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A luxury spa holiday in a five-star hotel is an ideal way to guarantee a revitalised return to your daily life. Here's our pick of three of the best spas in the Mediterranean where travel and pure relaxation can be perfectly combined.
Amalfi Sanctuary: Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel & Spa
Perched on the cliff of the quite fishing village of Conca Dei Marini, the historic, picture-perfect Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel & Spa is ideally located away from the tourist crowds, between Amalfi and Positano. None of the photos online do this place justice or can evoke the sense of tranquillity that can be found at this intimate boutique adults-only property.
The story behind this property is fascinating; it used to be a 17th century monastery that was renovated with respect to its original architecture, from the American entrepreneur Bianca Sharma, and turned into a hotel ten years ago. Today, its grounds offer numerous opportunities to lose yourself in calmness and serenity, be it at the luscious gardens or in the privacy of one of the ultra-luxury rooms. Despite the generous grounds, the hotel serves only 20 rooms and suites, named after the herbs that the nuns used in making their medicines from the gardens. Located in one of the world’s most spectacular settings, the views from the property are simply breathtaking. Gazing at the eternal blue of the Mediterranean disappearing into the horizon from the elliptically shaped pool “floating” over the sea, will captivate all your senses.
Unquestionably, this property strikes the perfect balance of privacy, relaxation and culinary treats, placing it at the top of our list among the hotels in this exclusive area of Italy. But it also holds a special place in our hearts thanks to its extraordinary spa. The facilities have been designed with a focus on preserving its monastic heritage - imagine vaulted ceilings, rustic walls and arched openings. This stunning spa is one of the biggest and finest on the Costiera Amalfitana, offering apart from treatment rooms, a sauna, steam, mosaic-tiled experience shower, hydro pool, and a tepidarium. The facilities are remarkably spacious and utterly romantic, stocked up with the lovely products of the Santa Maria Novella. The Italian art of bathing is brought to life at the beautiful Thermal Suite, while the Spa Suite is a spectacular double height vaulted space of over 850sqf - a “private spa within a spa”. Finally, the verdant outdoor gym, shaded by a thinly thatched roof, is blessed with a sea view making work out more enjoyable than nowhere else.
A Gem of Adriatic Calmness: Villa Dubrovnik
In a secluded and tranquil cliff-side setting overlooking the pristine Adriatic Sea is situated Villa Dubrovnik, an immaculate and effortlessly luxurious boutique property – member of the Leading Hotels of the World. This contemporary retreat is located just one mile from Dubrovnik's beautiful Old Town, the so called “The Pearl of the Adriatic”. James Bond-style boat transfers to one of the Europe’s best-preserved walled cities are offered to guests on a complimentary basis, adding to the romantic and sophisticated yet relaxed ambiance of this five-star hotel.
A stay in one of the hotel’s 56 sleek rooms and suites, all with stunning views of the Adriatic Sea, offers the ideal immersion to outmost luxury. Originally built in 1961 by a famous Croatian architect, this unique hotel has since been decorated to radiate a contemporary style with spotless white halls and glass panels that enable you to be bathed in sunlight. The building itself seamlessly blends with the rocky formation of the hills and the rooftop bar and pool offer views of the sea to die for! The hotel is famed for its legendary service, making every guest feel like royalty while staying there, but the level of exclusivity goes above and beyond, as the hotel features its own private beach and one of Europe’s most renowned spa facilities.
With the sole aim of revitalizing your body and mind, the hotel has heavily focused on a state-of-the-art spa facility and an assortment of therapies that will leave even the most demanding guest satisfied. The cocoon-like waterbed and the essential chromotherapy will bid goodbye to stress and serve as introduction to the numerous massage therapies that the spa has to offer. Within the privacy of the massage cabins a variety of reinvigorating treatments are offered, such as the hot stone massage, deep tissue massage and (locally mined) salt scrub. The perfect way to close the curtain would be with one of the spa’s numerous cures for the body and face; be it a relaxing face mask with locally cultivated immortelle flowers and clay or a purifying thermal infused facial that will indulge the senses.
A Tranquil Cretan Stay: Elounda Peninsula All Suite Hotel
Crete is a truly magical place; a tapestry of charming towns and villages, jaw-dropping beaches, and breathtaking scenery, while the Elounda Peninsula is a beacon of beauty nestled on the east coast of the island, offering exclusivity and privacy. This beachside all-suite resort, with an exclusive boutique feel, is less of a hotel and more of a small village thanks to its unique architecture. The globally famous English Wimberly Interiors design company oversaw the recent renovation project, and successfully transformed this property into a gem of contemporary design. While the atmosphere is relentlessly upscale, the hotel strikes a unique balance of sophistication with a traditional Cretan beauty.
Located in a cove within the exclusive region of Elounda, the hotel offers to its guests stunning views of the Elounda Bay and the endless blue of the Aegean Sea, while a sandy private beach that sprawls in front of the property guarantees dreamy days at the beach. The suites are amphitheatrically placed so that each one features unobstructed sea views and privacy from their own sea-water pools and terraces.
Elounda Peninsula bears a strong focus to rejuvenation and mental tranquillity, as it is home to a world famous Six Sense Spa, where modern techniques meet traditional therapies and high-tech equipment compliments the unique special skills of the experts. Superbly performed deep tissue massage or an alchemy hammam promise to invigorate body and mind; meditation techniques and yoga instruction evoke a sense of calm even to the most troubled of minds. Traditional techniques, such as acupuncture and shiatsu, provide balance to the vital energies of the body, while an outstanding blend of aromatherapy and chakra balancing will detoxify the body and soothe the spirit. Elounda Peninsula’s spa is also well known for its exquisite beauty therapies such as the Queen Bee facial treatment and the anti-aging wine elixir that will regenerate and offer a deep cleanse and natural glow. The hotel finally boasts a Six Senses Kids spa program, the first destination in the world where Six Senses introduce children to the world of wellness and healthy lifestyle through engaging and interactive activities.
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