HELLO! India Exclusive: Sanctuaries of the soul

1. VILALARA LONGEVITY THALASSA & MEDICAL SPA, PORTUGAL

Set in an exotic landscape surrounding a secluded Algarvian beach, this spa offers an integrated experience to help you relax and feel re-energised. While the Thalassa centre represents the best in how the Atlantic’s marine climate and its resources can be used for therapeutic purposes, the Longevity Medical Spa is a pioneer in preventive anti-ageing medicine. Here, they get to the root causes of imbalances and offer individualised strategies to improve health and wellbeing.

Signature treatment: A seven-day programme focussed on rejuvenation and anti-ageing.

COMO PARROT CAY, TURKS & CAICOS

With treatment pavilions overlooking the North Caicos Channel, Como Parrot Cay is a sanctuary that offers an array of daily wellness activities and holistic therapies. Following the Como Shambhala approach — ‘shambhala’ translates to ‘peace’ in Sanskrit — this centre blends modern science with ancient practices. Complementing these relaxing services is their signature Como Shambhala cuisine, featuring nutrition-optimised dishes that use pure ingredients in nourishing combinations.

Signature treatment: Asian-inspired holistic therapies like reflexology.

SIX SENSES FORT BARWARA, INDIA

Set in a revamped, majestic fort, the wellness centre at Six Senses Fort Barwara offers an ayurvedic “whole body” healing system and personalised programmes based on the preventative principles of Eastern medicine and result-oriented Western influences. The healing energies become manifold with the use of indigenous essential oils, muds, clays, gels, and vegetable oils, all lovingly blended for their therapeutic energy.

Signature treatment: Biohacking, a treatment that takes shortcuts to better wellness by “hacking” the body’s natural recovery systems

SHA, SPAIN

After 30 long years of suffering from digestive issues, Alfredo Bataller Parietti was finally cured of them through natural therapies and altered eating habits. And thus was born Sha in Spain along the Mediterranean Sea, near the Bay of Altea. Based on nine main areas of wellness — nutrition, natural therapies, preventive and healthy ageing medicine, advanced aesthetics, cognitive stimulation and emotional health, wellbeing and inner balance, and physical performance — a stay at SHA would be a life-changing experience.

Signature treatment: Advanced hyper-personalised health optimisation programme.

CLINIQUE LA PRAIRIE, SWITZERLAND

There’s something cathartic about landing in the Swiss Alps for a wellness vacation. At Clinique La Prairie, they combine evidence-based medicine with unique wellbeing, nutrition and movement plans, in the backdrop of the beautiful Swiss Riviera. The retreat was founded in 1931, when Dr Paul Niehands, a Swiss physician, applied cellular therapy to a critically ill patient and witnessed a miraculous recovery, marking the birth of La Prairie’s cellular therapy. 

Signature treatment: Revitalisation Program, a comprehensive plan designed specifically to revitalise your body, strengthen your immune system, and boost both physical and mental performance.

VIVAMAYR MARIA WÖRTH, AUSTRIA

Known to attract global celebrities for weight loss, detoxification and rejuvenation, Vivamayr’s picturesque location is one of the many reasons to sign up for a programme here. Every session here is 100% tailored to individual needs, based on a mix of traditional diagnostics, therapies and the latest medical practises, taking physical and psychological health into account while designing treatments.

Signature treatment: Mayr Cure, also known as the Mayr method, or FX Mayr fasting.

THE FARM AT SAN BENITO, PHILIPPINES

Just a 90-minute picturesque drive south of Manila brings you to this eco-luxury holistic retreat in Lipa City, Batangas. With a healing philosophy centred around five core pillars — diagnose, cleanse, nourish, repair/heal, and sustain — The Farm offers integrative medical services, nurturing spa and hydrotherapy treatments, and plant-based whole-food cuisine. Here, they address pressing lifestyle-related health challenges, including diabetes, obesity, hypertension, chronic pain, hormonal imbalance, and conditions pertaining to stress, anxiety, and depression.

