Mar. 16th, 2023
Wellness travel nowadays is so much more than booking a treatment and a serene spa. It is about the bespoke offerings that can be experienced at holistic wellness centers. Ones that combine Eastern and Western medicine and take on different approaches and advanced medical treatments to treat the mind, body and soul. To make the most of your next European wellness vacation, we’ve rounded up 13 of the best luxury wellness retreats in Europe.
(credit: SHA Wellness Clinic)
Integrating eight holistic disciplines, SHA Wellness Clinic prescribes to the SHA method which brings together the latest advances in scientific medicine and the most effective natural therapies to its guests. Located in the southeast of Spain, just 45 minutes from Alicante or 1 hour from Valencia, SHA Wellness Clinic has over 300 professionals comprised of the most outstanding, internationally renowned experts in nutrition, preventive medicine, anti-ageing, genetics, holistic medicine, regenerative medicine, revitalizing medicine and many more. Surrounded by natural mountains and parks near the Mediterranean Sea, SHA Wellness Clinic addresses the most pressing health concerns with a lasting and educational approach for long-term transformation through its five health programs. The programs are Advanced Detox, Optimal Weight, Intensive, Rebalance and Healthy Aging with program durations ranging from four to 14 days. The integrative health clinic allows guests to achieve their full physical, mental and spiritual potential and achieve and maintain an optimal state of health.
(credit: One&Only Portonovi)
One&Only Portonovi in Herceg Novi, Montenegro is the first One&Only resort in Europe and features the exclusive Chenot Espace. The resort is home to Chenot Espace, a transformative journey of detoxing and resetting the body based on the renowned Chenot Method, at the entrance of Boka Bay, a fjord-like idyll on Montenegro’s Adriatic Coast. With tailored programs and pioneering treatments scientifically designed to enhance guests’ vitality and optimum health, the transformative journey detoxes and resets the body. Following an initial stage of consultation and advanced diagnostic tests by medical professionals, known as Chenot Lifestyle Biomarkers, guests receive an individualized program with treatments that fall under six different departments: medical, human performance, medical aesthetic, aesthetic, hydrotherapy and sport & fitness. Whether choosing a four-day De-stress and Re-charge program or a six-day Advanced and Fundamental Detox (there are plenty of other options to choose from), their team of experts provide nutritional consultations, fitness schedules, targeted spa treatments, stress relieving activities and much more. Guests can also experience individual Chenot Espace treatments curated by the expert practitioners in the expansive 43,000 sq. ft. space including neuro-acoustic deep relaxation treatments, ozone therapy, purifying detox facials and more.
(credit: Palazzo Fiuggi Wellness Medical Retreat)
Following a complete transformation of one of Italy’s most iconic and historic hotels Palazzo Fiuggi Wellness Medical Retreat opened its doors in May 2021. Located on an ancient hilltop in a private eight-hectare park, just 50 minutes from Rome, the retreat is the birthplace of the Palazzo Fiuggi Method and offers access to world-class spa and medical facilities. The nearly 65,000 sq. ft. retreat creates a bespoke portfolio of medical services, wellness treatments and holistic therapies for each guest, centered around four pillars: Longevity, Detox & Weight, Restore & Balance and Medical & Diagnostic. The retreat is home to some of the leading technologies along with a hydrotherapy circuit and a state-of-the-art gym. Their medical-scientific approach enables is designed to promote and support better human health, wellbeing and longevity through the spa, clinic, movement lab, Roman thermae, nutrition (three-star Michelin chef, Heinz Beck who uses his graduate expertise in Natural Bioenergies to create light and healthy personal menus from natural ingredients) and beauty. Program information can be found here: https://www.palazzofiuggi.com/health-spa-resort-programs and prices are available upon request.
(credit: Preidlhof Luxury DolceVita Resort)
Preidlhof is an idyllic health and wellness retreat destination situated in Northern Italy and nestled between Switzerland and Austria. Inspired by advanced neuroscience research that addresses the balance of hedonic wellness (a focus on happiness) and eudaemonic wellbeing (self-purpose and meaning), the resort recently reimagined their entire facility and wellness program, launching ‘The Preidlhof Way’. The world-class wellness resort offers nine transformational wellness retreats aimed at instilling energy and self-confidence to help guests with physical and emotional recovery. Wellness visionary, Patrizia Bortolin, and the team of outstanding scientific and wellness experts have developed these focused retreats addressing sleep, menopause, weight loss, emotional trauma and other interests. Along with its expansive spa, MedSpa, a six-floor Sauna Tower with seven sauna experiences, a few of the unique resort offerings and programs include olive oil massages, forest bathing, sunrise mountain hikes, morning coffee overlooking the Italian dolomites and more.
