I’m often asked which place for detoxing I would recommend. The short answer is “it depends.” It comes down to what you are looking for.

Quick Links Absolute Sanctuary | COMO Shambhala | Kamalaya

Absolute Sanctuary

In Singapore, Absolute (now defunct) is known for yoga. It’s also true of Absolute Sanctuary in Thailand. They have a fantastic yoga program. The teachers are experienced and watchful of our poses. They offer a wide variety of classes and have detox yoga for detox guests to enhance their stay. Detox yoga is a lot of twists to help the organs work better, cleanse better. It’s more gentle, though not all easy, especially if you are a beginner yogi or having a tough time detoxing (or both). The yoga studio has floor-to-ceiling windows facing the greenery. Starting the day with pranayama and yoga there is really beautiful. It sets the tone of calm and peace for the day.

If you are an advanced or regular yoga practitioner, you may want to try the ashtanga class. It’s pretty tough when you are new to yoga, ashtanga, and fasting. People come to Absolute just for Ashtanga, unlike the detox yoga class, which is mostly attended by in-house guests.

7-Day Detox

For details of the detox program, it’s best to check out the Absolute Sanctuary website. I went near the end of 2011 for a 7-day detox and ended up extending my stay. Partially because I didn’t lose ANY weight and was a bit depressed about it. It was my first detox and I thought that weight loss was how I measured progress and success.

Having heard all kinds of stories, I was relieved that the detox program at Absolute Sanctuary went easily. I recommend following their elimination and pre-detox guidelines. Being a non-meat eater and non-coffee drinker and in a light frame of mind helped me easing into it.

So the question people most want to know – what is a fast?

I didn’t have a dry fast which is not taking in anything. I had clear soups and juices only. I was able to have unlimited bowls of vegetarian soup. Surprisingly, it was delicious. You could add sea salt, lime, or cayenne pepper for more taste.

There is a relaxation area in the restaurant, where you can hang out on comfy couches, sip your soup, read or chat with other guests. You may think – oh, no! How can I not eat when everyone else is eating? The thing is – yes, the food at Absolute Sanctuary is REALLY good (you’ll have some when you break your fast), it’s not aromatic like a lot of Asian food is. So while you’re sipping your soup, you won’t be smelling hunger-inducing foods. You can always take your soup back to your room. I loved my room so I was happy to hermit in there. (I did find out that the staff cafeteria did serve local food and you can smell it if you are at the gym! So don’t book in any gym sessions around meal times.)

Hydrotherapy Treatments

I had treatments at Absolute Sanctuary every day, including colonics. The wellness therapists were really great and so patient and the treatments were fantastic. When I went, they used the open system. While it’s a little messier, I liked that I had control of the process, which was an easier intro for me. I also liked being left alone in the room, to deal with the newness and the strangeness of the experience on my own.

This was my first ever colon hydrotherapy and I was quite nervous about it. How uncomfortable will it be? Having all that water inside. Will I hold it long enough? God, what will come out? Because of my worries, I declined their offer of a tummy massage.

The first three sessions were tough! In the end, I did say yes to the massage and I was glad. Getting my stomach massaged was surprisingly relaxing and helped the process. Look at me, chatting to the therapist massaging me and reading magazine, doing it like a pro.  Not embarrassing. Not painful.

Resort Rooms

Absolute Sanctuary has different room options. I chose the deluxe sea view room with a bathtub. It did take a few visits from the maintenance crew to get the hot water going and it was worth the fuss. Having a nightly bath was a fantastic part of my detox experience. Don’t forget to bring your brush for some dry brushing.

Verdict

I had a great time at Absolute Sanctuary, happy that my first cleanse experience went so well. Being in Koh Samui, lounging around poolside, and getting daily massages, who can complain? It was not a bad way to lose my detox-virginity.

In the end I lost 500g. Here’s the thing, detoxing is not about weight loss, though that often happens. For me, my detox success was measured by how relaxed, light, and energetic I felt. I would say it was a good detox, which is about more than improving only the physical functions of the body.

