Chiva-Som International Health Resort

One of the best spa hotels truly earned their reputation. Client service is top notched; food is healthy with plenty of choices. It is a health conscious resort with brilliant choices of gym classes with daily spa treatment. The price worth every penny!

Our family booked Chiva Som because on its website it shows a nice beach and we would like to have 5 days on a beach with sun. Additionally we could have some thai massages. When we arrived in hotel at lunch time we went to visit the beach and we were warned not to go to the water because it was infested with jelly fish and it was very dangerous. The resort even puts a flag alerting the guests of the jelly fish. As we saw our week would be ruined, we asked if they could refund the money back so we could book another resort with beach where we could bath. The guest services team laughed at us as if we would be asking something special. We have learnt that jelly fish is in the area for more than 3 months now. We asked the guest services why they do not inform on the website and the guests to come that the beach water is not good for bathing. They say they act according to the instructions of the management. They refused to refund the money, so we were forced to stay 5 painful days in the resort. The lack of ethics of Chiva Som is unbelievable. Apparently the management is only interested in selling upgrades and extra services to guests that are forced to stay inside the resort. Last but not the least the resort doesn't provide any umbrellas or chairs on the beach. You need to stay inside the resort and walk to the beach. I am alerting people about this because I am sure Chiva Som will continue their bad behaviour not informing people about this issue.

I was with my family in Chiva-Som. Despite the resort claims to protect the ecosystems, they do not protect the guards that are forced to use tie and full sleeve shirt under 36 degrees. Not even a high-chair. I talked to the management and they mentioned that they can't do anything because it is an external company. Really? Why didn't you ask the external company to change to a breathable clothes? Why didn't you choose another security company? Why didn't you provide a high-chair to the security guard or at least a fan that blows some air? Several guests were very uncomfortable to witness how guards were suffering so much. Naturally the guards sweat and then smell badly which is not nice to guests as well. Resort is also tired and dirty. Management should care more about people (guests and employees) and less about trying to charge extras to guests at all cost. There are much better resorts in the area that care about guests and employees.

My 4 night stay was a little too short. 5 or 6 nights would have been better. On checking in I was greeted with 'Welcome back Mr Kidd'. My last visit to Chiva Som was in June 1999. That's impressive and set the tone for the few days I was there. When I visit a 6 star wellness spa and resort I expect the best and when it meets my expectations I consider that is average for the facility. Chiva Som exceeded my expectations. The hotel operations staff were exceptional all round. Nothing was a problem. The wellness team was superb and so much was inlcuded in the basic package with sensible add-ons at sensible prices. Massage, physio, stretching on-on-one plus group sessions for stretch, tai-chi etc, if you fancy it. The adherence to the times selected for a session was like clockwork and your physio or massager would be ready and waiting to greet you. The organisation was perfect - I did not come across a single hitch. In addition it is often the little things that help to make the difference: 1. Easily readable shampoo, conditioner and bath gel containers. No need to fetch ones specs and still struggle to read the small print. 2. Flat room safe in a leg height drawer - opens upwards like a box - so easy to use. 3. Contemporary light switches, aesthetically right yet easy to use. Specs or instructions not needed. 4. Practical and roomy hanging space and drawers. 5. 4 items per day laundry service within the price. 6. Good worktop desk area for laptop - although we're not supposed to be working the truth is many of us have to do some and a good worktop is a godsend.

My daughter and I spent a week at Chiva Som, it truly is an experience! It was actually my third time but my daughters first. Every time I am blown away by the hospitality of the staff at Chiva Som, we were greeted on arrival by the general manager who gave us a fish show: and welcomed us so warmly. Then every single person from there treated us with such kindness and made us feel so special, you just don’t get this sort of treatment in Australia. Cheewee and Sunny were our wonderful consultants and designed a program for us. The classes were awesome; our favourite instructor had to be NOK her energy and enthusiasm were contagious and she had a smile as wide as the Sydney harbour bridge! But Whanaree was really good too! All the spa treatments were so relaxing, stand out masseur was Ning Nong; she works magic! Even the guy who drive us in the buggy (tall man with a very smiley face) was awesome every time we needed a lift. The cuisine was amazing! You don’t get Thai food like this in Australia! The waitresses so accommodating: I wish I got their names (our favourite was a lady with short hair and glasses). Chiva Som is right on the beach, so you get to eat your meals watching the ocean. And a trip to monkey mountain is a must! And at last but not least thanks to Win for also making us feel so welcome. We truly were pampered and treated like royalty by the Chiva Som family. We definitely will not forget our time here. I feel so blessed that I have been able to experience Chiva Som. Thanks again, Sabina and Laura

Despite being a fine spa I am afraid it is no longer worth the risk of going . Thailand no longer has any testing g requirements to enter the country . Spas there there are not testing any more . However Chiva Som is still requiring a Covid test on arrival and if positive you will be stuck in your room until you test negative despite having paid hundreds of dollars a night to stay and use the facilities . Covid is NEVER going away so with their logic they can never drop that requirement . My advice is don’t risk it and go eg to the new Raksa spa which is not testing .

