about to miss it. Several people had signed up, but I was the only one that actually showed up. So it was just me and the trainer.
I was thrilled to learn that the trainer was from Brazil. So I got to practice my Portuguese.
It was a long walk down the road to the beach, but it was well worth the effort. When we reached the beach, it was just waking up. We had it almost all to ourselves. We took our time exploring it.
When it was time to return to the retreat, a car are driver were waiting to ferry us back.
Group Pilates Reformer Class – 8.30 am
This was the second of my Group Pilates Reformer Classes.
Free Time – 9.30 am
I swam several laps in that gorgeous infinity swimming pool to work up a healthy appetite for breakfast.
Breakfast – 10.00 am
The Homemade Granola comprised toasted oats, sesame, cashew nuts, and raisins, and it was served with warm or cold milk. I opted for cold milk. It was a very satisfying mixture.
Then I enjoyed an Egg White Omelet, which was accompanied by a wakame salad tossed with a Japanese dressing. What an amazing breakfast!
Private Yoga Session – 11.15 am
My Private Yoga Session with Jana lasted one hour, and it was a wonderful experience to have a one-on-one with such a talented yoga master. Talk about individual attention! It doesn’t get any better than this.
Infrared Sauna – 12.30 pm
Time for my first Infrared Sauna session at the Detox and Spa Center.
Free Time – 1.00 pm
Nothing like a leisurely glass of freshly squeezed juice at The Vitamin Bar! This was followed by a trip to my room to catch up on my blog and social media before lunch. Better to avoid that tropical sun at mid-day!
Lunch at the Love Kitchen – 2.00 pm
Nobody likes Mexican food more than I do, so I couldn’t resist ordering the Choeng Mon Burrito. BTW, if you don’t know what “choeng mon” means, it’s the name of the beach I visited earlier in the day.
This was followed by the Chicken Quinoa Bowl, a protein-rich serving of quinoa cooked with hormone-free chicken. YUMMY!!!
Free Time – 3.00 pm
I had two hours to kill, so I headed back to my room to catch up my blog and social media. Then I stopped by The Love Kitchen to enjoy a healthy smoothie before the afternoon yoga class.
Optional Yoga Class – 5.00 pm
The afternoon yoga class was held indoors.
Free Time – 6.00 pm
The temps were moderating, so I decided to explore the grounds and see if I could capture some shots of the setting sun.
Absolute Foot Massage – 7.00 pm
Time for my second massage at the Detox and Spa Center. This time it was an Absolute Foot Massage. Pure bliss!
Dinner – 8.00 pm
For my second dinner, I started with another one of my favorite Thai dishes:Â Thai Red Curry, which consisted of red curry paste and coconut milk with chicken. DELICIOUS!!!
I followed this with a Grilled Prawn Mango Salad, which consisted of succulent prawns beautifully grilled with fresh mango slices. OMG! I could eat this every day!
Day 3 at Absolute Sanctuary Thailand
Meditation – 8.00 am
Fitness Assessment & Personalized Fitness Session – 8.30 am
A 30-minute fitness assessment was followed by a one-hour physical fitness session. I was just like having my very own personal trainer!
Breakfast – 10.00 am
For Day Three, I enjoyed a Coconut Yogurt Fruit Bowl, a rich and creamy non-dairy yogurt containing big chunks of fresh fruit,Â
Then I consumed a vitamin-packed bowl of Brown Rice Boiled with Soy Milk. There was honey, cinnamon, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, and vanilla extract with fresh fruit on the side.Â
Free Tisme – 11 .00 am
I decided to do laps for an hour, followed by a refreshing fresh coconut juice at The Vitamin Bar, which overlooked the pool.
Herbal Steam Room – 12 pm
Then it was time for my second session in the Herbal Steam Room.
Free Time – 12.30 pm
I had 90 minutes to waste. And I wanted to avoid the mid-day sun. So I headed to my room to catch up on my blog and social media.Â
Lifestyle Nutrition Coaching – 2.00 pm
This was an informative one-on-one coaching sessions with a  nutrition expert from Absolute Sanctuary Thailand, which I found very inspirational. I was advised to watch my consumption of fruit and fruit smoothies in favor of consuming more vegetables.
Lunch – 3.00 pm
I started with I Cucumber Avocado Dill Soup, a delicious concoction, which the menu said was ” chock full of vitamins, minerals, and heart-healthy monosaturated fatty acids.”
