Finding Solace at the Spa

Last week, I had the opportunity to visit Phulay Bay, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Krabi, Thailand. If you've see the Hangover 2, you might recognize the location, as many of the scenes were filmed there. It's a stunning property with a gorgeous new ESPA. The spa was a definite highlight of my stay especially after the resort had to be evacuated for a potential tsunami. I was relaxing in my villa when a Ritz employee came by to tell me that an earthquake had hit Sumatra and that we needed to evacuate immediately. Gathering up my passport, iPad, and other essentials, I made my way to where other resort guests had gathered on a nearby hill. By this point, staff members had already mobilized and were passing out water and cushions to sit on. It wasn't long before we were all instructed to head up the hill, as it wasn't safe where we were. Not exactly prepared for a mountain hike, many guests wore bathing suits and flip flops, having been relaxing at the pool when they got the news to evacuate. Fortunately, the Ritz staff didn't miss a beat. You know you're evacuating in style when your butler is on hand to spritz you with insect repellent. Unfortunately, it wasn't long before the dark clouds rolled in and a torrential rain soaked everyone through and through. It was the lightning, not a wave, that made us truly fear Mother Nature. Yet, the staff continued to do whatever it could to make people comfortable, including passing out umbrellas and unfurling a tarp for guests to huddle under. When it was finally safe to head back to the resort, employees formed a line to help everyone down the muddy hill in the dark of night. I, of course, beelined it to the spa the first chance I got. A tranquil oasis, it was the perfect antidote to a stressful situation.