Om your marks
Reset for 2020 on a wellness break... from mountains to forests to oceans, there’s a retreat to suit you
SRI LANKA
Ayurveda, one of the world’s oldest healing systems, is at the core of luxury retreat Haritha Villas + Spa, which opened last month in the south of the country. The resort’s nine villas (adults only) perched on a hilltop estate and carved into hillside, are just a five-minute tuk-tuk ride down to quiet Narigama beach. In Haritha’s Jungle Spa, shaded by a canopy of trees, you can discover what your dosha (mind-body type) is from one of the two resident Ayurvedic doctors who will then prescribe a wellness programme that could involve yoga on the pavilion overlooking the lake or a meditation session at a monastery, and soothing massages. THE DEAL A night in a one-bedroom Contemporary Villa starts at €458. harithavillas.com
SKIATHOS, GREECE
Greece is the word that will re-energize the whole family at fivestar Elivi Skiathos – there’s a raft of new wellness activities to dive into. The hotel is surrounded by forest, a lagoon and a wildlife refuge – go on a hike, on a bike or on a horse along one of 25 marked nature trails. In the open-air gym overlooking the Aegean Sea you can join a yoga class or try out Acroyoga (acrobatic yoga). At the Kids’ Club, opened last year, activities include foraging through the forest with an instructor in search of figs and pears to make their own juice, and leaf gathering to make headbands. Four of the island’s best beaches are close by too.
THE DEAL From €197 per night based on two sharing a room. elivihotels.com
LONDON
Slam on the brakes, pull over into the calm of Corinthia London and spend the day in the spa. Spanning four floors, the five-star hotel’s ESPA Life spa is a peaceful oasis in the hectic heart of the capital. Sign up for its new Urban Escape package, which aims to counteract the stresses and strains of life in the fast lane. Relax as you enjoy a restorative massage (choose between Swedish, aromatherapy or hot stones massage) and radianceboosting facial. Unwind on the spa’s stunning Thermal Floor complete with sauna, pools, marble heated loungers and sleep pods. Enjoy a light nutritious meal from the new
spa lounge menu with a glass of Champagne. From €385pp. espalifeat corinthia.com, 0044 020 7321 3000
CHESHIRE
Claiming to offer a spa experience “like no other”, the €12million Spa at Carden opened last year. It’s set amid 1,000 acres of grounds and its multi-sensory wellbeing garden is one of the UK’S biggest spa gardens. The indoor spa spills outdoors to hidden hydrotherapy pools, with inviting sun loungers set out on the terrace and lawns, and winding paths leading to secluded areas of the garden. Guests can reap the benefits all year round thanks to warming cabins that offer various healing heat experiences, including an outdoor sauna looking out over the countryside. THE DEAL A one-night B&B Spa Escape break from €175pp. cardenpark.co.uk
NEW FOREST, HANTS
Trending fast in the world of wellness, CBD treatments are taking wellbeing and selfcare to the next level. Touted as the cure for many ills, CBD oil has not only been shown to help alleviate pain, tension and headaches but, thanks to its antioxidant properties, it also nourishes and tones the skin – reducing wrinkles and fine lines. Careys Manor Hotel in Brockenhurst has launched a range of CBD treatments and holisitic therapies at its world-class Thai-inspired Senspa. THE DEAL An overnight stay at the four-star Careys Manor starts at €188 in a double room. careysmanor.com
NEWPORT, WALES
Recently named one of the UK’S best family-friendly hotels, Celtic Manor, set in 567 hectares of parkland just 30 minutes east of Cardiff, offers stacks of activities to keep kids fit and happy, including swimming, archery and pitch and putt. Adults can make full use of the range of spa facilities to re-energise in the 20-metre pool, steam rooms, saunas, plunge pools and enormous jacuzzi, not to mention a golf course. THE DEAL A two-night Restore Spa Break starts at €210pp sharing, with breakfast, three-course buffet dinner in the Olive Tree restaurant on the first night and a 50-minute treatment. spabreaks.com
FRENCH ALPS
Take in the invigorating Alpine air and spectacular scenery of Serre Chevalier on a skiing trip – just the ticket for banishing seasonal blues. It’s just off a blue run down from one of the nearby lifts, which means guests can easily get back to Le Grand Aigle Hotel after a full day on the slopes, and head straight to its Pure Altitude Spa. Jump into the jacuzzi, enjoy a session in the sauna or treat yourself to a massage or facial. THE DEAL Ski Solutions has seven nights on half-board from €1,320pp sharing, including flights and transfers. skisolutions.com
ALGARVE, PORTUGAL
The award-winning Vilalara Longevity Thalassa & Medical Spa at Vilalara Thalassa Resort harnesses the healing qualities of the Atlantic waters in a wide range of thalassotherapy treatments and wellness programmes. Faro airport is just 30 miles from this stunning beach resort set in 11 hectares of lush gardens, with direct access to a secluded sandy beach. A superb kids’ club with a pool and games room means children can stay active. The new Family Wellness package includes yoga, fitness and healthy cooking sessions. Enjoy a therapeutic or sports massage, activities such as Pilates and fitball, Turkish bath and sauna. THE DEAL The seven-night Family Wellness Package starts at €2,347 based
on two adults and one child staying in a Junior Suite Garden View. Flights extra. longevityvilalara.com
FIT FOR CRUISING
Taking a cruise may not be the holiday of choice for fitness fans but when they get on board they’ll be pleasantly surprised. These days most major cruise lines worth their salt will have a state-of-the-art gym with the latest weight machines and cardio equipment. And you might even be lucky enough to try out the latest trends such as Hot Yoga, Pulse Barre and Peloton. Celebrity Cruises’ $500million investment to renovate its fleet sees a modernised Celebrity Silhouette set sail from Southampton this year complete with The Spa – where the Sea Thermal Suite will offer a raft of therapies and treatments. THE DEAL Seven-night Norwegian fjords round trip from Southampton on May 9 from €1,278pp sharing. celebritycruises.co.uk
TOKYO, JAPAN
Tokyo’s Palace Hotel is tapping into the spirit of wellbeing as it gears up to host the Olympics this summer. The five-star hotel’s Energizing Health and Wellness package promises to refresh body and mind with a holistic menu of treatments ranging from massage therapies and guided jogging/biking sessions around the city’s interesting neighbourhoods to Zen meditation.
THE DEAL The two-night B&B package starts at €1,425pp staying in an Executive Suite with Club Lounge access. en.palacehoteltokyo.com
FOREST OF DEAN, GLOS
Set where the Forest of Dean meets the Wye Valley, boutique hotel Tudor Farmhouse is ideal for Forest Bathing. The Japanese have long enjoyed the beneficial powers of Shinrin-yoku – from lowering blood pressure to boosting the immune system. On a gentle walk through remote woodland, you will “connect” with the trees, using all five senses, “bathing” in the rural calm. Back at the hotel you can dip into the Gratitude Journal packed with advice on boosting self-esteem and happiness. THE DEAL A twonight Soul Soother break starts at €710 for two sharing a Hatchling Room on half-board and the three-hour Forest Bathing session. tudorfarmhouse hotel.co.uk, 0044 01594 833046