This document summarizes 5 of Europe's leading luxury health retreats: 1. SHA Wellness Clinic in Valencia, Spain offers a wide range of wellness programs and treatments including its signature SHA Diet and focuses on natural therapies and healthy eating. 2. VIVAMAYR in Lake Wörth, Austria uses holistic treatment methods based on digestive health and an alkalizing diet and detox plan. 3. Clinique La Prairie in Clarens-Montreux, Switzerland was established in 1931 and offers rejuvenation therapies including oral extracts from lamb's livers to boost the immune system and slow aging. 4. La Réserve Ramatuelle Hotel & Sp

1. LIVING
PORTFOLIO.
Long frequented by the rich and famous, Europe is
setting the bar for high-­end medi-­spas.With holistic
healing now synonymous with ultra-­luxe resorts and
jet-­set locations, we round-­up five of the best luxury
retreats for rejuvenating the body, mind and soul
Europe’s Leading
Luxury Health
Retreats

2. I
f there’s a wellness experience not on the menu here, it’s probably not
worth your while.With one of the widest selections of healthy living
programmes in Europe, and a focus on natural therapies and healthy
eating combined with the latest advances in western medicine, it’s a
metaphorical superpower in wellness experiences.
It even has its own diet. An integral part to every stay is the SHA Diet,
which seeks to introduce new sustainable eating habits that rebalance the body,
boosting its ability to heal itself. It’s based on the principles of macrobiotics,
updated to fit today’s lifestyles and the availability of seasonal ingredients.
The Clinic Area offers medical services spanning general assessments and
genetic analysis, to hair-loss treatment and traditional Chinese medicine.
The Wellness Area completes your holistic wellbeing overhaul, with beauty
treatments, massage, water therapy, personal training and classes including
yoga, meditation and tai chi.The four-day Sha Discovery plan is a great
generalist programme, whilst more specific experiences range from anti-
tobacco to sleep recovery.
Ninety suites, zen, mediterranean and tropical gardens, indoor and outdoor
pools, a hydrotherapy circuit, putting green, tennis court, super-stylish white
interiors, and oodles of large open spaces and terraces miraculously combine
in perfect harmony, with views of the beautiful Bay Of Altea providing the
none too shabby backdrop.
Deluxe Suites start from $298 per night on a room only basis.The four-day
SHA Discovery Programme costs $1,291 including full board (excluding accommodation).
Tel. +34 966 811 199. shawellnessclinic.com
SHA Wellness Clinic
Valencia, Spain
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Words:HannahGeorge
2 VIVAMAYR, LAKE WÖRTH, AUSTRIA
Housed in an modern five-­star hotel, all shiny white
brick and glass facades,VIAVMAYR wouldn’t look
out of place on the boulevards of Miami. But make no
mistake; this is a retreat that means business, so leave
your vices at home. Located on the breathtaking shores
of Lake Wörth,VIVAMAYR is at the forefront of a
new generation of medical wellness retreats, and uses
holistic treatment methods based on the healing of the
digestive tract.
Bespoke programmes are designed by doctors
trained in modern Mayr medicine, with the foundations
of an alkalizing diet and detox plan.Testament to the
natural anti-­ageing effects and resulting brighter skin,
weight-­loss and increased energy, is the retreat’s client-­
list of celebrity designers and high profile models.
The hotel boats a glorious pool, steam baths, saunas,
a gym, and the latest beauty treatments in its spa and
salon. Rooms and suites are fittingly modern and
stylish, with a newly built villa boasting a private jetty.
But it’s the outstanding natural beauty of the
surrounding Lake Wörth that truly makes VIVAMAYR
a holistic experience.With uncontaminated air and
mineral-­rich waters, swimming, rowing or simply
strolling heal the soul to match your new and
improved body.
Comfort Rooms from $244 per night, including breakfast.
The holistic seven-day‘Vvamayr Special Package’costs from
$2,701 per person, including accommodation, a choice of
medical treatments and access to all spa facilities.
Tel: +43 (0) 4273 311 170 / viva-mayr.com
3 CLINIQUE LA PRAIRIE,
CLARENS-MONTREUX, SWITZERLAND
Established in 1931, Clinique La Prairie, located a stone’s throw from Lake
Geneva, has been making headlines for decades. And not only thanks to its
(now sold-­off) leading skincare range or its eclectic mix of celebrity clientele
– names as varied asWinston Churchill and Mick Jagger are rumoured to
have checked in for treatments.
Its founder, Professor Paul Niehans, was a pioneer in cellular therapy,
famous for injecting fresh cells from lamb fetuses into his patients to slow
down the ageing process.These days the legendary rejuvenation therapy
extract is taken from lamb’s livers and administered orally, but its anti-­
ageing, immune system-­boosting credentials remain as celebrated as ever.
With a focus on health, beauty and wellness as the basis of a longer,
happier life, the centre offers a la carte programmes ranging from six to
13 nights, with everything from medical check-­ups to weight management,
rebalancing and a popular beauty programme.The immaculate facilities
include a dental clinic, sleep centre and a 16,000 square metre spa, with a
pool, Jacuzzi, Kneipp course and ice fountain.
Luxury rooms and suites are divided between La Residence, with the
opulent charm of a 20th Century grand hotel, andThe Chateau, with
terraces offering panoramic views of the lake. A treasure trove of greenery
surrounds the retreat, with perfectly manicured gardens, framed by the
utterly dreamy silhouette of the Alps.
The six-night Revitalisation Programme, including full board in a standard room,
costs from $25,000 per person.Tel: + 41 (0)21 989 33 11. laprairie.ch

