Articles - The Luxury Spa Edit

Buchinger Wilhelmi - The No-Nonsense Medi-Spa That Promises To Restore Body, Mind & Soul.

By Anna Hart

The original – and many say still the best – therapeutic fasting clinic, Buchinger Wilhelmi is a no-nonsense medi-spa that promises to restore and revive body, mind and soul. An impressive medical pedigree elevates the Buchinger Wilhelmi above its imitators; Dr Otto Buchinger’s therapeutic fasting cure was developed some 80 years ago, the clinic – in the bucolic setting of Lake Constance in Southern Germany – is still run by the Buchinger family, and many guests have been coming here for over 40 years for their annual ‘tune-up’. Recent years have seen mounting evidence that the health benefits of calorie restriction and fasting extend far beyond weightloss, lower blood pressure and reduced cholesterol.

Amanzoe - The Greek Retreat That Takes Luxury Wellness To Another Level

By Lisa Brown

Dramatic rocky coastlines, verdant pine forests, pretty olive groves and rolling vineyards - the Peloponnese is as rich in natural beauty as it is in history. The wealth of archaeological sites in the area include the Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus, with its renowned amphitheatre, and the legendary citadel of Mycenae – both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Breathe In The Beauty Of Velaa Private Island & My Blend By Clarins

By Amanda Byram

Standing out from the pack in the Maldives is not an easy task. The country consists of 1200 islands within 26 atolls and boasts over 105 resorts, each equally unique and luxurious. However there are very few which are very truly private. Billionaire Jiri Smejc and his wife Radka were so passionate about the country that they decided to build their own private heaven and lucky for us, they have been kind enough to share it with the world. The island is their interpretation of how luxury should really look and their desire to create the most private place on earth. And boy did they get it right.

The Mindfulness Experience At Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine

Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine is offering a one-of-kind ‘Mindfulness Experience’ by a leading international expert that takes a unique approach to discovering your personal path to mindfulness and wellbeing. The restored 12th-century abbey and winery is the ideal setting for this breakthrough program: a genteel and serene atmosphere imbued with the spirit of the monks who created a peaceful monastic life here, located in Spain’s bucolic and beautiful Duero wine-growing region - just two hours from Madrid.

Juliet Kinsman's Life Changing Programme At Vana Retreats

By Juliet Kinsman

Well, I’ll be, says Juliet Kinsman. I went to north India for a week’s holiday, ate to my heart’s content and spent most of my time supine. And you know what – it was the most life-changing holiday I’ve had. That’s because Vana Retreats is a new breed of destination spa with extraordinary wellbeing cuisine, ideal for anyone who fears abstinence or bootcamps. This salubrious road to wellness is smooth and only gently sloped.

Rejuvenating Spa & Wellness Programmes At Mandarin Oriental Marrakech

Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech is set among 20 hectares of landscaped gardens filled with the scent of 100,000 roses, with the snow-capped Atlas Mountains providing a stunning backdrop. Located just 10 minutes’ drive from the heart of the city and the historic Medina, the hotel offers 54 private villas inspired by Berber and Andalusian-Arabic influences.

Available from 1 October 2018, The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Marrakech is offering Wellness Programmes in partnership with certified iridologist, detox expert and health practitioner Jennifer Thompson.

Four-day Yoga Retreats will also take place every weekend during November 2018.

Discovery At SHA Wellness Clinic - A Reboot In The Lap Of Luxury

By Lisa Brown

Perched on a beautiful mountainside overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and part of the Sierra Helada Natural Park (recognised by the World Health Organisation as having one of the world’s best climates) this state of the art luxury wellbeing retreat combines western medical expertise, and proven, eastern alternative therapies.

Shanti Maurice - An Ayurvedic Retreat In Mauritius

By Leo Bear

Benefitting from a glorious natural surf break 500m offshore producing waves like something from an eau de cologne campaign, Shanti Maurice has one of the best views on Mauritius. The surf break has the added advantage of warding off cruise ships and megayachts – which for you and me, spells a blissfully quiet stay.

Lanserhof Tegernsee - A Gleaming Mayr Clinic At The Foothills Of The Bavarian Mountains

By Anna Hart

Of all the detox tribes – juicing, raw, paleo, macrobiotic – Mayr cure disciples might be the most hardcore. Named after the Austrian scientist and pioneering holistic therapist Franz Xaver Mayr, FX Mayr clinics and medispas are dotted across Germany, Austria and Switzerland, peddling a spartan, results-driven regime of fasting, chew-training and purging epsom salts. Its no-nonsense approach to digestive health is particularly popular with the international fashion crowd (Alber Elbaz and Karlie Kloss are fans), wealthy Russians and high-powered German CEOs and bankers, all of whom think that superfood smoothies are for wimps.

