Chiva-Som

Chiva-Som, pioneer of holistic wellness in Thailand and Qatar

Chiva-Som is a group of wellness resorts with a presence in Thailand and Qatar. Its origins date back to 1995, when its founder, Boonchu Rojanastien, transformed his private beachside property into Asia's first "Haven of Life". In 2022, Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som opened in Qatar, incorporating Traditional Arabic and Islamic Medicine (TAIM) fused with Chiva-Som's legacy. The company is celebrating 30 years of pioneering activity in the sector.

Two destinations, two approaches

The group operates two resorts set in coastal surroundings. Chiva-Som Hua Hin, in Thailand, has been a benchmark for destination spas for almost three decades and presents itself as one of the first therapeutic wellness resorts. Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som, in Qatar, describes itself as the first to offer comprehensive Traditional Arabic and Islamic Medicine (TAIM) alongside an innovative approach to family wellness.

Chiva-Som Hua Hin

The Thai resort combines rest and rejuvenation with expert teams, its own cuisine and Thai hospitality. Its offering includes retreats, treatments, activities, accommodation, facilities and wellness programmes, with a health and wellness advisor who works one-on-one with each guest to clarify goals and chart the most suitable path.

Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som

The Qatari resort is built around two distinct experiences: one exclusively for adults and another tailored to families. Each offers its own programmes focused on connection, self-discovery and holistic well-being. Its offerings include retreats such as Stress, Reset & Burnout Recovery or Taste of Zulal, and TAIM treatments.

Wellness programmes and philosophy

The group's philosophy holds that true transformation occurs when mind, body and spirit receive equal care and attention. A stay is conceived as the beginning of a wellness journey filled with focus, learning, achievement and self-discovery, and includes mindfulness practices. The company notes that its care extends beyond the stay itself, with guidance and support for the guest's well-being once they return home.

Facilities and services

The structure of Chiva-Som Hua Hin's offering spans retreats, treatments, activities, accommodation, facilities, wellness cuisine and practitioners. The site also mentions an academy (Chiva-Som Academy), a boutique, gift cards, an affiliate programme and a retreat finder with an orientation quiz.

Sustainability

The group states an approach to environmental stewardship based on the interdependence between people and the planet. Among the measures it mentions are designing and building with respect for local biodiversity, planting and recycling, and integrating innovative technologies, renewable energy and eco-friendly products to reduce its ecological footprint.

Awards and returning guests

Chiva-Som states that it receives awards every year from international bodies and readers of specialist publications. The site features testimonials from guests who return frequently, including cases of repeat visits over 14 or 15 years, stays of 150 days and a guest with 65 visits. It also includes experiences of public figures such as actress Naomie Harris, ultramarathon runner Sufiya Sufi and kitesurfer Therese Taabbel, who used the Champion Fit programme during a GKA circuit competition in Qatar.