From banana pancakes to spa amenities

Stretching in the lap of luxury.

Located on the beautiful island of Koh Samui, Absolute Sanctuary blends luxurious accommodation with alternative therapies for those who seek a journey back to balance, rejuvenation and wellness.

A Moroccaninspired boutique "health and wellness" resort, the newly opened Absolute Sanctuary specialises in detox treatments and worldclass yoga retreats and workshops to refresh, revitalise and rejuvenate.

Its three signature Detox Programmes offer a mix of colon hydrotherapy sessions, detox drinks, herbal supplements, raw food or vegetarian meals and yoga and/or massage sessions. Absolute Sanctuary's Yoga Centre is the latest branch offered by the Absolute Group, which operates Thailand's largest studio, Absolute Yoga, as well as eight others nationwide and two in Singapore. Billing itself as the cutting edge for yoga practice in Asia, the Absolute Group aims to give students the chance to learn and progress by linking them with worldrenowned gurus and teachers.

In addition to daily classes of various styles such as Hot yoga, Hatha yoga, Yin yoga and Vinyasa yoga, Absolute Sanctuary's Yoga Centre arranges regular workshops and retreats, and teachertraining sessions that are conducted by some of the big names of the yoga world.

The centre is a dream come true for its founders, Benjaporn Karoonkornsakul and Jeanne Chung.

They were hooked on the benefits of detox treatments immediately. Chung recalls her first experience of a programme: "I had much more energy, my skin cleared up and I lost weight! It was a stressful and hectic life that I'd been leading, but detoxing gave me a way to revitalise, reenergise and restore the balance in my body."

"Since both detox and yoga seem to complement each other, being not just about the body but also the mind and spirit, we dreamt of creating a special getaway to indulge in both," says Benjaporn.

In addition to its Detox Centre and Yoga Centre, the resort features 38 rooms with modern amenities, an "infinityedge" pool, and an organic, vegetarian restaurant.

XTRA

>>Where: Absolute Sanctuary, 88 Moo 5, Tambon Bophut

Koh Samui, Surat Thani

>>Soft Opening Specials (until May 31):

Sevenday Detox Programme (Bt52,500 Bt53,500).

>>Threeday Detox Programme (Bt29,500 to Bt30,500)

Contact:

(083) 1995 596, claire@AbsoluteSanctuary.com, www.AbsoluteSanctuary.com.

Urban Escape

DAILY XPRESS