FX Mayr Launches A Healthy Ageing Programme

Set on the southern shores of Lake Wörthersee, The Original FX Mayr is a place of purification, detoxification and renewal.

Physicians and therapists develop programmes specifically designed for individual needs. A holistic concept comprised of nutrition, movement and treatments, the principal of the cure is based upon achieving a well-functioning digestive system.

Chiva-Som's Dr Dr Jason Culp Gives The Low-Down On Hair Health

The pressure for both men and women to flaunt a healthy mane has spawned a plethora of over-the-counter hair-care products and supplements promising quick-fix results. But although aesthetics may be front of mind for many, the state of our hair is a reflection of internal health and wellbeing. So how to restore, enhance and maintain healthy hair?

Chiva-Som's Naturopathic Physician, Dr Jason Culp, offers some insights into maintaining optimum hair health and dealing with hair loss and thinning...

The Best Luxury Autumnal Spa Escapes In The UK

The burnt orange and golden hues of nature, roaring fires, long country walks and hearty fare - Autumn is the ideal time to pack your bags and escape to the countryside. Here's our edit of the best retreats in the UK for some autumnal r&r.

Amanda Byram Checks In To Kamalaya And Discovers A Game Changing Retreat

By Amanda Byram

Kamalaya (translation Lotus Realm – a symbol for unfolding life’s potential) is a game changer. Truly. The brainchild of John and Karina Stewart, a former traditional yogi monk and a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine, respectively, this is one hotel where you know you’ll be in great hands. Set in magical surroundings amongst ancient granite boulders and a spiritual old Buddhist monk cave, Kamalaya is more than just a hotel and spa. It is hard to pinpoint exactly what it is, as it is so many things, but primarily it is a health resort. Words like Reconnect, Rejuvenate, Discover, Explore, Enrich, Pause, Integrate, Meditate, Nurture and Heal are thrown around like a tennis ball at Wimbledon.

Laura Ivill Checks In To Cliveden House Hotel & Spa

By Laura Ivill

It its past glory as a private country house estate, it’s said that no one would turn down an invitation to Cliveden. In its 350-year history, Cliveden has hosted every British monarch since George I and is most famous as the home of the Astors and the setting for the scandal of the Profumo Affair.

Six Of The Worlds Best Spa & Wellness Retreats For Solo Travellers

By Lisa Brown

With solo travel on the rise, going it alone often means you can really unwind and get the best experience from a wellness break. From yoga and detox retreats to rejuvenating spas and wellness clinics, we've travelled solo to some of the best wellness spots around the globe. Here's our pick of six retreats where you won't feel lonesome on your ownsome.

Ayuvedic Rejuvenation At Ananda In The Himalayas

By Lisa Brown

Set in a breathtaking national park, at the foothills of the Himalayas in Northern India, just 40 minutes from the yoga world capital of Rishikesh (some serious ‘omm’ going on here – it’s where The Beatles first met the Maharishi) - The Ananda is an award-winning luxury wellness retreat focussing on Ayurveda and Yoga while integrating international wellness therapies.

Schloss Elmau - Leo Bear Checks In To The Swish Family-Friendly Wellness Retreat

By Leo Bear

Schloss Elmau, located in the lesser-trodden parts of southeast Germany (45 minutes from Innsbruck airport) is one of the swishest family-friendly hotels in Europe.

A wickedly indulgent spa-hotel-cum-castle with a roster of cultural events to rival the Royal Albert Hall, it’s not uncommon for famous authors to drop by, and when it’s not hosting the literati, presidents and prime ministers (the G7 summit has been held here) it’s the ideal spa retreat for fresh-air-seeking families.

Better Ageing - Wide Eyes & Smooth Lines With Dr Prager

By Lisa Brown

As one of the most sought-after aesthetic doctors in Europe - with fans ranging from a-listers and fashionistas to beauty-savvy business folk flocking to his Wimple Street practice - you might think Dr Pragers waiting room could be a tad intimidating. It isn’t. Welcomed by a beaming receptionist, chatty co-patients and a hypnotic tropical fish tank, it’s quite the opposite.

Medical Pedicure At Margaret Dabbs London