News and Reviews
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 – 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.
Alice Hart Davis Discovers a Transformative Retreat at Ananda in the Himalayas
By Alice Hart-DavisFirst, 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 FoleyFollowing 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 BrownSet 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 KermanThe 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 HartOf 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 BrownSet 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 BrownThe 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 ThompsonBelfast 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 HassanReversed 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 MillarEstablished 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 BrownRenowned 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 CurrieIt’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 WhitehairLocated 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 …
Perfect Eyes – We check in with Dr Sabrina Shah-Desai
By Lisa BrownDark circles, eye-bags and puffiness are a bugbear for many of us as we age. Loss of volume in our skin, particularly around the eye area, often results in a tired, sunken appearance. Lack of sleep, stress, dehydration and too much screen time also have a significant effect on the appearance of our eyes.
