Tapping into the human life extension trend, the Six Senses Ibiza is hosting a retreat led by longevity expert Dr Mark Hyman in 2024. Jenny Southan reports

Taking place in May 2024 (9th-15th), the “Young Forever” retreat will be hosted at Six Senses Ibiza, which is already leading the way with its RoseBar longevity spa that uses extensive diagnostic testing and personalised programmes to “restore, regenerate and transform your health span”.

Led by Dr Mark Hyman, a leading voice in the science of longevity, the week-long retreat will incorporate seminars, group hikes, yoga, IV infusions, sound healing, sunset ceremonies and “fresh local phytonutrient-rich food”. Rates are yet to be announced but 2023’s rates were €14,790 for single occupancy.

The programme is based on Dr Hyman’s bestselling book on extending both healthspan and lifespan. Utilising food as medicine, exercise, lifestyle practices and RoseBar’s biohacking and regenerative therapies, Dr Hyman will guide participants in “activating their body’s longevity switches” leaving guests renewed and perhaps just a few years biologically younger. The daily programming is designed to activate innate longevity switches and healing systems with food, exercise, yoga, bodywork, cryotherapy, saunas, nutritional IV’s, hyperbaric oxygen, hypoxia treatments and ozone therapy all employed to help guests reverse their biological age.

Dr Hyman will present daily seminars on unpacking the latest science of health and wellness, biohacking, and longevity. Guests will (hopefully) emerge from the retreat feeling physically, emotionally and spiritually transformed with the knowledge and tools to lead a long healthy life. Participants will be accommodated in private en suite rooms in the resort’s multi-bedroom residences, sharing large communal spaces, including a garden and private pool.

Year round, guests are invited to discover RoseBar, the one-of-a-kind longevity club which blends the power of science with spiritual wellbeing to enhance human health and lengthen lifespan, which officially launched at Six Senses Ibiza in mid 2023.

RoseBar programmes offer insights, tools and a plan to reverse ageing processes and achieve long-term wellbeing by enhancing the body’s natural repair systems and activating biological pathways.

The RoseBar advisory team spans a broad spectrum of experience, combining expertise in longevity and functional medicine with long-held spiritual wisdom. Together, they represent a “progressive force at the vanguard of this new science” with chief medical officer Dr Mark Hyman at the helm.

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From transvaginal ultrasounds to virility treatment, luxury medi-spa resort Sha Wellness Clinic is tapping into consumer demand for improved sexual health. Nick Hendry reports

Located near Benidorm in the hills of the Sierra Helada Natural Park on Spain’s east coast, Sha Wellness Clinic has launched a dedicated Sexual Health Unit as part of Sha’s “Preventive and Healthy Ageing Medicine” programme.

Sha cites WHO research as stating that “boosting your sexual wellbeing is a fundamental factor in improving one’s own overall mental, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual health”. Using this finding as its base, the new course will “address all aspects of sexual wellness including function, desire, and self-esteem,” and will be led by Clinical Psychologist Cynthia Molina

“From now on,” says Molina, “we will proactively ask all our patients about their level of satisfaction, activity, or inactivity regarding sexual health. We will ask about sexual satisfaction the same way as we are concerned about high blood pressure numbers, because it is all part of our comprehensive approach to health that we have developed at Sha.She says: “As life expectancy increases, so do sexual expectations. If you can reach the age of 80 with a high quality of life, it makes no sense to stop sexual activity at the age of 60. Why resign yourself to living 20 years without sex?”

The unit was also inspired and informed by the latest analytical data which concluded that approximately 52% of women and 38 per cent of men suffer from some type of sexual dysfunction at some point in their lives. With this in mind, it will address all aspects of sexual wellness including function, desire, and self-esteem.

Sha’s programme will begin with a direct consultation with Dr Molina, during which a “comprehensive assessment” of the individual will take place. This will be followed by exploration of “the function of the guest’s neuroendocrine axis” (the key communication highway between the gut environment and the central nervous system) and a series of tests on the physical health of the patient, with regards to sexual function, by a gynaecologist and urologist.

The results of these initial investigations will determine the course of treatment for each individual patient, with potential further tests ranging from a standard laboratory analysis and hormone test to a trans-vaginal ultrasound.

