Celebrating 20 Years of Health & Wellness travel in Thailand

Our Stay at St. Regis Bangkok: Home to the Longevity Hub

Since we are all arriving on different days and from different parts of the world, we’ve chosen the St. Regis Hotel in Bangkok as our meeting point. Our collaboration with this hotel is recent and reflects the growing interest in high-end urban retreats in Bangkok.The St. Regis is home to the Longevity Hub, operated by the renowned Swiss clinic La Prairie. Known globally for its pioneering work in science-driven skincare, La Prairie has, for decades, drawn an international audience seeking advanced anti-aging treatments and personalized health programs. At the Longevity Hub in Bangkok, guests can count on that same level of excellence: thorough consultations, professional care, and exclusive La Prairie treatments. Each program is fully tailored, based on individual assessments, to address personal health and skincare goals.

Longevity hub treatments

The sixth floor of the hotel is entirely dedicated to the Longevity Hub with the La Prairie spa, which includes an indoor pool, sauna, steam room and relaxation areas. After a long flight, Marleen received the 60-minute oxygen treatment - designed to boost cell renewal, improve circulation, and restore hydration. I am still very tired, but I do feel like I can be up for a couple of more hours. One of us is undergoing a full health analysis and treatment plan, so we can explain the experience thoroughly to customers. What stood out immediately was how the team shaped every detail around our needs. From targeted wellness plans to advanced spa and fitness treatments, everything was purposeful. The mix of traditional healing and modern science gave real depth to each session. And high above the city, with sweeping views of Bangkok, the Longevity Hub offered a calm, focused space — a solid base for what’s next.

Banyan Tree dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River

In the evening, we are invited by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the organization that promotes Thailand as a destination. We are warmly welcomed aboard the Banyan Tree boat (known for its high-end spas and hotels) for a dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River. Onboard, we enjoy a five-course dinner with champagne and drinks. We raise a toast to the anniversary as one course after another is served — the food is simply divine. From the water, we pass illuminated temples, old teak houses, and modern towers, all reflected in the calm surface of the river. Along the way, we glide past some of the city’s most famous landmarks, beautifully lit against the night sky. 

Exploring unknown Bangkok on Two Wheels

After a good night’s sleep, we get ready for the next part of the journey — swapping Bangkok by water for Bangkok by bike. It’s early on a Sunday morning as we set off, the city still calm. In the park, we pass groups of Thai people practicing tai chi, moving slowly and with focus, while others gather to cycle together and chat. Led by a local guide, we weave through hidden neighborhoods, bustling markets, and quiet green spaces. The ride shows us a Bangkok that’s both full of energy and unexpectedly peaceful, offering a glimpse of daily life that most visitors never get to see.

Unfolding a lotus flower

At one of the temples, we are shown how to carefully unfold a lotus flower to offer it to the gods — a quiet, meaningful ritual where the spiritual side of the Thai people comes through. As we continue cycling through narrow alleys, we pause to taste street food, exchange a few words with locals, and soak in the sounds and scents of a city always on the move. The bike tour offers a rare way to connect with Bangkok’s culture and energy, striking a balance between adventure and reflection. By the end of the day, we feel we’ve seen a different face of the city — one that goes beyond the tourist spots, leaving us with a deeper sense of its diversity, history, and spirit. 

Stay in Koh Samui: Silavadee Pool Spa Resort

Today we leave the busy streets of Bangkok behind and fly about two hours south to Koh Samui. Our next stop is Silavadee Pool Spa Resort, set on a hillside along the island’s southern coast. It’s a place designed for peace and privacy, with a price-to-quality ratio that works well for many travelers. The villas all have private pools - some offer sweeping views over the Gulf of Thailand, others have partial sea views. The resort sits on its own private beach and offers daily activities, from yoga sessions to Muay Thai boxing classes. The food holds its own here: a generous breakfast buffet, a relaxed happy hour with snacks around five, and an evening menu featuring well-prepared Thai dishes. Many of our guests like to pair a stay at Silavadee with a wellness program at one of the island’s health resorts. The spa is currently under renovation and is set to reopen in November 2025.

Dinner at the Four Seasons Koh Samui: a White Lotus Experience

One of the surprises from the team is a dinner at the Four Seasons on Koh Samui Island. For those who’ve seen the series White Lotus - most of the serie were filmed here. The Four Seasons sits on the northern tip of the island, built into a hillside with sweeping views over the sea. We dine incredibly well, with each dish carefully prepared and beautifully presented. But it’s not just the food that stands out. From our table, we look out over the ocean as the sun slowly sinks into the water, casting a warm glow across the bay. This isn’t just another dinner out. It’s one of those rare moments where place, food, and atmosphere come together seamlessly — and leave something that stays with you.

Arrival in Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary

Our next stop is Kamalaya, one of our longtime bestsellers since we began in 2005 — and for good reasons. Kamalaya isn’t the kind of wellness resort that tries to impress with glossy images or over-the-top luxury. Its strength is in the details: the way both guests and staff are cared for, and how everything feels thoughtfully connected. The facilities are varied and well-designed — beautiful treatment rooms, fully equipped fitness spaces and yoga salas, holistic programs, and quiet corners overlooking the sea. The therapists and practitioners are skilled and genuinely attentive, and the food is nourishing, full of flavor, and tailored to the needs of each guest. There’s no ‘one size fits all’ here — everything is adapted to support both body and mind. But what truly makes Kamalaya stand out is its atmosphere. It’s how you feel held, supported, heard, and seen from the moment you arrive. And that, more than anything, is why so many guests keep coming back.

Working from Kamalaya: Focus and Flow

Even here in Thailand, the work goes on. We keep our mornings free for relaxation or a massage. From 3 p.m. onward, we’re in our suite, on the phone or behind the laptop, answering emails and managing ongoing business. Sometimes it even involves bookings for the resorts we’re staying at — and then we simply walk over to the reservations team. In the afternoon, we have lunch with the entire Kamalaya sales team, overlooking the sea. It’s a meaningful way to combine our work with the hotel partnerships we’ve valued for over 20 years. Later in the day, Marleen hosts a live webinar for around 40 Belgian travel agents. It was a striking contrast: talking about travel, trends, and wellness while sitting in such an inspiring place ourselves.

New in Kamalaya: the Cognitive Center

"Seeing the mind at work": this is in a nutshell what you experience in the Cognitive Health Center, a new addition at Kamalaya this year. Marleen and Claudia took part in a neurofeedback test - a simple, non-invasive scan that maps brain activity. You sit still with a sensor cap, and the machine does the rest. But the insights were far from basic. The results showed how the brain handles focus, stress, recovery, and emotional balance. For anyone curious about performance or wellbeing, it offers clear, useful feedback. And at Kamalaya, that insight isn’t just theoretical -  it gives you a practical sense of where you stand and what you can work on.

About our Team

This blog is brought to you by the team at PureandCure: Marleen, Kim, Claudia and Patricia - all passionate travelers on a mission to uncover the world’s best health and wellbeing hotels, spas, and retreats. We explore, experience, and share what matters, so you can find the retreat that truly fits you.