News and Reviews

Review: Mandarin Oriental Bodrum: Unveiling Opulence And Serenity In The Turkish Riviera
Nestled in the idyllic setting of Paradise Bay, along the coastline of the Turkish Riviera, Mandarin Oriental Bodrum is a beacon of luxury that exceeds expectations.

Review: Elevate Your Senses – The Chedi Andermatt’s Spa Experience
Swiss Alpine elegance harmonises with Asian luxury in this five-star affair with rejuvenating spa rituals, exquisite cuisine – and one of Europe’s longest pools. . . .

Clinique La Prairie Launches A Revitalisation And Beauty Stem Cell Programme
Swiss longevity clinic, Clinique La Prairie, is now offering a Revitalisation & Beauty Stem Cell Programme, an exclusive experience which combines two unique elements – the iconic longevity-focused Revitalisation offering, complimented by the cosmetic beauty protocol which uses stem cells to rejuvenate the face.
Designed by the clinic’s medical specialists, the Revitalisation & Beauty Stem Cell Programme harnesses regenerative medicine and anti-aging science over a seven-day stay to regenerate both body and mind, activate the immune system and add cutting-edge aesthetics intervention to regain a more youthful appearance.
Guests will enjoy the luxurious surroundings of the Swiss Riviera setting during their bespoke treatment programme.

Review – Bürgenstock Resort & The Alpine Spa, Lake Lucerne
World-class beauty and wellbeing therapies in Europe’s largest spa, 500 metres above Lake Lucerne.
Nine years and a 550 million Swiss Franc investment, Bürgenstock Resort has been reborn as one of Switzerland’s most prestigious addresses. Here in the Alps, the estate represents a landmark in ecological thinking due to its construction practices, the Bürgenstock Bahn, the world’s oldest electrical funicular delivers you into the lobby of Bürgenstock Hotel where the carbon-neutral credentials continue.

Review – Lanserhof Tegernsee – A Gleaming Mayr Clinic At The Foothills Of The Bavarian Mountains
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.

Review – Alice Hart Davis Discovers A Transformative Retreat At Ananda in the Himalayas
First, an apology: there may be a lot of superlatives in this review. In my defence I’d like to point out that Ananda in the Himalayas has won Conde Nast Traveller’s Global Wellness Destination award twice in the past three years…

Review – Palazzo Fiuggi – We Check In to the New Multi-Million Pound Italian Spa Retreat
Following a £26 million renovation, Palazzo Fiuggi is being hailed as one of Italy’s leading wellness retreats. Spa guru Jo Foley investigates…

Review – Four Seasons Kuda Huraa & The Island Spa
Set amidst the tranquil turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean and just a 25-minute speedboat ride from the Maldivian capital of Malé, Four Seasons Kuda Huraa offers the kind of top-notch hospitality synonymous with the Four Seasons brand, paired with an Instagrammable paradise island aesthetic.

Daios Cove – Crete’s Hottest New Spa Destination
One of Greece’s leading resorts has unveiled a cutting-edge spa and health facility – bringing a new dimension of wellness to the island of Crete.

Review – Restore Mind, Body And Soul, With A Nature Immersion Experience At The Spa At South Lodge
Forest bathing, qi gong and more – Yoga instructor and forest bathing practitioner Helena Skoog leads a day of communing with nature as part of an overnight package at this stately country hotel.

Clinique La Prairie Launches Holistic Health Nutraceuticals at Harrods
Clinique La Prairie, renowned for its pioneering research into the mechanisms of longevity and anti-aging, is delighted to announce the launch of its Holistic Health supplement range into Harrods Wellness Clinic from 15th June 2023.

Amanzoe Launches Personalised Individual Wellness Immersions
The birthplace of modern medicine, renowned for its philosophers, natural beauty, and healthy cuisine, Greece is soon to become the fifth Aman destination to offer personalised Individual Wellness Immersions. Three life-enhancing, multi-day programmes will launch at Amanzoe on 1 April 2020, promising guests expert guidance and cossetted time in which to reflect, recalibrate and reset the course of their long-term wellbeing.
Following the success of the multi-day Individual Wellness Immersions at Amanpuri in Thailand, Amanbagh in India, Amanoi in Vietnam and Amanemu in Japan, Aman is bringing the concept to the shores of the Peloponnese.

