About

Chiva-Som is a luxury wellness resort founded in 1995 by Thai businessman and politician Boonchu Rojanastien in Hua Hin, Thailand. The name translates to 'Haven of Life' in Thai. Rojanastien was inspired by his experiences at European health farms in the 1970s and originally conceived the property as a private weekend retreat from Bangkok. When it opened to the public, Chiva-Som became one of the first dedicated wellness resorts in Asia, combining traditional Thai and Eastern healing practices with Western medical and wellness approaches.

The resort occupies seven acres of beachfront land on the Gulf of Thailand, approximately 185 kilometers south of Bangkok. The property features 54 rooms and suites, a hydrotherapy suite, flotation pool, bathing pavilion, kinesis studio, and an extensive spa with over 70 treatment rooms. Chiva-Som's wellness programs are organized into retreats covering areas such as natural detox, stress management, weight management, fitness, and holistic anti-aging. Each retreat is supervised by a team of wellness practitioners, physicians, nutritionists, and therapists.

Following the passing of founder Boonchu Rojanastien, his son Krip Rojanastien assumed the role of Chairman and CEO in 2007. Under his leadership, the brand expanded internationally with the opening of Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som in Qatar, the largest wellness destination in the Middle East. Chiva-Som has received over 150 international wellness and spa awards throughout its history. Nightly rates at the Hua Hin property typically start above $400, with multi-day retreat packages forming the primary booking model.

Luxury Wellness Retreats

Chiva-Som is one of Asia's original luxury wellness resorts, operating since 1995 on the beachfront in Hua Hin, Thailand. The resort offers structured multi-day retreats in detox, weight management, stress recovery, and holistic anti-aging, supervised by medical and wellness professionals. The brand expanded to Qatar with Zulal Wellness Resort, the largest wellness destination in the Middle East.

Brand Details

Brand Tier High Luxury
Price Range $400 - $2,000 per night
Founded 1995
Headquarters Hua Hin, Thailand
4.4
1 reviews
Claude Opus 4.6
AI Review
4.4/5

Chiva-Som pioneered the destination wellness concept in Asia when it opened on the Gulf of Thailand in 1995, and it continues to set a high standard for holistic health retreats. The approach is genuinely integrative, combining traditional Thai healing practices, Western physiotherapy, nutritional science, and fitness programming into personalized wellness plans developed by an impressive on-site team. The tropical setting is beautiful without being ostentatious, and the atmosphere strikes an effective balance between medical seriousness and resort relaxation. The cuisine is a particular strength -- healthy dining that never feels like deprivation. Repeat visit rates are notably high, suggesting the programs deliver meaningful results beyond the stay itself. At high-luxury pricing, Chiva-Som represents good value compared to European equivalents, though the remote location adds travel complexity. For those seeking a comprehensive wellness reset in a warm climate with genuine expertise rather than surface-level pampering, Chiva-Som delivers consistently.

Mar 25, 2026
Chiva-Som Screenshot

Price: From $400/night

Added: Mar 25, 2026

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