WITH 12 years' experience as a health spa professional, Helene Almgren, spa director of the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, has an all-encompassing appreciation and dedication to the spa concept of health and well-being. This perfectly complements her vision for The Spa at Four Seasons that she has nurtured since the past year: raising the standard and quality of spa treatment, cuisine and guest service on the island.

Ms. Almgren's hope is that Samui will become a hub in Southeast Asia for wellness retreats, seminars and workshops.  She envisions the island taking its rightful place in attracting health and spa professionals, believers and appreciators.

Almgren started as a beauty and massage therapist for Steiner TransOcean Leisure on various cruise liners before joining The Beautiful Skin Center in Hong Kong as a senior therapist where she was promoted to manager shortly afterwards.

During her time in Asia she perfected her skills in the world of holistic well-being and completed several workshops and courses in yoga, chakra journey and reiki (Tibetan healing).

Before joining Four Seasons, Almgren was the spa manager at Sila Evason Hideway Resort, also on Samui.

'The spa industry today is rapidly growing," says Almgren. 'I am confident that with the arrival of Four Seasons we will be able to raise the standard and quality of spa treatments, cuisine and guest service here. I believe that a healthy environment, excellent cuisine with organic healthy foods and the wellness culture of spa, yoga and fitness all go hand in hand. It is a lifestyle."

The Spa concept and direction comes from Almgren who is in her element in creating the delicate balance of refreshment for mind, body and beauty that evolves into a way of life. 

She explains: 'Centuries-old healing techniques, summoning the secrets of herbal and holistic remedies, are deeply rooted in Thailand's rich spa heritage and I developed the spa vision on yogi culture relating to chakra elements that embody the whole being." The 'rituals" are based on the elements of space, earth, water, fire and air, and The Spa uses its own products plus the German 'Just Pure" products.

The experience is amazing right from the time you enter the Yoga Pavilion. One is calmed by the gentle sights and sounds of the jungle, truly an authentic and peaceful oasis.

After a personal well-being consultation and assessment to determine the most beneficial treatments and rituals ”where one's physical and emotional balance is strongly related to the interplay of the five elements€”the flow of energy is determined to ensure a spa regimen that addresses specific needs.

This writer was amazed upon leaving the sala and emerging at the other side, suddenly surrounded by opulent greenery shaded by a forest of trees. 

The spa guide helps you descend a 20-step wooden spiral staircase and you feel like Alice in Wonderland amid all the green beauty.  Then go up 86 steps further to one of the five tree-set spa villas where you are left in a restful, beautiful and expansive changing and washroom spa villa.

Even the feet washing is a perfect ritual. Looking outdoors, there is another pair of beds with giant rainforest showers and a terrazzo bathtub that appears to perch right over the forest. All individual pavilions are nestled inside a coconut grove surrounded by lush forest ambiance with birdsong as background.

The ritual experienced by this writer was a 90-minute body treatment.

Every minute was wondrous as two highly skilled therapists applied a 'stone ritual" with incredible skill and dexterity.

Every pore, every inch of skin seemed to melt. It ended with sipping a tropical juice and a savoring of serenity in the spa's relaxation sala. It is fitting that Samui means 'safe haven"€”which best describes The Spa, where guests connect with nature and explore their physical, emotional and spiritual well-being in a peaceful sanctuary.

To visit The Spa, visit www.fourseasons.com or call 077-236-500.