(credit: courtesy of Oetker Collection)
Under the roof of Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa Villa Stéphanie Spa & Wellbeing is one of Europe’s most innovative spas. With a highly personal, discreet, and exclusive approach to wellness, programs at Villa Stéphanie Spa & Wellbeing benefit both mind and body and focuses on four areas: beauty, detox and nutrition, emotional balance, and medical care. Following an entrance interview with the Detox Specialist including a body analysis, guests will have a consultation with an expert nutritionist who will create a personalized menu plan and have access to the adjacent Brenners Medical Care and a unique physiotherapy concept in the Physio Practice. Guests enjoy recuperative, preventative, and luxurious treatments, in glorious surroundings such as a deacidifying alkaline bath to support the corporeal removal and detox body envelopment with bio phyto-serum and ocean algae. Villa Stéphanie Spa & Wellbeing is now offering two different immune-focused programs. The four-day Immune Boost program (approx. $1,985 per person) focuses on stimulating the immune system, while the eight-day Immune Care program (approx. $4,132 per person) focuses on long-term care teaching guests about food supplements, stress reduction and lifestyle changes.
(credit: © Stanglwirt)
Stanglwirt Resort – Wellnesshotel & Biohotel is a five-star luxury and wellness resort and an organic farm in Austria. With a history of more than 400 years, today, Stanglwirt is virtually a complete village, with an inn, restaurant, eco-hotel, wellness and sports facilities, riding arena, tennis hall, stables, barns and many other buildings and amenities. Spread across 30 acresset against the stunning backdrop of the Wilder Kaiser Mountain, the resort features 171 guest rooms and suites and a nearly 130,000 sq. ft.rocky wellness world. The facilityincludes an extensive sauna complex with the largest hotel saltwater pool in Europe,indoor Fitness Garden 14 private tennis courts, riding school and much more. Theirfarm itself extends over a total of 160 acres and along with produce, they make their own milk, curd cheese, butter, yogurt, cheese and bread. Inclusive services include: professionally conducted infusion ceremonies every day, heart-rate guided training using state-of-the-art Polar training computers, guided hikes, varied weekly outdoor adventure and sports programs and much more.With approximately 28 categories for rooms, prices start at€290 per person per night.
(credit: Balance Photography)
Just a 40 minutes’ drive from Malaga airport in the Andalucia region of Spain in Marbella, Shanti-Som Wellbeing Retreat offers curated retreat programs between three to 14 days. Guests can choose between a detox retreat, reboost body & soul retreat, weight loss retreat, Pilates retreat, fitness retreat, relaxation retreat or signature yoga retreat. The experienced team are happy to create a bespoke itinerary depending on the guest’s requirements. Each retreat aims to inspire and guide their guests towards the path of achieving ‘Shanti’, which means inner peace in Buddhist practice. Each retreat focuses on health and happiness through a natural approach and authentic experiences centered on traditional Balinese Philosophies. Their retreats are designed to give you flexibility and maximum opportunity to enjoy and learn at your pace and at your own time, from personal training, meditation, life coaching, nutritional guidance or guided hikes in the Sierra de las Nieves National Park. Built with just 15 guest rooms so guests won’t feel self-conscious or intimidated in any way during their stay, prices vary based on the length of stay and retreat chosen.
(credit: Alex Teuscher)
Designed to detoxify and re-energize the body and mind, Chenot Palace Weggis ooffers week-long programs to increase human potential and performance. The brand’s flagship property located on the idyllic shores of Lake Lucerne in Switzerland is home of the Chenot Method® and features a 54,000 sq. ft. medical spa facility inclusive of state-of-the-art diagnostics and cutting-edge medical screening tests. Whether you choose the Advance Detox, Recover & Energize or Prevention & Aging Well Program, each starts with diagnostics to create biomarkers for their practitioners to develop a tailored schedule depending on each guest’s desired outcomes. Along with learning how to integrate the right lifestyle choices into your daily life, additional wellness activities in between treatments and services include: cooking classes, hiking trails along the scenic Swiss Alps, a private beach, freshwater lake swimming and access to a boat on Lake Lucerne and much more. Recently, they launched the Molecular Lab, a diagnostic test and results-driven program that combats pre-mature ageing through ground-breaking mRNA-based testing and analysis.
(credit: Lanserhof Tegernsee)
Lanserhof Tegernsee is one of Europe’s most modern health resorts offering guests the ideal setting for rest and relaxation about an hour south of Munich. Based on findings of naturopathy, energy medicine, psychology, psychoneuroimmunology, chronomedicine and modern cutting-edge medicine, guests will experience the Lanserhof Concept on an individualized basis. Upon arrival each guest chooses their focus (their gut, sleep, physique, etc.) and meets with their doctors to determine an individualized program for the duration of their stay. Along with an on-call doctor, each guest is afforded a standard set of treatments which include: one urinanalysis, one bioimpedance analysis, one reflexology massage, one detox drainage and much more. Excluding accommodation, prices for a seven-to-eight-night stay start at €2,918 and go up to €5,084 for a 12–16-night stay. They also have the two-week Lanserhof Cure Advanced program (excluding accommodation €6,476) which adds other treatments such as one heart rate variability measurement analysis, one telomere length measurement and more. Guests are able to add on to each retreat with other therapies which are categorized into: Holistic Medicine & Naturopathy, Body & Mind Health, Infusion Therapies, Interval Hypoxic- Hyperoxic Therapy (IHHT) and much, much more.
