Our Travel Review of Phuket Cleanse in Thailand

What were your first impressions of the resort?

How welcoming the team were and how upbeat the other guests were (unsurprising when you're losing weight and feeling more energised in just a few days!). Also, how clean and comfortable my room was. The hotel was built in 2011, so everything is modern, contemporary and spacious.

What do you think makes Phuket Cleanse so special?

The dedicated and passionate team, for one, who are not only knowledgeable but genuinely care. Everything they do, they do with enthusiasm and immense effort. This helps create a friendly and warm atmosphere. The fact that everyone is doing the same programme, at the same time, means that you instantly join a like-minded, supportive group. I loved the banter and support around the table and in the fitness classes. It was brilliant to meet an international mix of people, from Aussies to Singapore ex-pats, partied-out professionals and those wanting to shift a few stubborn pounds and kick-start a better, healthier lifestyle.

What was your favourite treatment?

The relaxing full body massage at the end of the day, in the privacy and comfort of my own room. The local Thai therapist was fantastic, she used a homemade blend of organic oils and herbs to soothe and stretch my tired Muay Thai muscles. When she left, all I had to do was climb under the covers and I was asleep in minutes. Bliss!

What was your favourite activity?

So hard to choose! Trying Muay Thai was hilarious, a proper workout, but luckily the professional instructors were patient with me. I loved the colourful Muay Thai gym that's been created offsite, with its own raw food juice bar. Travelling there in the back of the open-backed truck and being greeted with a warm towel and a fresh juice, is as Thai as it gets, in my opinion! I also absolutely loved the Bikram yoga sessions. Although the first one would have been my last one, had the brilliant activity coordinator at Phuket Cleanse, Simon, not pre-warned me about the chances of not enjoying the first sweaty session. How right he was, but I was ready for the second one and felt the detoxifying benefits really quickly. 90 minutes very well spent and I will continue now that I am back in London. Saying that, it won't be quite the same without the fresh coconut served with a straw afterwards. Oh, and the beach stomps and Frisbee games in the surf; they're pretty special, too.

How was the food?

Delicious and innovative. It's a vital part of Melanie and Stanton's vision (the inspirational American couple who founded and run the retreat). Here, you detox through sweating out toxins through exercise and also through the herbal saunas, but also through the food that you take. High energy raw, vegetarian, mainly organic food is the essence of the food programme, with various veggie juices, fruit smoothies, coconut juice and herbal teas also on offer. 

They grow quite a lot of their own produce (be sure to check out Stanton's trays of wheatgrass...). More than just a kitchen, the team here create their own raw food recipes daily so this is as creative as it gets. No dish will be repeated, even if you stay for a month. Guests are able to participate in informal cooking classes and demos, and recipes are constantly shared, so you'll go home with the right tools to keep healthy for the long-term.

What was your favourite aspect of the resort?

Hard to say, but I think it has to be the variety of activities on offer, the fact that you're taken offsite locally to go to the private Muay Thai gym and Bikram yoga centre, for example, means that you really feel you are in Thailand. You can't help but feel the enthusiasm, positivity and dedication of the team either, and it's infectious.

Who would you recommend Phuket Cleanse to?

If you want to achieve a goal, get fitter, lose some weight, feel better and stronger or detox your body and mind, then this goal-focused, welcoming and friendly small, authentic retreat delivers. It operates very much as a group retreat, as everyone is on the same timetable on one programme, making it ideal for single travellers as well as sociable couples. If you want to really experience Thailand, from authentic Muay Thai lessons, local Bikram yoga, beach walks and open-backed truck transport, whilst re-setting your body and clearing mind, then this is the perfect escape for you. I loved it!

Has Dominika inspired you? Get in touch and book your Phuket Cleanse retreat today.