Living in the South of France and maintaining what I hope is a reasonably healthy lifestyle, I've learned that time is our most precious commodity. When you can't take unlimited time away from your family and work responsibilities, every wellness journey must count. Over the years, I've had the privilege of experiencing some of the world's most renowned wellness destinations. I have done it both as a curious person on a well-being path, and as someone deeply committed to understanding what truly transforms us.
Each place I've visited has taught me something different about the art of wellness, although it may not feel like that on the spot. Even if it's just about what works for different personalities and needs, I then realize that I also learn about myself.
When I prepare a review for a medical clinic or a wellness resort, it makes me reflect on what it means to seek and find wellness in this beautifully complicated world we live in. And there are as many answers as wellness seekers: we all have our own path.
Chenot Palace Weggis: The Gold Standard of Transformation
If I'm being completely honest, it's almost unfair to other destinations how exceptional Chenot Palace Weggis is. I always look forward to my next retreat on the shores of Lake Lucerne. The way they deliver medical wellness profoundly resonates for me.
The first thing that strikes you isn't the undeniably gorgeous lake views (though they certainly don't hurt), but the caliber of the doctors and therapists. They're passionate, they understand the human body and mind with an almost intuitive precision. It makes you wonder if they've been doing this work for lifetimes.
What sets Chenot apart is their ability to make the impossible seem effortless. Their low-calorie program, designed to mimic the benefits of fasting without the psychological challenge of complete food restriction, initially sounds daunting. I won't lie, the thought of surviving on what feels like bird portions can be intimidating before you arrive. But I reassure my clients: once you're there, it works beautifully. Your body adapts, your mind clears, and you actually don't feel hungry. But if you're genuinely struggling, the nutritionists are surprisingly accommodating. They understand that wellness isn't about suffering; it's about finding what your body needs to thrive.
The attention to detail at Chenot is extraordinary. From the visual presentation of every meal (you eat with your eyes first, after all) to the immaculate cleanliness that makes you feel like you're in a futuristic sanctuary. The staff anticipates your emotional needs, supporting you with a kind heart that feels almost psychic.
If there's a weakness - and I'm really reaching here - it's that the program structure can feel a bit rigid at times. If you discover that a particular treatment doesn't resonate with you, changing course isn't always straightforward. But honestly, given the expertise behind their recommendations, I've learned to trust their process. Sometimes the treatments we resist most are exactly what we need.
Six Senses Vana: Luxury Wellness Without the Guilt
There's something deliciously guilt-free about Six Senses Vana and the clients absolutely love it. Located in India's Dehradun, this destination understands that wellness doesn't always have to feel like penance. Sometimes, feeling good is about allowing yourself to feel good. Revolutionary concept, isn't it?
The property itself is very nice, and their approach to programming is flexible. You can craft your experience to match your energy, your goals, your whims. Want to join the sunrise yoga? Perfect. Prefer to sleep in and start with a leisurely healthy (or less healthy!) breakfast? Also perfect. This adaptability makes it ideal for people who know themselves well enough to understand that rigid schedules sometimes work against their natural rhythms.
The restaurants deserve special mention. I loved the food experience at Six Senses Vana: diverse, delicious, and offering enough variety that you never feel deprived. This is wellness where nutrition doesn't rhyme with restriction.
But here's where it gets also challenging for some clients: you need to know yourself and remember what you came to Six Senses Vana for. If you're someone who thrives on structure, who needs external discipline to stay on track, Vana might challenge you. Those beautiful croissants at breakfast aren't going anywhere, and the "just one more" mentality can easily take hold. It requires genuine self-awareness and willpower to make the most of what's offered without overindulging!
Their digital detox policy walks a fine line. It's admirable in principle, perhaps a touch extreme in practice. I understand the intention, but in our interconnected world, complete disconnection can sometimes create more stress than it alleviates. It's worth considering your comfort level with digital separation before committing.
The massages, while certainly pleasant, aren't the standout feature here, like in most of India. If you're seeking therapeutic bodywork that addresses specific physical issues, you might find yourself wanting more clinical expertise. But if you're looking for relaxation and general wellbeing, they're perfectly adequate.
ZEM Wellness Clinic Altea: a Glimpse into the Future of Longevity?
ZEM represents something quite exciting in the medical wellness world. It's a brand-new facility that combines cutting-edge medical expertise with high-end hospitality experience. With the stunning Mediterranean views in Altea, Spain, this is a super cool spa retreat.