The tests available are as follows:

• Standard Laboratory Analysis & Hormone Test: A biochemical study in which the most relevant parameters are measured to determine the current state of health and a complete hormone profile is produced.
• Metabolic Genetic Test: A complete genetic study consisting of three tests: Oestrogens, Thrombogenes and Sporadicgenes. These tests detect genetic variants related to oestrogen metabolism, oestrogen receptors, progesterone, and genes associated with thrombosis or breast cancer, in order to evaluate possible health risks in the patient.
• Transvaginal Ultrasound: An examination of the female reproductive system using high-frequency sound waves.
• Mammogram: A high-definition X-ray that uses very low-dose X-rays to diagnose any breast disease.

Following the consultation and tests, various treatments will be advised and prescribed to elevate the overall physical and emotional sexual health of the person in hand. These include:

• Enfemme: A non-invasive radiofrequency procedure for the treatment of vaginal laxity and sexual dysfunction that provides homogeneous heat throughout the internal and orexternal vaginal area to increase local blood circulation as well as the remodelling of elastin and collagen fibres.
• Emsella: A treatment that stimulates the pelvic floor area through deep electromagnetic contractions to improve blood flow to the area and help restore neuromuscular control. Recommended for cases of urinary and/or faecal incontinence in men and women, erectile dysfunction or extreme weakness in the pelvic floor.
• High Intensity Inductive Therapy: Neuromodulatory treatment using high density magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells, musculoskeletal tissue and blood vessels to produce an anti-inflammatory, analgesic, toning and tissue regenerative effect.
• Female Intimate Rejuvenation: Non-surgical genital rejuvenation treatment by laser that prevents infections, improves the pelvic floor, and reduces urinary incontinence.
• Tiai Pelvis Floor Health and Dysfunction Session: Pelvic floor physiotherapy session to stimulate nerve cells, musculoskeletal tissue, and blood vessels in this area to treat disorders and sexual dysfunctions in a natural and painless way.
• Virile Treatment with Longitudinal Shockwaves: A low intensity radial wave treatment which penetrates up to 40mm into the surface of the skin causing a micro-trauma which improves circulation and generates blood vessels which did not previously exist.
• Stem Cell Treatment: Treatment for erectile dysfunction involving the application of stem cells and autologous platelet-rich plasma to the corpora cavernosa of the male member.

Sha Wellness Clinic positions itself as “a pioneering institution in the world of health and wellbeing”. It considers this new sexual health unit as part of its “360-degree approach to wellbeing, where all aspects work symbiotically” in order to “[transform] the lives of all its guests”.

According to a recent Condé Nast Traveller article, sexual wellness is a growing trend among “big players” in the world of luxury travel.

CN Traveller quotes beauty website Cult Beauty as revealing that searches for “sexual wellness” leapt on its site by 850 per cent in 2020 – by adding this batch of treatments to their portfolio and doing so in what they call a “bespoke and ultra-personalised treatment plan based on the individual guest’s needs and goals”.

Sha Wellness Clinic is also opening an outpost Mexico in January 2024 and the Emirates in 2025.

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From fertility to the menopause, Thailand’s Kamalaya Koh Samui has devised ‘Radiant Bliss’, a wellness programme specifically tailored to women’s health. Nick Hendry reports

Kamalaya has launched its first-ever women focused wellness programme called “Radiant Bliss“, which will cater to all females aged over the age of 18 and has been designed to address the individual needs of each patient’s stage of life and health condition.

Available on-demand (rather than a retreat on set dates), the wellness sanctuary claims that after completing the Radiant Bliss programme, women will be “better educated about their health and equipped with insights and tools to listen to their bodies, and understand their needs and synchronise their lifestyle and daily habits towards meeting their personal goals”.

Radiant Bliss aims to adapt to fit the particular needs of each individual guest, offering advice on many aspects of women’s health including fertility or pregnancy preparation, the transition to perimenopause or the management of menopause itself. Participants will receive a comprehensive wellness consultation and body bio-impedance analysis on arrival, complimentary participation in Kamalaya’s daily holistic schedule of activities and use of the herbal steam caverns, swimming pools, thermal plunge pools and Shakti Fitness Centre.

The resort’s founder, Karina Stewart, says: “Women’s health is unique and distinct from men’s health; Radiant Bliss aims to address these specific needs in a highly personalised way. What is special about this programme is that it enables women the freedom to co-create an enriching experience for themselves that organically reconnects them to their innate healing wisdom and visionary version of themselves.

“Our highly skilled and talented experts place emphasis on the full spectrum of health including wellbeing and inner health, so our female guests can truly look to address their physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs in one space.”

