From 500 calories a day to beach yoga at dawn, MOJEH picks 5 of the world’s most luxurious health retreats to recharge and prep for summer
Parrot Cay by COMO, Caribbean This sun soaked haven located on a stunning private-island in the Turks and Caicos is where the A-list flock to when they need to recharge, and most importantly relax. Yes Hollywood’s who’s who head to the design drenched health retreat for its famed award winning spa, the COMO Shambala Retreat. Focusing on physical wellbeing as well as spiritual balance, the spa features nine treatment rooms, a Pilates studio, a yoga room and even its own Ayurvedic Wellness Consultant.
Anantara Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort, Abu Dhabi Nestled on one of the largest uninterrupted stretches of sand in the world, this remote utopia is a fortress of cool and calm amid the Liwa Desert. With the sprawling dunes as its backdrop, the resort’s rooms, suites and villas including spa all look out onto the surrounding desert. Relax on the infinity-edge pool perched on the edge of the dunes, or sweat it out in a private yoga session in one of the two outdoor salas. Just don’t forget to check out the Suhail restaurant’s beautiful outdoor terrace at sunset for killer views like no other.
Song Saa Private Island, Cambodia The epitome of upscale barefoot escapism, the luxury tropical private island located in the archipelago of Koh Rong, offers a haven of hedonistic and holistic appeal. The island’s shores are dotted with spa and wellness sanctuaries as well as an abundance of daily activities to loose oneself in. From rainforest safaris and sunrise yoga to snorkeling, sea kayaking and conservation programmes, there’s something for everyone.
The Chedi, Oman Looking to play as well as pamper yourself? Oman’s achingly cool Chedi should definitely be on your agenda. Boasting one of the region’s longest swimming pools as well as two additional pools, daily beach boot camp, two tennis courts, yoga classes and personal trainers in addition to Muscat’s largest spa, there’s no better place to get your game and zen on. With minimal luxury and white sandy beaches, this place is about as far removed from your local gym as you could wish for.
Sha Wellness Spa, Spain The go-to name whispered amongst the jet set elite when it comes to matters of wellness and wellbeing. Yes, Sha has long been a favourite for celebrities Kylie Minogue and Naomi Campbell (even world leader Vladimir Putin has been known to check in). Offering a more clinical approach to wellness than most spas, health junkies will enjoy the health retreat’s tailored made schedules of colonics, cupping sessions, genetic testing, acupuncture, moxibustion and more. Sha also preaches a macrobiotic way of living, where guests forgo dairy and meat for a Japanese/Mediterranean fusion diet that promises a more holistic long-term existence.