The Pavana Chiang Mai Resort is one of the region's premiere destination spas. Photo: Courtesy of The Pavana Chiang Mai Resort

Since opening in 2007, the Pavana Chiang Mai Resort has been gaining a growing reputation as one of the region's premiere destination spas for those seeking mental and physical rejuvenation. The resort has deep cultural roots, with a name drawn from ancient Thai, and a logo featuring linden leaves that represents the Thai values of health, peace and blessings.

Nestled in the lush Mae An Valley, just a 30-minute drive north of the city, Pavana boasts exquisite grounds that sprawl over 100,000 square meters of verdant countryside. The grounds contain fruit trees and a bamboo forest that is more than 100 years old and gives off 10 times the oxygen as the same area of land in an urban setting.

Guests who stay in one of Pavana's 40 boutique villa rooms are rewarded with a stunning view that includes mountains towering over paddy fields and a look at the natural beauty of northern Thailand. Nearby is Pavana's organic farm, which covers 140,000 square meters, and provides local seasonal foods for the resort's Radiance Restaurant, which specializes in vegetarian, vegan and raw foods. Guests also have the chance to experience local farming culture by planting and picking produce on the farm.

The resort's greatest strength is its world-class health facilities, which include its Bamboo Spa, a detox center, a fitness center and relaxation training center. In addition to pampering themselves with relaxing spa treatments, guests can cleanse their bodies with one of Pavana's multi-day detox fasts, which are tailored to each person by nutrition experts. The resort also offers morning yoga and meditation classes for those looking to relax.

Known by yoga enthusiasts as a "yoga hotel," Pavana attracts students of the discipline from all over the world with courses designed by yoga masters. Pavana features an outdoor meditation tent and outdoor yoga tent in addition to its indoor yoga club, offering guests the chance to practice in view of their serene natural surroundings.

In addition to attracting independent travelers, Pavana has also drawn a number of corporate teams for group retreats, who are treated to high-quality service by the resort's highly trained staff of more than 100. Their staff includes hospitality experts with experience working at boutique hotels, medical officers and nutritionists.

"Pavana was one of the first resorts in the world to offer this level of professional health and recuperation packages to guests," said Kanit Martjinda, Pavana's general manager. "We provide international-level service and focus on providing Thai hospitality and professional health services for guests. Pavana insists on healthy, organic living to improve our guests' lives and give them a colorful trip."