Some therapists here are exceptional - knowledgeable and genuinely invested in your outcomes. They work with an impressive array of advanced equipment, including the Metawell technologies. They can target specific health concerns with precision.
What clients particularly appreciate is the customization possibilities, with the programs and the add-ons. Your program truly becomes your program, adapted and refined based on how your body responds and what your goals are. It's wellness that respects your individuality rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
However, I wasn't too impressed with ZEM "discovery" program, a bit like a wellness sampler platter that gives you a taste of everything without deep immersion in anything specific. If you're looking for targeted results or have specific health concerns, I'd recommend being very clear about your goals from the outset, and picking one of the outstanding 6 other programs offered at ZEM.
The medical consultations can be hit-or-miss, depending on which physician you're assigned. Some are deeply engaged and insightful; others seem to be going through the motions - which is normal for a clinic which opened just a few months ago. It's worth advocating for yourself if you feel your consultation isn't meeting your needs.
L'Albereta: Chenot Excellence in a Relais & Chateaux setting
Sometimes the stars align perfectly, and L'Albereta is proof. Located conveniently near Milan, this destination offers the renowned Chenot protocol at more accessible prices and durations. For those who can't always take a full week off to Chenot Palace Weggis, Espace Chenot at L'Albereta feels like a great bio-hack to transformation.
Clients love the four-day program, and return every now and then. Sometimes you need the Chenot Method, but can't disappear for one or two full weeks. L'Albereta understands this reality and the Espace Chenot provides genuine results in a compressed timeframe.
The fitness team and sports coaches are outstanding. They're available, knowledgeable, motivating, and skilled at adapting exercises for different fitness levels and physical limitations. They understand that health and wellness isn't just about what you put in your body, but how you move it.
The restaurant setting for Espace Chenot at L'Albereta isn't particularly inspiring. It's functional rather than beautiful. Also, the hotel service can be inconsistent. But honestly, when you're getting Chenot-quality protocols and treatments at these prices, these feel like minor inconveniences.
Villa Eden: Where Elegance Meets Wellness
Villa Eden in Merano embodies a particular kind of Italian sophistication that's increasingly rare in our world. Under the watchful eye of Angelika, the owner, who genuinely cares about every guest's experience, this destination proves that wellness and pleasure aren't mutually exclusive concepts.
Everything here whispers "so chic". From the property's design to the carefully curated wine pairings with your healthy meals (yes, wine ... the sommelier and bar program deserve special recognition). Villa Eden have managed to create an environment where you can maintain your wellness goals while still feeling like you're truly on vacation.
There's something magical about leaving Villa Eden looking and feeling visibly better than when you arrived. It's wellness that enhances rather than restricts, that adds to your life rather than subtracting from it.
The challenge is accessibility: Merano is undeniably beautiful and historically significant, but getting there can be more complex than some other destinations. It requires commitment to reach, but the journey becomes part of the experience.
Clinique Nescens: Impressive Results
Some wellness experiences leave you feeling good temporarily; others fundamentally shift how you approach your health. Clinique Nescens falls decidedly into the latter category. This isn't about temporary relaxation. It's about sustainable transformation.
What makes Nescens exceptional is their integration of serious medical expertise with practical lifestyle changes you can actually implement at home. The protocols are evidence-based, the Nescens medical team is diverse and highly qualified, and their approach to wellness is deeply scientific - without being cold or overly clinical.
The proximity to Geneva makes it easily accessible. Their focus on actionable changes means you leave with concrete tools rather than just good memories. And most clients are amazed at how much different (better!) they look after 2 weeks at Clinique Nescens !
The downside is exactly what makes it effective: you're staying in a medical clinic, not a luxury wellness resort. It's a luxury clinic, but it definitively is a clinic, you can't deny it. This might feel austere for some, and very reassuring for others. Additionally, their weekend programming / activities is limited, which can be restrictive for scheduling.
Programme Nescens at La Réserve Geneva: Best of Both Worlds?
This collaboration is not new but illustrates a strong new trend: combining a longevity clinic's medical protocols with legendary hospitality. La Réserve Genève is a gem for families, business travelers, holidays, Geneva locals looking for the greatest spa and sports club ... And with the Nescens programs at La Réserve Genève, it's an answer to the question: "Can I transform my health without giving up luxury?"
