Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary Gains Responsible Travel Recognition
Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary on Koh Samui has been awarded Responsible Travel recognition alongside several luxury wellness honours. The announcement was made on 7 November 2026 and applies to guests and travellers considering wellness retreats in Thailand.
In this story
At a glance
- What changes
- Kamalaya receives Responsible Travel and multiple luxury wellness awards
- Timing
- Announcement made on 7 November 2026
- Who is affected
- Prospective guests planning wellness retreats in Koh Samui
The details
- Announced by
- Travel And Tour World
Award Recognition
Kamalaya was honoured in the Wellness Resort category of the Azure Road Impact Awards, adding a Responsible Travel distinction to its portfolio. The property also secured first place in Health Travel Magazine’s World’s 50 Best Wellness Resorts and third place in Condé Nast Traveller’s Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Destination Spas in the Rest of the World.
- Best Global Holistic Haven awarded by The Global Spa Awards
- Wellness Cuisine of the Year at the Destination Deluxe Awards
- Best Solo Getaway at the Organic Spa Media Wellness Travel Awards
Guest Experience and Services
The sanctuary’s programmes blend Eastern healing with Western medical research, offering personalised plans that cover detox, stress management, sleep, hormonal health and cognitive wellbeing. New offerings such as Sacred Renewal connect lunar cycles with emotional health. These services underpin the awards, highlighting the property’s focus on individual attention rather than single‑treatment spa experiences.
- Multidisciplinary team includes naturopathy, TCM, yoga, fitness and mentoring
- Expanded services now include Brain Enhancement and Women’s Health programmes
Anniversary Highlights
Kamalaya celebrates its 21st anniversary on 11 November 2026, marking more than 33,000 international guests since opening in 2005. General Manager Gopal Kumar described the awards as validation of the sanctuary’s vision and guest‑centric approach. The milestone underscores the property’s long‑standing role in Thailand’s wellness tourism sector.
Previous recognitions include Best Hotel Spa in Thailand at the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2025 and a feature in National Geographic’s Top 20 Best Wellness Experiences 2024.
What this means for travellers
Trip planning
- Existing bookings at Kamalaya remain unchanged despite the new awards
- Travelers can now consider the awards when comparing wellness resorts in Koh Samui
Cost and documents
- No additional fees are introduced as a result of the awards
- No new documentation is required for guests staying at Kamalaya
What you need to do
- Prospective guests may wish to review the award list when selecting a retreat
- Travel agents can highlight the recognitions in promotional material
Who this affects
-
Wellness retreat seekers
They are evaluating resorts based on quality and sustainability recognitions
-
Solo travellers
The property received a Best Solo Getaway award
-
Health‑focused guests
Awards cover holistic healing, nutrition and specialised programmes
Frequently asked questions
What Responsible Travel award did Kamalaya receive?
Kamalaya was recognised in the Wellness Resort category of the Azure Road Impact Awards, adding a Responsible Travel distinction to its accolades.
When were the new awards announced?
The awards were announced on 7 November 2026, coinciding with the resort’s 21st anniversary celebrations.
Do the awards affect the price of staying at Kamalaya?
No price changes are mentioned; the recognitions do not introduce additional fees for guests.
Which award highlights Kamalaya’s food offering?
Wellness Cuisine of the Year was awarded to Kamalaya at the Destination Deluxe Awards.
Is there any new documentation required for guests because of the awards?
The announcement does not require guests to provide any new paperwork or certificates.
How many international guests has Kamalaya welcomed since opening?
More than 33,000 international guests have stayed at Kamalaya since it opened in 2005.