Radiant Bliss follows the resort’s method of blending traditional Asian healing traditions such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda with Western techniques such as naturopathy, functional medicine, and nutrition.Wellness plans made as part of Radiant Bliss will incorporate treatments in Kamalaya’s recently opened Longevity House, including IV therapy specifically tailored to women’s health, and “Life-Enhancement Mentoring Sessions” addressing the emotional needs of the individual.

Guests will also experience the new Lanna Samunphrai Ron abdominal massage, created to balance hormones and aid digestion, as well as combatting back pain. The programme will additionally provide a bespoke schedule of “nutraceutical-grade” supplements and remedies to support female wellbeing.

Kamalaya Koh Samui was founded in 2005 to offer “wellness experience that helps people to embody their life’s potential and achieve optimal lifelong wellbeing while integrating healing therapies from East and West”.

An eight-night Radiant Bliss programme starts at £2,850 and includes three meals a day, with accommodation charged separately. You can also book 14 and 21-night progammes.

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The Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som in Qatar has launched ‘Skip-Gen’ retreats for grandparents and grandchildren. Gemma Harris reports

Known for leading the way in family wellness, the Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som in Qatar has launched an intergenerational retreats that invite grandparents and grandchildren to share quality time away together.

Catering to the rising popularity of “Skip-Gen” travel, this new offering provides an opportunity for the Silver Generation and Gen Alpha/Z to bond.

In alignment with and embracing the philosophy of traditional Arabic and Islamic Medicine, the retreat complements the existing programming at the family-focused Zulal Discovery centre.

General manager Heinrich Morio says: “We are delighted to see more and more families choosing Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som for their holidays and pleased to introduce this retreat dedicated to grandparents and their grandchildren.”The new retreat focuses on enhancing “emotional, physical, social and nutritional wellbeing” for both age groups. Regardless of age, the retreat “promotes connection through learning and enjoyment”.

“There is a heightened awareness of families spending meaningful time together. Many families now seek to share experiences and enjoy engaging activities together, and our family retreats at Zulal Wellness Resort offer the freedom to explore while creating memories,” explains Morio.

The experience begins with an initial consultation for the intergenerational group with a health and wellness advisor to determine and tailor how they can benefit best from their stay at the Zulal.

A two-night stay starts from £846 for double occupancy, and the first day includes a selection of family wellness activities, with walks in nature, card games, and arts and crafts. The concept of storytelling is encouraged throughout, fostering how traditions and heritage were once passed down through generations. The evening winds down with relaxing activities and meditation practices.

The second day welcomes age-appropriate spa treatments for both adults and children, such as foot soaks, massages, manicures and, pedicures and head massages. The grandparents have additional spa offerings with extras such as the signature Al Qadam Massage, herbal foot soaks and full body massages such as the Tadleek Massage.

Sessions for younger children focus on engaging in creative play, sensing and discovering. Meanwhile, there are more structured cognitive-based activities in place for older children, such as music, meditation and sports. In addition, interactive cooking sessions provide an opportunity for all to learn new recipes together.

“With this newly introduced intergenerational retreat, we focus on bonding, fulfilment, and enrichment to encourage the kids and their grandparents to spend precious time together in a peaceful, safe environment,” says Morio.

The package includes the initial consultation, three daily meals, a range of activities, family fitness sessions, spa treatments and full access to the resort’s hydrothermal suite for the adults, as well as a complimentary in-room wellness minibar.

“We expect the trend in family wellness holidays to continue, and we will continue to adapt our family wellness offerings to ensure guests leave Zulal Wellness Resort refreshed and reconnected,” concludes Morio.

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Thailand’s Kamalaya Koh Samui is hosting a Blue Zone retreat that immerses participants in the ‘secrets of longevity’, inspired by centenarians in the world’s longest-living regions. Jenny Southan reports

Globetrender coined the term “Blue Zone Wellness” in 2020 to describe the health rituals of people who live in the world’s five Blue Zones, which have been identified by author Dan Buettner as the places where people live the longest.

Now, a rising number of resorts and spas a finally reacting to the trend and launching their own Blue Zone-inspired programmes and retreats. Hotel Nantipa in Costa Rica is one such example, and now the Kamalaya Koh Samui in Thailand has followed suit (even though it’s not actually in a Blue Zone).

The five Blue Zones are: Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece, and Loma Linda, California. And according to Buettner, the people living in these places frequently live to 100 or more thanks to nine everyday habits. If you want to know more there is even a new Netflix documentary about the Blue Zones you can watch.

