“For those who have an intense urge for Spirit and wisdom, it sits near them, waiting.” Patañjali said. I had seen beautiful, slick and sexy, photographs of Phuket in travel magazines and all over Instagram before arriving, but it was my very first time there, and anywhere in Asia for that matter. From the moment I arrived I felt Spirit and wisdom waiting there for me. I believe if you listen carefully as soon as you arrive in a new place you can hear your heart telling you how it feels. Phuket is a heart place for me, and a place I will carry with me for a long, long time. That feeling began when I checked into SALA for a Phuket detox that moved body and mind.
Pat practiced yoga daily as part of her Phuket detox program at SALA Phuket. Image © Pat Bailey
A Phuket Detox at SALA Resort and Spa
I was invited to SALA Phuket to detox in luxury, following a very special protocol and a set program of treatments and diet. Because a detox takes great discipline, as I learned more and more each day of my stay, and because it is important to feel love and supported while you are detoxing, it was extra special to be in the careful hands of the staff and practitioners of SALA Phuket.
The perfectly manicured property welcomes you with an invitation to walk on water. The water-filled façade of shallow pools and bamboo with wooden walkways that lead to the front desk and reception area are a tranquil start to any stay. The architecture and design of the property combines rare historical Sino-Portuguese style with boutique hotel luxury and I fell madly in-love with every bit of it from the moment I stepped foot on the property.
I was welcomed with a cool cloth that smelled of lemongrass and lavender and a beautiful tea. After my brief consultation with the General Manager and Spa Manager regarding the protocol of my Phuket detox I was led to my villa.
The gorgeous big private pool at our Pool Villa at SALA Phuket. Image © Pat Bailey
SALA Pool Villa
As soon as the private gate to my pool villa opened and I walked in I felt at home in my own little mini respite. My SALA Pool Villa was 157 square metres of private luxury and a blend of feminine décor and masculine lines with abundant indoor and outdoor living space drenched in tropical colours of soft whites and greys with teal blues and orchid magentas that wooed me with every shade and texture.
Light pours into the bedroom in the Pool Villa at SALA Phuket. Image © Pat Bailey
The 22.4 square metre private swimming pool, cozy seating area, bathtub, shower, and bathroom, shared the open-air outdoor space with curtains for pulling to create privacy. I enjoyed skinny dipping by moonlight in the pool each night, and once during the day when a storm came, and I loved enjoying a bubble bath in the generous bathtub overlooking the pool. My detox meals were served to my villa each day and I enjoyed them in the cozy seating area outside by the pool.
Pat takes time to unwind in the bath al fresco style at SALA Phuket. Image © Pat Bailey
Inside, the sleeping room was a room that celebrated rest in the most beautiful way. The king-size feather-topped bed was hard to leave in the mornings. I was given a choice of pillows and lotion and soap scent to personalise my stay and I chose goose down pillows and lavender-scented lotion and soap which I found immediately on the bed and near the shower and sink in the bathroom.
The beautiful outdoor bathroom and living space at SALA Phuket. Image © Pat Bailey
Five-Day Phuket Detox Program
Because my stay included a five-day special detox program designed to cleanse my body of toxins, activate improved digestion, organ and systemic function in order to restore it to a more balanced operation, the entire menu for each meal was catered around this intention. I opted to have these meals delivered to my villa instead of dining on them in the restaurant, and like clockwork they appeared beautifully delivered each time with a ringing bell at my private gate and a smiling staff member to present them to me in my outdoor seating area.
The detox program began with a questionnaire that I was sent before my visit to qualify me for the program. It was a detailed account of my current diet, environment and lifestyle. Having never done a detox before I was anxious for the cleanse and looking forward to the outcome and to learning more about eating a healthier diet afterwards.
Each day included five Amrita detox shakes which were composed of an herbal powder with 100% natural ingredients: amalaki, broccoli sprouts, mangosteen rind, thunbergia laurifolia, Thai ginger, black pepper, coconut flour, turmeric, garcinia atroviridus, lemongrass, liquorice, mung bean powder, papaya leaf, orange, tamarind, cinnamon and noni mixed with fresh coconut juice and fresh fruits into a smoothie consistency. These shakes accompanied three healthy meals which included no gluten, processed sugar, alcohol, caffeine, dairy or meat.
