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PHUKET FITNESS
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February15
Accommodation
Our host Filip, manager and owner of both Cocoville, located centrally
on Soi Tad-ied, and the brand new Coco Retreat around the corner,
has lived in the area for many years and has witnessed first-hand its
fast growth as a fitness destination. Cocoville has been a popular
choice among health and fitness tourists, given its central location
on “the street”.
The new Coco Retreat, where we stayed, will appeal to those who
are not only interested in everything the fitness gyms and camps have
to offer, but are also looking to participate in less high-energy pursuits
such as Pilates, yoga, meditation and tai chi. It’s a five-minute drive
from Soi Tad-ied, though a soon-to-be-built pathway will cut through
Coco Retreat to Cocoville, giving direct access onto the street.
Rooms are comfortable and modern. The restaurant, which serves
a healthy, calorie-conscious menu as well as normal à la carte fare,
is open-plan with views of both pools. Visiting in October, one of the
wettest months in Phuket, we didn’t get to try out said pools as it did
indeed rain for almost the entire duration of our stay. Happily, we
were there to exercise, not sunbathe!
Anyone who stays at either of Filip’s properties can book a package
that includes access to all activities within the local gyms, or ask for
a personal schedule to be put together, tailored to their particular
needs. Filip emphasises flexibility, and almost any schedule can be
accommodated due to the high number of gyms on the doorstep.
Cost:
A one-week stay in a Coco Retreat villa starts at $1,450.
This includes airport transfers, two Thai massages, and all-inclusive
access to the gyms on the street, as well as a Big Buddha hike and
Getting there
We flew to Phuket with Jetstar for just under
$360 per person return.
meditation. Special meal and fitness programmes
can also be formulated according to your fitness level
and goals.
The hotel has a range of accommodation from
standard rooms to villas, as well as a fitness spa and
a yoga room. It’s located close to the Wat Chalong
temple, and has views of Phuket’s Big Buddha.
The pool at the new Coco Retreat
A standard room at Coco Retreat