Phad Thai is often thought of as Thailand’s national dish, and there are many takes on it. Often, the most delicious versions are dished up by street vendors. But are they nutritious?
I must say, The Love Kitchen’s take on the dish was surprisingly tasty. And sure it was much more healthful than those roadside versions!
Day 4 at Absolute Sanctuary Thailand
Optional Meditation – 8.00 am
Optional Yoga Class – 8.30 am
This was my last 8.00 am yoga class at Absolute Sanctuary Thailand. I knew I was gonna miss them!
Breakfast – 10.00 am
I ordered the Perfectly Boiled Eggs with Roasted Pumpkin on Day Four. The eggs were soft-boiled for four minutes and accompanied by slices of roasted pumpkin.
According to the menu, this dish served as a “healthy alternative” to a similar dish, which had bread instead of pumpkin.
Next, I tried the Muesli Yogurt, which consisted of rolled oats and dried fruit. It was accompanied by organic yogurt. Simply scrumptious!
Free Time – 12.30 pm
I had 90 minutes to kill. First I returned to my room for a nap. Then I made a brief pit stop at The Love Kitchen for a healthy smoothie before heading to the Detox and Spa center for my daily massage.
Deep Calm Massage – 2.00 pm
I was offered three choices on Day Four: Deep Calm Massage, Fit Body Massage, or Inner Reset Body Massage. I opted for Deep Calm. As usual, it was absolutely sublime! The therapists at the Absolute Sanctuary Thailand are about as good as they come.
Lunch – 3.00 pm
In addition to lentils, the Fresh Lentil Salad had carrots and celeries with a lemon and olive oil dressing. A light but nourishing dish!
Then I savored the Green Curry Quinoa with Salmon, which contained an abundance of basil. This was key, the menu explained, because it has important anti-viral properties.
Free Time – 4.00 pm
I decided to interview some of the people I had met over meals at The Love Kitchen. Wouldn’t that make a nice video?
Private Pilates Reformer Class – 4.30 pm
Another Private Pilates Reformer Class with Kevin. All those Pilates classes were starting to have an effect. I could feel my core strengthening!
Personal Stretching Session – 5.30 pm
Kevin and I headed to another location for a Personal Stretching Session. He focused on a couple of specific issues that concerned me. I was impressed with his expertise!
Free Time – 6.30 pm
I was feeling totally psyched! It was too early for dinner. So I decided to head to the Fitness Room and pump iron.Â
Dinner – 8.00 pm
The Pan-grilled Chicken with Grilled Vegetables served with a mouthwatering Mustard Sauce was awesome! I absolutely loved it!
For dessert, I opted for Dave’s Apple Strudel in Filo Pastry. With green apple, raisins, cashews, egg whites, and brown sugar, it was described on the menu as “a great comfort dessert without guilt”.Â
And I totally agree!
Day 5 at Absolute Sanctuary Thailand
Optional Meditation – 8.00 am
One last meditation at the Absolute Sanctuary Thailand Yoga Studio before I checked out.
Private Core Suspension Session – 8.30
My final session with Kevin was mind-blowing! While most of the core suspension routines required special equipment, before we finished, Kevin offered to film me doing some of the stretching exercises we had done the day before.
While he filmed, he narrated the instructions to help me remember how to do the stretches properly when I got home.Â
This was pure genius! How many times has someone taught me how to do something, and I had already forgotten how to do it by the next day?
- Click HERE to watch a short video of Kevin teaching me how to do Calf Stretches
Free Time – 9.30 am
Just enough time for a few laps in the pool before heading to breakfast.
Breakfast – 10.00 am
One final breakfast at The Love Kitchen at Absolute Sanctuary Thailand! Scrambled Eggs with mushrooms, bell peppers, and tomato with a green salad on the side.Â
In addition, I had a the Happy ‘N’ Healthy, which was brown rice boiled with soy milk, honey, cinnamon, raisins, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds. and flax seeds.
What an interesting combination!
Free Time – 11.00 am
I decided to while time away catching some rays and doing laps. I also interviewed a few more people.
Infrared Sauna – 12.30 – pm
My final session in the sauna.
