Author: TheSpaTraveller

Dream wellness destination spa If you’re looking for wellness to de-stress, lose weight or simply relax in the sun why not book yourself into these Asian spas with a western twist Images: Courtesy The Chateau Spa & Organic Wellness Resort The Chateau Spa & Organic Wellness Resort, which nestles in the Berjaya Hills in Malaysia, 50 minutes from Kuala Lumpar and The Taaras Beach & Spa Resort, which lies on its own island in the South China Sea are offering a tempting two-centre spa holiday which ticks all the boxes for rest, relaxation and rejuvenation. “This offers the…

When life gets in the way, escape to the Swiss mountains Spa Traveller Wellness ‘romance’ correspondents, Claire and Jason, rediscover harmony and balance in the spas of St Luc in the Anniviers valley of Switzerland Claire’s journal: Whatever one plans, it’s fairly certain life will get in the way, and that’s when I start searching online for an escape. Nothing too avaricious, but definitely something involving a place where we can unwind and remember why we love each other. So, it’s serendipity when I get a call to review a spa hotel in St Luc in Switzerland. It nestles in…

Wellness in the heart of Game of Thrones country Penny McCormick learns ‘how to spa’ after check-in at the Galgorm Resort & Spa, County Antrim for her 24-hour luxury wellness retreat Spending 24 hours in a fluffy bathrobe is my idea of luxury, though clearly not a frequent experience for many. Hence when I check into my room at Galgorm Resort & Spa, in County Antrim, I find instructions on how to spa. It’s not surprising some pointers may be needed given the multiple facilities on offer at this impressive location that encompasses 75,00 square feet fusing the natural elements of air, fire, earth…

Release your stress PENNY McCORMICK visits the Mandarin Oriental Spa in London and “let’s go” during the signature treatment MOSST which is the perfect start to the weekend It’s traditional at this time of year to embark on a new diet or attempt a detox. Possibly more beneficial than either is booking a session at the Mandarin Oriental Spa in London. I started the spa year with their signature therapy – called MOSST. Typically I arrived late and therefore did not get to enjoy the relaxation process that is the sanarium (sauna), vitality pool or amethyst crystal steam room but I…

by Chantal Borciani Slinking into the outdoor hot tub, thick globules of snow oozing over the tan-coloured chalet roofs, I feel properly ensconced in alpine life. Everything about the pretty chocolate box town of Gstaad seems to perfectly encapsulate its “come up, slow down” ethos. Firstly your arrival into town is along one of the oldest and most beautiful train routes in Europe. The Montreux Oberland Bernois railway carves through alpine valleys and winds skywards into the mountains, its elegant carriages chuffing higher and higher past snow-swept scars, emerald glacial streams and tiny hamlets until real life feels a long…

RED MULLET by Lefay Resort & Spa Executive Chef Matteo Maenza INGREDIENTS FOR 1 PERSON 1 large red mullet of 120g or 2 red mullets (weight 120g) 1 basil leaf 50g breadcrumbs 1 head of cauliflower 200g orange juice 200g fennel Fresh cream 20g Tapenade   METHOD FOR THE RED MULLET: fillet the red mullet and leave attached by the tail, arrange on a sheet of cling film and place a basil leaf between the fillets. Wrap up the red mullet, securing well, and seal them in a vacuum (for at least 4 hours or freeze). Roll the red mullet in egg and white…

Santa Barbara’s jewel: Bacara By Chantal Borciani Located around ten minutes’ drive from cool and stylish Santa Barbara on California’s Central Coast, Bacara (meritagecollection.com/bacararesort) is a luxury resort with serious star quality. The five-star resort is set on a marigold whisp of beach and its Mediterranean-inspired chic ocean-facing haciendas, private cabanas and divine suites dot the resort’s 78 oceanfront acres. Bacara’s 42,000 square foot spa is one of the largest on the west coast and boasts a courtyard adult-only pool encircled with lazing pods made for two, male and female steam, sauna and Jacuzzi, 37 serene treatment rooms, a fire-lit…

LEFAY RESORT & SPA LAUNCHES LEFAY VITAL GOURMET:TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE WITH ITALIAN CULINARY EXPERTISELefay Resort & Spa Lago di Garda, the luxury eco spa resort overlooking Lake Garda in Italy, has launched Lefay Vital Gourmet, an innovative food concept combining the principles of classical Chinese Medicine with the best local seasonal produce and Italian culinary heritage.In line with the resort’s own Lefay Spa Method, which combines the preventative approach of Chinese medicine and modern Western techniques, Lefay Vital Gourmet is a fusion of traditional values and modern expertise. Menus in the resort’s two restaurants – La Grande Limonaia and Trattoria La Vigna – showcase an holistic way of…

Switch off – it’s time for a digital detox Digital detoxers ditch their devices – Ofcom. Is an obsession with smartphones, iPads and ‘screen time’ harming our children and us? Help is at hand… Sign-up to find our more about our Digital Detox and other Bespoke Guided Retreats – click here… Fifteen million UK internet users have undertaken a ‘digital detox’ in a bid to strike a healthier balance between technology and life beyond the screen, according to major new Ofcom research. The study of 2,025 adults and 500 teenagers reveals how our reliance on the internet is affecting people’s personal…

You are what you eat… The inspiration behind Spain’s prestigious SHA Wellness Clinic, Alfredo Bataller Parietti, who cured his own 30-year digestive disease in 30 days by changing his diet now shares his wisdom with you What inspired you to open SHA Wellness? I had suffered for 30 years with digestive diseases and although I had always been checked by doctors there was no improvement. At the age of 52 I was surprised and lucky to find a real solution thanks to a splendid nutritionist and other natural therapies. Once I discovered this new world, and mine was not an…