If you think "detox" and "holiday" don't go together, think again.
Yesterday's health retreats are today's "destination spas" and come complete with gourmet cuisine worthy of Michelin-star restaurants and spa treatments designed for instant slumber. Weaning yourself from the urban world of constant communication, daily caffeine fixes and end-of-week beer celebrations needn't mean self-imposed fruit and water in a bunk bed anymore.
A detox holiday also makes sense on the wallet as all meals are included with some spa treatments and an activity program to help shift excess baggage. The swankier retreats on offer around the globe even have personal spa butlers to take care of your every need, though they'll stop short of doing the detox for you.
Which health retreat is right for you?
Before you consider a detox holiday, think about what you want to achieve. Would you like to lose a few kilos, increase your fitness, give your liver a break, de-stress or simply have some "me" time?
Destination spas are divided into group or individual retreats. On a group retreat all the guests arrive and depart on the same day and you may have to share a room or apartment unless you pay a single supplement. Guests dine on the same food together and do most activities together, except spa treatments which are yours alone to enjoy. These retreats are a great option if you're travelling alone and want some social interaction.
Individual retreats are a more personalised approach to detoxing. You arrive on whatever day of the week suits you, dine at a time convenient to you with à la carte menus spa cuisine room service and do activities when you feel like it. A program is chosen for you by a wellness consultant who spends time assessing your personal needs and goals for your holiday. These retreats are ideal for those seeking serious solo time or travelling with their partner.
Residential spas are a new addition to the health retreat fold and usually found in a city within a larger hotel. Entire floors of guest rooms are dedicated to residential spa goers, many with private in suite treatment rooms. Guests stay on these private floors away from the masses with a separate check in reception and personal access to the day spa and fitness and yoga rooms.
Spa cuisine is provided throughout their stay and a personalised program is chosen from detox, weight loss, fitness or pamper. These are ideal for those who may want to shop and spa or perhaps business travellers wanting to combine some down time on a seriously stressed schedule.
Prepare yourself for your holiday
Whichever you choose do try to
reduce your intake of caffeine and processed sugar a couple of weeks beforehand. The sudden removal of both can cause headaches that will send you horizontal and searching for pain killers while on holidays.
If you can, then leave your laptop at home, if not then hand it over at reception, along with your mobile phone. Constant communication with the outside world can send stress levels sky high and by day two you won't even notice you don't have it. Many retreats ban the use of laptops and mobile phones from public areas to ensure little disturbance.
Pack lightly and leave the fancy dress at home. The more civilised or expensive retreats provide guests with complimentary leisurewear such as yoga pants and tops in neutral colours or white cotton kurta pyjamas. Don't be surprised to see fellow guests wandering the grounds in fluffy robes smelling of aromatherapy oil either. It may feel as though you're in a mental hospital to start but, trust us, you'll be doing the same for comfort by day two.
What to expect
It can take a few days to truly relax and most people make the fatal error of filling their days at a retreat with a thousand activities as if they are back home in the office. Try to
take things slowly and give yourself permission to just stop and do nothing.
A seven-day retreat is ideal, a 10-day one even more beneficial and if you can afford a fortnight in time and money then book right in. If travelling overseas for a detox then give yourself 48 hours in a nearby city stopover to conquer the jetlag before throwing yourself into the retreat vortex.
But be warned, day three can be uncomfortable, especially if you choose a detox retreat, as the toxins release themselves from the body you may feel lethargic and irritable. By day four or five you will notice a distinct increase in energy and day seven you won't know or recognise yourself.
Some recommendations
Group style
Individual style
- Chiva Som, Hua Hin, Thailand for European royalty and Fortune 500-listed company executives
- Kamalaya, Koh Samui, Thailand for spiritual pampering
- Six Senses Destination Spa, Phuket, Thailand for spa butlers and private pools
- Ananda Spa, Himalaya, India for Ayurvedic programs
Urban residential spas
