It’s not often you find yourself sipping a glass of wine while your five-year-old paints kites under the guidance of a smiling therapist in linen trousers. But then again, RXV Wellness Village isn’t your typical wellness retreat.
Located just over an hour from Bangkok on the lush, river-lined estate of Suan Sampran, RXV is redefining what wellness means—and who it’s for. With its roots in the acclaimed RAKxa Integrative Wellness Retreat, RXV delivers much of the same clinical precision and culinary prowess—but in a softer, more approachable way. And—crucially for those of us with small humans in tow—designed to be shared.
Bringing the Family (and Your Sanity)
We arrived as a trio: two parents in search of restoration, and one five-year-old in search of fun. While the retreat’s structured wellness programmes officially start at age six, the team welcomed our daughter with open arms and quiet innovation. Clay moulding, kite decorating, a crystal mandala workshop—each activity was tailored just for her, blending Thai culture and creativity into mindful moments we could all enjoy. While I followed a three-night wellness programme—complete with IV therapy, lymphatic massage, breathwork and blissful hydrotherapy—my husband and daughter had full access to the facilities, classes, and the rainbow-hued delights of the RXV kitchen.
And yes, that included wine. Because while RXV champions holistic healing and conscious living, it doesn’t enforce deprivation. This is wellness on your own terms—be that a sunset sound bath, a deep-tissue massage, or a crisp glass of white with your heirloom tomato tart.
RAKxa Pedigree, Relaxed Price Tag
What really sets RXV apart is its lineage. Many of the staff—smiling, intuitive, and genuinely wonderful with children—have trained or worked at RAKxa, and it shows. Treatments are delivered with expertise and warmth, food is plated like art, and every detail feels considered. But unlike its ultra-exclusive older sibling, RXV is more open-armed than hush-hush, with pricing that reflects its more democratic spirit.
It’s also deeply local. A highlight of our stay was a guided tour of the weekend organic market, where RXV sources much of its produce. We wandered stalls brimming with tropical fruit, fragrant herbs, and handmade textiles, chatting to farmers who have been practicing sustainable agriculture long before it became a trend. We also discovered locally made children’s clothes and toys—one-of-a-kind pieces crafted with care—and were struck by how warm and welcoming the vendors were, especially with our daughter. The estate itself, with its sprawling gardens and heritage trees, has IFOAM organic certification and a story to match—beginning, charmingly, with a rescued hundred-year-old tree.
To enrich the sense of wellbeing beyond the retreat, RXV curates immersive half- and full-day cultural excursions across the Sampran District in Nakhon Pathom province. Guests can discover the riverside serenity of Wat Rai Khing Royal Temple, savour local flavours at the vibrant Don Wai Floating Market, and marvel at the surreal beauty of Wat Samphran—the famed red tower entwined by a soaring dragon. Thoughtfully designed, these excursions offer a deeper connection to local life and traditions—without compromising the calm at the heart of RXV.
Rainbow on a Plate
Back at RXV, the retreat’s “Rainbow Food” concept made every meal a delight—thanks in no small part to the culinary vision of Chef Bansani Nawisamphan, affectionately known as Chef Ban. Trained in Thailand and seasoned across Southeast Asia, from Myanmar to Indonesia, Chef Ban brings a playful, soulful approach to healthy cuisine. Her dishes are as vibrant as her smile—each plate a celebration of colour, texture and seasonal abundance. Think: violet-hued potatoes, turmeric-tinted sauces, and sprigs of glossy herbs, mostly sourced from Patom Organic Farm or nearby Sampran Model growers.
What’s especially thoughtful is how RXV bridges wellness advice with the dining experience in an entirely unprescriptive way. After a session at the gym, the physiotherapist gently suggested I might benefit from a little more protein in the mornings. That feedback was seamlessly passed to the kitchen, where the team made soft, supportive suggestions—like adding a side of grilled fish or an omelette to my usual avo toast. One morning, the chef even sent out a perfectly cooked seabass fillet to make sure I was getting the nourishment I needed.
Children’s meals are treated with the same reverence: not a chicken nugget in sight. Instead, our daughter devoured Thai fried rice, homemade pesto pasta and beef cheek with mashed sweet potato, chased with vibrant butterfly pea gelato and wide-eyed delight.
Space to Reconnect
It’s this spirit of togetherness that RXV does best. The retreat is divided into three wellness zones—GAYA (body), JAI (mind) and the Wellness Clinic (science)—but the experience is intentionally fluid. You might begin your day with a morning yoga class while your child joins a supervised Thai handicrafts workshop, then reunite for a barefoot walk through the herb gardens or a soak in the hydrotherapy pool. It’s not a place of strict schedules or whispers in hallways, but one of shared joy, spaciousness and ease.
The Verdict
Wellness has long been seen as a solitary pursuit, best enjoyed in silence and seclusion. RXV Wellness Village gently disrupts that narrative. It’s a place where families can truly reconnect—over mindful meals, river walks, and yes, even a glass of wine. For us, it was a rare chance to rest, recharge, and remember that wellness isn’t just something you do alone. It’s something you build together.
Three-night packages at RXV Wellness Village Sampran are priced from 54,900 THB which includes full board accommodation, a personalised treatment plan and access to all wellness classes and hydrotherapy facilities.
RXV Wellness Village Sampran, 88, Yai Cha, Sam Phran District, Nakhon Pathom 73110, Thailand, +66 34 151 822
