Words: Josh Lee
As wellness tourism continues on its spiritual, nicely paced march, and with many out there likely wanting to improve their physical and mental wellbeing following the aggressive crush of the winter blues, we’ve decided to put together a list of some of our favourite health-centric escapes. The hotels we’ve chosen blend the comforting pleasures of a five-star stay with the research-backed, cutting-edge ethos of a clinic whose state-of-the-art programmes target your specific ailments and needs.
So, whether you’re looking to lose weight, improve your mobility or simply want to remember how to get a good night’s sleep, we recommend you check-in to any one of these medical marvels.
Euphoria Retreat, Mystras, Greece
In a nutshell: Closely situated to ancient Sparta, this rustic-modern bolthole merges a throwback spirit with contemporary, scientific practices – but a vibrant, joyful approach nixes any potential sterility. The facilities here are centred around the five elements of antiquity – water, wood, earth, fire and metal – and the first of these is showcased in the superlative spa complex that’s complete with several pools, one of which has a four-metre depth and provides guests with an ‘experience akin to a sensory rebirth’. Although Hippocratic and traditional Chinese medicines feature heavily, in-house doctors also carry out nutrigenomics (the relationship between diet and genes) programmes, and the Euphoria Immunity Reset uses Omits technologies.
The treatment to seek: Get a deep, pore-cleansing scrub at the Byzantine-style hammam.
Santani Wellness Kandy, Werapitiya, Sri Lanka
In a nutshell: With thick greenery as a backdrop, this one-time tea estate is the ideal spot from which to reboot. The refined, almost minimalist chalets, which are propped on steel pillars, help clear the mind, and the glass walls give you a ringside view of Knuckles Mountain Range. You’ll start with a basic health rundown, which is then followed by bespoke programmes that run the holistic gamut, from mental health to immune-boosting and anti-ageing.
The treatment to seek: For those looking to recover from their burnout, the Santani Sleep will help you cope with anxiety, stress and other related issues, and the meditation sessions will (hopefully) provide you with the right tools for achieving an easy slumber.
One&Only Portonovi, Herceg Novi, Montenegro
In a nutshell: Set at the opening of Boka Bay, which juts off the Adriatic, and with rooms whose soft, rich palette seems to take inspiration from the surrounding terracotta rooftops, One&Only Portonovi bills itself as a place for ‘palatial living framed by fjord-like beauty.’ The hotel has partnered with Swiss wellness juggernaut Chenot and lays claim to a 4,000sq m health-focused space replete with the obligatory ‘relaxation pavilion’, pool, steam room and sauna, and guests can also have on-site doctor/professional assessments that check on cardio health; the thickness of skin collagen; and provide suggestions for neuromuscular activation.
The treatment to seek: The Phyto-Mud treatment has you encased in a body wrap made of green or white clay, microalgae and essential oils, all of which are said to alleviate muscle tension.
Lanserhof Lans, Tyrol, Austria
In a nutshell: A leader of the scene since 1984, and the choice spot for those with deep pockets, Lanserhof, cushioned among a landscape of forests and Alpine mountains, champions ‘natural healing’ and high-tech medicine. In 2016, Düsseldorf architect Christoph Ingenhoven was charged with giving the destination an extensive revamp, making it lighter and more soothing, with a new five-floor building (filled with suites) that’s defined by its curving profile; meanwhile, a bathhouse and medical cold chamber pad out the additions. It’s suggested that you stay for three weeks (one is the bare minimum, we say), and the true draws are the ionic footbaths, liver packs, detox-cupping and Kneipp water therapy.
The treatment to seek: The Lanserhof Cure Classic may take some time (two weeks) and is costly (€4,948), but its circuit, which includes detox drainages and a bioimpedance analysis, is claimed to pay dividends.
Rakxa, Bangkok, Thailand
In a nutshell: Even though it’s in a country famed for wellness retreats, results-driven Rakxa is at the forefront of the crowd. An interior of refined lines and plenty of sleek wood sets a calming tone that is fully bolstered by the extensive wellness offerings. Your first visit may involve a specialist who’ll examine your current health status and then devise a comprehensive plan based on your goals; the Mobilisation programme will assess your gait, coordination and balance, for example. You’ll also find movement specialists and physiotherapists at the medical gym.
The treatment to seek: The Immunity Booster – because winter was a rather taxing season for the soul...
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