Words by Lucy Gornall
If a real body and mind reset is what you’re craving, especially after the turbulence of the past two years, then look no further than VIVAMAYR wellness resort in Austria. Split over two resorts; one in Maria Wörth and the other in Altaussee, VIVAMAYR has become world famous for its personalised and tailored health concept.
It’s also loved by the likes of actress Elizabeth Hurley and singer Adele, plus, actress Rebel Wilson credited the resort for her phenomenal weight loss success back in 2020.
The resort is based on The Mayr Method, a concept penned by Dr. Franz Xaver Mayr back in the 1920s. His focus was gut health and digestion, and the pivotal role that this has on our overall health. Guests can select their health goal beforehand; from weight loss, to detoxification and immune boost, and even post-Covid recovery. Before arrival, it’s recommended that caffeine, alcohol, and ‘hard to digest’ foods are eliminated from the diet, in preparation for a real week of detoxing.
It’s recommended that guests stay at VIVAMAYR for a minimum of 10 days to reap the true benefits. However, in just one week at the resort, I felt a real difference.
Hotel
I visited the Maria Wörth site, set on the southern shore of Lake Wörthersee. Each room in the resort either overlooks the beautifully serene lake, or vast mountains. In fact, balcony views are picture perfect; certainly adding to the calm nature of the resort.
The general aura of the entire resort is one which I have never experienced before. It’s incredibly tranquil, voices are kept low and you hear the occasional patter of slippers; most guests, as I was informed before arrival, walk around in their robes.
The wide, open plan rooms come with aloe vera pillows, various teas and crystals, as well as a ‘master switch’, offering the ability to turn off all electricity in the room in a bid to avoid electro waves disturbing sleep.
I slept well my first night, ready for the week ahead. In fact, thanks to a strict 9pm curfew at the resort, you can pretty much hear a pin drop at night. And, upon waking, my first instruction was to drink a glass of Epsom salts. These are said to help ‘flush’ the body. Needless to say, they most certainly work.
On day one, guests are booked in with a doctor and their lifestyles, habits and general health are assessed. A gut check is also mandatory; I lay back whilst Dr Zoncolo rubbed my stomach and assessed my digestive tract. This assessment then dictates the rest of the week including treatments, therapies, diet and medications. A booklet outlining each day’s ‘activities’ is printed out and handed to you; a useful tool to manage your stay.
Food
Food, something which most of us enjoy in abundance, is stripped back to the bare minimum. On my plan, which focused heavily on removing certain yeasts from my stomach, breakfast was a dense bread known as ‘the chewing trainer’, along with either a few small slices of smoked salmon, or another protein-based accompaniment.
The Mayr Method places a huge emphasis on how we eat; chewing each mouthful 20 to 30 times, drinking only before and after meals; not during, and avoiding technology at meal times. In fact, technology is pretty much frowned upon throughout the entire resort.
Lunch was the highlight meal; although the size of my fist, and made with minimal ingredients, it was like something you’d expect at a fancy five-star dining establishment. Dinner, for me, was vegetable broth and potatoes. Others, depending on their plan, were given a denser soup perhaps with another small, optional side.
If hunger sets in between meals, which for me it did, then herbal teas are your go-to. Tea for every ailment is available at the tea bar. There is certainly no snack shop or café on site, or in the vicinity of the resort for that matter.
Treatments
The resort’s medical centre is astounding; with treatment rooms containing the latest technology and medical experts that are brimming with knowledge. I felt in the safest of hands as I was guided through a week that was, quite simply, like nothing I have ever experienced before.
I had regular IV drips, which deliver essential (tailored) nutrients straight into the bloodstream. I was also booked into cryotherapy three times; this form of cold therapy (as in, -110 degrees) exposes the body to extreme cold for a few minutes as way to supposedly reduce inflammation in the body, helping with muscle and joint pain.
Various body massages, body scans, a colonic (this doesn’t need a description) and daily abdominal massages were also prescribed to me, as were nutritional consolations, an ‘emotional detox’ session which dug into my subconscious and nasal reflex therapy; a means of clearing my airways.
To do
There is plenty of free time among guests’ VIVAMAYR schedule. With two gyms, various spas and saunas as well as a pool and outdoor areas, you’re free to relax and take in the scenery. With such small meals, my energy was limited to a few short walks around the gorgeous lake, but other guests seemed to enjoy time at various yoga and pilates classes or simply reading in the lounge area.
Guests do mingle, yet most keep to themselves and enjoy silent downtime. It’s a break from the constant rush of normal life.
In a nutshell
This is the epitome of luxury detox. The expertise at VIVAMAYR is phenomenal and I’ve learnt more about my body in this one week than I have in 31 years of being alive. From the food, to the treatments, and the general atmosphere of the resort, everything has been thought out and fine-tuned to offer guests an experience they won’t forget. Upon leaving, a tailored guidebook gives instructions on how to continue implementing many of the habits from VIVAMAYR as well as information on foods and lifestyle tweaks to maintain good health. And staff are quick to remind you that, no matter what, they are always an email away.
Just a word on the staff; I feel they need a special mention as they never falter. Everyone is equipped with your personalised information, so at any given time, any member of staff can tell you where you should be, what treatment plan you’re on and what supplements need taking that day. It’s phenomenal how attentive, positive and devoted the staff are.
Would I return? In one word: yes. It’s a reset that I could do with a little more regularly.
Factbox
Austria is a short two-hour flight from London, and both resorts sit within a 60-minute drive of an airport, so transfers aren’t lengthy. As it stands, entry to Austria requires either three Covid vaccinations or a negative PCR test.
Prices at VIVAMAYR Maria Wörth start from €220 euros a night with a one week plan starting at €2,145.
Address: Seepromenade 11, 9082 Maria Wörth
Phone: +43 4273 31117
Email: office@vivamayr.com
Website: vivamayr.com
Photography courtesy of Halpern PR