For those who don’t want to or can’t fast, Absolute Sanctuary has different detox programs to cater to you, such as having living foods. A few people I met were there for their candida.

Everyone staying there was in such a great mood – certainly the sunny tropical weather helped, even if they were not really eating. Many of the guests hailed from northern latitudes. I believe Absolute Sanctuary markets heavily to places such as the UK.

What I liked about Absolute Sanctuary

It is a quiet and small resort, which I liked. The pool is in the middle of everything and so easy to get to. It’s right by the juice bar so you can hang out poolside all day then pop over for your juice or for a treatment. You cannot get lost. The learning curve of what your program includes is quite flat and in no time, you’ll just be flowing with it. No stress, which is a big part of a detox.

The therapists were good. The staff friendly. The yoga fun. The Moroccan theme in the rooms was interesting and attractive. The room has WIFI, if you need to work though in hindsight a total detox, including a digital one, would have rounded off the experience for me. The seaview was breathtaking, especially with the pool lit at night.

What wasn’t so hot about Absolute Sanctuary

There was massive confusion at check-out, because I had extended my stay. Their lack of English fluency resulted in some communication blocks which made the whole process much much longer and unpleasant. It was frustrating, and it only got sorted when I pointed out that I was going to miss my plane and the next flight would not be for another few days.

I understand that English can be hit and miss. I am in a foreign country after all and it would be arrogant of me to expect otherwise. Because I do not understand Thai and they could not explain it to me, I could not tell what the problem or misunderstanding was. Were the staff on duty new and unfamiliar with dealing with non-routine processes? It was a terrible way to wrap up such a great experience. At the end of the day, this was a minor hiccup that does not diminish my detox experience and stay and can be avoided by settling the bill earlier.

Como Shambhala

The COMO Shambhala Estate feels like another world. Outside of Ubud in Bali, this beautiful resort is a sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle. At the end of February 2012, a sanctuary was what I needed, being in the middle of a personal crisis. I craved quiet and solitude.

The villa I stayed in was beautifully appointed, at once luxurious and cozy. I spent much of my time in that wonderfully comfortable bed thinking about my life. Relaxing and reading. I have never slept so well in a hotel, as I did at that COMO. My other favourite place at the villa was the deep tub, just floating in my Neptunian dreams. Two other villas shared the outdoor pool, which I enjoyed by myself.

My entire experience was amazing. The food was perfection. The body treatments heavenly. I was so relaxed and pampered, every muscle releasing its stress and tension. I love getting massages and have had all kinds and in many different countries. Massages mostly are work on neck and back, then lower body, then the front. Here, the masseurs used fabulously long firm strokes, going diagonally shoulder to the opposite foot and tracing the long lines of the body. It felt so much more integrative and harmonious.

I can still remember how delighted I was as I followed with my mind her hands down my body, seamlessly shifting to the other side. A little surprise. A memorable detail.

That first massage made quite an impression. My appointment was late in the day, the sun already dipping down. I arrived with the nocturnal creatures waking from their slumber, calls new to my ears. A gentle breeze whistled through the trees that surrounded the spa. Tingles, that’s what I felt.

For me it was especially special that COMO has a resident dog. I have a special place in my heart for Golden Retrievers, because of my own Abby. Sandy was true to the breed, an incredibly sweet sweet being. He spent some time with me in my villa and we went on a few walks around the estate. His company was deeply comforting.

Sandy was at the reception when I checked out. I was happy to see him one more time.

When I wasn’t napping, floating in the tub or pool, doing yoga or hydrotherapy, I was exploring the beautiful luscious grounds. At times, it felt like I was the only person in the world. The trees were gently leading me on a path, with the earth cradling my every step. Barefoot on soft moss and grass, hands on bark and stone. Birds calling out. The rush of the river just out of earshot. The place was alive. Spirit of Place was very much present. It was simply indescribable, an encounter and experience I would prefer to keep for myself.

