Looking for a holistic approach to treating body and mind, Fernanda Langhammer visited Layan Life by Anantara and discovered much more than she expected.
Thailand is a popular destination amongst Middle Eastern residents. It’s not a very long flight away and the country offers stunning beaches, super green nature and delectable cuisine – the perfect combination of paradise for a girl like me. However, my visit to Phuket this time (I went there 10 years ago) was to embrace a different experience – a wellness retreat called Layan Life by Anantara at Anantara Layan Phuket Resort.
The brand is well-known in the region for offering five-star properties with that special touch of making you feel at home. But in Phuket, they elevate the experience with a well-being concept that embraces the ‘Life Method’ with four primary pillars: Longevity Medicine Diagnostics, Traditional Thai Medicine, Complementary Medicine (with holistic therapies) and Lifestyle Medicine Practices.
The trip was planned right after sending the magazines to the press, and I was looking forward to some days of relaxation and mostly connecting with myself. Everyday life and busy routine make us forget something important: ourselves!
We arrived at the reception and the check-in was smooth between refreshing drinks and cold towels – a nice treat as the weather was warm. I was then given my Deluxe Pool Villa key card to get changed and head to the Layan Life building for my initial consultation. Before my arrival, I received a wellness consultation form to fill in and a request for a video call to further personalise my treatments. Unfortunately, I had no time to book a session, but I highly recommend you do it. This will allow them to understand your goals and preferences (but also limitations; I am a bit claustrophobic, which would have been helpful for them to know in advance).
But before I talk about my experience at Layan Life, I need to tell you about my room. The villa has a pre-entrance, a very comfy bed with a welcome sign ‘written’ with leaves placed in the middle of the room and a washroom area on the right. Everything is extremely spacious, yet still cosy. But the crème de la crème is the private pool with views of the greenery and an outdoor bathtub for a bathing experience under the stars. I absolutely loved it! Back in the room, fresh coconut water, a basket with exotic Thai fruits, coconut cookies, homemade chips and spiced nuts made me smile – I felt a bit hungry, so it was a wonderful welcome. The Thai guava was especially delicious, with intense guava flavours but a pear-like texture.
Wellness Journey
To reach the incredible building of Layan Life by Anantara, you can take a buggy or walk. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to walk between trees and native foliage, so that was my favourite way to get there every time.
My first consultation was with Dr A, who analysed my skin and chose the best IV infusion treatment to start my wellness journey. These treatments are quite trendy and, according to specialists, are the fastest way to deliver beneficial minerals, vitamins and antioxidants straight into the bloodstream. Oral supplements have to travel through the digestive system and are not so effective. We went for an immune boost with vitamin A, C, E and B complexes. I received a tailored programme with a series of treatments covering various areas for a holistic approach. I had a super stretching session with Tas; he knew exactly how far he could push and I felt really good after it. I am in general good health, however, I have really bad knots in my upper back and shoulder area where I keep all my tension. To treat that, I went for Pain Management. The physiotherapist, Pat, worked her magic utilising a machine called Winback that uses radiofrequency current that accelerates the body’s natural healing process. She worked on the critical areas and I felt really relieved after the session. Still working on my upper back situation, the Sweet Herbal Dreams massage (which was very misleading as I had the impression that I would sleep during the treatment, but it was quite the opposite) was performed by Earnt, who used Thai Traditional Medicine (TTM) that combines herbal medicine, bodywork practices and spiritual healing. She applied a pressure point massage and when I say pressure point, it means really deep pressure, which was extremely painful but definitely needed. I did, indeed, get a good night’s sleep that night.
Under TTM, I also had the Pao Ya Heated Herbal Therapy and Goy Mod Look Therapy, both massages targeting the abdomen area. The first one helps to support healthy digestion and reduce fluid retention. It uses herbs heated by fire to relax the gut and balance the region. The second is more specific to the female reproductive organs to improve circulation and symptoms of PMS and menopause. They were both done by the lovely therapist, Tai.