Kamalaya’s Blue Zone Retreat has been created in partnership with Buettner’s official Blue Zones organisation, and is set to launch in May 2024. The programme is based on 20 years of research into human longevity and promises to “transform and inspire individuals to lead healthier, happier and more purposeful lives”.Karina Stewart, founder and chief wellness officer of Kamalaya, says: “We are inviting our guests to embrace the wisdom and lifestyle habits that promote unprecedented longevity. Our collaboration with Blue Zones has allowed us to curate an evidence-based programme that uncovers the secrets of the world’s longest-lived cultures, empowering our guests to make meaningful changes in their lives.”

During the group retreat, guests will be immersed in authentic Blue Zones’ principles such as nourishing plant-slant meals inspired by traditional diets from the Mediterranean; Okinawa, Japan; and Costa Rica’s Nicoya peninsula.

Participants will also engage in an array of physical activities rooted in the traditions of the regions. From gentle yoga practices, Qi-Gong and meditation to invigorating movement workouts, guests will experience firsthand the physical vitality and endurance that characterises the world’s strongest inhabitants.

The Blue Zones group retreat at Kamalaya will place equal importance on mental and emotional wellbeing as the physical. Led by Celine Vadam, a retreats and hospitality expert at US company Blue Zones, participants will have the opportunity to engage in transformative afternoon workshops.These workshops, entitled “Right Outlook”, “Loved Ones First”, “Purpose” and “Set-Up for Success”, are designed to help participants find balance in life, cultivate inner happiness and peace, explore one’s life purpose and embody their full potential.

They will also have a chance to delve into the Blue Zones’ “Power 9^“ principles, which are based on proven evidence that making simple environmental changes and prioritising healthy choices can have a significant impact on improving one’s overall being.

As with all guests at Kamalaya, individuals on the Blue Zones group retreat will receive a wellness consultation and body bio-impedance analysis on arrival, complimentary participation in Kamalaya’s daily holistic schedule of activities and use of the herbal steam caverns, swimming pools, thermal plunge pools and Shakti fitness centre.

To book: Open to all guests aged 18 and over, the Blue Zones Group Retreat will take place from 5^th – 11^th May 2024 and is available as a six-night programme. The programme is priced at 246,173 THB per person (approx. £5,560) inclusive of 26 treatments, activities, and three meals daily. Accommodation is additional and starts at 8,500 THB (approx. £192) per night in a Hillside Room based on single occupancy.

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Japanese cosmetics company Cosmology has created specialised beauty products to address astronauts’ skincare needs in space. Olivia Palamountain reports

A collaboration between skincare brand Pola and All Nippon Airways (ANA Holdings), the Cosmology skincare products were created after the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) called for skincare solutions that could be used in the resource-scarce, low-gravity and extremely dry conditions of outer space.

The innovative line includes a face wash and lotion optimised for use on the International Space Station (ISS), developed based on feedback from astronauts about deteriorating skin conditions experienced in spaceflights.

Extended exposure in space can dry out and thin the skin, causing irritation, itchiness and accelerated ageing. The extremely low-moisture environment and microgravity take a toll on the skin, which acts as the body’s protective barrier.

Cosmology’s space skincare products tackles these issues with innovative formulations. The no-rinse face wash removes dirt without the need for water, which is rationed aboard space ships, while the lotion maintains a thick, gel-like texture that won’t scatter in zero gravity.

The products will debut on the ISS when they accompany JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui sometime in 2024.

These are not the first cosmetics to head to outer space. As reported by CNN, in 2021, former NASA astronaut Joan Higginbotham talked to InStyle about using Vaseline, Cetaphil, foundation, blush, mascara and lipstick during missions, while Estée Lauder has sent a skincare serum into outer space as part of a commercial partnership with the American space agency.

However, Cosmology is the first line specially formulated for the rigours of life in space, with the aims of improving astronauts’ quality of life and addressing common skincare concerns.

For anyone seeking astronaut-approved skincare without leaving Earth, mini versions of the Cosmology products will hit the shelves in October as the “Cosmology Space Crew Kit”.

The kit is set to launch in about 2,800 stores, including Pola shops and on its website, plus 12 domestic airport duty-free shops. ANA international in-flight sales are also in the pipeline.

Meanwhile, London-based 111Skin creating products for Earthlings that respond to the cosmetic damage caused by life at microgravity, reports Wallpaper.

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Elite athlete Maria Sharapova has designed a series of wellness getaways for Aman that integrate mind, body and spirit – and will host the debut retreat herself. Olivia Palamountain reports

Luxury hotel group Aman is launching a multi-year partnership with tennis super star Maria Sharapova to create exclusive wellness retreats at Aman properties worldwide.