Review – Juliet Kinsman’s Life Changing Programme at Vana Retreat
“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.”

Review – Linda Meredith Oxygen Facial at Four Seasons Park Lane
The Four Seasons Hotel Park Lane has long been acknowledged as one of London’s big hitters, perched on a statement corner by the grand entrance to Hyde Park. So the invitation to review the new signature treatment menu at its eponymous spa is no small deal, particularly when these treatments include a 24-carat gold facial.
Ascending to the 10th floor the lift doors open to an ultra-modern circular reception area, all in white with floor to ceiling windows looking out to the city. Busy looking women sit around the circumference urgently tapping on tablets. Combined with the fact I am trialling an ‘Oxygen Facial’, the whole affair gains a futuristic edge.

RAKxa Wins ‘Best Holistic Heaven’ in Condé Nast Traveller Wellness & Spa Awards 2023
Only two years since its opening, RAKxa – Thailand’s leading integrative wellness and medical retreat – has been awarded “Best Holistic Heaven” in the prestigious Condé Nast Traveller Wellness and Spa Awards 2023.

Review – Wellness in Paradise – We Test the Tailored Wellbeing Offerings at Anantara Maldives
Set in the North Male Atoll amidst the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean, the tropical island of Anantara Dhigu offers the perfect location for a stress-busting getaway…

Review – Gilpin Lake House & Spa, Windermere
The Lake District lays claim to many wonders – being the home of craggy fells, gleaming waters, England’s highest mountain, Beatrix Potter, William Wordsworth, the UK’s biggest red squirrel population and the best selection of spa hotels and Michelin starred restaurants in the north, for starters. Which makes it hard to stand out from the crowd. Not that the Gilpin Hotel and Spa has any concerns on that front. When you’re privileged enough to review luxury travel in the name of ‘work’, it’s shamefully easy to get a little blasé about places. Yet we were utterly blown away with quite how downright glorious of an experience our stay at this 21-acre estate near Lake Windermere was.

Clinique La Prairie Announces an Exclusive Health Resort in Partnership with Amaala
Amaala and The Red Sea, has announced a partnership with leading longevity clinic and wellness brand, Clinique La Prairie.
The partnership involves the development of a high-end 36,115 sqm Clinique La Prairie Health Resort within Amaala, which is located on Saudi Arabia’s north-western coastline. The exclusive resort will offer 13 villas, as well as housing 52 rooms and suites.
“Clinique La Prairie’s world-renowned facilities and health and wellness experiences, set against Saudi Arabia’s extraordinary natural landscapes, will take our visitors on transformative personal journeys inspired by arts, wellness, and the purity of the Red Sea. The resort’s subtle beauty – a product of Islamic architecture and modern craftmanship – will deliver a serene place in which to unwind, meditate and rejuvenate,” said John Pagano, Group CEO, Red Sea Global.

The New ‘Wellbeing Sanctuary’ by Banyan Tree, Koh Samui & Krabi
Banyan Tree are known worldwide for their exceptional holistic spas and wellness facilities. The new “Wellbeing Sanctuary” by Banyan Tree provides guests with an opportunity to combine a leisure stay with a daily wellbeing programme – designed to enrich mind, body and soul.

Introducing the Fabulous New Wellness Retreats by Mandarin Oriental
Mandarin Oriental are renowned worldwide for their award-winning 5 star hotels and resorts – offering world-class accommodation, outstanding service, innovative dining and exceptional holistic spas & wellness facilities.
Reflecting on the past couple of years and all the stress that has been endured, the iconic brand have launched their new wellness retreats with a focus on complete rejuvenation of body and mind – offering guests the chance to de-stress and re-boot in the lap of luxury.