But the therapies that I liked most were the Acupressure and Energy Balancing, which work in areas that I usually don’t pay much attention to: my inner self. I frequently go for massages and facials, but I don’t really participate in therapies that promote mindfulness. Kedar, an energy medicine practitioner, used techniques to help me find my balance. He mentioned that we are always taking care of our hardware (our body) and forget to work on the software (which would be our mind and energy), and that definitely applied to me. It was an intense experience, and I left Layan Life reflecting on this aspect of my life that I have been neglecting for a while.
They also offer an array of activities, such as Thai Boxing, Archery and Ziplining at Layan Active Zone, that will keep you busy. I went for my regular runs. I couldn’t miss the opportunity to do so amongst nature and with incredible views.
Body Nourishment
But Anantara Layan Phuket Resort offers much more. Breeze restaurant (the all-day-dining option) has a wellness menu that will help you keep a balanced diet. The highlights of this menu for me were the Life Som Tam, a twist on the traditional papaya salad with crispy tempeh (you can also opt for chicken if you prefer), the Dal made with black lentil, azuki beans and coconut yoghurt, that was absolutely filling and full of flavour, and the smoothies, with the Autoinflammatory one prepared with papaya, lime, turmeric, ginger, cayenne, chia and coconut water being my favourite pick. But if you don’t want healthier options, you can choose from a selection of pasta, seafood and beef dishes.
AGE is a restaurant focused on steak. Boasting an ageing cellar with an impressive variety of all sorts of cured meats and cheeses, it is orchestrated by Italian Chef Nicola. We had an amazing selection of starters, such as Pan-roasted Hokkaido Scallops that were cooked to perfection and seasoned with XO sauce, accompanied by crispy tapioca chips, and AGE’s Parmigiana, a delicious chargrilled eggplant, parmesan sauce and smoked ricotta that was beautifully presented with thin, crunchy slices of aubergine. For my main, as I am not a big fan of meat but a gnocchi enthusiast, I chose AGE’s Pan-seared Potato Gnocchi with truffle sauce and a unique touch, a 64-degree egg on top (when the yolk has fully set but is soft and custardy). It was a comforting dish yet quite daring.
The most memorable dining experience for me was at Dara. I love Thai cuisine and that’s what the restaurant offers. Inspired by the Thai word for star, Dara captures the flavours and mystique of the Andaman coast. Chef Supakarn sent us a selection of dishes to try, and each was as delicious as the last. These are my highlights: Kaeng Ka Ree Taohoo, a beautifully presented yellow curry with tofu and vegetable chips where the softness of the tofu contrasted with the crispness of the chips, all bathed in an aromatic sauce. Krajeab Phad Hed, wok-fried okra, mushrooms, garlic, soy sauce and wolffia (a type of algae). I love okra, and this dish presented this vegetable in a firm and flavourful way. Pla Yang Bai Thong, marinated black cod in burnt banana leaf, turmeric, galangal and lemongrass. The fish was flaky and delicately seasoned. It was a stunning meal!
I must also mention the breakfast, one of the most comprehensive offerings I have ever seen: a wide variety that mixed Western and Eastern staples, plus a selection of flavoursome fresh fruits. The best way to start the day was to stay for long hours eating with a view of the pool and sea.
Finding Peace
I believe that when you visit a wellness retreat, at the end of the journey, you want to feel relaxed, rested and most of all, understand what you need to do to improve your body and mind. Not only did the treatments at Layan Life by Anantara make me feel that, but also the fresh coconut water offered at Breeze, the beauty of the place, the re-energising sea swim, the greenery, the rain, the lovely company I had during my stay and the attentive staff, especially smiley Mai who would leave my room impeccable and bring a mosquito repellent every night. They all contributed to a fantastic experience. You can embark on your own path to lifelong wellness with customised three-, five-, seven- and 10-night packages. I have to say that I can’t wait to go back.
For more information or to make a reservation,
please visit www.anantara.com/en/layan-phuket
@anantaralayanphuket