Spa specialists have predicted that 2010 will see a seismic shift in consumers’ motivations for spa stays.
Where previously clients chose treatments that would make them feel better, now they’ll be looking for programmes designed to actually make them better.
“This year we’ll say goodbye pampering, hello prevention,” says Cassandra Cavanah, executive director of SpaFinder, the global spa directory.
She predicts that the focus will increasingly be on health and wellness rather than relaxation, with clients looking to lose weight, look younger or raise their fitness levels. Here we highlight eight properties to recommend.
The BodyHoliday at LeSport, St Lucia
“Give us your body for a week and we’ll give you back your mind” – so runs the tagline for this St Lucian resort, which promises that guests will leave feeling mentally and physically rejuvenated.
All guests receive a daily 50-minute spa treatment included in the price of their stay, and fitness classes range from watersports and yoga to circus arts, archery and dance.
After a consultation, a specialist will recommend activities and changes that guests can make to their lifestyle, both at the resort and back at home.
Sample product: Virgin Holidays offers seven nights’ all-inclusive at The BodyHoliday at LeSport from £1,528 per person twin-share, including Virgin Atlantic flights from Gatwick and transfers. Price valid on selected June departures. vhols4agents.co.uk, 0844 557 3982
SHA Wellness Clinic, Alicante, Spain
This Spanish property has an approach to health as slick as its design.
A 45-minute drive from Alicante, the property sits on a hill with sea views, surrounded by landscaped gardens and infinity pools. Its staff include doctors and professionals specialising in disciplines such as macrobiotic diets, yoga, preventative medicine, tai chi and acupuncture.
Tailor-made programmes fuse different elements, focusing on goals such as slimming, stress-reduction, giving up smoking or just improving general health.
Sample product: A SHA Feeling programme including a floatarium session, relaxing massage, treatment (shiatsu, reiki or acupuncture) plus activities costs $400. Two-day stays are recommended for this programme with rooms costing $200 per night. shawellnessclinic.com, 020 7644 6116
Como Shambhala Estate, Bali
This estate pairs absolute luxury with holistic health. Guests can choose between rooms with private treatment areas, stand-alone villas and garden suites, all at a rural site beside a river.
Therapies from Ayurveda to hydrotherapy and activities from yoga to martial arts are offered as part of bespoke wellness programmes. Como Shambhala Retreats are also attached to Como Resorts in Bhutan, the Maldives and the Turks and Caicos, and to urban hotels in Bangkok, Singapore and London.
Sample product: Western & Oriental Travel offers seven nights’ bed and breakfast from £1,589 per person based on two people sharing. Price includes Malaysian Airlines flights via Kuala Lumpur to Bali and private airport transfers. wandotravel.com, 0845 277 3355
Six Senses Destination Spa, Phuket, Thailand
With bootcamps on the beach and meditation on a small offshore islet, the original Six Senses resort is a fitness haven for body and mind.
It should be fun, too. The resort makes the most of its idyllic location with a gym in the jungle, sailing trips and sightseeing explorations. In addition to saintly-sounding ‘fishertarian’ and raw food cooking classes, guests can also learn pizza making.
Its Life Passage programmes include a Couple’s Choice, for guests who want to get healthy together.
Sample product: Elegant Resorts offers seven nights’ full-board at the Six Senses Destination Spa including Thai Airways flights from Heathrow, and car and boat transfers from £2,535 per person. elegantresorts.co.uk, 01244 897518
Chiva-Som, Hua Hin, Thailand
The original Asian destination spa is still one of the most luxurious, and welcomes many celebrities.
Situated in Hua Hin, Chiva-Som means ‘Haven of Life’ in Thai and offers packages that focus on different goals, from weight management and detox, to yoga and fitness.
The new ‘Eternal Youth’ retreat offers non-surgical medi-spa treatments such as microdermabrasion and laser skin therapy. All retreats include daily massages and activities.
Sample product: Western & Oriental Travel offers seven nights at Chiva-Som from £3,109 per person based on two sharing. The price includes Eva Air flights to Bangkok, and private airport transfers from Bangkok airport to Chiva-Som. wandotravel.com, 0845 277 3399
La Source, Grenada
This Caribbean property offers daily spa treatments as part of its all-inclusive package.
Guests are then free to choose between relaxing and a large range of activities, with multiple watersports, tennis, fencing, archery and beach volleyball available.
Guests can also benefit from a series of masterclasses throughout the year, led by specialists.
The next masterclass is a week-long yoga retreat, running from April 10-17.
Sample product: Cosmos Holidays offers seven nights’ all-inclusive at La Source priced from £1,769 per person, departing from Gatwick with Monarch Airlines on April 14. cosmos-holidays.co.uk, 0871 423 8518
Ananda in the Himalayas
Where better to send clients with an interest in yoga and Ayurveda than the place in which they originated – India. Ananda in the Himalayas is a destination spa surrounding the historic palace that used to belong the maharaja of Tehri-Garhwal.
Wellness packages range from specific yoga and Ayurveda programmes to weight management, detox and fitness programmes.
Sample product: Elegant Resorts offers seven nights’ from £2,220, including Virgin Atlantic flights from Heathrow and transfers. elegantsresorts.co.uk, 01244 897518
Grand Resort Bad Ragaz
The medical team at this swish Swiss health retreat has developed a series of packages designed to target health problems caused by everyday living.
The packages include an 11-day programme targeted at comfort eaters which features cognitive behavioural coaching, nutritional advice and planning, exercise therapy and water shiatsu.
Sample product: Kuoni offers seven nights’ bed and breakfast, including flights with Swiss from Heathrow and rail transfers, from £1,196 per person. agents.kuoni.co.uk, 01306 744306
