Take care of each other's health and spend the New Year's holidays warmly in body and mind. 

A corner written by Yumiko Itakura, a travel and spa journalist who covers hotel spas around the world and continues to experience the roots of health and beauty in each region.
Each month, we focus on one region and unravel the “grandma's bag of wisdom”-like wellness methods rooted in that region from spa rituals, treatments, cultural experiences, and more.
Why don't you travel the world together while exploring the local health methods?
This time, it is "The Ritz-Carlton Koh Samui" in Koh Samui, Thailand.

A resort where you can be healed by the dramatic scenery that changes from day to night

Koh Samui, south of Thailand, east of the Malay Peninsula. It is also known as "Coconut Island" because coconut forests spread all over the island. "The Ritz-Carlton Koh Samui" overlooks the breathtakingly beautiful Gulf of Thailand from the hill.

Paying homage to the fact that it used to be a large coconut plantation, the building uses a lot of locally produced materials such as coconuts and ceramics, and you can feel the comfort of living in nature. In addition, there are plenty of healthy and original experience programs. You can also learn snorkeling on the "swim reef" where you can play with more than 50 kinds of fish, and traditional Thai martial art Muay Thai in a full-fledged ring. Cooking lessons are also popular, where you can go to the local market with the chef to buy ingredients and learn about southern Thai cuisine.

Detox your whole body with the power of the best quality coconut!

Speaking of traditional Thai therapies, Thai massage and treatments using herbal balls are famous, but on Koh Samui, coconuts, which have whitening, hair and intestinal effects, have been incorporated into meals and treatments to maintain health. . At this spa, you can experience the menu "Samuis Coconut Heritage" using coconuts that boast the highest quality.

First, the whole body is scrubbed with a mixture of ground coconut pulp and walnuts to exfoliate and moisturize. This is followed by a soothing massage with virgin coconut oil. Finish with a hair mask of coconut oil and bergamot to repair dryness and split ends. At this time, a scalp massage is also performed at the same time, making it dreamy. After finishing the treatment, your whole body will be moisturized and smooth. You will recover from fatigue and feel refreshed.

The spa is 3,800 square meters, and has a yoga pavilion, a health bar where you can enjoy organic fruit drinks, and a lap pool with a cabana, so it's a good place to spend some time before or after your treatment.

summary

On Koh Samui, "Wat Phra Yai", which has a huge Buddha statue, is famous, but Thailand has many devout Buddhists, and the spirit of compassion is alive in the people. Traditional remedies are mainly passed down from temples to people, and it is natural for parents and children and partners to give massages to each other. In winter in Japan, it is easy to have problems such as coldness and pain. I'm sure it's going to be a new year's holiday that warms your heart and body.

The Ritz-Carlton Koh Samui
The Ritz-Carlton Koh Samui
9/123 Moo5, Tambon Bophut, Koh Samui, Surat Thani,
84320, Thailand
℡+66-77-915-777
Spa: Samui Coconut Heritage 120 minutes THB5,500 (excluding tax and service charge)
Access: Approximately 15 minutes by car from Samui International Airport.
https://www.ritzcarlton.com/jp/hotels/koh-samui

1 THB ≒ 3.8 yen (as of late December 2022)

Travel & Spa Journalist
Yumiko Itakura
Yumiko Itakura

After working as an editor for magazines such as 25ans, he assumed his current position. Traveling the world, proposing and writing travel plans that appeal to the five senses in various media, with themes of healing, health, food, and culture that live in the land. He also speaks at international government organizations, tourism bureaus, and corporate seminars. Also known as an Italian lover, he composes and writes "Italian Mamma's Recipe" (published by Sekai Bunka Publishing). Also, in the global campaign of the Japan National Tourism Organization, which started in November, he talks about healing in Japan as an expert in the field of relaxation.Expert Insights Go Deep Into Japan

Photos: Yumiko Itakura

This is the final installment of "The World's Learning Wisdom of Healing and Beauty," which has been delivered in four seasons. How was it? Thank you all for reading this far.
From 2023, Yumiko Itakura will start a new series focusing on Japanese spas. Please look forward to the realization that will become a ritual in your daily life.