The group fitness classes are expertly designed, the restaurant options are numerous and excellent (my favourite: Café Lauren!), and there's something wonderful about being able to pursue serious wellness while your family enjoys a proper vacation. It's wellness that doesn't require everyone around you to make sacrifices.
The Nescens treatments maintain their effectiveness in this more luxurious setting, although of course for medical-grade diagnostics or treatments, you need to go to Clinique Nescens (half an hour by car from La Réserve Genève).
However, this is decidedly a resort offering wellness rather than a wellness destination that happens to be luxurious. The distinction matters. If you need complete immersion in wellness culture to stay focused, the resort atmosphere might prove distracting. And yes, the pricing reflects both the Nescens expertise and La Réserve standards.
Lily of the Valley: Pure Joy in Wellness Form
Sometimes you encounter a place that just makes sense on every level. Lily of the Valley, perched high above La Croix Valmer with views that literally stop conversation mid-sentence, is that kind of place for me. I love to go there any time of the year - and yes, even in the summer, despite the pain of the traffic to get in and out of the St Tropez area (pro tip: avoid the days where there is the market in St Tropez).
This destination understands something fundamental: wellness should feel joyful, not punitive. Their programs strike a perfect balance between effectiveness and pleasure. The longe côte (sea wading) sessions are brilliant, combining fitness and adventure with the Mediterranean's natural beauty. The yoga classes feel more like moving meditation than exercise, but the cuisine manages to be both healthy, seasonal, creative and genuinely pleasurable.
The flexibility here is remarkable. Your program adapts to you, not the other way around. Some days you might need intensive treatment; others you might need gentle movement and good food. Lily of the Valley accommodates these natural rhythms without making you feel like you're cheating on your wellness goals.
Some clients even ask their wellness concierge to fit all the activities and treatments in the mornings, so they can dedicate the afternoon to work, or the other way around. Wellness at Lily of the Valley adapts to your needs and goals.
But let's be clear about what this isn't: it's not a place for those seeking intense physical challenge or dramatic lifestyle intervention. This is an hotel that offers exceptional wellness amenities, not a medical wellness retreat. If you're looking to "push your body" or address serious health concerns, the gentle approach here might not provide the intensity you need.
Zulal by Chiva-Som: Wellness Without Boundaries
Located in Qatar, Zulal represents wellness at scale in the most positive sense. The sheer range of treatments and therapies available is genuinely overwhelming, in the best possible way. Whatever your body needs, whatever your wellness goals, they likely offer multiple approaches to address them.
The flexibility is unparalleled. Don't like your morning treatment? Change it. Want to try something completely different? No problem. This adaptability, combined with therapists who genuinely know their craft, creates an environment where wellness feels collaborative rather than prescriptive.
The family-friendly approach is quite unique in the luxury wellness space. Most destinations require you to choose between family time and wellness time; Zulal allows for both. The beach access and year-round warmth are obvious bonuses, and the pricing, particularly for the level of service and range of offerings, is surprisingly accessible (for example, with the current offer until end Sept 2025, a retreat at Zulal Serenity has a starting price of 400 USD / night ... incredible value for money).
However, there are trade-offs. The medical consultations lack the depth and follow-up you'll find at places like Chenot or Nescens. There's not really a single person tracking your progress and ensuring continuity between treatments. And there's a paradox inherent to the concept of family wellness: bringing children to a wellness retreat might work against the deep personal focus that makes these experiences truly transformative.
What I think I've Learned About Choosing Wellness
After experiencing these diverse approaches to wellness, I've realized that the "best" destination isn't about objective rankings. It all depends on what will be the greatest path for your progress. Are you someone who thrives on structure or flexibility? Do you need medical-grade intervention or gentle encouragement? Are you seeking transformation or restoration?
With my front-row seat towards all these amazing wellness retreats, I've learned to choose destinations based on what I need in that particular moment of my life, rather than what sounds most appealing in theory, or the newest concept. Sometimes I need the rigorous transformation of Chenot; other times, the joyful restoration of Lily of the Valley serves my wellbeing better.
The most successful wellness journeys happen when you're honest about your personality, your goals, and your limitations. Each of these destinations excels at serving particular needs and particular types of people. The magic isn't in finding the universally "best" place, it's in finding the right place for you, right now.
And if you need someone to talk to about your particular needs in terms of wellness, we can schedule a consultation and I can recommend you a few retreats which may suit you and help you progress on your own journey. Talk soon!
