The 5 Best Health Retreats For A Rejuvenating Wellness Escape

WHAT TO EXPECT: Celebrities, influencers and CEOs come to SHA for a complete lifestyle overhaul. With therapies inspired by Japanese and Mediterranean ways of life (both geographical areas boast the longest life expectancies globally), longevity is very much the focus here. You’ll find a selection of programs that rely on extensive medical testing coupled with complementary wellness therapies – from ozone therapy (great for better immunity) to neurocognitive assessments and treatments such as transcranial stimulation, a non-invasive magnetic form of brain stimulation (part of the Cognitive Boost pack). Most recently, the resort has launched a hyper-personalized program called Tailor-Made, which uses advanced diagnostics and mathematical analysis powered by OpenAI to create a one-of-a-kind itinerary, as well as specialist trichology and dermatology units for a total mind-and-body reset.

THE MUST-TRY: If you’re feeling burnt out and exhausted, or going through the menopause or perimenopause, book in for the Advanced Cellular Regeneration Therapy. Using cold atmospheric plasma technology, the machine (equipped with 24-carat gold applicators) releases a stream of ions across your body, which can penetrate clothing to be absorbed by your skin. It rebalances the positive and negative charges inside your cells (disease is related to negatively charged cells), while neutralizing free radicals (responsible for aging) within the body – all while you feel virtually nothing at all (although some people report a feeling of deep relaxation). The benefits include lower cortisol levels and a greater production of vitamin D, serotonin and dopamine. Just one 50-minute session is recommended to see results.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Chenot Palace is unlike any other health spa or medical retreat out there. Based on a method devised by Dr. Henri Chenot, often referred to as the founding father of the wellness movement, programs blend the best of Western and Chinese medicines to diagnose and treat every element of the body in minute detail and at a cellular level. And, as the flagship resort of the Chenot portfolio, Palace Weggis – which sits majestically on the shores of Lake Lucerne in Switzerland – includes advanced extras, too. Cue a world-class metabolic and sports labs, in-house blood analysis, anti-gravity technologies, plus cryo and altitude chambers. Indeed, the one-week ‘Recover and Energise’ program is already the A-list’s go-to for tackling stress, recharging energy and restoring sleep – thanks to four new sleep rooms (part of the Sleep Cycles module) that use soundscape to guide brain waves into the delta range, helping to improve how quickly you get to sleep and how deep you sleep.

THE MUST-TRY: From neuro-acoustic relaxation treatments (think sound therapy), full-body composition scans (fat, muscle and bones) and oxidative stress, arterial stiffness and collagen-thickness assessments to massages, hydrotherapy, IV drips and a molecular lab test that analyzes your genes to highlight any premature aging, this retreat delivers an astonishing 360-degree evaluation. The result? You leave with a clear life plan for your health, plus advice on how to continually improve.

WHAT TO EXPECT: What sets the Palazzo Fiuggi Wellness Medical Retreat apart is its use of some of the world’s leading technologies, including MRI and infrared for brain health and sleep, as well as retinal scanning and diagnostic testing – all administered within its historic walls. The retreat’s medical teams are on hand 24/7 to help build a blueprint of your health, while a focus on the immune system, cellular regeneration, decreasing stress and increasing energy ensures its seven-night ‘Regenerate’ program gives you the tools to mitigate signs of aging and boost your strength and sleep.

THE MUST-TRY: Book a bolt-on treatment, such as detoxifying hydrotherapy, rejuvenating cryotherapy or massage, plus advanced relaxation and sleep-enhancement sessions.

WHAT TO EXPECT: As detoxes go, the Villa Stéphanie spa and wellbeing resort, part of Brenners Park in Baden-Baden, sets a high bar. Rather than offering the usual holistic approach and minimal (often liquid) diet, the focus here is on the science of the body and its biological makeup to deliver tangible results. The program starts with a doctor’s assessment of your heart and lung function, body mass and water levels, plus a nutritional evaluation. Following a preliminary in-depth analysis of your composition, the diet will be plentiful, but dictates no caffeine, alcohol or carbs after breakfast. Meanwhile, the fitness element is known to be grueling, but hikes through the idyllic foothills of the Black Forest make it worth the effort. The upshot? You’ll leave feeling lighter, leaner and clear-headed.

THE MUST-TRY: With an emphasis on a better quality of sleep (key for true head-to-toe recharging), certain rooms (the Superior or Deluxe Stéphanie and the Spa Suite) offer a total digital detox at the press of a button. With a flick of the switch beside your bedside table, your room is instantly disconnected from all electrics and WiFi, removing all distractions for a more restorative night’s sleep.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Delivering a super-chic hybrid of science and luxury, Lanserhof Sylt offers a results-driven, medical approach that maximizes its breathtaking surroundings, inside and out. Indeed, the newest edition to the Lanserhof portfolio is the only property by the sea, and Sylt has already been branded ‘the Hamptons of Germany’. Here, the seven-day ‘Longevity’ program is overseen by medical director and cardiologist Dr. Jan Stritzke and focuses on understanding and slowing down aging. You can also expect your stay to be peppered with cutting-edge diagnostics with natural healing methods – from bioimpedance analysis (metabolism) to lymph detox drainage and reflexology. This really is where you come to get set on the right path to optimum health and wellness.

THE MUST-TRY: For those who want an even more tailored approach to their stay, the new Stress Resilience program helps to relieve and strengthen your unique response to the demands of everyday life. There’s also the Women’s Health program, for a proactive approach to your potential health risks at any age, and the Breast Cancer Rehab program, which offers both state-of-the-art medical insights and headspace for healing.

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