© © Chenot
Pure relaxation at the Chenot Palace
December 2, 2023
Marianne von Waldenfels
Relax, recharge. Unique hotels where (almost) everything revolves around medical wellness: from Antwerp to Lake Lucerne.
Regenerate at Lake Lucerne
On a private beach of the Swiss Lake Lucerne, the patented Chenot method practices medical wellness at the highest level. The focus is on preventive health care and anti-aging. The individual wellness package includes diagnostic tests, medical consultations, therapeutic treatments, and custom Chenot® diet plans. The rooms are designed according to the latest findings in sleep research. The health philosophy includes, among other things, abstaining from salt . And: The view of the lake is only available without alcohol. Instead of high-proof cocktails, juices are served on the beach.
© Vana, Randhir Singh
Amidst an 8.5-hectare lychee and mango garden in North India, at the foothills of the Himalayas, lies the perfect place to regenerate mentally and physically. The retreat focuses on tailored programs to optimize well-being. The treatments are based on traditional healing arts from India, China, and Tibet: The Six Senses Vana is one of the few places in the world where Sowa Rigpa is officially offered in its complete form. Detox is emphasized here, including personalized dietary plans, Ayurvedic treatments, and digital detox. After the morning yoga in the 'Bodhi Tree Sacred Space', one feels almost transcendental.
© Euphoria
Near Sparta on the Peloponnese, ancient Greek and Chinese philosophies and healing practices are uniquely combined with the latest nutritional science insights. The heart and mind of the innovative house with a holistic healing approach: Marina Efraimoglou, a former investment banker who, after a cancer diagnosis, sought therapies to strengthen and rebalance the mind and body, decided to create a place of healing herself. Today, the luxurious Euphoria Retreat Health and wellbeing are top priorities. Highlights of the house: The 25-meter high, cylindrical spa tower. The sophisticated nutrition program. The wonderfully mountainous landscape surrounding the retreat. And the Zen atmosphere that makes every stress forgotten within the first minutes of the stay.
Near Sparta in the Peloponnese, ancient Greek and Chinese philosophies and healing practices are uniquely combined with the latest nutritional science findings. The heart and mind of the innovative establishment with a holistic healing approach: Marina Efraimoglou, a former investment banker, who, after a cancer diagnosis, sought therapies to strengthen and rebalance the mind and body and decided to create a place of healing herself. Today, health and wellbeing are the top priorities at the luxurious Euphoria Retreat. Highlights of the establishment: The 25-meter high, cylindrical spa tower. The sophisticated nutrition program. The wonderfully mountainous landscape surrounding the retreat. And the Zen atmosphere that makes any stress vanish within the first few minutes of the stay.
© Buchinger Wilhelmi
Silence, please! One of the world’s most renowned addresses for successful fasting is located in Überlingen, high above Lake Constance. The programs promise a reboot for body and mind, based on the findings of the founder Dr. Otto Buchinger. These have been further developed over three generations in partnership with university research centers and pursue a holistic approach that regards body, mind, and soul as a unity in the healing and growth process. Fitness, movement in nature, and mental inspiration complement the offer. A classic fasting cure in the Buchinger Wilhelmi lasts between 10 and 28 days. Conscious abstinence is a top priority here - this also applies to cell phones. They are taboo on the clinic premises.
© La Pura Women’s Health Resort
The pretty resort in the Austrian Waldviertel is specialized in women's health. In cooperation with the Medical University of Vienna, the latest findings from gender medicine are combined with naturopathy. The F. X. Mayr cure in the la pura women's health resort is also completely tailored to "women". This includes a women-specific analysis and diagnostics in addition to individual therapy planning. Among other things, the nine-day "Detox-Slim" cure, a special diet with lots of exercise, which is supposed to provide a new body feeling, is particularly popular.
© Bachmair Weissach
Deep relaxation at Lake Tegernsee. In the magical, minimally designed Mizu Onsen Spa, traditional Japanese bathing culture is celebrated in various cold and hot water pools. It is also wonderful to be in the heated outdoor pool of the Bachmair Weissach to swim his lengths in the brine pool. And to get massaged – after an 'Ishi' treatment with warm stones, you feel reborn. The rooms and suites were individually designed by owner Korbinian Kohler for his hotel, using natural materials from the Tegernsee region. In the evening, exquisite Japanese cuisine is served at the 'Mizu Sushi Bar'.
Naturopathy meets cutting-edge medicine
© Lanserhof/Christoph Ingenhoven
Reset under thatch: The third Lanserhof has just opened in the dunes of the North Frisian island – by the Wadden Sea, in List, far removed from the stressful everyday life. Here, naturopathy meets top-tier medicine. The medical team, led by medical director Dr. Jan Stritzke, focuses on innovative treatments and holistic regeneration. At the center of the Lanserhof Concept is the Lanserhof fasting cure: thorough regeneration of the intestines to revitalize life forces. After a health check, each guest receives a personal treatment plan – absolute luxury for body and mind.
© Palazzo Fiuggi
Luxurious all-rounder: Daily medical check-ups, personal training, body and facial treatments, and a sophisticated nutrition plan by star chef Heinz Beck. The exclusive Palazzo FiuggiPalazzo Fiuggi, which impresses with historical Liberty-style architecture, is located about 80 kilometers southeast of Rome. It features a 6,000 square meter spa. The natural springs of Fiuggi are known for the cleansing and beneficial effects of their waters and have attracted numerous visitors for centuries. A must-try: Psammo therapy, an ancient tradition from Egypt - bathing in warm quartz sand with a singing bowl massage.
© Nesslerhof
The wellness hotel Nesslerhof in Großarl in the Salzburg region has renovated and reinvented itself: with luxurious suites with private spa on the top floor, an 800 square meter natural swimming pond, and a 25-meter long outdoor pool with a whirlpool. One of the highlights: the 194 square meter suite "Mountain Magic" with its own pool, sauna, and fireplace on the terrace. The menu features high-quality products from the region, with owners Tina and Hermann Neudegger focusing on regionality, nature, and naturalness. Hermann's great pride: his in-house butcher shop, whose meat, flavorful bacon, and sausages like "Wilde Wiener" are served at the hotel. Pure relaxation: The Adults Only Spa for guests 16 and older offers various saunas, including an outdoor reclaimed wood sauna, a fragrant pine sauna, and a salt steam bath.
© Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp
The newly opened Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp in a 15th century monastery complex offers a very special stay: In the 5-star luxury retreat, five award-winning chefs pamper the guests, including in the two Michelin-starred Duke Jan. Another highlight: the Botanic Health Spa on three floors, where the knowledge of the healing power of nature is brought to new life. The synergy of traditional medicine and the latest research also forms the basis of a unique concept: Mylife Changer combines the best of TCM and TEM with the latest scientific findings from research and science. The concept is based on cosmeceuticals, manual therapy, device-based skin rejuvenation, dietary supplements, and elixirs.