Page 44 - MASALA Magazine Vol.15 Issue 4 | April - May 2024

WELLNESS, OTHER ACTIVITIES,
AND SUSTAINABILITY

As a haven away from the hustle and bustle
of the city, the hotel also offers an array
of complimentary and paid activities that
you can sign up for, to ensure fun for the
whole family. Their COMO Shambhala
Retreat has a range of treatments, with
rooms overlooking the Bay, and a rotation
of easy wellness pursuits such as Full Body
Stretching and Hatha Yoga. I’d definitely
recommend the latter, which starts at EVENT SPACES
8.15am, leaving plenty of time for you to
catch breakfast and start the day invigorated. The first day that I’d arrived, I was intrigued
The Retreat also has two infinity pools, one to spy an intimate wedding on the The
of which is their ‘hydrotherapy’ pool with Lawn, with enchanting floral décor and “We want to be selective, however, as we
jets; and a 24-hour gym. cliffside views. “At one point, we’ve had only offer buy-outs due to the scale of Indian
weddings almost every weekend, many on
“Wellness is an important pillar for us as the smaller side, from 20-50 and even up to weddings, but for the right group of people,
well,” Andy tells me. “Aside from our great 200 guests,” Andy recalls. When I ask him we’re willing to do that.”

treatments, we have recently added some about the possibility to host Indian weddings, As they walk me through all the options
new things, such as an ice bath, which is I’m intrigued to learn that they’ve hosted they offer to make your event perfect, it’s
an experience that has many therapeutic two Indian weddings so far, consisting of an clear that the ethos of the hotel hinges on
benefits including anti-inflammation. We entire buy-out of the resort. “This is new for their hospitality and ensuring the best in
also have a hyperbaric chamber, with us, but they’ve been very successful, and everything they do – something that I saw
different atmospheric pressures, that can we’ve had great feedback on our food and in every aspect of my stay there. Truly, one
help you with your circulation, and help service,” he says. to remember.
with better sleep.”

There is a plethora of other activities for THE INSIDE SCOOP
guests to enjoy solo, as a couple, or in a
group, spanning their Family Fun with
Archery or Family Fun with Badminton
options, to a Beach Walk and Phuket Andy Kunz,
Cultural and Old Town Tour. For something the Managing Director of
a bit more craftsy, I would recommend their COMO Point Yamu gives Masala more of his insight.
Tie Dye Making, Basic Ink Mandala or th
Bracelet Making activities – I was especially You celebrated your 10 Anniversary last year. Tell us
proud of the colourful bracelets that I’d about what’s on the horizon for the hotel.
handmade after signing up for the latter. If This year, we’re introducing more things in our wellness
you’re looking for an expedition in style, you programme, such as a sleep programme, which will involve
can also charter a boat for a full-day, half-day tech that we’ll put in your room, to help you sleep better.
or sunset cruise, together with other guests. We’re hoping not only to improve your stay here, but to help you integrate healthier
habits into your own lifestyle.
I was also delighted to learn that the award-
winning COMO brand is not only known We’ve got some wellness retreats this year, and we have a programme coming up with a
for their commitment to wellness and design, lady who will be teaching on different topics such as women’s health. We always have a
but also to sustainability and giving back to great calendar of different activities that we’re looking forward to.

the community. Andy tells me a little bit The Thai-Indian community is known for their fondness for luxe holiday destinations,
about what they’re doing to be sustainable, delicious cuisine, and largescale events. What parts of your hotel’s vision and design
spanning regular beach and street cleanings, do you think will appeal the most to those in the Indian community?
as well as their support for a local school
where they did the farming project. “We’re What many of our Thai guests, including our Thai-Indian guests, appreciate is our
hoping to buy back from them the products architecture and style, and our remote location, which gives them privacy. They also love
they produce in the farm,” he explains. “We our food and our great activities on offer. We’re very popular with Asian guests overall,
also sell a lot of things by local artisans in the and we’re hoping our popularity with Indian guests is also on the rise. Although we’re
gift shop, although we’re also highlighting not catering towards Indian food yet, we’re working on how we can add some of that to
artisans from all around the region.” our offerings. There’s been a lot of support from the domestic community, and we’d love
to continue to encourage them to keep visiting us by continually changing our offerings
and providing guests with something new each time they visit.

44 | MASALA MAGAZINE APR-MAY 2024