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7. Harmony, Energy & Serenity Shape This Luxury Tropical Paradise

Nature cocoons wellness at Pimalai Resort & Spa in Koh Lanta

It is a sensorial experience. As the wind wafts through the rooms of your villa, carrying the fragrance of the flowers, the wet whispers of the rain-kissed trees, and the salty tang of the Andaman Sea. The air is filled with birdsong, sunshine, and the chattering of troupes of monkeys, lithe-limbed and leaping from one branch to another with impish ease. The blue of the private plunge pool at my villa seems to dissolve into the sea beyond, as the green fronds dip and dive in the breeze, hugging the entrance to the stone steps that lead up to the path. Nodding lotus’, the collective croaking of frogs and the chorus of the crickets at night, the gentle plop of the raindrop on my face sets the backdrop for cosy pools of amber dotting the restaurants, overlooking the sea. Healing and harmony come together in a cohesive cocoon at Pimalai Resort & Spa in the lesser-known island, Koh Lanta, in Thailand.

As the first luxury resort on the island, settled by fisherfolks over 500 years ago, the family-run luxury resort lies cleverly tucked away amidst 100 acres of tropical jungle at the extreme end of Koh Lanta. Two hours from Krabi and far away from the buzzing urban pace that sets the tone for the rest of the country.

Peace comes dropping by at Pimalai, as you can hear your own breath and thoughts, the flutter of a bird’s wings, in your chosen pools of solitude across the property. A slice of precious luxury.

There are multiple ways in which you can discover your own share of harmony at Pimalai. From plucking fresh herbs for your Thai cooking session with the chef, to snorkelling and diving in the marine theatre off the shore, to browsing through the labels in the wine library and enjoying a solo tasting, to trying your hand at something new… discover it all here:

FINDING YOUR ANCHOR

My first brush with aerial yoga sets the tone for my wellness experience at Pimalai. It is a feeling of calm that moves and grows fluidly, from indoor to outdoor, tracing lazy loops. The soothing chants fill the air as my instructor slowly and firmly eases out the initial panic and fear of letting go of my body on the harness. The Italian girl to my right seems to ace the moves with her feather-light frame. My Thai peer yells in a bit of a challenging position. It feels weirdly comforting yet disconcerting for fleeting seconds, and then leaves me with slight reservations about levering myself into the slant-dive position. Yet the gentle murmuring continues as the backdrop, consistently encouraging. I decided to chin up and let go.

The panic evaporates as I swing myself to a state of complete inversion, hands folded in a namaskar, as my instructor appears quietly by my side to push and swing my frame back and forth.

There is something about the air at Pimalai that comforts, heals, and makes you find your own self as you unlearn and learn while surrendering to the universe. The rhythmic chants, the faint twittering of the birds outside and the gurgling of water fountains filled my ears and added to the sense of innate peace, marking my debut with this form of yoga.

MAKING THE MOVES

Martial arts have always been a source of delight for me. Trying my hand at Muay Thai proved to be a kicky experience, in more ways than one! My proficient instructor led me through the warm-up routine, delineating each move in counts of four. Strapped up with gloves, I rallied my motor skills, making use of my hands, legs, feet and shins to indulge in full-contact Thai boxing. Another first. Heady and exciting.

The session moved from pummelling the instructor (with guards on) to the big boxing ring. The movements that made me go around in a circle, duck, and lash out in quick succession were enervating, challenging, and exhausting! Each lift of the leg demanded core strength, full intensity hits, and complete focus with spontaneous shoutouts. Each whip-back with my left-hand drew on my energy and grit. That one-hour session was such an exhilarating run—it made me pour my energies and attention, unifying my focus on a single, moving target.

BORN FOR THE SPA

This zone forms the pulse of wellness at Pimalai. Laid out like a small village, complete with koi ponds, trickling streams, palms and banana trees, clusters of herbs, boulders to sit on and huts shaped using bamboo and wood, and ceramic cups to sip hot herbal tea from. Each room is named after a local flower, knitting you to nature in its rawest form.

I chose from a darling configuration of essential oils. Organic coconut oil that marked patience, Clarity and meditation in a massage that brought in the best of Thai, Aroma and Ayurvedic therapies. The brisk strokes of my therapist worked in better blood circulation and muscle relief, balancing my nervous system and bringing my entire being into a calm equilibrium. The infusion of sesame, cedarwood, lavender and black pepper oils rejuvenated my body, infusing my energy levels with a sense of rhythm. The 60-minute therapy left my skin feeling soft and supple, hydrated, and nourished. I felt calmer, relaxed, and stronger in spirit.

Sipping warm herbal tea on the recliner by the Koi Pond, I observed two gnarled paws on the boundary wall, followed by the appearance of a huge monitor lizard that proceeded to sun itself, watching its surroundings through slit eyes. The butterflies flitted across the pond lazily, and the orange fish moved at a dizzying pace inside the water… It was a reverie. A delicious one that lulled me into a nap.

Pimalai means different things to different people. For me, it means a five-star wellness resort and a destination that continues to reveal itself in multiple layers to become my calling for my next vacation. Been here yet