Few medical spas in the world can claim to be as complete as RAKxa Integrative Wellness, undeniably one of the world’s new temples to luxury wellness. Pascal Languillon, CEO of Luxe Wellness Club, had the chance to enjoy an extraordinary stay that allowed him to see why RAKxa is now positioned as one of the best medi-spas in the world. Here is his detailed account.
A haven of well-being near the hustle and bustle of Bangkok
A wellness retreat in Bangkok? If you’re familiar with Thailand’s capital, this may come as a surprise, as the city of twenty million inhabitants is teeming with people, traffic jams and pollution… Don’t be fooled though, RAKxa is located in the city’s “green lung“, and the hustle and bustle suddenly fades as soon as you step through the estate’s gates to find yourself on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. Here, the sounds of nature and birdsong dominate… even if you can occasionally hear a motorboat passing on the river. Nothing like downtown Bangkok, though!
After a VIP welcome and a fast-track through customs at Bangkok airport, followed by a 45-minute drive in a superb late-model Mercedes, the welcome I received at RAKxa immediately set the tone for my stay. All travelers are invited to participate in the Tibetan bowl ceremony. This ritual, combined with the sounds of insects, the muggy warmth of the tropical climate and the shimmering reflections on the water… No doubt about it, we’re in Thailand, and it’s time to let go of stress and slow down deeply.
The resort takes the form of a village, with some fifty villas set in tropical gardens or on the water’s edge, and various buildings housing the medical spa (VitalLife Wellness Centre), the sports facilities (RAKxa Gaya), the spa proper (RAKxa Jai), the two restaurants… It’s big, it’s beautiful, and it’s brand-new! RAKxa opened its doors during the pandemic.
RAKxa’s proximity to Bangkok can be seen as a significant advantage. Bangkok is a fascinating capital city, and international clients following a wellness program at RAKxa can take advantage of the opportunity to visit temples and other cultural attractions, enjoy high-quality shopping, and discover a multi-faceted city.
Wonderful villas
One of the highlights of RAKxa is undeniably its villas, all of which feature en-suite bedrooms, well-appointed living rooms and spacious tropical gardens. Some also boast a magnificent private swimming pool. What struck me from the outset was the quality of the materials, the comfort of the bedding, the feeling of space… Everything is of the highest taste. It’s pure class.
The villa’s home automation system is impressive, and a Saijo Denki environmental system monitors air quality. In fact, filters are installed to purify the air in the bedroom, as part of the wellness program.
The bathrooms feature both a bathtub and a very powerful rain shower. The courtesy cosmetics are made exclusively from organic products and have a delightful scent.
I loved the extra-soft stool in the bathroom, the silky bathrobes, the thick towels…Even the Japanese toilets enjoy the utmost comfort. There’s plenty of space in the living room too, with an L-shaped sofa and an oversized TV.
What constitutes entry-level accommodation here, i.e. garden villas, would be in European mediaspas the most luxurious suite. This is where RAKxa stands out. Top-of-the-range wellness, withultra-luxury accommodation.
Please note that when you book through Luxe Wellness Club, you benefit from a villa upgrade, subject to availability, i.e. you may be upgraded to Pool Villas. The Pool Villas have exactly the same design and furnishings as the Garden Villas, but with a distinct advantage: a superb private pool and river view.
Bikes can be parked in front of each villa door, allowing you to wander around the resort, which is great fun. My bike became my best ally throughout my stay.
An extremely comprehensive spa
RAKxa is more than just a luxury hotel and spa. Thanks to its partnership with Bumrungrad Hospital through its VitalLife brand, RAKxa has established itself as a world leader in the sector, thanks to its blend of clinical science, technology and ancestral therapies. The doctors are among the world’s leading anti-aging specialists (certified by the prestigious American Board of Anti-Aging).
All therapists receive additional training to understand the medical aspect of wellness too. So this is not a place that practices pseudo-science or approximate therapies, but a very serious medicalized spa. What impressed me most during my stay was the quality of the therapists.
Every stay begins with a health and wellness consultation with a personal advisor. This allows us to take stock of your objectives and suggest the most appropriate therapies.
The traditional therapies I experienced during my stay were delivered by expert therapists who clearly know their specialties inside out. All the treatments I tried were excellent. I even enjoyed the music selection played during certain massages, especially the album SLEEP by Max Richter, which is one of my favorite albums.
The list of treatments is impressive. Chances are, if you’ve ever enjoyed a treatment in a faraway land, you’ll be able to find it again at RAKxa!