Focused on fitness, recovery and mind-body wellness, the retreats will allow guests to experience Sharapova’s tailored programming in iconic Aman destinations.

The first retreat launches in February 2024 at Aman’s flagship property, Amanpuri, on Phuket’s pristine shores, and will be hosted by Sharapova herself.

The three-night “Performance and Recovery Retreat” will provide an exclusive journey filled with specialised training, interactive sessions with experts, group dining under the stars, fireside discussions and Q&As with the tennis great.

Drawing from her 20 years as an elite professional athlete, Sharapova will share the physical and mental techniques that allowed her to perform at the highest levels. She will also incorporate cutting-edge technologies from her own wellness routine to create a progressive, one-of-a-kind experience. Sharapova says: “This partnership came from my personal experience over the last few years as I made the transition from professional athlete to businesswoman and mother. I was so fortunate to get years of incredible physical and mental training which now helps me perform at the highest level in all my endeavours.

“Aman and I wanted to give their community access to coaching and training, designed for elite athletes, that will serve the pursuit of their personal and professional aspirations.”

In addition, Aman New York now offers a half-day “Strength and Recovery Retreat” designed by Sharapova herself.

The itinerary includes an optimised performance breakfast menu at Arva, an hour strength and conditioning session, followed by a Banya treatment, reflexology and Aman x 111SKIN mask, held in one of the private Aman Spa Houses.

Aman and Sharapova will soon announce details of future retreats across Aman’s global destinations.

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Located in Saudi Arabia’s forthcoming “wellness haven” of Amaala, the Equinox Resort will have a magnesium salt rooftop pool and signature gym. Jenny Southan reports

Red Sea Global, the developer behind the “world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism destinations” – Amaala and the Red Sea, in Saudi Arabia – has announced a partnership with cutting-edge gym and wellness hotel creator Equinox, to open the Equinox Resort Amaala.

Designed by renowned architecural firm Foster and Partners, the Equinox Resort, in the emerging destination of Amaala, will take the form of an integrated “wellness haven” that will also welcome hotels from Clinique La Prairie, Six Senses and Rosewood.

The 128-room Equinox Resort will focus on sports, fitness and lifestyle. Highlights include a magnesium salt rooftop pool, a spa, beach club and signature Equinox fitness club (already found in cities such as New York and London).

Features of the Equinox hotel in New York (pictured below) include health-boosting minibars, a fleet of personal trainers, access to Halo Neuroscience headsets to stimulate brain function and boost performance, cryotherapy chambers and on-demand vitamin IV drips. The porte cochere (covered entrance) of the Equinox Resort Amaala provides a dramatic entrance for guests as they arrive by either boat or car. The hotel itself features four open courtyards, which take inspiration from traditional architecture.

The shaded courtyards, with the intelligent use of the landscape and water features, naturally cools the air allowing guests to enjoy the resort in comfort even during the warmest days. Guest rooms have been carefully planned to capture either the panoramic views of the Hijaz Cove or the marina with its super yachts and the marina promenade.John Pagano, Group CEO of Red Sea Global, says: “Amaala brings the best in health and wellness together in an area of extraordinary natural beauty to offer exceptional and transformative experiences for guests.

“Equinox’s unique brand of luxury and fitness is a fantastic fit, allowing visitors to choose seeking self-improvement during their stay, getting back to nature on land or at sea, or simply enjoying quiet moments with loved ones in comfort and privacy.”

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Hotel Nantipa is sharing the secrets of human longevity in a Blue Zone wellness programme inspired by the lifestyle traits of local elders. Jenny Southan reports

Hotel Nantipa has launched a new Blue Zone wellness programme that provides guests with actionable insights into the way of life that helps residents of Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula live longer than almost anyone else on Earth.

As identified by researchers Michel Poulain, Dan Buettner and Giovanni Mario Pes, the world’s five Blue Zones are the places where people frequently live to 100 or more. These destinations are: Okinawa in Japan; Sardinia in Italy; Ikaria in Greece; Loma Linda in California; and Nicoya in Costa Rica. Interestingly, the people who live in these places all share certain lifestyle commonalities that contribute to their wellbeing and longevity. These include plant-rich diets, a strong sense of community, natural movement and a sense of purpose, even in old age.

Globetrender identified the tourism opportunity for Blue Zone Wellness several years ago and wrote about it last spring in an edition of our premium newsletter VOLT. Now, Netflix is debuting a documentary called Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones, which will no doubt accelerate interest in these destinations and the people that live there.

