– By Jasmine Rai –
While words such as “organic”, “sustainable” and “natural” are popular with many marketing wizards and thus often overused, there are businesses out there that give them their true meaning and value back. On the following pages, we present to you places in Thailand that take you back to nature in its finest form – pristine, unspoiled…and with a dash of luxury.
Keemala, Phuket – Natural at heart
A single look at the refreshing, natural design of Keemala’s villas and their surrounding spaces, and you know you’re dealing with something different. Dig deeper and you’ll discover that this natural ethos goes beyond the style and transcends the whole Keemala experience.
The resort’s design is an expansion of the surrounding landscape, making use of natural features – the trees, the streams and the waterfall. This fusion of life (chart) and virtue (tham), results in the concept of naturalism (thammachart) signifying Keemala’s commitment to preserving local culture as well as nurturing a healthy mind-set and an appreciation for nature.
But this natural theme goes beyond the design. From Keemala’s cuisine, centred on organically grown herbs, vegetables and fruits from the resort’s garden and free of GMO and flavour enhancers such as MSG, through the carefully sourced, 100% natural products at the spa to the resort’s policy against the mistreatment of animals by entertainment venues and tour operators, Keemala is green not only on the surface, but deep down, at its heart.
For more information: Visit keemala.com
Evason Culinary Academy, Hua Hin – Cuisine Au Naturel
Welcome to Asia’s first plant-based culinary academy, launched in 2015 by Evason Hua Hin in partnership with Matthew Kenney Cuisine – an American lifestyle brand founded to meet the increasing interest in the art of raw food.
From the fundamentals of raw food preparation to sophisticated techniques of cooking plant-based dishes, the curriculum is centred on the use of whole, organic, unprocessed plant-based foods to achieve healthy, beautifully presented and naturally flavourful cuisine. Students of the academy master new skills during month-long courses, as well as at weekday and weekend workshops and are provided with accommodations at the resort.
The academic facility is surrounded by 20-acres of rich, manicured tropical gardens with lotus ponds, which gives students access to the best plant-based produce in Thailand.
The faculty and staff are hand-selected and trained in the latest culinary and educational techniques, priding themselves on continually advancing their own creativity and knowledge.
For more information: Visit matthewkenneycuisine.com
and sixsenses.com/evason-resorts/hua-hin/destination
COMO Beach Club, Phuket: Longing for natural lounging
There are two kinds of people – those who enjoy beach clubs, and those who don’t. If you are one of the latter, the renowned Point Yamu by COMO resort in Phuket, has something for you – its recently opened COMO Beach Club is a perfect destination for those to whom beach equals serenity and nature. It’s also a brilliant idea from a resort located on Phuket’s east coast, which while blessed with some of the island’s most stunning views and unspoiled nature, lacks spectacular beaches. But no more compromises, from now on, staying in the east means quick access to a picture prefect stretch of sand.
COMO Beach Club can be reached in 20 minutes by boat (complimentary for the resort’s guests). Located on the Naka Island it is an ideal spot to soak up the calm surroundings and take a dip in the sea or in the club’s saltwater swimming pool. Guests can also enjoy a sizeable sundeck and loungers and those in need of a more private experience or a spa treatment, can make use of airy salas, scattered around the island’s lush green, sea-facing slopes. This, paired with a selection of light, refreshing dishes and drinks on the clubs beachside restaurant’s menu, allows the guests to experience the beauty of Andaman coast in all its unspoiled glory.
For more information: Visit comohotels.com/pointyamu
Island Organics, Samui – Growing a greener Samui
Initially launched in 2012 with the aim of supplying local markets with fresh, organic produce, in 2015 Island Organics expanded to incorporate a cookery class and make the dream of bringing a farm to the table come true. It worked; Island Organics cooking classes became a hit with visitors to the island and a source of inspiration for the local hospitality market. Training takes place at a large, outdoor kitchen overlooking a micro farm, where more then 60 different fruits, herbs and vegetables are grown. The farm has its own aquponics and aeroponics systems along with worm farms and hens for fresh eggs each day. All of this is 100% organic and has been such form day one.
The owners of the school have been approached by the likes of Six Senses Samui resort, whose executive chefs, gardeners and management were eager to learn form Island Organics’ experience. Inspired buy their example, they setup their own eco friendly project thus creating a more sustainable Samui.
For more information: Visit islandorganicssamui.com