We thoroughly enjoyed an invigorating and full week at Chiva-Som! Everything at this luxurious wellness destination runs like a well oiled machine - you will enjoy state of the art facilities, meticulous attention to detail and a high standard of excellence. From the soothing surroundings to the wellness advisors who help you curate an experience that meets your needs, the seasoned fitness trainers and instructors, the rehabilitation and physiotherapy experts, the therapeutic spa treatments, to the healthy and exceptionally divine cuisine - everyone and everything is designed to support your well being journey. We loved and highly recommend the mindfulness pranayama sessions, daily yoga, and aqua aerobics classes. We walked away feeling revitalized and can easily see how so many guests keep coming back regularly to Chiva-Som. We miss it already!

We spent 2 nights in the villa suite. The accommodation is beyond our expectation especially the very comfortable corridor and sala. We love all the decoration and amenities in the room. The hotel atmosphere and view is excellent. The activity and gym of the wellness is 6 star. I really appreciate the super-stretching. Unfortunately that we have not used spa activity because of the government policy of restriction during COVID-19. The staff service is good and well trained. The quality of the food is good but the taste is not match with us. One down thing that may inhibit us to come back to this resort again is the policy of the hotel that “not allow guest to use mobile phone for send message and email for work outside the bedroom.” We do appreciate and totally agree the policy of the hotel for not taking pictures and speak with the phone in the public area but the policy for not allow sending SMS and LINE for work with our mobile is not match with us and also other THAI guest. So please check with this policy to the resort again before make the booking.

