In the world of modern travel – wellness is a chorus that grows louder every season. Busy lives dictate that moments away need to include a focus on healing and health. Luxury hotels are now delivering a wide range of ‘Wellness Wows’ in an effort to appeal to the most discerning of travellers.
Here are what some of the world’s top destinations are doing to ensure that the luxury traveller has everything they need to return home a better version of themselves.
Domes of Elounda, Autograph Collection, Crete
Domes of Elounda, Autograph Collection in Crete has created a ‘Divine Disconnect Package’ for guests looking to turn off, shut down and log out in Paradise – focusing on an internal well-being. This stunning hotel recognises that digital detaching is not an easy thing to do at the best of times, so they have created an irresistible way of going ‘off-grid. In truth, the setting here provides a welcome distraction from any smart phone. A spectacular getaway whose awe inspiring views of the crystal blue waters of the Mediterranean will take your breath away, Domes of Elounda is set on the jaw-dropping Cretan coastline.
Within their wellness progamme guests give devices the day off (locked in the suite’s safe), breakfast in bed (mood-boosting, healthy, fresh foods) followed by a day trip: an organised activity such as fishing on a chartered boat, accompanied by snacks and beverages. Afternoon activities are non-digital and include colouring books for adults or families, a selection of glossy magazines and coffee table books, and board games before a cosy dinner in a quiet corner of the restaurant with a special health-conscious menu. In the evening, a digital detox certificate of completion can be shown to the bar for a complimentary glass of prosecco (and a smoothie for children).
Based in Elounda, Crete, Domes of Elounda is located in one of the loveliest parts of Greece, a long-time A-list secret currently favoured by host of famous faces such as Jennifer Aniston, Brad Pitt and Rhianna. Last year British Airways began direct flights to Crete with four direct flights per week. Only 3 hours and 55 minutes out of Gatwick, Heraklion provides easy access to the award-winning Domes of Elounda.
Indigo Pearl, Phuket in Thailand
Indigo Pearl is a stunning resort on the coast of Phuket. Stylish and chic, this design hotel set within the Thai rainforest is an ultra-luxury destination steeped in the richness of the rainforest and exotic gardens. The hotel is comprised of extraordinary super-luxe suites and villas but the real draw of the place, the ‘pièce de résistance’, is the Coqoon Spa – a must-try for all spa enthusiasts.
The spa has to be seen to be believed and consists of multiple luxurious spa suites called ‘The Nests’ – huge spherical structures seemingly suspended mid-air. The spa’s unusual architecture is awe inspiring – as is the list of spa treatments. Steeped in Thai tradition whilst embracing holistic ideals, on offer is a range of aromatic body treatments, scrubs and wraps. The spa itself is a haven of private steam rooms, pools, rainforest showers with Thai herbs, Andaman elixirs and cosmétologie de Paris to pamper you. Their signature treatment, however, is the Coqoon Balancing Rebirth Massage which uses colours and crystals, including traditional Thai Reflexology to clear body and mind. Warm crystals are slowly massaged on your body’s chakra points, while the pressure points of your feet are stimulated to leave you feeling energised.
Miraggio Thermal Spa Resort, Halkidiki in Greece
Brand new and extraordinary Miraggio Thermal Spa Resort in Greece opens on 27th May 2016 on the coast of Halkidiki. Secluded within a sheltered bay, along a pristine and perfect coastline, the hotel personifies luxury throughout, including a floating sauna in the marina so guests can jump directly afterwards into the sea. Sure to become a magnet for luxury spa aficionados, the 5-star hotel’s Myrthia Thermal Spa is enormous and extraordinary, and runs across two floors. It offers a large thalassotherapy pool fed in from the sea which warms up to a heavenly thirty degrees. There are four separate thermal pools with unique thermal waters of the region and a thermal well-life suite with steam baths, a Finnish sauna, tepidarium, herbal sauna, cold plunge walking path and two experience showers. There are also Rasul mud treatments, Herbal Sauna, Flotation & Hydrotherapy Beds, KNEIPP Baths, Water Jet treatments, and three swimming pools with sea and thermal water. Additionally, there are no less than six fresh water swimming pools.