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81Cuisine may be light but it
comes with Mediterranean
flavour and a Michelin Star,
courtesy of La Voile restaurant
4 LA RÉSERVE RAMATUELLE HOTEL & SPA
CÔTE D’AZUR, FRANCE
Total relaxation is the name of the game at La Reserve Ramatuelle, and the
rules are on your terms. A visit might simply involve a leisurely stay high up
in the hills of the exclusive hotel or villas, with relaxation revolving around
the dazzling views of the Mediterranean, and avoiding the temptations of
neighbouring StTropez.
The chic ambience, neutral interiors and sheer beauty of the surrounding
nature are a tonic in themselves, but it’s the spa programmes that provide the
ice and slice. Offering a selection of three to six-­day plans to achieve anything
from anti-­ageing to deep relaxation, slimming or toning, most combine an
effective blend of treatments, exercise and healthy eating.
Meals here aren’t the typical serving of lackluster greens. Cuisine may be
light but it comes with Mediterranean flavour and a Michelin Star, courtesy
of LaVoile restaurant and chef Eric Canino, with his philosophy of eating
better whilst preserving the pleasure of living well.
Programmes are based on the medical expertise of the Nescens brand,
with the ‘Better Ageing Exclusive Experience’ proving popular as well as
the Nescens Bootcamp.The five-­day fitness-­boosting plan combines Nordic
walking on coastal paths and a series of spa treatments including a muscular
awakening session, balneotherapy and a better-­ageing body massage.
Superior Rooms cost from €500 per night, including breakfast.The Niscens
Bootcamp costs from €2,900 per day, excluding accommodation.
Tel +33 (0)4 94 44 94 44 / lareserve-ramatuelle.com
5 GRAND RESORT BAD RAGAZ, SWITZERLAND
The healing powers ofTamina gorge, Europe’s most
abundant thermal source, were first discovered in the
16th Century, when people would lower themselves in
via ropes, to reap the benefits of its balanced minerals
and body temperature (36.5°C) water. In 2016 no ropes
are required, since the same water now fills theThermal
Spa at Grand Resort Bad Ragaz, and provides the
foundation for the luxury wellbeing and medical resort’s
healing experience.
Bad Ragaz undoubtedly has the medical credentials,
with diagnostic, preventive and rehabilitation services
in a fully-­fledged medical clinic, which even houses the
Swiss Olympic Medical Centre and a check-­up specially
designed for sportsmen.
But it’s the spa experience that stands head and
(well-­honed) shoulders above similar resorts. Spread
over 18,000 square metres, facilities include a ‘water
world’ with three thermal pools, a Finnish sauna,
the world’s first herbal steam bath embellished with
Swarovski crystals, an ice cave and pool, water beds,
a winter garden relaxation lounge, an even a ‘cuddle
lounge’ for couples.
There’s also more entertainment than expected,
with concerts, exhibitions, fireside lectures, two golf
courses and a casino. Subsequently, Bad Ragaz puts
the razzamatazz into health retreats, so if you’re looking
for a wellbeing break with a lively resort feel, this could
be the one for you.
Comfort Rooms start from $371 per night, on a room only
basis.The two-night‘Fit For Spring’package includes a
beauty treatment and bespoke diet plan, and costs from €450
per person per night in a double room.
Tel. +41 81 303 30 30 / resortragaz.ch