Chiva-Som

In a recent interview with the London Evening Standard, Julia Restoin-Roitfeld mentioned that her mother, Carine, was taking a well-deserved break at Chiva-Som or "Haven of Life," an exquisite seven-acre resort located in the Gulf of Thailand. While one may imagine that La Roitfeld chose the crème de la crème of spas simply to relax, there is more to Chiva-Som than luxury: the resort promises that guests will leave with a completely new perspective on personal health and well-being that results in a lifestyle transformation. While visiting, the spa invites guests to partake in physiotherapy, holistic health facilities, fitness classes, and over 150 treatments. With a stunning average ratio of 350 employees to 116 guests, every possible need is sure to be met by the capable and pleasant staff.

Let’s not dismiss the luxury aspect of the experience. While vacationing at Chiva-Som, guests can select from a range of 58 elegant private rooms or suites decorated in gorgeous woods and sumptuous fabrics. Perhaps the lovely scented La Roitfeld keeps the "Fragrance Suite" at her disposal, complete with butler and ocean view. Chiva-Som is the perfect place for Carine’s restorative holiday, she can seek advice on her health status, take a massage, eat well, and relax by practicing Tai Chi or Pilates at the ocean's edge. Considering the chilly temperatures in Paris it seems likely that she might even pack a few books from her library to read poolside. What better way to escape from the stress of life in a modern metropolis than by lounging with a beverage and a favorite book in the tropical air? If only we could accompany Carine on her life-changing adventure...

Instead, enjoy some of the goodness of Chiva-Som in the comfort of your own home. Visit epicurious.com for healthy Thai recipes courtesy of Chiva-Som's esteemed executive chef, Paisarn Cheewinsiriwat, who explains his culture and his cuisine thusly: "Thai lifestyle is laid-back, and so is the cooking style. Open your mind and explore some ingredients such as lemongrass, galangal, and sweet basil." His Thai-Spiced Watermelon Soup with Crabmeat looks amazing, a complex mix of unusual flavors... Who knows, you may be enjoying the same delicious meals as Carine soon. Bon appétit !

Chiva-Som images © 2010 Chiva-Som International Health Resort. All Rights Reserved.

Update on mercredi 14 décembre 2011 by kellina

If you would like to try creating more of the culinary delights from Chiva-Som, may I suggest the recently published book Thai Spa Cuisine by Chiva-Som which features more than 50 recipes from Chef Paisarn Cheewinsiriwat and his team at the world's top spa retreat.

St. Tropez

When asked to describe her favorite holiday, Carine Roitfeld chose "St. Tropez, 1973. I arrived outside a café not knowing a soul; in five minutes I'd made lots of friends." This photo was actually taken in St. Tropez four years earlier in 1969 when Carine was fifteen years old. She is totally boho chic, wearing a purple tshirt as a dress with a wide brown belt slung around her hips, a purple silk scarf on her head, a silver pendant from Morocco for good luck, and bare feet. Carine reminisces, "I'd just come back from London, bought the tshirt, and seen Hair. It was that very purple time. I remember David Bowie's 'Space Oddity' that summer. And that was sort of my Jane Birkin look." It's easy to see why Carine had no trouble making friends in a strange new world.
Carine Roitfeld in St. Tropez photograph © 2007 by Carine Roitfeld. All Rights Reserved.

Carlyle Hotel

Carine Roitfeld's favorite place to stay in New York City is the Carlyle Hotel. This Upper East Side landmark recently added a luxurious new spa that is the epitome in relaxation, decorated in sleek grays and blacks and accented with chrome and glass. Since its opening in 1930, the Carlyle has hosted a seemingly endless parade of stars, celebrities, and world leaders. This Art Deco pièce de résistance on Madison Avenue is also home to the Bemelmans Bar which features wall murals painted by Ludwig Bemelmans, the creator of the Madeleine series of books for children. If you seek a private, refined, elegant sanctuary while visiting New York, the Carlyle is your destination.

Carlyle Hotel photographs courtesy of Carlyle Hotel. All Rights Reserved.