장점 1. 전문적인 설비 웰니스를 표방하는 리조트들은 막상 가보면 구색만 갖춰놓고 전문적인 설비는 부족한 경우가 많다. 치바솜은 전문 설비를 갖추는데 충분히 투자했다는 것을 알 수 있다. 예를 들어, 대부분의 호텔에서 손바닥만한 공간에 '짐나지움'이요, 라고 하는 것과는 달리, 치바솜의 짐나지움은 매우 넓은 공간, 최신 기계를 갖추고 있었다. 물리치료실에도 전문 설비들이 있으며, 필라테스 룸도 충분한 넓이와 완벽한 기구를 갖추고 있었다. 뷰티산업이 강세인 한국인으로써, 사실 이용할 일은 없겠지만, 피부과 전문의를 초빙해 피부진단과 각종 시술 및 케어가 이루어지는 스킨케어 전문 시설도 있다. 보여주기식 웰니스가 아닌, 진정으로 케어가 이루어질 수 있는 곳이다. 2. 컨설턴트 서비스 체크인을 하면 우선 사전에 제출한 본인의 건강설문지를 토대로 인터뷰가 이루어진다. 현재 몸 상태가 어떤지, 본인의 어떤 부분을 개선하고 싶은지, 특별히 관심있는 프로그램이 있는지 등등. 이에 따라 식단과 운동스케줄, 트리트먼트 프로그램이 짜여진다. 사실 별 기대없이 갔는데, 컨설턴트가 상당히 전문적이라서 놀랐다. 인터뷰는 형식적인 것이 아니라 꼼꼼하고 세심하게 이루어졌고, 이에 따라 프로그램을 구성하는 과정도 아주 마음에 들었다. 3. 비용 미니멈 3박 스테이가 적용된다. 아마 가장 베이직 카테고리가 1인 1박에 100만원 정도 수준인 것 같은데, 커플이 이용한다면 스탠다드 룸, 미니멈 스테이 적용하면 총 600만원 정도의 비용이 든다. 세끼를 모두 제공하는 Full Board 이고, 다양한 프로그램이 제공되는 것을 생각하면 충분히 납득할 만한 가격이다. 단점 1. 음식 맛이 없다. 아무리 건강식이라지만, 정말 무맛이다. (No Flavor) 그나마 저녁은 오더메이드 방식이라, 여러가지 메뉴 중에서 고를 수 있고, 다양하다보니 맛이 괜찮은 음식들이 꽤 있다. 하지만! 런치는 정말 문제다. 매일 바뀌는 샐러드와 메인, 디저트 등이 뷔페 스타일로 깔려있는데, 일단 종류가 많지 않아 전혀 푸짐해보이지 않고, 저녁에 비해 충격적으로 맛이 없다. 우리 일행은 모두 저녁식사 시간만 기다렸고, 밥 먹을때마다 귀국하면 무엇이 먹고 싶은지 내내 먹는 이야기만 했다. 건강식이나 비건식이라고 해도 다 맛이 없는 건 절대 아닌데, 아직 레스토랑의 퀄러티가 수준 이하인 것 같다. 개선과 노력이 필요하다. 이 돈을 내고 이 맛없는 걸 억지로 먹으러 왔나 하는 생각이 들 것 같다. 2. 비용 유러피안들에게는 상당히 매력적인 가격이지만, 한국인들에게는 다소 무리가 있는 가격일 것 같다. 비용은 유러피안에게는 장점, 한국인들에게는 단점으로 작용한달까. 미니멈 3박을 기준으로 하면, 스파 3회, 피트니스 1회 (필라테스 등 1대1 세션), 물리치료 세션 1회, 기타 추가 선택 세션 1회 포함이다. 스파는 모두 50분 기준으므로, 한국의 고급 스파 기준으로 해도 1회 20만원, 필라테스 등 1대1 세션은 1회 10만원, 총 9끼를 먹는다고 가정하고 끼니당 5만원씩 책정하면 45만원 스파 3회 60만원 필라테스 등 세션 총 3회 30만원 식사 9회 45만원 -------------------- 총 135만원이다. 물론 데일리로 진행되는 액티비티 클라스는 무료이고, 누구나 들을 수 있지만 (요가, 댄스, 명상, 아쿠아로빅 등) 그것도 하루 2회 이상은 어렵고, 해당 세션도 넉넉하게 10만원씩 잡아 총 6회 진행한다고 해도 60만원, 이를 더해도 195만원이다. 여기에 치바솜까지 가는 비행기값, 방콕 공항에서 치바솜까지는 3시간 거리므로 차량 픽업서비스까지 포함하면 뭐... 그냥 집에서 3일 날잡고 럭셔리하게 보내는 것도 방법이지 않을까 싶은 마음이 들었다. 여기에 종합건강검진 추가해서. 3. 술과 핸드폰 금지 웰니스 리조트다 보니 술은 저녁 6시이후에만 판매한다. 어쩔 수 없이 판매한다는 느낌이라, 일단 와인 종류가 나라별로 한개씩이었다. (선택의 여지가 없음) 맥주는 논알콜 맥주. 음료 중에서는 코코넛이 제일 맛있었다는.. 커피가 나름 괜찮아서 정말 다행이었다. 리조트내에서 핸드폰은 들고다니지도 못하게 한다. 당연히 사진도 찍을 수 없다. 사실 머무르는 동안 핸드폰에서 해방되니 홀가분하기도 하더라. 매우 장점에 속할 수도 있는 사항을 단점으로 끌어다놓은 것은, 아무래도 한국인이라는 종특때문??? 나는 와인 한 잔도 다 못마시는 알쓰인데도, 맛없는 음식에 술까지 없으니 음식이 더 안들어가더라. (그래서 살을 빼주는 전략인가...) SNS 와 붙어사는 사람들에게도 괴뢰울 수 있다. 객실과 라이브러리 딱 두 곳에서만 핸드폰을 쓸 수 있기때문에, 우리 모두는 프로그램이 끝나는 즉시 객실로 뛰어들어갔다. 개인적인 감상 제일 감명깊었던 건 치바솜의 스파. 대단히 럭셔리하거나 아름답다는 느낌은 아니지만 정말 깔끔하고 전문적인데다, 테라피스트들이 하나같이 일정 수준 이상이었다. (어떤 곳은 정말 테라피스트에 따라 서비스가 천차만별이기도 하다는 것을 감안하면 이건 정말 매우 칭찬받을 만한 점이다) 스파 프로그램이 매우 세분화되어 있어, (얼핏 보아도 종류만 수십가지) 하루하루 스파 프로그램이 기대되었다. 3일이 지나니 나의 승모근은 완벽히 사라진 듯 보였다! (물론 한국으로 오자마자 바로 솟아나는....) 리조트에서도 틈틈이 일을 놓을 수가 없어서 자쿠지나 사우나, 수영장, 아쿠아로빅 등 다 즐기지 못하고 온것이 너무나 아쉽다. 지갑에 여유만 있다면 한 번 정도는 다시 가고 싶다.