Free Time – 1.00 pm
After my final sauna, I returned to Room 212 to pack in preparation for my departure from Absolute Sanctuary Thailand. Most definitely, this was the low point of my five-day, six-night fitness journey.Â
First, I was leaving the Absolute Sanctuary. Secondly, I hate packing!!!
Stress Management Session and Final Consultation – 2.00 pm
My five-day Men’s Vitality Program at the Absolute Sanctuary in Koh Samui ended with a combined two-hour stress management session and final consultation with my wellness consultant and therapist, Stephanie.
First I got the results. I managed to lose six pounds over the last five days. The most amazing part is that I had not set out to lose weight. I just wanted to boost my vitality.
As you can see from the photo, I give Absolute Sanctuary in general, and this program in particular, an enthusiastic and whole-hearted two thumbs up!Â
 Check Out – 4.00 pm
The Absolute Sanctuary in Koh Samui offers a pick-up and drop-off service to Samui Airport. Since I was heading to another resort, I was taken there instead.
The Verdict
In conclusion, my five-day wellness journey at the Absolute Sanctuary in Koh Samui was a truly rewarding experience.
Not only did I achieve my goal of boosting my vitality, I also unexpectedly lost six pounds. The amazing part is, I was not exactly starving myself. In fact, I had been eating quite a bit. But while highly nutritious, the food served at The Love Kitchen was surprisingly low in calories.
The Absolute Sanctuary Koh Samui isn’t just for men wanting to boost their vitality. In fact, it offers a range of programs, catering to both men and women, addressing various goals and aspirations. To clarify, most of the programs are unisex.
I would love to return some day and take another one of the 20-plus exhilarating programs that the Absolute Sanctuary in Koh Samui offers.
I highly recommend this wellness retreat and the wellness journeys it offers.
- Click HERE for another blogger’s take on another Absolute Sanctuary wellness journey: Prime Years, which is targeted at people in their 50s and 60s.
The Location
Absolute Sanctuary – 88 Moo 5, Cheongmon, Tambol Bophut, Amphur Koh Samui, Surat Thani, Thailand.Â
- Book rooms at the Official Absolute Sanctuary website or at your favorite booking website: TripAdvisor.com  or  Booking.com
I have visited Absolute Sanctuary twice for the Just Me and Prime Years programs and I agree with you. It is a fabulous place to focus on improving fitness and wellness. I always learn so much and love how I skip out feeling full of vitality after just 6 nights.
It was my second experience – with a decade in between – and I was blown away both times. What amazed me most was that I was eating so much, but I managed to lose weight. It guess it’s because they manage to produce food that is highly nutritious but low in calories.
This looks like an interesting program–well balanced, what looks like great food choices as well.
The program really was fabulous. I especially liked the flexible food options. There was no rigid diet to follow. You could basically choose any two dishes each meal.
An incredibly detailed and enjoyable blog post! Thank you for sharing your experience. I’ll definitely visit when I’m in Thailand.
So glad you enjoyed it. I was an smazing experience.
It was amazing l! I first visited the place when it had just opened and my blog was just a few weeks old. 12 or 13 years later … what an emotional and enriching experience!
What a fabulous experience. I love the way you captured the Absolute Sanctuary wellness journey and all it has to offer.
I totally recommend it! I still can’t believe I ate myself silly and still managed to lose weight.
Thank you so much. Writing the post and sorting through the pictures brought back so many wonderful memories.
Looks amazing! Thanks for sharing.
It’s a lovely place, I would love to go there!
I am sure you woukd love it!
This is a great itinerary! The food looks like a cuisine I need to try. I’ve eaten very little Thai food!
There was an excellent mix between Thai and international cuisines. The most amazing thing was, the food was both highly nutritious but low in calories . So despite the fact I was eating quite a lot, I managed to lose weight!
Thank you for sharing this account of your stay. I have visited Absolute Sanctuary and loved every minute. Looking forward to going back someday.
You are very welcome! I am also looking forward to going back!
Wow! What a detailed itinerary. Great blog! This place sounds and looks absolutely amazing. That dill, avo and cucumber soup sounds really interesting as well and all the other meals. And you look really strong in these photos. Vitality restored. 🙂
It really was an. Incredible experience! Wish I could do it once a year, preferably for 10 days rather than five!
This is so so cool! I love Thailand, it is such a beautiful and rich country to spend a couple of months exploring…oh and the food…it is divine and so fresh.
Yes, it really is a magical place!