This year’s hottest travel wellness facilities go far beyond simple spa sessions, finds Alice Barnes-Brown
1. Wellbeing river cruises
Two new-for-2024 five-night itineraries from A-Rosa show that clients can boost their mind and body even on a river cruise ship.
Retreat on the River takes to the Danube, hosted by a lifestyle coach and yoga instructor – ideal for clients who want to improve their fitness routines.
The Beautiful Rhine cruise, meanwhile, is a sojourn into skincare, anti-ageing and holistic beauty with spa expert Ingrid Breyer aboard flagship A-Rosa Sena, replete with a panoramic-windowed sauna.
Book it: Retreat on the River leads in at £999, including flights departing on November 9 and five nights on a Premium All-Inclusive basis. The Beautiful Rhine sailing starts from £1,599, with the same inclusions, departing on November 12.
arosa-cruises.co.uk
2. Aesthetic treatments
The Maldives’ Soneva Secret is set to open in early February, and its aesthetic beauty facilities could change the way clients look at pampering.
As Haa Dhaalu Atoll’s first resort, the all-new 14 private overwater and island villas come with access to the Soneva Soul wellness programme, which includes brain-sharpening hyperbaric chambers, intravenously administered beauty treatments, a nutrition consultation and even collagen-boosting lip enhancements.
Book it: Take advantage of Inspiring Travel’s opening offer, featuring seven nights’ full board in a Beach Hideaway, flights and seaplane transfers from £14,825, valid for travel between April 28 and October 11.
inspiringtravel.co.uk
3. In-house hotel doctors
On-site doctors are nothing new, but luxury hotels are now calling in medical professionals to help guests assess their health needs and manage ongoing concerns.
Last November, Caresse in Bodrum announced a partnership with Turkish internal medicine specialists Doctor Om, enabling guests to gain expert help to get their bodies in gear with workshops on gut health, plus medical massages and personalised weight-loss sessions – aided by state-of-the-art gym equipment.
Book it: Room-only rates start at £182.
marriott.com/travelagents
4. Biohacking
Ever-evolving fitness tech offers ways to upgrade every aspect of the human body. At new wellness-oriented resort Six Senses La Sagesse in Grenada – set to open in May – the Biohack Recovery Lounge is filled with the latest devices (think compression boots and massage guns) that help limbs recover faster from exercise, while in-room sleep-tracking rings mean guests can better understand their circadian rhythms and combat insomnia.
Book it: Prices at Six Senses La Sagesse start from £788 per night for two people sharing, including breakfast.
sixsenses.com
5. Genomic testing
A regal retreat in Thailand’s sunny city by the sea is bound to work wonders, but the Chiva-Som Hua Hin recently went one step further by launching genomic testing, using top-notch diagnostic tools to examine clients’ DNA.
Two testing packages are available: one looks at metabolism and how the body processes nutrients, the other assesses the risk of chronic disease.
Book it: Elegant Resorts offers seven nights’ full board, plus both testing packages, from £9,775, including flights, lounge access and transfers, based on a March 10 departure.
elegantresorts.co.uk
PICTURE: Gurbuz Umit Okan
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