News and Reviews

Alice Hart Davis Discovers a Transformative Retreat at Ananda in the Himalayas

By Alice Hart-Davis

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…

Palazzo Fiuggi – We Check In to the New Multi-Million Pound Italian Spa Retreat

By Jo Foley

Following a £26 million renovation, Palazzo Fiuggi is being hailed as one of Italy’s leading wellness retreats. Spa guru Jo Foley investigates…

Four Seasons Kuda Huraa & The Island Spa

By Lisa Brown

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 Season brand, paired with an Instagrammable paradise island aesthetic.

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.

Juliet Kinsman’s Life Changing Programme at Vana Retreat

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.”

Linda Meredith Oxygen Facial at Four Seasons Park Lane

By Annabel Kerman

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.

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.

Wellness in Paradise – We Test the Tailored Wellbeing Offerings at Anantara Maldives

By Lisa Brown

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…

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.

A Wonderful New Spa & Wellness Experience Awaits at Scotland’s ‘Glorious Playground’ – Gleneagles

By Lisa Brown

The iconic country estate and hotel, Gleneagles, has launched an exciting new spa and wellness offering – cementing its place as Scotland’s leading wellness destination.

Spa & the City – We Check In to the Culloden Estate and Spa

By Jody Thompson

Belfast is now making headlines for all the right reasons. There’s been a boom in film and TV companies shooting blockbusters here of late, and with Hollywood stars swanning about the city as a result, it’s no surprise that Belfast is increasingly being seen as a chic destination for a weekend spa break.

The Future of Heath and Wellness – Revealed by Clinique La Prairie

By Behiye Hassan

Reversed ageing and advances in stem cell technology are among eight key trends in the future of health and wellness, as predicted by experts at the world-renowned Swiss wellness clinic, Clinique La Prairie.

Edinburgh’s Grande Dame, the Waldorf Astoria, Gets a Shiny New Spa Update

By Laura Millar

Established as a railway hotel in Scotland’s elegant capital in 1903, and still known by its original name, The Caledonian, its spa has had a smart rebrand, introducing some exciting new skincare ranges to its repertoire…

The Scarlet Hotel & Spa – We Fall in Love With Cornwall’s Eco Retreat

By Lisa Brown

Renowned as one of the UK’s most luxurious eco retreats, The Scarlet sits in an enviable spot overlooking the rocky shores of Mawgan Porth, North Cornwall. A trip to this grown-ups only, dog-friendly, coastal bolthole has been on my bucket list for years.

A Fabulous New Spa Experience Awaits in a Fairytale Irish Castle

By Lysanne Currie

It’s the epic Neo-Gothic, 17th century castle hotel that resembles something from a fairytale. Set amid an 840-acre estate in County Limerick, and surrounded by medieval ruins, walled gardens and picturesque woodland paths, Adare Manor is one of the gems of Irish architecture…

Nayara – The Award-Winning Luxury Hot Spring Spa Hotel in Costa Rica

By Emma Whitehair

Located in the Arenal Volcano National Park of Costa Rica, Nayara Springs is ideally situated for wildlife enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike. Where activities range from canyoning in the wild rainforest waterfalls, to kayaking on the tranquil lake. Followed by soaking in the natural hot-springs, heated by the third most active volcano on earth …

Clinique La Prairie Opens an Exclusive Detox Chalet in the Heart of the Swiss Alps

This summer sees the opening an exclusive Clinique La Prairie chalet in the heart of the breathtaking Alpine village, Verbier. Offering a highly exclusive detox experience in utmost privacy, this one of a kind hideaway has been devised to provide guests with outstanding health and wellness care.

Better Ageing – Wide Eyes & Smooth Lines With Dr Prager

By Lisa Brown

With fans ranging from Hollywood a-listers to beauty editors and oligarchs – Dr Prager is one of the most sought-after aesthetic doctors in Europe. We check in to find if he lives up to his title as ‘The King of Botox’.

Boutique Swiss Retreats – We Check In to Ultima Gstaad

By Emma Whitehair

I’m going to start with two cliched adjectives to describe Ultima Gstaad: jet set and flashy. Which, at the risk of making me sound a bit old fashioned, hit the nail on the head in summing a chalet hotel that is the ultima(te) in Gstaad resort opulence. With the crystal chandelier in the entrance by Baccarat, the Schimmel glass grand piano, customised by street artist Alec Monopoly – is one of two, the other owned by Alicia Keys. A piece that, along with the giant Harrods teddy bear in a corridor, and most of the other art on display in the hotel, is available for the international and monied guests to buy at whim.