<strong>The Sanctuary: </strong>Located on Koh Phangan in the Gulf of Thailand, The Sanctuary is a popular wellness resort offering spa, yoga and detox services.
The Sanctuary: Located on Koh Phangan in the Gulf of Thailand, The Sanctuary is a popular wellness resort offering spa, yoga and detox services.
courtesy The Sanctuary
<strong>Secret beach: </strong>Founded in the early 1990s, it's located on what was at the time a secret beach that could only be reached via hired boat or on foot over steep hills and rocky headlands.
Secret beach: Founded in the early 1990s, it's located on what was at the time a secret beach that could only be reached via hired boat or on foot over steep hills and rocky headlands.
courtesy The Sanctuary
<strong>Humble beginnings: </strong>The Sanctuary originally consisted of a longhouse dorm, a couple of wood-and-thatch bungalows and an open-air cafe.
Humble beginnings: The Sanctuary originally consisted of a longhouse dorm, a couple of wood-and-thatch bungalows and an open-air cafe.
courtesy The Sanctuary
<strong>Pioneering guests and volunteers:</strong> In the early days, it welcomed guests and volunteers eager to get away from the ongoing commercialization in nearby Hat Rin, where the monthly Full Moon Party takes place.
Pioneering guests and volunteers: In the early days, it welcomed guests and volunteers eager to get away from the ongoing commercialization in nearby Hat Rin, where the monthly Full Moon Party takes place.
courtesy The Sanctuary
<strong>Early guests: </strong>For the first seven or eight years, The Sanctuary and its long-term residents were wary of publicity and media attention.
Early guests: For the first seven or eight years, The Sanctuary and its long-term residents were wary of publicity and media attention.
courtesy The Sanctuary
<strong>Coincidence?: </strong>In 1996 novelist Alex Garland published "The Beach," a tale tracing the fate of a small, loose-knit group of world travelers who establish their own utopian community on a remote Thai beach. A film based on the book, starring Leonardo Dicaprio, followed several years later. Parallels with The Sanctuary led to rumors that Garland was inspired by a visit to the reclusive resort.
Coincidence?: In 1996 novelist Alex Garland published "The Beach," a tale tracing the fate of a small, loose-knit group of world travelers who establish their own utopian community on a remote Thai beach. A film based on the book, starring Leonardo Dicaprio, followed several years later. Parallels with The Sanctuary led to rumors that Garland was inspired by a visit to the reclusive resort.
20th Century Fox
<strong>The Sanctuary today: </strong>"We were living in the hippie belief that everyone could live together, and we didn't need to let the outside world in and let money spoil everything," says co-founder Gill Beddows. "Gradually reality came in, knowing this wasn't sustainable without income." <br />
The Sanctuary today: "We were living in the hippie belief that everyone could live together, and we didn't need to let the outside world in and let money spoil everything," says co-founder Gill Beddows. "Gradually reality came in, knowing this wasn't sustainable without income."
courtesy The Sanctuary
<strong>A casual and intimate retreat:</strong> By 2013, The Sanctuary was usually fully booked and staff were turning away hundreds of requests for stays over the Christmas and New Year holidays. Though the retreat is no longer a secret, it continues to maintain the intimacy and casualness valued by loyal guests.
A casual and intimate retreat: By 2013, The Sanctuary was usually fully booked and staff were turning away hundreds of requests for stays over the Christmas and New Year holidays. Though the retreat is no longer a secret, it continues to maintain the intimacy and casualness valued by loyal guests.
courtesy The Sanctuary
<strong>Room options: </strong>A variety of room options are available, from private suites to shared dorms. Weemarn Baan, pictured, is a superior bungalow with ocean views.
Room options: A variety of room options are available, from private suites to shared dorms. Weemarn Baan, pictured, is a superior bungalow with ocean views.
The Sanctuary
<strong>Wellness center: </strong>The Sanctuary's wellness programs include yoga, self-exploration and detox.
Wellness center: The Sanctuary's wellness programs include yoga, self-exploration and detox.
courtesy The Sanctuary
<strong>Covid-19's impact: </strong>When the spread of coronavirus began accelerating worldwide in March 2020, The Sanctuary was in the middle of another successful high season. Several guests stayed on, allowing it to maintain its record of never closing for even a day since its original opening.
Covid-19's impact: When the spread of coronavirus began accelerating worldwide in March 2020, The Sanctuary was in the middle of another successful high season. Several guests stayed on, allowing it to maintain its record of never closing for even a day since its original opening.
courtesy The Sanctuary
<strong>The restaurant: </strong>The Sanctuary's single restaurant serves a variety of fresh and healthy meals, including traditional Thai cuisine, international vegetarian dishes and, as pictured, desserts.
The restaurant: The Sanctuary's single restaurant serves a variety of fresh and healthy meals, including traditional Thai cuisine, international vegetarian dishes and, as pictured, desserts.
courtesy The Sanctuary
<strong>Massage Center: </strong>The Sanctuary Massage Center is located in a tree house close to the beach and offers a wide selection of beauty treatments.
Massage Center: The Sanctuary Massage Center is located in a tree house close to the beach and offers a wide selection of beauty treatments.
courtesy The Sanctuary