COMO was my retreat for several days, a sanctuary to hold my fragile heart in my shaking hands. It was my cocoon, my wombspace. If you ever do need such a place, COMO Shambhala and Ubud are it. I was looked after, in the fine details – attentive and never intrusive. The butler assigned to me was organized and thoughtful. He arranged my itinerary, appointments, and outings. I spent about half a day in Ubud for more organic raw food and beautiful smoothies. I also walked around town for a little bit and bought myself a mala. On another day, I visited the temple for water purification.

My stay at COMO Shambhala was special to me. It was perfect for what I needed during a difficult period in my life. The space, the quiet, nourishing clean food, pampering, moving at my own speed, and cuddles with Sandy. It was a very difficult period in my life so this stay was exactly what I needed. The space, the quiet, nourishing clean food, pampering, moving at my own speed, and cuddles. If you want more information, here is something I wrote about my stay at COMO, an article which became a guest post on the COMO website.

Kamalaya

I wrote about my stay at Kamalaya here.

Kamalaya is a beautiful resort located in Koh Samui, Thailand. It’s built around an ancient Buddhist monk’s cave. Bring bug repellant if you plan to go. Sitting in the cave in candlelight is quite an experience.

My stay at Kamalaya was another gift, a birthday gift, and everything was booked and arranged for me. I stayed in a villa, with plenty of room to stretch out in. So strange sleeping alone without my dogs. I always miss them when I’m away, especially in the first few days.

Kamalaya’s menu is amazing. Based on the principle of “Food is Medicine,” they serve plant-based, fresh, and organic dishes. Everything I could eat for my cleanse was clearly labelled. I thought, if only I could cut, dice, and prep my veggies this way, my diet would surely improve a hundredfold.

I began my cleanse eating by myself. I often enjoy dining alone. It wasn’t long before I made friends, eventually sitting with them at the communal table. Surprisingly, listening to them talk about the delicious dishes and desserts that were off-limits to me did not leave me drooling and pining for more. My cleanse menu was delicious and satisfying. Sitting alone the first few days, staying with my detox menu, paid off.

What I loved about Kamalaya

This resort is a beautiful setting, breathtaking. The landscape of streams, jungle, ponds, and hills brings you back into the fold of the mysteries of life. I also found my own special spot.

Everyone was courteous and helpful, Thai hospitality. The variety and quality of food make you forget you are on a comparatively restricted diet. I was never hungry and I never felt limited. I quickly found my favourites. The detox menu is nourishing and satisfying at Kamalaya. It’s helpful to remember that not everyone is on a cleanse program. Some are there for relaxation so if this is a challenge, skip the communal table, at least for the first few days.

The wellness and medical staff are trained in a number of disciplines, including Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, and conventional medicine. I appreciate the holistic approach and I loved all my sessions. Except the hydrotherapy. There was a lot to do, aside from the treatments. Meditating in the cave. Walking down to the beach. Swimming and relaxing in the pools. Qigong, yoga, and meditation. Kamalaya also has visiting practitioners who offer very interesting programs.

What Wasn’t So Great About Kamalaya

Perhaps it was because the staff at Kamalaya were so busy – there were many guests – I had difficulty getting my questions answered. I had some concerns about my colonics appointment. It wasn’t my first time and I’ve tried both open and closed systems. I struggled this time as it was very uncomfortable (I explain it here, along with my note on privacy issues and discussions during my final consultation.) I ended up cancelling my last appointment, disappointing since colonics were unavailable back home in Singapore.

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I visited Absolute Sanctuary, COMO Shambhala, and Kamalaya between late 2011 and 2013. Which one is for you depends on your wellness needs, budget, and lifestyle preferences. Do you want to be by the beach? In the forests and cooler climate? Near a town for a day out or perhaps some cultural or spiritual outings?

If this is your first time for a cleanse/detox, start preparing by eliminating or at least minimizing meat, alcohol, and caffeine in the week before. Maybe even longer to slowly and gradually ease into it.

Give yourself flexibility around your expectations, including around getting work done while you are there and have the humour to enjoy whatever happens. Consider a digital detox and observe emotions and old memories surfacing. A detox if far beyond the diet and the treatments. Things can happen and you may need support, from the resort and/or friends.