Discover KAIF Phuket, the island’s largest sauna and all-day wellness club, combining fitness, recovery, and relaxation under one roof. From state-of-the-art gym facilities and martial arts training to a traditional Russian banya, onsen, ice baths, and a healthy restaurant, KAIF Phuket is the ultimate destination for health, wellness, and lifestyle on the island.
Table of Contents
Intro
Every now and then a place opens in Phuket that completely changes the game. KAIF is one of those places.
What used to be Aqua Gym — a big but slightly tired complex — has been transformed into something fresh, modern, and genuinely impressive. The new KAIF team has turned it into an all-in-one wellness, fitness, and lifestyle hub: part gym, part spa, part social club.
I went to check it out for myself, and honestly, I walked away thinking this might be one of the best all-day spots on the island. Whether you’re here to sweat, recover, or just hang out, KAIF has managed to pull it all together under one roof.
What is KAIF?
KAIF Phuket sits right in Kathu — easy to reach from pretty much anywhere in Phuket — and the first thing you’ll notice is how big the place is. There’s loads of parking, and once you step inside you realize it’s more than just a gym or spa. It’s a full-blown lifestyle complex.
Here’s what you’ll find under one roof:
- Gym – Modern space split into weights and cardio zones with premium machines.
- Martial Arts – MMA, boxing, and Muay Thai training with pro-level coaches.
- Swimming Pool – A 25-meter lap pool plus a kids pool for families.
- Spa & Beauty – Massage rooms, beauty salon, and a full spa complex.
- Banya / Sauna – The crown jewel. KAIF runs Phuket’s largest sauna, inspired by traditional Russian banyas, with group steam rituals led by “sauna masters.”
- Onsen & Ice Baths – Hot and cold pools, plus an ice bath often infused with lemongrass.
- Restaurant – A surprisingly good spot for food, with member deals and a solid menu.
It’s designed as an all-day destination. You can work out, recover, eat, and chill with friends — or bring the family and spend the whole afternoon. Few places in Phuket pull all of this together in one location, and KAIF has nailed it.
The Experience (Personal Review)
I first walked into KAIF Phuket on a day pass — 390 baht for full access to the gym and sauna. By the end of the day, I was signing up for a membership. At 2,000 baht a month, it’s one of the best-value deals I’ve found in Phuket. (Honestly, I doubt these prices will stay this low for long. Kinda feels like stealing at this price)
What I really liked was how smooth and thoughtful the setup is. With either a day pass or membership, you get a large towel, small towel, and a waterproof wristband that doubles as your digital key. The wristband unlocks a private locker — a small touch that makes a big difference if you’re heading for a massage, hitting the gym, or jumping between the sauna and pool. It feels modern, secure, and well-organized.
The atmosphere is professional but welcoming. Each zone — the gym, the spa, the martial arts area — has staff keeping things running properly. You can feel there’s structure behind it, not just chaos.
Yes, KAIF Phuket clearly appeals to Phuket’s Russian community (it’s right near big condo developments like D Condo), but the staff make sure everyone feels at home. The team at the counter are warm and attentive, and I’ve got to give a shoutout to Ken in the restaurant. This guy is service-plus with a smile, the kind of person who turns a good place into a great one.
From my first visit, KAIF felt like more than just another gym or spa. The owners are clearly building a full experience — and it shows.
Spotlight: The Sauna Experience
If KAIF has a headline act, it’s the sauna. They’re calling it the biggest sauna in Phuket — and once you step inside, you can see why. The place is currently getting a facelift (renovations underway), but even in mid-refresh the banya set-up is something special: rooms built for ritual, steam, and proper recovery.
KAIF runs banya-style sessions — think traditional Russian banya meets modern wellness club. On the hour the staff run group steams led by a “sauna master”: they charge the huge steam unit, ring the bell, and guide a ritual that builds slowly from gentle warmth to full-on heat and intense fanning. Expect sound bowls, scent infusions, and several rounds of firm fanning that raise the temperature and push the experience to the next level. It’s theatrical in the best way — immersive, communal, and oddly addictive.
What follows the heat is equally considered: KAIF pairs the sauna with a proper hot/cold onsen sequence and an ice bath (the ice bath is usually brightened with lemongrass — it smells great and feels shockingly fresh). The hot-cold contrast is a classic recovery loop, and KAIF’s setup makes it easy to cycle between heat, soak, and cold for maximum benefit.
Why this feels different to a normal Thai sauna:
- Ritual & staging: This isn’t “turn-it-on-and-go”; the sessions are deliberate, led, and communal — more of a wellness ceremony than a quick sweat.
- Scale: The rooms and facilities are large, so it never feels cramped.
- Expertise: Sauna masters run the sessions, which elevates the experience beyond casual use.
- Integration: It’s tied into onsen, ice baths, massage, and gym recovery — all under one roof, so your post-sauna routine can be holistic.
A quick etiquette note (and a plea from the community): always take a proper shower before and after using the sauna or ice bath. It’s basic hygiene and shows respect for other people sharing the facilities. If you plan to jump between steam and ice, rinse off each time — don’t be the sweaty guy who leaps straight into a shared cold plunge without a wash. The staff are friendly but serious about hygiene; follow their lead and everyone has a better time.
🧖 How to Do a KAIF Banya Session (First-Timer’s Guide)
What to Bring:
- Swimsuit or light workout gear (towels and locker wristband are provided).