The Nantipa “Blue Wellness” programme “invites guests to immerse themselves in this micro-culture and explore natural ways to enjoy enhanced physical health, minimal stress, active days, and fulfilling encounters”.

The experience pairs Nantipa hospitality with the following key Blue Zone pillars:

Put Loved Ones First: The Nantipa Blue Wellness experience can accommodate families, friends or generations of travellers with various options for accommodation in suites, bungalows and three-bedroom villas, along with engaging, inclusive activities.

Embrace your “Plan de Vida”: This sense of purpose has been identified as an element specific to the Nicoya Peninsula Blue Zone. Often identified as “why I wake up in the morning”, it’s a vital part of maintaining a positive outlook amongst elders in this Blue Zone community. As part of the experience, guests are encouraged to journal their thoughts and intentions to record, plan and ideate, while distancing themselves from digital devices to remove external noise.

Mind-Set to Relax: As stress management is a key component to Blue Zone longevity, the experience begins each day with a moment of mindfulness. The experience includes a yoga and meditation programme where guests can choose between traditional practices or try a paired activity like acro-yoga either in the hotel’s brand new yoga Shala or on the beach surrounded by lush greenery and serene sounds.

Natural Activity: Exercise is woven into the day as part of a fun and laid back outdoor lifestyle. Guests can choose from a selection of bonding activities, including a rainforest hike followed by a dip in a waterfall, ziplining on a surfboard, a beach horseback ride, surf lessons, exploring the coastline by boat, snorkelling over an underwater volcano, or working up an appetite on a fishing trip.

Social Culture: Being part of a community makes humans feel comfortable and connected, and is shown to have lasting health benefits. To connect guests with the local culture, the package also includes the opportunity to visit a local family or one of the local sodas to learn more about traditional Nicoyan culture first hand.

Connect with Mother Nature: Spiritual connection with nature is a way of life at Nantipa, which means protecting Santa Teresa for all beings who call it home. During their stay, guests can volunteer at local non-profit coastal ranch Cirenas, either in the turtle hatchery or at their permaculture and medicinal gardens.

Alternatively, guests can enjoy a moment of solitude discovering their own Robinson Crusoe beach in the Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve, Costa Rica’s first protected nature conservation lands. Back at Nantipa, organised beach clean-ups help to clear microplastics from the ocean, before guests are rewarded with a fresh tropical fruit smoothie.

Sleep Right: None of this will make any difference without quality sleep allowing our bodies time to heal, recover, consolidate memories and improve motor skills. Guests can prepare for sleep with a cup of fresh herbal tea and daily in-room massage or reflexology treatment before being lulled to sleep by the natural sounds of the ocean.

Eat Local, Not Late: While nutrition is central to Blue Zone longevity, it’s not simply what, but also when you eat. The Blue Wellness experience helps guests shape their day the Blue Zone way: from a traditional breakfast of gallo pinto, fresh fruits and coffee, to an early evening dinner at Manzú enjoying a selection of blue zone dishes that combine locally sourced plant-based dishes with wild-caught fish direct from the sea.

Guests can also enjoy the benefits of drinking high-calcium Nicoyan water and a “sundowner” at 5pm, known as the optimum time to enjoy an alcoholic beverage (according to Blue Zone experts), as the sun sets over the Pacific.How much does it cost?

At Nantipa, the Blue Wellness experience is tailor-made to guest preferences based on the number of participants, length of stay and desired activities.

A three-night itinerary for two people could include yoga and meditation each morning, a private surf lesson, a hike to the Montezuma waterfall, volunteering at non-profit coastal ranch Cirenas, a local family visit, daily sunset cocktails, a private sunset dinner on the beach, and daily spa treatments (this would cost from US$3,485).Harry Hartman, general manager and owner of Nantipa, says: “Here in Nicoya we perhaps take our way of life for granted, but it’s something that’s often remarked upon by our guests. We’re an outdoor culture, we enjoy being with people, taking our time, and eating what grows naturally around us – pura vida.

“If we can piece together these seemingly simple elements to encourage people to live healthier, more mindful lives when they get home from a stay at Nantipa, then we become more than just a happy memory – we become a long-term lifestyle that expands beyond our Blue Zone.”

In a press release for Nantipa, which has been savvy to respond to this trend at this point in time, Globetrender founder Jenny Southan, says: “It’s great to see Hotel Nantipa recognising the natural assets it has all around it as one of the world’s five Blue Zones. Coming up with a programme like this puts it ahead of the curve and I expect to see other properties following suit.”

