The Sanctuary, located on the island of Koh Phangan, Thailand, is just that – A Sanctuary. A mecca for yogis and lost souls alike, this mini village begins a few feet away from the turquoise waters of Haad Tien and extends back to include bungalows, activity centers and a Tea Temple to satisfy anyones chakras. This resort/spa/detox center offers daily yoga and meditation, body cleanses and any other healing workshop imaginable. Make sure to check their website, as the schedule varies constantly.
You can stay for a day, a week, or forever with programs and restaurants to keep your senses titillated. But don’t feel out of breath just yet, the beach, food, and abundance of pillows and hammocks is perfectly conducive to hanging with a tea. Chill out and self reflect or say hello to a stranger. Chances are they will have an intriguing story. Lesser intriguing guests, however, include the multitude of pestering flies. Only other minor complaint is the beach. Although the water is clean and vibrant, the sand is not the silkiest. But after traveling much of Thailand, The Sanctuary’s facilities are among the best – as long as the Four Seasons, Hawaii isn’t your reference point.
Dwellings ranges from dorms to two storie houses which means prices range dramatically as well. You can’t book in advance but take the risk. There is a lot to gain and a little to lose as there are other resorts minutes away. The Sanctuary welcomes all, even if you haven’t scored a room.
This is a place where the ‘locals’ are not only the Thais but the lovers who continually return. I’ll be back and I’m sure I’ll see some familiar faces when I do.