Comprehensive wellness programs
At RAKxa, it is possible to follow programs on various well-being themes, from weight management to detoxification, aesthetic treatments, or even recovery after trauma or illness.
At the start of my stay, I underwent a fitness assessment with the excellent coaches at RAKxa Gaya. After an hour of effort and all kinds of tests to check my balance, cardio resistance, muscle power, flexibility and core stability, I obtained a score that compared my current physical condition with the average. The results were pretty good, but they showed me that there was still room for improvement, and the coach was able to prescribe a list of exercises for me to do when I got home. Appreciable!
The impressive VitalLife Scientific Wellness Centre is equipped with the latest high-tech equipment, including a hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber, an infrared sauna, whole-body light therapy, colon hydrotherapy, cryotherapy, and a large space for vitamin infusions.
These are more or less the same biohacking equipment that, for example, Clinique Nescens in Switzerland has, but in a much more pleasant setting in my opinion.
The doctors here are very knowledgeable about gastrointestinal health and the role that toxic heavy metals can play in inflammation of the body. They are able to carry out a wide range of tests, including genetic tests to predict future risk of disease. They can also measure sleep patterns and check for food intolerances.
The center even offers cosmetic procedures with stem cells, ozone therapy and intravenous vitamins, and LED photobiomodulation, which helped me recover after the long flight (see photo below). It’s hard to imagine anything more complete.
The facilities at RAKxa are impressive. There are two large, separate and absolutely identical hydrotherapy zones, one for men and one for women. Within these wellness zones, you’ll find a hydrotherapy pool with whirlpool baths, saunas, hammam, sensory showers, and a relaxation room with very comfortable loungers and a view of the river. Once again, this is a classy place to be!
Amazing healthy cuisine
While I loved everything about RAKxa, one of my fondest memories is undoubtedly the food. I’ve been lucky enough to sample some of the best health food in the world (including Clinique La Prairie, SHA Wellness Clinic, Palazzo Fiuggi and the recently opened Zulal Wellness Resort), and I think RAKxa deserves its place in the world’s top 10 in this respect, with an Asian twist that gives it a unique edge.
I had all my meals at the UNAM restaurant, which is located along the river. It’s really well decorated, with great comfort inside and out. Another restaurant on the lake side was not open during my stay, but promises to be the establishment of choice for a soothing lakeside lunch.
The cuisine, necessarily very balanced, is also resolutely anti-inflammatory. All fresh produce is organic. A variety of delicious homemade Kombuchas are served before each meal. These essential prebiotics promote healthy digestion.
The gluten-free breads served are surprisingly colorful (green, purple, etc.), as are the rest of the dishes. The cuisine is colorful, inventive and full of sought-after flavors. Here’s an example of a dinner I was served: scallop carpaccio with strawberries and beet, mushroom soup, Thai wok-style shrimp, and even a vegan dessert with sorbet, fruit and flowers.
Breakfasts are also surprisingly exotic. Many Thai recipes are on offer, including soups, salmon poké, egg in soy sauce, as well as revisited classics (gluten-free cinnamon pancakes, vegan French toast), and the inevitable Açai Bowl.
If you’re on a weight loss program, don’t worry, all the calories are calculated for each dish.
Lastly, a large tea lounge serves wonderful blends of teas and therapeutic infusions throughout the day, along with some healthy snacks as needed.
One final important note: one of my strongest memories of RAKxa is undoubtedly the staff, very smiling, helpful, and truly attentive. Understanding the accents of some staff members is not always easy (English is obviously a second language for everyone), but these minor difficulties are quickly compensated by a level of kindness and attention that was unmatched during my stay in Thailand.
Our video of RAKxa
Our feeling
RAKxa is an enchanting medi-spa, with exceptional quality of service and care. Anything is possible here, as the range of treatments on offer is so extensive. What’s more, the dietary and anti-inflammatory cuisine is delicious. The proximity of Bangkok is an asset for cultural escapism. All in all, we consider this to be one of the world’s top 10 luxury wellness hotels.
Luxe Wellness Club
Book RAKxa Integrative Wellness
Take advantage of our expertise in medicalized wellness stays and contact us for a personalized quote for RAKxa Integrative Wellness.
Rates: From around 5,000 euros per week and per person in low season. Benefit from a free room upgrade via Luxe Wellness Club
Call us for the USA on +1 (646) 980 6652 or for the UK on +44 20 4577 3258