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From tarot readings and shamanism to breathwork and ‘human design’, Jenny Southan discovers a fascinating array of alternative wellness experiences at the Byblos St Tropez.

I am sitting with Melodie in a quiet ante-room off the spa at the Byblos hotel, as she examines a complex chart with strange runes, “gates” and “channels” that reveal a portrait of my personality based on my date, place and time of birth. A combination of astrology, the I Ching, Kabbalah, the chakra system and life coaching, “human design” purports to provide individuals with insights into their personality traits, strengths, weaknesses and life purpose. I don’t have any interest in star signs so arrive sceptical but open-minded – I am curious to hear what Melodie has to say.

Firstly, she tells me I am a “generator” – I have the energy to take on hard projects for a long time. People like me “build humanity”. “It’s important for you to have knowledge and be an expert. You like to take on all the information available to solve problems. But people see you have this ability so it’s important for you to create boundaries. You have a lot of endurance. You are obsessive and you always need to always be busy,” says Melodie. I have to say that as an entrepreneur and freelance journalist, that resonates, but perhaps she could have guessed or intuited this?

Throughout the hour we spend together she goes much deeper. In terms of my emotions, she says I “feel what other people are feeling”. I agree that I am empathetic. “You are very selective about who you connect with and who you build a connection with. You want everyone to feel good so I can feel good. You exert a lot of energy on trying to solve other peoples problems instead of putting energy into want you want to build.” But Melodie warns: “Everyone is responsible for their own emotions. You need to put myself first because no one else will.” She finishes by saying I need to “optimise my energetic blueprint”.These human design sessions are just one component of the Byblos’s new “Holistic Experiences” wellness programme that launched this summer and encompasses a variety of activities and workshops that facilitate a journey of self-discovery for participants. Presented in three stages – depending on how much the participant would like to experience – programme aims to be both “accessible and meaningful”, whether they are already a practitioner or not. Bespoke workshops range from yoga and meditation to reiki healing and shamanism (an ancient practice that connects your consciousness with your “cellular memory”).

For time-pressed guests who want to “taster”, there are 60-minute “Inner Harmony” treatments combining yoga and meditation. They can be done solo (€160) or as part of a group (€80 per person), and can be tailored to the “rhythm and energy” of the individual. For example, morning sessions combine gentle and energising movements or invigorating and dynamic exercises, while evening sessions are designed to relax the body and mind.

• Morning Boost: a dynamic yoga workshop that aims to energetically wake up the body and bring a burst of energy through ‘asana’ movements that are linked to effective breathing.
• Rise and Shine: a more gentle morning class, perfect for individuals looking for a peaceful start to the day. Classes will combine gentle stretching and movements linked to meditations techniques.
• Recharge Mode: an evening workshop aimed to let go of all muscular tension and mental pressures, and to fully enjoy an evening of festivities in St-Tropez.
• Pause and Reset: a parenthesis in the day for those looking to fully relax. In this evening workshop, the deep tissues and meridians are tapped via postures that are held between three to five minutes to help the body open up and enter into a deep introspection.
• Pranayama and Meditation: a respiratory workshop focusing on breathwork. In Sanskrit, prana means ‘vital life force’ and yama means to regain control. Through breathing, guests will learn how to free themselves from stress and experience inner peace of mind, through guided sessions.

Christophe Chauvin, general manager of the Byblos, tells Globetrender: “When people come to our hotel and want to do mediation or yoga, they are already experts. They practise and they have a trainer. So we can’t give them a funky experience. It has to be the best.”

Alternatively, guests can book a personalised one-day retreat, branded an “Epic Journey”. These include body workshops signature spa treatments and a bespoke gluten-free, vegetarian lunch, with dishes designed to complement the theme of the experience.

To get things started, a therapist will help you to identify your specific needs and will propose one of five Epic Journeys, each linked to an element (water, earth, fire, air, ether). Priced at €650 per person, each journey comprises one 60-minute Inner Harmony treatment; one 60-minute “Byblos” signature massage; one lunch and one holistic treatment, such as human design, tarot or sophrology (a practice that incorporates mental visualisation and mindfulness).The Byblos is also hosting immersive weekend workshops (branded “Constellations”) that take place between July and September. The three-day programmes (taking place Friday to Sunday) focus on shamanism, breathwork and sound therapy, and allow people to sample one two-hour 30-minute group workshops (priced at €150 per person) or a selection. Reiki and human design costs €270 per individual session.Since opening in the 1960s, the Byblos St Tropez has earned a reputation for being a somewhat hedonistic and glamorous hideout on the Cote d’Azur, attracting many famous guests over the years, particularly around the Cannes film festival when a lot of Hollywood stars fly in (A-list guests include George Clooney, Leonardo DiCaprio and Beyoncé). The compact, village-like resort takes the form of a cluster of houses and bungalows that surround a central swimming pool. There are suites designed by Missoni, an atelier selling works of art, homeware, luxury lilos and cigars (there is also an online boutique) and a buzzing nightclub called Caves du Roy.