For those looking to arrive in style there’s a helipad with helicopter transfers taking 20 minutes from Thessaloniki airport, or chauffeur limousines 1 1/2hrs, with a marina deep enough for super yachts to moor right up to the hotel ensuring easy and flexible access, whatever your method of transport.
Murat Reis, Ayvalik in Turkey
New and ultra chic Murat Reis is a hidden gem in the incredible area of Ayvalik – a part of Turkey that has long been a favourite destination for locals but little known outside the country. Stylish and inviting, this spectacular hotel is the only one of its kind, including captivating views of the Aegean coast. Their ‘sunset sauna’ is a stunning and spacious room with a front row seat for one of the loveliest sunsets in the world.
Known for its oxygen rich, clean air, Ayvalik represents undiscovered Turkey at its best including over two million olive trees. Murat Reis offers sunset wine tastings, two chic restaurants offering a wide selection of modern Mediterranean foods along with utterly lovely beachfront living. In the Murat Reis luxury spa and fitness centre there is a heated open pool, sauna, steam room and Turkish Bath and all gym equipment affords excellent sea and island views whilst exercising. Ayvalik is reached via Istanbul with a 1-hour internal flight to Edremit Airport. Murat Reis is a 30 mins drive from the airport; alternatively you can fly into Izmir, it’s an hour and a half from Adnan Menderes Int’l Airport.
Velaa Private Island, Maldives
Recently named by Travel + Leisure magazine as one of the finest hotels in the world, Velaa Private Island in the Maldives is nestled amidst an unrivalled coastal splendour, boasting a selection of stylishly appointed luxury villas and hotel offerings that are nothing short of spectacular. Following $275 million investment, it has emerged as the ultra-luxe haven for the world’s most discerning holidaymakers.
Awarded both ‘Best Resort’ and ‘Best New Resort in the Maldives’ it is perhaps unsurprising that there some incredible wellness wows. They are the first and only resort in the Maldives with a snow room. Chilled to a frosty -15 °C and complete with mounds of compacted ice and snow, it’s ideal for guests who wish to dive into the icy chamber after using the sauna. Coupled with Velaa’s Sauna and Steam rooms, the Snow Room promotes positive health benefits by detoxing – increasing circulation, stimulating the skin with hot and cold therapy experiences. In addition, a visit to the snow room assists in tightening cuticles and pores for shiny, clean, young looking hair and skin. Velaa Private Island Spa stands over turquoise waters populated with needlefish and the occasional turtle.
Reached by wooden walkways, each of the treatment rooms is set within a standalone traditional thatched cabin with sea views. Situated in the Noonu atoll, Velaa Private Island is a 45-minute seaplane flight north of the Maldivian capital of Malé uples spa treatments.
Kata Rocks, Phuket in Thailand
The Infinite Luxury Spa at Kata Rocks, on Phuket in Thailand offers an exclusive chromotherapy room for coloured light therapy which relaxes and de-stresses, a waterbed room equipped with Italian-made Iso-Benessere, a water massage bed for aiding spinal integration and a traditional Thai treatment room. But the real wellness wow is all about getting a good night’s sleep! State of the art Metro Energy nap pods are part of their sleep spa programme and are designed to aid users towards get better rest. After being lulled to sleep by ‘soothing sounds’, you are put into a perfect position for a nap, taking pressure off of the cardiac system. These pods have proven to aid in day to day productivity, alternateness and overall wellness. Brand new to Phuket, Kata Rocks is a haven of calm on the Andaman Sea. A truly remarkable hotel and private residence, Kata Rocks is located in one of the world’s most romantic beach destinations, quickly gaining a reputation for style, tailored service and excellence.