Signature treatment: Hilot Haplos, a Filipino massage that uses the Hilot philosophy — a traditional touch therapy that focusses on energy healing and physical wellbeing.

JOALI BEING, MALDIVES

A 40-minute seaplane journey from Malé International Airport brings you to this secluded island, nestled in Bodufushi in the Raa Atoll, amid crystalline lagoons, pristine beaches and lush coconut palms. The region’s first wellness island of its kind, Joali Being has 68 villas, each with its own butler, or “jadugar.” The ultimate aim of a wellness experience at this retreat is to achieve a sense of weightlessness, or freedom.

Signature treatment: Four Pillars Signature Massage, a holistic approach based on the foundations of wellbeing — mind, skin, microbiome, and energy.

CHENOT PALACE WEGGIS, SWITZERLAND TRAVEL

Guided by over 50 years of scientific studies, this resort combines a 5,000 sqm state-of-the art medical spa, unique advanced diagnostics, powerful personalised treatments and detoxification techniques. The programmes at Chenot are customised for fatigued individuals. Targeted at reducing chronic stress and tiredness from the daily grind, they help improve restorative sleep and optimise energy levels.

Signature treatment: Advanced Detox, a deep purification and detoxification of the body to eliminate toxins, increase vitality, reset energy levels and rebalance its physiology.

PALAZZO FIUGGI, ITALY

Combining ancient holistic disciplines with the pillars of traditional Western medicine, Palazzo Fiuggi’s unique medical scientific therapies start with a targeted assessment and diagnostic consultation. Next, their team creates a customised treatment path for individuals, followed by drafting a carefully calibrated follow-up protocol to help achieve long-term goals.

Signature treatment: A three-step water cure, including a hydrotherapy bath, a fango mud wrap on a floating table, and an invigorating Scottish shower.

LANSERHOF LANS, GERMANY & AUSTRIA

One of Europe’s most modern health resorts, Lanserhof is best known for longevity therapies customised to slow down the biological causes of ageing. With state-of-the-art diagnostics based on the scientifically validated ‘Hallmarks of Aging,’ the resort analyses individual ageing processes and uses tailored treatment plans to meet your genetic, cellular, and metabolic needs. There are three addresses to pick from: Tegernsee and Sylt in Germany and Lans in Austria near Innsbruck. 

Signature treatment: Lanserhof Longevity with custom treatment plans to slow down biological causes of ageing.

SONEVA SOUL, MALDIVES

The newest property in the Soneva portfolio, this experience combines thousands of years of ancient healing with modern science and medicine to reconnect the mind, body and soul. Experience a wellness journey that supports rest, recovery and regeneration, besides detoxification and movement, following principles of balance, mindful living and self-care. The treatment menu here fuses traditional wellness philosophies like ayurveda, Chinese medicine, herbalism and medicinal mushrooms, with cutting-edge methodologies like platelet-rich plasma therapy, nutrient IV therapy, cryotherapy, ozone therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Signature treatment: Soneva Intuitive Therapy, a bespoke treatment that uses a combination of massage movements to relax the body and improve mobility

ZULAL WELLNESS RESORT BY CHIVA-SOM, QATAR

Chiva Som’s 30-year-old wellness expertise meets Arabic and Islamic medicine at this serene resort in coastal Qatar. Bringing the profound benefits of traditional Arabic and Islamic Medicine (TAIM) into the modern era, this wellness sanctuary is inspired by eminent philosopher and physician Ibn Sina’s influential The Canon of Medicine, dating back to 1025. The resort’s skilled professionals apply evidence-based TAIM principles through personalised nutrition, natural herbal solutions, and mindful lifestyle practices, to invigorate your body and spirit’s natural ability to heal and thrive.

Signature treatment: Signature Full Body Tadleek, a herb-infused oil massage to enhance blood and lymphatic flow.

Photo Courtesy: The brands

This story was featured in the Vol 1. Issue 6 of HELLO! India. For more exclusive stories, subscribe to the magazine here.