Orion Healing

I did an 11 day detox here. I was underwhelmed by the whole place and experience. My accommodation in a C class room was dire. I really don’t mind basic, and I’m not expecting 4 star or even 2 star hotel-quality standards, but my room was dark, gloomy and grubby. It also turned out that there have (allegedly) been thefts in that C block. The other ‘problems’ with the place (from a ‘detox experience’ point of view) are evident within 48hr of arriving:

Aside from the restaurant, which is often full of people chatting loudly and kids screaming (fine, it’s a restaurant) and a few beachside cabanas (which are often taken for long periods by ‘digital nomads’ working), there is nowhere to relax and read a book or whatever. No beach loungers, no comfortable seating, nothing. So you can’t even really escape from your room. Some people paid 150BHT (about $5) to spend the afternoon by a nice pool at a hotel up the road but – isn’t the point to coming to a relaxation place that you can … relax there?

Likewise the main sala used for detox yoga is right by the restaurant. So during your class, your attempts to chill out are constantly interrupted by kids screaming and staff calling out ‘order number 21’ (etc).

The front desk is pretty disorganized but, in fairness, I found they tried to help when they could. And when I decided to check out early and find alternative accommodation they did give me a refund.

In fairness too, they have some good yoga teachers and Camilla (who helps guide the detox) was lovely.

But TBA I think there’s a lot better – and better value – detox centres around (and I’ve done quite a few detoxs in Bali, other parts of Thailand, Turkey and elsewhere).

Appalling accommodation. Whilst I expected basic accommodation at the Orion I had not bargained for basic and filthy. My room was situated in a field, across a busy road which runs through the centre of the resort. It had mould over the walls, stains running down the walls and on the curtains. The bathroom was totally disgusting/insanitary and was where I was expected to perform colemas. Colema tubing and water bottles sat uncovered outside the room. Dogs were evident roaming about in the field.

I found the Orion staff that I came into contact with to be rude and surly and were totally unfazed when informed that I would not be staying due to the unacceptable accommodation. The centre sits on the edge of a little cove, with a very narrow strip of sand which is covered in debris. The "reception" area and the kitchen were full of flies and the seating areas consisted of old tables and dirty-looking, tatty cushions. I found everything to be make-shift. There was also a number of young children present.

I could not believe what I found at this "healing" centre, which does not even have enough respect for it's guests to provide a basic, clean environment. I thought I was going to have a once in a lifetime experience - it was certainly an experience...just not the one I had signed up for!

Having read the trip advisor reviews before I came i think it is really important for people to know what to bring as opposed to a standard critic.

First of all I would like to tell you that the rooms at Orion are a simple and authentic Thai experience. If you are used to 5 star luxury and rooms cleaned every day this is not for you. Those who say the documentary the retreat ( I did not see it) need to be aware that some of the rooms scenes were filmed at the hotel up the road. The Loyfa resort. In generally the place has a hippy vibe and is visited by many young travelers, gap year students as well as older clients. There is a real mix of people.

All the staff are super nice always smiling in spite of having to deal with demanding customers but be prepared for things to be slightly chaotic go with the flow this is part of the charm of the place. Treatment timings don't go according to plan the office reception and processes are disorganised but it all seems to muddle along nicely.

The yoga teachers and classes are truly excellent. Ben, Prem , Lisa and Myriam were all amazing. There are 3 different yoga studios so there is always something happening and something that is suitable for most levels.

The food is really lovely but it is strictly vegan so if you are after burger and chips this is again not the place for you. There is also no alcohol as the place is a healing centre and many people are detoxing.

The main dinning area is on the beach the view is lovely however this beach is not great for swimming but there are lovely beaches just a short walk away. You can also swim in the pool of the Loyfa resort that is 5 mins walk away. Here for a very small fee you get a towel and a bottle of water and you can stay all day. The two pools are just next to another nice beach.

You can buy things in the village which is 5 minutes walk away. There is a well stocked 7 / 11 , chemist, health food shops and plenty of cash points. It is easy to flag down a taxi to go into the main town you will need to negotiate the price but is generally around 150 Baht.

You can get laundry done by taking it to reception and you pay by the kilo it is very inexpensive.

There are certain things that you really need to bring with you,

Ear plugs - I was staying in the B huts and the chickens and roosters make one hell of a racket from about 4 am onwards

A Beach towel / Sarong

Mosquito repellant, plug ins etc these guys come out at 5pm and are pretty brutal. I bought the strongest repellant on amazon but they were completely immune to it. Bring something for the bites too as you will get them.

Toiletries - there is some stuff in the room but I had no ideas what they were as all the labels had worn off

A blanket it can get cold at night

Adapters although the sockets do take european plugs and thai plugs but you will need something if you are coming from the UK.

A pad lock - there is no safe in the room so you may want to lock valuables in your suit case.

A water bottle - Big bottles of drinking water are provided but it is good to have something to carry it around in.

If you are doing the detox you need to bring pro biotic - you can buy them in town however they are very expensive.

