Thursday 26 March 2015

Celebrity approved: 6 health-and-wellness retreats

Whether you're an armchair athlete or a fitness fanatic, an indulgent health-and-wellness escape will leave you feeling your best. Stars like Beyoncé, Matthew McConaughey, Oprah Winfrey, Kate Winslet and Ellen DeGenereschoose luxe eco-retreats to recharge their bodies and souls, participating in activities like yoga, horseback riding and paddle-boarding before munching on healthy eats and indulging in spa treatments. We've rounded up our top six picks for celebrity-approved health-and-wellness retreats: 

for the LAID-BACK LOUNGER
 

Uxua Casa Hotel & Spa, Brazil

THE VIBE
Eco chic. Just ask Beyoncé. When she’s not running the world, she likes to kick back at this splashy eco-friendly resort (the brainchild of Diesel’s former creative director Wilbert Das) in the fishing village of Trancoso. Bohemian bon vivant Matthew McConaughey is also a fan.
THE TRAINING PLAN
There isn’t one, which means ample time for snoozing and spa-going! If you prefer more structure to your sojourns, try one of the exclusive packages. They range from holistic yoga and massage combos to programs with gentle exercises such as horseback riding or lessons in forro, a traditional dance from northeast Brazil.
THE TREATMENTS
The full-service, organic spa features rare almescar tree oil massages, pre- and post-sun repair treatments, mineral-rich mud wraps and an inviting pool made with 40,000 pieces of green quartz, a crystal believed to promote healing and restoration.
ON THE MENU
You’ll eat like a local with seasonal offerings of traditional Bahian dishes, including moqueca (saltwater fish stew), with in-house dark chocolate whipped up from cocoa beans grown in the gardens.

Villa Stéphanie, Germany

THE VIBE
This elegant 19th-century home located next to Brenners Park Hotel in Baden-Baden – and named for Napoleon’s daughter Stéphanie de Beauharnais – has been renovated into a sophisticated sanctuary catering to beauty and health needs.
THE TRAINING PLAN
Stress-reducing shiatsu (a healing technique), swimming, yoga and walking in the nearby Black Forest park connect mind and body. We feel more relaxed just thinking about it!
THE TREATMENTS
Rejuvenate with Anika organic detoxifying body treatments, Sisley anti-aging body rubs and SkinCeuticals facials before treating muscles to services such as underwater massages and reflexology.
ON THE MENU
Upon arrival, a week-long meal plan is curated by a nutritionist to complement your fitness regimen. For foodies, the Spa Cuisine Full Board plan keeps appetites satisfied with healthy offerings at breakfast and a three-course lunch and dinner.
for the ASPIRING EXERCISER

Rancho La Puerta, Mexico

THE VIBE
The old guard of fitness retreats, this down-home ranch under the shadow of Mt. Kuchumaa has been toning and pampering the likes of Oprah Winfrey and Kate Winslet for more than seven decades.
THE TRAINING PLAN
It’s a choose-your-own-adventure. A seven-day stay at the resort includes unlimited fitness classes suitable for all tastes and levels. Cardio buffs will love the range of heart-healthy classes: hiking, tabata and even parkour! Aqua Pilates is perfect for water babies.
THE TREATMENTS
To maximize results, it’s recommended you kick off your stay with a cleansing treatment (the cacao-and-honey scrub looks deliciously divine), relax with restorative wellness journey massages mid-week and enjoy an energizing Happy Hands & Feet rub before you leave. The overall effect: total relaxation.
ON THE MENU
Meals feature organic fruits and vegetables grown on the property’s six-acre farm, and dinner calls for the fresh catch of the day. All dishes are low-fat and high in fibre.

Iniala Beach House, Thailand

THE VIBE
Private, personalized and posh. A haven of in bespoke indulgence, the Iniala lets guests design their ultimate getaway in personal, staffed villas along the Andaman Sea in Phuket.
THE TRAINING PLAN
Private, personalized and posh. A haven of in bespoke indulgence, the Iniala lets guests design their ultimate getaway in personal, staffed villas along the Andaman Sea in Phuket.
THE TREATMENTS
The spa will come to you if you wish, with therapists providing treatments in the comfort of your villa. Best bets? A heated compress ritual to release tension and alleviate muscle pain and a rehydration facial featuring ingredients such as soy powder, cucumber, yogurt and honey.
ON THE MENU
Spanish chef Eneko Atxa leads a team of culinary wizards, blending the best Thai ingredients with his Basque country techniques for the ultimate gastronomic experience. Truffled eggs, bonsai tree of juicy cherry tomatoes and petit fours of white chocolate with mint and cloud are a few of the kitchen’s best offerings.
for the WORKOUT WARRIOR

Miraval Resort & Spa, Tucson, Arizona

THE VIBE
Rustic glamour meets New Age sensibility with a side of heart-pumping adrenalin in this star-favourite escape at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains.
THE PROGRAM
With more than 385 activities – from an obstacle course and climbing wall to the equestrian centre (a favourite of Ellen DeGeneres) – adventurous types won’t find themselves bored on this 400-acre resort. Resort vice president and general manager Laura McIver recommends guests meet with a spa nutritionist and exercise physiologist at the start of the suggested five- to seven-day stay to design a personalized program. Looking for an emotional workout? Set up a chat with Kim Kardashian’s and her famous family’s go-to life coach, Leigh Weinraub.
THE TREATMENTS
Take healing to the next level at the resort’s Miraval Life in Balance Spa with Clarins. The new Ayurvedic Shamana Karma massage is said to release toxins and tension in the body. Afterwards, be sure to check out the Deborah Lippmann salon for a red carpet-worthy manicure.
ON THE MENU
Celebrity chef Justin Cline Macy helms the kitchen here and uses locally sourced ingredients. The Mira-vitality juice and berryberry smoothie are the biggest hits with waist-conscious guests. Bottoms up!

Sky Ranch Fitness Vacation at Bacara Resort and Spa, Santa Barbara, Calif.

THE VIBE
Josh Duhamel and Fergie renewed their vows at this celebrity favourite in 2010. The oceanfront escape teamed up with Sky Ranch Fitness in 2014 to launch their invigorating workout retreat.
THE PROGRAM
Your motto for your four- or six-day stay should be “let’s get physical!” The first class of the day, a morning seaside stretch, begins at 6 a.m. and the schedule – a combination of daily hikes in the Gaviota and Santa Ynez Mountains, strength training, yoga and even paddle boarding – is packed. The bonus? After you work hard, you can play hard. The resort offers wine tasting, a sunset cruise and a private dinner at Foley Winery.
THE TREATMENTS
Therapeutic massages (perfect for aching postworkout muscles) at the 42,000- square foot spa and wellness centre are included in the retreat package. But if you’re looking for extra indulgence, try the deep tissue massage. Insiders tell Hello! this al fresco rooftop treatment is a must.
ON THE MENU
Meals, which are locally sourced and created by executive chef David Reardon, are full of healthy proteins, whole grains and vegetables to get you energized for your next gruelling workout.

By: Clare Douglas and Carli Whitwell

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