- Flip-flops for moving between sauna, onsen, and pool.
- A water bottle — you’ll sweat buckets, so hydration is key.
Step-by-Step Routine:
- Shower First – Always rinse off before entering. It’s about hygiene and respect for others.
- Enter the Sauna – Grab a spot and settle in as the sauna master gets things going. Sessions build gradually, so pace yourself.
- Enjoy the Ritual – Expect steam bursts, towel fanning, sound bowls, and even scented oils. Sit back, breathe, and let the heat work its magic.
- Cool Down – Head straight to the showers, then into the cold onsen or ice bath. (Trust me, the lemongrass ice bath hits different.)
- Repeat the Cycle – Sauna → shower → cold plunge → rest. Two or three rounds is the sweet spot.
- Recover Right – Wrap it up with a massage, a dip in the pool, or a healthy meal from the restaurant.
Etiquette Tips:
- Shower before every plunge or sauna round.
- Don’t hog the ice bath.
- Respect the communal vibe — it’s about shared energy, not just individual sweat.
💡 Pro tip: Sessions run on the hour. Listen for the bell — that’s your cue to head up and grab a seat.
The Gym
KAIF’s gym is split into two clear zones, which makes it easy to find your flow.
- Weights Room: Packed with both free weights and modern resistance machines. Plenty of benches, racks, and dumbbells so you’re not standing around waiting.
- Cardio Room: A dedicated space with treadmills, bikes, and other kit. The treadmills in particular are solid — not the flimsy ones you sometimes see in smaller gyms.
What I like most is that it feels premium without being over the top. It’s clean, well-organized, and everything works the way it should. There’s enough space to train properly, but it’s still connected to the bigger KAIF experience.
The real win is convenience. You can smash out a weights session, recover in the sauna, then jump in the pool or hit the restaurant — all without leaving the building. For me, that’s been a game-changer. Instead of having “gym days” and “sauna days” at different places, KAIF gives me the full loop under one roof.
Martial Arts & Other Activities
KAIF isn’t just about lifting weights or sweating it out in the sauna. They’ve built a whole program of activities that broaden the appeal.
- Martial Arts: The fight zone is kitted out for MMA, boxing, and Muay Thai. Training is led by professional coaches who actually know their craft, not just casual trainers. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to sharpen your skills, the classes have structure and energy.
- Dance & Group Classes: From fitness dance to movement sessions, there are options beyond combat sports. A good way to mix up your training if the treadmill isn’t your thing.
- Swimming Lessons: The 25-meter pool isn’t just for laps. They run lessons for both kids and adults, making KAIF family-friendly as well as fitness-focused.
This variety is what makes KAIF Phuket stand out. You could roll in for a boxing session, cool down in the pool, grab some food, then slide into a sauna round to recover — all in one place. Most gyms or fight camps in Phuket give you one piece of the puzzle. KAIF gives you the whole board.
The Food & Restaurant
- Surprisingly good quality food — better than expected.
- Member discounts & healthy options.
Really nice protein shakes with quality brands like optimum nutrition. The chicken dish with potatoes is really nice and great for a post gym, pre sauna feast!
The Food & Restaurant
One of the biggest surprises at KAIF is the food. Most multi-purpose gyms or spa complexes treat the restaurant as an afterthought — KAIF didn’t. The menu is solid, the quality is high, and as a member you even get discounts.
The protein shakes are legit. They use quality brands like Optimum Nutrition, which is exactly what you want after a workout. And the hot food? Better than I expected. My go-to is the chicken with potatoes — simple, clean, and perfect for a post-gym, pre-sauna feast.
It’s the kind of spot where you can comfortably sit down solo after training, or hang out with friends and actually enjoy the meal. Having decent food on site makes it so much easier to turn KAIF into an all-day destination.
Business Highlight
KAIF isn’t just another gym with a sauna attached — it’s clearly the start of something bigger. The project is run by Alexander Kondrashov and Anton Zinoviev, two guys who seem to know exactly what they’re doing. They’ve already opened a KAIF in Koh Samui and, if you keep an eye on their social channels, you’ll see hints that they’re moving into property development too.
What stands out is the vision. KAIF feels designed to be a lifestyle brand, not just a fitness center. It’s polished, ambitious, and built with the kind of detail that suggests they’re thinking long-term.
Right now, the place is still a little quiet at times — but that’s normal for a big facility in its early days. The question is whether they’ll grow slowly and steadily, or supercharge things and blow up faster than the average Phuket entrant. Personally, I’d love to sit down with these guys and hear their full vision, because it’s clear they’re aiming beyond just “another gym in town.”
If they can hold their ground for the next couple of years, KAIF has the potential to become one of Phuket’s flagship lifestyle destinations.
Final Thoughts
KAIF is a bit of a game-changer for Phuket. For anyone who wants everything under one roof — gym, sauna, spa, pool, food, and even martial arts — it delivers. You can go solo, make it a family day, or just hang out with friends and turn it into a full lifestyle experience.
For me, the value sealed it. I’ve already signed up for a year, partly because the current pricing is so good, but mostly because I see myself using this place constantly. Gym and sauna used to mean two separate days and two separate locations — now it’s one.
My advice? Check it out for yourself. Whether you’re living in Phuket or just passing through, KAIF is worth a visit. Just don’t tell everyone… this place has the potential to get very popular, very fast.