Today, the Byblos recognises that “health is the new wealth”, and is tapping into many of the more “New Age” and alternative remedies made famous by actress and wellness entrepreneur Gwyneth Paltrow. Spearheaded by Antoine Chevanne, the owner of the hotel, he was inspired to launch the wellness concept after undergoing a series of life-changing engagements with shamanic healer and personal development consultant Marion M’Santi (pictured below).Chevanne tells Globetrender: “I am a very pragmatic person. A few years ago I wasn’t super open but I kept on talking to Marion and I was so surprised at how she succeeded in solving many of my problems simply by us talking to each other. In two hours I got answers. It was super intense.

“At a certain point, when I figured out what was going on in the wellness industry, especially in my hotel and the hospitality industry, I had the feeling that wellness trends were changing. It’s now about taking care of your inner self, as well as your outer self. So I asked Marion to help. In January 2023, I employed her to be our wellness and personal development consultant.”

Having spent time with gurus at ashrams in India and shamans in South America, M’Santi has built up considerable experience and knowledge in alternative therapies. At one point she wanted to be a nun but is now curating and managing the Holistic Experiences programme at the Byblos, along with a team of staff hired locally.I am here for a taste of some of the experiences on offer. We do a lovely gentle yoga class with Audrey in the shady courtyard, which is decorated with tiles by acclaimed ceramist Roger Capron. (I like our teacher finishes the session by saying: “Thumbs on your head for clarity of thought, thumbs on your lips to speak the truth, and thumbs on your heart for truth in your actions.”)

Later, this was followed by an hour of meditative “breathwork” with Nana, which (I am pleased to say) was not about inducing hyper-ventilation, hallucinations or tears (“holotropic breathwork”) but achieving focus, peace and clarity (it’s better described as “conscious circular breathing” – in through the nose and out through the mouth).I have to say that I feel really “seen” by Melodie in the human design session. Almost everything she said makes sense to me and I find it helpful to be presented with this bird-eye profile of myself that I have never seen before in full. I recognise that (like anyone) I need to pay better attention to the people I surround myself with, how I invest my time, the environments I put myself in and the demands I make of myself to allow myself to be the best version of myself possible. In certain scenarios I will wilt, while in others I will flourish. Being aware of these propensities is really helpful.After my human design session, I gather with the rest of my group to eat a “God of Fire” Epic Journey lunch, with produce grown in the hotel’s own kitchen garden. For me, good food is integral to a good holiday, especially when I want to leave feeling better than then I arrived. The Byblos scores highly on every front, from the simple plant-based wellness lunches to the multi-course Mediterranean fine-dining dinners it serves in Arcadia, and fresh salads and fish at the hotel’s own Byblos Beach restaurant (pictured below), roughly a ten-minute drive away by the sea.

In the morning, at the hotel, there is a beautifully curated breakfast buffet with chilled yoghurts in glass pots, chopped strawberries, perfect patisseries and gateaux, homemade granola, DIY vegetable and fruit juicing stations, flagons of mint water and loaves of artisan bread wrapped in thick cotton napkins. The Byblos has also revamped its Sisley spa with natural stone, onyx and wood – it now has five treatment rooms, a new sauna, an indoor and outdoor relaxing area, a nail salon, a redesigned hammam, and the introduction of the “Waterfall room”, with sensory showers and jets. Sisley amenities have also been introduced in rooms for the first time this season. I had a 90-minute transcendental massage that was so relaxing it took me to another dimension (€270). Chevanne tells Globetrender: “The Byblos is now more than a hotel – it’s about the art of living.” He says:  “As a society, we are constantly connected, performing at a high level as well as travelling extensively. Time, space and having a choice is a luxury today, and I strongly believe that our industry’s future will be guided by our ability to offer our guests the chance to reconnect with themselves.

“It’s not just about offering a yoga lesson or a wellness package to guests, but to go further in offering an experiential journey that will demonstrate results and where we will accompany guests every step of the way. Our curated workshops and retreats go beyond practice, in order to awaken inner consciousness of body and mind.”

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