Amity Wellness, Phuket: Raw Food, Yoga and Tibetan Bowls at a Boutique Retreat

From UTM's archive: Gaye Gerard's account of her stay at Amity Wellness. The staff she names and the daily programme she describes may have changed since.

If putting your health first is a goal, and you want to do it as a couple in a chilled, boutique retreat setting on a tropical island in Thailand, Amity Wellness can make an ideal spa escape. It has carved out a distinct personality in an overcrowded health retreat market, offering a spa break with an unwavering focus on wellness, which combines authenticity, simplicity and genuine staff.

This beautiful boutique wellness resort was founded by Michelle Cooper from the UK, who had the vision and foresight to move away from regular tourism and cater for people looking for a health-focused break and a wellness escape in a spa resort. Amity Wellness, about a 50-minute drive from Phuket airport, is a great choice for couples or friends' getaways, or anyone looking for a more personal retreat experience. Alongside a yoga studio and an on-site sauna, one of its highlights is a series of wellness lectures to inspire and educate guests, covering topics including spinal alignment, nutrition, mindfulness and meditation.

Arrival, and a morning by the pool

For me, city stresses begin to evaporate after a few hours at Amity Wellness. Arriving late in the afternoon, I check in and enjoy a delicious raw meal with decadent dips and delightful crackers made from cashews, zucchini and flaxseeds, masterfully blended with a range of herbs to create a mouth-watering entrée to accompany my colourful salad with sweet beetroot sauce.

The days here start with a friendly morning gathering by the pool, where the guests come together with the Wellness Director to enjoy a freshly made ginger tea, have the daily tonic, and share in a conversation about our collective experiences. It's also an opportunity to sign up for the day's scheduled activities and health lectures. The cooking class proved to be the most popular activity on the schedule, and everyone signed up. I also joined the list for the evening meditation with Tibetan bowls, and for Kirsten's yoga class the following day.

With the harsh sun beaming down, I decide to hit the pool for a swim to cool down, layering on the suntan lotion and a hat to shade my face. The feeling of tranquillity washes over me and I slowly start to mellow. This is what health retreats are all about: tropical pools with glistening turquoise water, pretty umbrellas offering respite in the heat, scenic views of palm trees, and sweet coconuts to sip and rehydrate.

Tibetan bowls at sunset

Later, as the sun slowly sets, I head to the yoga room for the evening meditation. Grabbing a cushion, I find a place on the floor and am greeted by the teacher as she lights candles to enhance the mood, welcoming us to get comfortable. She starts the meditation with a guided visualisation to gently lead us into stillness, and I can feel myself sink into a deeper state of calm. Then she begins to play the ancient bowls, each one varying in size, creating powerful notes with a range of harmonious frequencies and soul-soothing sounds: the most beautiful way I can think of to end the day at this idyllic spa retreat.

Yoga with Kirsten

Heading to yoga the next morning, with my skin glowing from the sun I caught the day before, I see Kirsten waiting for me with a smile, dressed in her usual brightly coloured yoga wear. Her vibrant presence and warmth light up the room, and she begins the practice with a series of pranayama breathing techniques, followed by a few easy yoga poses and stretches to get our bodies moving. Folding forward into downward-facing dog, and then a sequence of flow poses, I start to feel energised and more alert. The resort offers group classes and individual sessions in a range of styles to suit all levels.

After class, and the morning ritual of sipping herbal tonics and enjoying enriching conversation, we all head off to experience holistic therapies and blissful spa treatments. This is a typical day at Amity Wellness, and for me it makes it a perfect place to unplug, reflect and enjoy some quiet time.

Cooking class with Chef Bee

The delights of this desirable destination continue as Head Chef Bee welcomes us to the cooking class in the kitchen, sharing with us why she believes in eating fresh, unprocessed raw foods. We start with a rainbow kale and collard wrap, freshly rolled with yellow capsicum, carrots and purple cabbage, complemented by a well-balanced spicy ginger and sesame sauce. Chef Bee has a magical way of balancing classical techniques, infusing extraordinary flavours which shine a light on her creativity and love of food.

Dish after dish she continues to impress, and her incredible passionfruit cheesecake was, to me, the hero. The base was an irresistible raw macadamia, cinnamon and cranberry crumb, topped with the creamiest sweet yet slightly tangy passionfruit, coconut and macadamia cream, and finished with fresh mint leaves. The flavour and texture are superb. For me, one thing is for sure: Chef Bee and her team create food that is lovingly made and served celebrating local ingredients, which you won't want to miss.

More from UTM: Thanyapura, Phuket: Hip Hop, Raw Food and an Ayurvedic Eye Bath at a Sports and Health Resort, Beach Republic, Koh Samui: Steam, Massage and Sunrise Yoga on Lamai Beach and Gwinganna Health Retreat: Gold Coast Hinterland, Australia.

Beyond the retreat, Phuket has old-town shophouse streets, hilltop viewpoints and island-studded Phang Nga Bay waiting to be explored, and Pack Ya Bags can shape tours and on-the-ground itineraries around them for travellers from Australia and New Zealand. Start the conversation at info@packyabags.com

Editor's note. This article brings together UTM's original Amity Wellness Resort, Phuket feature, first published in two parts, into a single piece. Consolidated and fact-checked on 22 September 2026.