Hi there. The second half of my stay in Samui was spent at the Vikasa Yoga Retreat. And while I’m not a yoga enthusiast, I was really thrilled to experience a truly zen space where I could connect with nature, the environment and most importantly myself (in parallel with the outside fun, of course.) Vikasa was all of that.

Regardless of whether you’re a yoga buff or not (though if you are, you’ll be perpetually ecstatic throughout your stay) you’re going to love Vikasa. It’s peaceful, comfortable, and instantly going to make you ditch any stress you’ve got.

Doing this in two parts. So Part 1 right here is all about the retreat and all the great yoga it offers. Part 2 (that you can read here) will all about the restaurant, rooms and pools. Let us explore.

Note: My stay was hosted by Vikasa, but like I’ve said before, I am an opinion ninja and so all thoughts here are MINE, MINE, MINE.

As soon as you step in, this is the fantastic view you get to indulge your eyes with. I seriously went whoa.

The retreat is set high up on cliffs so the reception and restaurant are at this fantastic elevation.

 

Your rooms are set up on these cliffs, descending downwards from the reception, with each level giving you spectacular views of the ocean.

The entire retreat everyday is completely submerged in this fabulous green all around. Beyond beautiful.

 

You see what I mean.

Vikasa has a very rustic feel and an amazingly zen vibe. The retreat is in Chaweng which is one of the busier places on the island but once inside the retreat, I totally felt like I’d been transported elsewhere.

 

I am not a yoga person, but the retreat offers so many opportunities to hang out and connect with nature and yourself. I had an excellent time because the retreat is very open to all kinds of experiences and the natural, relaxed vibe helps you feel comfortable instantly.

 

Can you tell I was mildly obsessed with the stairs?

 

When I say, this place is gorgeous at every corner, I mean it.

 

My room was on Level 3 so I had to take about 70 steps everyday to get to the ground level. Anyone who knows me, knows how lazy I am. And YET I would look forward to this everyday because it was, a) fabulous to walk through this stunning situation around me and, b) I had to climb up in the morning which was fine since I was all pumped and ready to go, and at night only had to walk down which was no big deal. It was great.

 

AND if you still don’t want to take the steps, the retreat would send down a pick-up to get you (if you were staying in cliff view rooms because they had a road to drive through) Trust me when I say, I only called it once. Yes.

 

If you’re looking for a calm place to relax, unwind and perhaps reflect and work on yourself, this is where your money needs to go.

 

The place is sprinkled with quirky notes all around. Case in point.

 

Am a huge fan of coconuts, by the way.

 

But this was one of the most extraordinary tree/plants I’ve ever seen.

 

Now I’m going to step inside the Yoga Pavilion where most of the magic at the retreat happens. This is the entrance.

 

The Yoga Pavilion was beautiful, to say the least. Open-air and built RIGHT ON THE EDGE of the ocean. If you’re not a yoga fan, you’ll be one by the time you’re here.

 

The retreat packs a number of yoga classes everyday into your stay so once you book, you have access to the entire menu of yoga sessions they have on for everyday. They’re all walk-in and they give you the yoga mats you need, so you just have to show up.

 

The classes range from simple meditation (which I took) to ones for beginners and then for more advanced as well. Basically, you can jump in at any point, no matter where you are in your yoga journey.

 

The fact that it’s right on the edge of the ocean adds massively to its sex appeal.

 

This is what I’m talking about.

 

Just picture a session bang in the middle of the sound of the trees and ocean waves. It’s just brilliant.

 

Calm, relaxing, and opening your mind.

 

Trust me, you want to be a part of this class.

 

A yoga class in action. *Image owned by Vikasa because busting my ass into a yoga class and taking pictures of people trying to disconnect would be quite the fail.

 

Again, image owned by Vikasa.

 

I would have totally camped out at the Yoga Pavilion by the way but my husband thought it would be a little inappropriate so that didn’t happen.

 

And of course, they had a spa with a bunch of treatments, again beautifully set against the ocean. You could also request treatments in your room. (Image owned by Vikasa)

That’s about it for now. Next up Part 2 with a tour of the rooms, restaurant, pools and cliffs.

Some details/facts about the retreat:
What? Vikasa Yoga Retreat
Where? Koh Samui, Thailand
Website: Vikasa Yoga
Rooms: They have a range of different rooms. I stayed in the Cliff View room at level 3. These rooms were ocean facing and arranged incrementally over a cliff.
Who is it good for? Primarily for people who love yoga, they’ve got the whole stay structured around that with periodic yoga classes spread over the day. BUT the retreat has options for beginners as well as those who had never done it before but were interested in exploring the art (like myself). However, even if you have no interest in yoga and would be interested in connecting with the natural vibe of the place, you are welcome too.
Value for Money? The price-point is great. The package includes not just the stay but yoga classes, accessories and brunch and dinner.
How do you get there? They offer airport pickup. You can also cab it from the airport. It’s about a 15 min drive from there.
Room Rate: Their website shows about THB 4800 in June 2014 for an ocean cliff room. These rates would differ for different times of the year.
Tips: There are a NUMBER of steps from the rooms up to the ground level so if you don’t want to climb too much, ask for a higher level OR request the hotel for a pickup; they send down a ride to your room for a quick pick so you don’t have to do the climb. Although, I totally enjoyed taking the steps everyday and I’m one lazy ass.

Until next time.