The detox program at SALA Phuket is designed to help educate and ease guests into healthier habits back home. Image © Pat Bailey
Every morning at 8am I was served a glass of water with lime, and then exactly by schedule at 8:30am breakfast with the first shake was served, at 10am the second shake was served, at Noon the third shake with lunch was served, at 4:30pm the fourth shake was served, and at 6:30pm the last shake of the day was served with dinner. On the menu was eggplant gratin filled with mixed vegetables, quinoa, stuffed sweet potatoes with mango salsa, pomelo and green mango salad, gluten-free bread, avocados, sautéed mushrooms, porridge with bananas, honey, raisins and pineapple and penne gluten-free pasta with chickpeas, tomato sauce and dried chilli.
The detox took discipline and commitment. I was not used to consuming so much all day long; the five shakes per day for seven days almost got the best of me after the first few days. I experienced a low-grade headache which was attributed to caffeine withdrawal on the second day of the program. Everything I ate was pleasant and healthy and by the last three days I could tell that the detox was working because I started to feel lighter, and more energetic and healthier.
Without a doubt I left SALA Phuket a healthier person than when I arrived, and I was proud of myself for staying committed and disciplined during my stay. I was given a special Amrita probiotic vitamin supplement to take for seven days after the detox and I left with lots of inspiration for how to eat and live with less toxins.
Pat chose to enjoy her detox meals in the sanctuary that was her pool villa at SALA Phuket. Image © Pat Bailey
Daily Yoga and Movement
While detoxing I was asked to “move” daily with some sort of light exercise. Daily yoga with the on site yoga instructor was provided and it was beautiful to practice with her on the lawn facing the Mai Khoa beach. Bikes were provided on property for cruising and I swam in my pool for light exercise just outside my bedroom door. I also spent some time wandering along the incredible beach just in front of the property and enjoyed the sunset every single night that cast colours so incredibly beautiful that the sky didn’t even look real. The soft sand and warm water were a welcome bit of comfort for my entire stay. I sat on the bench near the coy pond on property one day and lounged by the main pool after yoga a few afternoons.
The beautifully manicured gardens at SALA Phuket. Perfect for an afternoon stroll to the sand. Image © Pat Bailey
Guests can request various activities for moving during their stay at SALA Phuket including snorkelling and other water sports, city sight-seeing and shopping, elephant trekking, hiking and other local adventures. The hotel prefers to customise and arrange these things for guests before they arrive so it’s best to decide and make arrangements before you get there.
There are ample private spaces where guests can relax around the SALA Phuket property. Image © Pat Bailey
SALA Spa Program
During my stay my detox program included special spa treatments. On the first day, I was treated to a 90-minute Thai Herbal Compress which was the absolute perfect way to arrive and drop in to the program, the week and my new home. I was also treated to a 75-minute Seaweed Detoxifying Body Wrap that was absolutely delicious and left my entire body feeling and looking refreshed and healthy. Finally, I enjoyed a Detox Facial with a 60-minute neck and shoulder massage. The practitioners at SALA Phuket are all highly trained and it was an absolute pleasure to be in their loving care for each treatment which began with a traditional Thai foot bath and included soothing music and attention-to-detail service. Easing into and out of each session was encouraged with plenty of time to sit in the spa reception area and sip hot herbal tea and watch the local birds happy in the nearby birch trees.
Taking in the iconic Phuket sunset from the beach at SALA Phuket. Image © Pat Bailey
SALA Phuket Resort and Spa
333 MOO 3 Mai Khao Beach, Thalang District, Phuket, 83110, Thailand
Directions: SALA Phuket is a 20-minute car ride from the Phuket International Airport on the northwest shoreline of Mai Khoa Beach.
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Pat Russo is a Mystic, Muse, and Spiritual Teacher guiding women into their hearts with a journey of softening. She is a published poet, a lover of hearts, and a forever student.
Feeling the impossibility of choosing between her two favorite cities, she considers San Francisco and Paris home.