(credit: Coquillade Provence Resort & Spa)
Nestled at the heart of France’s sun kissed Luberon Valley just 45 minutes from Avignon, Coquillade Provence Resort & Spa offers wellness programs designed for an optimal level of physical and mental well-being. Come for three, four, five days or more and experience Intensive Programs, which can be broken into Healthy & Active or Beauty & Relaxing. The Health & Active program includes three hours of physical activities, three hours of wellness treatments and a selection of other activities such as a nature walk around the property’s rolling hills, tennis lessons and guided cycling tour through Provence’s postcard-perfect routes. The Beauty & Relaxing program entails signature treatments such as a silhouette body contouring detox massage, Végétalement Provence hydration facial using plant-based active ingredients, and affusion scrub using grapes grown at the surrounding Aureto vineyards and lavender from the hotel’s fields. Regardless of which program you choose, guests can enjoy 21,500 sq. ft. of serenity, relaxation and holistic wellness at Coquillade and can choose from unique classes such as Aquafit sessions and Qi Gong, a traditional Chinese medicine practice involving meditation, coordinating slow-flowing movement, deep rhythmic breathing. Overlooking rolling hills and Mont Ventoux, the 100-acre estate encompasses 63 spacious rooms and suites spread across a collection of bastides (country houses). The wellness programs start at €650 per person, per day.
(credit: Tyson Sadlo)
Marking The Ranch’s first permanent international program, The Ranch Italy combines The Ranch Malibu’s signature program with the services and expertise of the esteemed team at Palazzo Fiuggi. Starting with a varied trail each day, guests hike the Apennine Mountains in the morning and continue their journey with naptime, afternoon strength and core training classes, yoga and a daily massage. A nutritionally dense, plant-based menu with an Italian flair, created by Palazzo Fiuggi’s 3-star Michelin Chef Heinz Beck and is prepared by his Palazzo Fiuggi culinary team in accordance with The Ranch’s Executive Chef is carefully curated for guests to restore and replenish. During their stay, guests have access to the state-of-the-art 4,300 square-foot fitness center and Fiuggi’s world-class spa, which features a fountain connected directly to the ‘miraculous’ fountain of Fiuggi waters. Along with innovative treatments guests can undergo diagnostic and blood testing along with a consultation with one Palazzo Fiuggi’s world-class physicians to provide a fully transformational experience to give clarity on their health. The Ranch Italy 4.0 has a starting rate of $4,950 per person while The Ranch Italy 8.0 has a starting rate of $9,100 USD per person for double occupancy. Just 50 minutes from Rome, The Ranch Italy at Palazzo Fiuggi is offered from April – December, while the four-day program is offered 52 weeks/year as a Thursday-Monday option.
(credit: Stavros Habakis)
Step away from your normal life and discover the Euphoria Retreat in the Heart of the Greek Peloponnese, just a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Athens. The place of healing combines the best age-old holistic healing techniques from ancient Greece and Chinese medicine with some of the latest scientific advances to provide guests with tools to live a more holistic, balanced and spiritually satisfying way of life. Incorporating the energy and mysticism of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mystras and a rich scenery of Mediterranean mountains, Euphoria Retreat offers six distinct wellness retreats: Odysseus Journey, Spartan Spirit of Adventure, Feel Alive Again, Emotional and Physical Transformation, Self-Awareness Through The Five Elements and the Ashtanga Wellness Retreat. Ranging from two-to-seven-days, their retreats aid guests in restoring physical, emotional, mental and spiritual balance while you can also add extra spa treatments to each itinerary. Unleash your inner spartan warrior with the three-or-five-day Spartan Adventure retreat with sessions in a classical amphitheater or go on a journey of emotional, physical, and spiritual renewal with the seven day Emotional and Physical Transformation retreat where you experience the 5 Elements system as a theory for understanding your life path.
(credit: thearrigoprogramme.com)
Founded by acclaimed psychotherapist, intuitive healer, mentor and life teacher, The Arrigo Programme combines varying therapeutic and clinical approaches to meet the needs of each participant. In the peace and beauty of rural Somerset in the UK (or group retreats aboard in Spain and India), the program offers a profound system of rest, healing and recovery, where guests can choose from individual retreats or group retreats. Their individual retreats are offered year-roundin Somerset, a completely unique offering for very deep and progressive work, all tailored to the individual’s needs. For thoselooking for the space to reassess their lives, these immersive stays allow guests to be monitored and coached by their team of multidisciplinary expert therapists for stays. Cost includes all clinical consultations, therapies and treatments, freshly prepared meals tailored to your dietary requirements, daily housekeeping and your private accommodation. They will be offering a group retreat titledWomen’s Wisdom, The Path of the Heart; Reclaim, Restore Recalibrate from June 4-10 and another Women’s Wisdom retreat in Gaucin, Spain from September 26-October 6.