I did the detox it is not for the faint hearted. You do two days of pre cleans and 7 days of fasting and 2 days of post cleans. During the fast you eat nothing but you are given a Bentonite clay solution and Psyllium husk to prevent the hunger. You are also given nutritional supplements and intestinal cleansers. You receive a daily coconut water, broth and tea. The program requires you to take something every hour and a half so you need to be disciplined. The detox staff are on hand to support you and there is a daily detox meeting where you can share your experiences with others who are going through the same process. Each day during the fast you have to do self administered Colemas. This is not like a nice Colonic irrigation that you would get at a specialist to be honest I did not find this a pleasant experience but I will spare you the grim details. There are massages and other treatments such as Reiki included in the program. Thai massage it not always gentle and relaxing but you feel good afterwards, You can supplement the program with the many different healings that are on offer. There are things to calm the mind and cure the body so there is something for everyone. Be prepared to try something new as you never know what might happen. There is a detox lounge that you can hang out in if you cant face sitting in the dinning area. Much thanks to the detox staff Willie, Camilla and Nadine who were a big help.

Please don’t let any of the above put you off going to Orien. I went on my own. I had an amazing time met some really fantastic people, had new and unique experiences and feel like a new woman. I would definitely come back if i had the chance.

Let me know if you have questions.

I went to Kats sunset flow class, it was amazing, Orion is a great place, beautiful views, amazing food and drinks. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone and be back!!!

I have just returned from Orion. Like many others this 28 day detox program was a once in a lifetime treat which I had very much been looking more forward to. I arrived 20th Jan 2017 by which time the worst of the rain seemed to be over.

What to believe from previous reviews

It is true the beach is not great at Orion as rubbish does seem to wash in to this little cove and much more could be made of it if there were staff to maintain it. Lovely beach a 5-10 minute walk away

There are approx 4 "pagodas" facing the beach which each seat 6 people. However it is quite rare to be able to use one if you are staying on site as they are very popular with people who come to use the cafe. The cushions are worn and dirty and need replacing.

The cafe. Food ok by my standards but not great although many people loved it. Again cushions are soiled and dirty. This area has many mosquitos and many people were bitten. It seems odd that no coils are burnt or nothing is done to try and control the mosquitos. A lot of people were horrendously bitten and one ended up in hospital for several days.

The rooms. Only the best rooms seem to be satisfactory and then only 2 or 3 star

No comment on dormitory as I don't know anyone who stayed there.

Hutts had lots of insect related complaints and one man from Australia had rats who ate his detox tablets and equipment. He didn't seem too worried but I would have been terrified. He was moved to another room.

The rooms in the block where I stayed. During my stay the rooms were fitted with mosquito nets and room safes. My room was burgled twice and it turned out the people before me had also suffered the same fate. Although management thought someone had a key to the room they had not changed the lock. They were fully booked and did not have an alternate room for me for another 8 days so I had no alternative but to move to a nearby hotel as I didn't want to keep packing and moving throughout my stay.

At Orion my shower had only lukewarm water and I was told the shower unit was old. I could only get warm water if I set the shower to trickle. The bathroom was old and dated and dirty pipes covered in grime and dust ran around the room. Mosquito nets on the window was clogged and soiled with insects. Not hygienic looking easpecially when you are doing colonic therapy.

Rooms are cleaned on request. Only one towel is given and they definitely need replacing as many are stained or have holes. I was able to obtain a blanket but it is tiresome to have to keep asking for basic things.

The beds are spotlessly clean

There were no wardrobes or drawers in my room just a shelf to put clothes on. The room next door had both so not sure where mine had disappeared to. I asked but didn't receive a response

On arrival in the room I noted the curtains were partly "unhooked from the curtain rings/pole. I wasn't able to close the curtains as the rings were too small to slide along the pole. I stood on a plastic stool and rebooked the curtains and closed them by hand. Once closed they remained that way for the 12 days I was there as it was too much trouble to keep climbing up to sort out. No daylight in your room is not ideal and also meant a burglar in the room could not be seen from outside. I asked for coat hangers and hung my clothes on the curtain rail on top of the closed curtains

The curtains were stained and one tie back was missing. Such an easy thing to fix but again I fear not done due to lack of staff. The walls were also stained and the room needed painting

The staff at Orion are all lovely. The treatments and yoga are exemplary. My massages were great and I had no complaints other than that room also looked like it needed a good clean too.

The detox area was new and very nice

Overall you could go and your room may be ok you may not get bitten too badly but it is far too hit and miss and too much time is taken up asking for basic things and sorting things out

The manager took me to the police station and helped me find another room but told me later. "Do you know how much time I have spent helping you". As I was put at risk and wasted a day dealing with the burglary and moving it wasn't what I really wanted to hear. She sent off the police report for translating but it was then lost. She got me a copy from the police but as originals are required for clamping so not any use to me. I then requested half my money back as I had only stayed 12 out of 28 nights at Orion. In agrees to pay for the new hotel room and all treatments I had received since leaving Orion. She agreed to this but not without an argument which is something you really try to avoid due to reason you are there to seek peace and quiet and relaxation

I can recommend the detox and treatments but stay off site until issues are resolved. Otherwise just hope you get lucky