Opened in the heart of Florence during the early 19th century, Helvetia & Bristol extended its unique offerings in April 2022 with the introduction of LA SPA. This luxurious 540-square-meter retreat in the city’s prime central location has been carefully designed to provide an intimate sanctuary where guests can unwind, rejuvenate, and reconnect with their well-being. LA SPA offers an array of treatments curated to meet individual needs, including bespoke beauty rituals, rejuvenating massages performed by skilled professionals, and advanced skin therapies. Utilizing skincare brands such as Cinq Mondes and Miamo, each treatment ensures regeneration for both body and mind.
The Spa combines contemporary comfort with history, incorporating the ancient ruins of Roman walls to create a serene sanctuary. Indeed, its speciality is found in the relaxing Roman baths. Inspired by Latin names that pay tribute to their Roman origins, these rituals combine heat, cold, and serenity. Among the many luxuries, visitors can experience the Lacus Quietis, the heart of La Spa. This tranquil pool invites guests to immerse themselves in soothing waters, providing a refuge of calmness. Alternatively, the Calidarium offers an enveloping hot steam experience, while the Sudatorium focuses on eliminating toxins. Artist Felice Limosani enhances the experience with an immersive video installation, combining digital landscapes and animations for a multisensory journey.
Beyond the Roman Bath, guests can experience wellness through indoor and outdoor activities. Indoors, the hotel features a gym and offers Pilates classes in collaboration with Pilates One and HealthFarm by Stilnuovo, blending the therapeutic benefits of spa treatments with exercise science. For those enthusiastic about exploring Florence, the Renaissance Tour provides an unforgettable way to walk, run, or cycle through the heart of the city’s historic centre. Alternatively, the By the River experience invites guests to enjoy these activities along the Arno River.
The Venice Venice Hotel- Venice, Italy
Conceptualised by Alessandro and Francesca Gallo, the creatives behind Golden Goose, The Venice Venice Hotel is housed in the historic palace of La Locanda Del Leon Bianco. Recognising the significance of physical and spiritual wellness in today’s world, the hotel has collaborated with the visionary artist Victoria Zidaru to prioritize holistic rejuvenation. Thus, in May 2024, the Felix Anima Spa opened, integrating science and art to deliver a transformative wellness journey. The spa merges contemporary art with curated experiential design, offering the most elevated quality treatments prepared from natural and highly effective ingredients.
Inspired by Ordo Virtutum, the herbal treatise by Saint Hildegard of Bingen, Victoria and Alessandro Gallo have infused its timeless teachings into a memorable sensory experience. This holistic approach is found in the spa treatments, each tailored to suit the specific needs of every guest. One of the standout treatments is VULTUS CURA, a facial and décolleté ritual composed to combat the signs of aging. Another is REGENERATIO, a massage and exfoliation therapy. By employing dry brushing, this treatment helps, among other benefits, to reduce water retention and invigorate the immune system. The BOTANICUS treatment focuses on detoxification through a draining massage that uses oils infused with sage and rosemary, made following traditional methods inspired by Hildegard. Meanwhile, PHYSICA combines deep-tissue massage with joint stretching to ease muscle tension and promote relaxation. Each treatment concludes with an herbal tea made by Victoria from hand-selected herbs.
The spa houses a wellness area overlooking the Grand Canal on the ground floor. It is accessible via a private internal courtyard and can be reserved separately upon request. This zone includes an indoor pool made from Trachyte stones, a Turkish bath, a second treatment room, and a private bedroom for guests to unwind in comfort
Savoy Hotel & Spa – Paestum, Italy
The Savoy Hotel & SPA is located near the peaceful pine forests that extend to the beaches of Paestum, offering a magical retreat near to the breathtaking archaeological park and Greek temples overlooking Capri. The hotel’s Holos Spa, spans over 700 square meters and elevates wellness to an art form. Drawing inspiration from the Ancient Greek traditions of the Cilento region in Southern Italy, the spa offers signature treatments developed to rejuvenate both body and soul.
The design, visualised by architect Giampiero Panepinto, emphasises craftsmanship and high-quality materials to achieve a sophisticated, minimalist aesthetic combined with natural elements. Warm lighting enhances the serene atmosphere, while custom-designed accessories add a special touch tailored exclusively for the spa. The outcome is a luxurious wellness retreat featuring three temperature-controlled pools, a spacious salt cave, an ice room, and a Turkish bath complemented by a rasul area. Guests can also unwind in the sauna, or a suite is available for those seeking a private experience. This exclusive space includes a sauna, a pool, a Turkish bath, and two massage beds.
Holos Spa is dedicated to preparing a serene retreat that embodies the standard of excellence in the wellness industry. Every treatment is thoughtfully curated, utilizing organic ingredients derived from the region’s rich offering, including buffalo milk, grapes, and olive oil sourced directly from the National Park of Cilento. The range of signature treatments invites guests on a sensory journey, inspired by the charm of ancient Campania. Each experience is carefully curated to nurture the body, satisfy the senses, and restore vitality, ensuring an escape into tranquillity and well-being
The View – Agadir, Morocco
Amaya Spa at The View Agadir embodies its Berber name, offering a haven of beauty and serenity. Spanning 1,500 m² and designed by Imaad Rahmou, this sanctuary is dedicated to well-being and renewal. Expert practitioners provide personalized treatments, ensuring a rejuvenating experience. At its heart lies the authentic Moroccan hammam, a ritual that cleanses and revitalizes the body, mind, and spirit.
Among the spa’s standout treatments is the Ceremonial Hammam, which uses local ingredients to purify and nourish the body, face, and hair. The View Oriental Massage, inspired by oriental techniques and aromatherapy, combines relaxation and rejuvenation with natural local oils. Facial treatments include the Hydrates-Firms-Antioxidant Facial, enriched with green tea and aloe vera to restore hydration and radiance, and the Calms-Firms-Anti-inflammatory Facial, ideal for sensitive skin, reducing inflammation while repairing and protecting. Amaya Spa also features premium Natura Bissé skincare and a variety of luxurious therapies, such as hydrotherapy and lymphatic drainage, each designed to foster balance and vitality.
The spa’s facilities are equally indulgent, with five hammam rooms, five individual massage rooms, a couple’s suite, steam rooms, a heated indoor pool, a hair salon, and a jacuzzi pool. Traditional Moroccan aesthetics integrate seamlessly with modern design, creating a tranquil environment that honours local heritage. The fitness centre offers yoga, pilates, tai chi, seaside workouts, mindful breathwork, and personalized coaching for those seeking active wellness. Indoor and outdoor activities further enhance the experience, combining energy with tranquillity
Ser Casasandra – Holbox, Mexico
Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, Ser Casasandra is not just a hotel; it is a refuge designed by Sandra Pérez, who converted her house on Holbox Island into a haven for those seeking to reconnect with their true essence. Art, spirituality, and harmony with nature intertwine in this unique establishment built to offer a relaxing and rejuvenating journey.
Holbox Island is a cultural refuge where ancient Mayan traditions intertwine with daily life. Free from cars, this boutique hotel invites visitors to cross the 10-kilometre expanse separating it from the Yucatan Peninsula and immerse themselves into a world where freedom and appreciation of the present are central. Thus, every angle of the hotel reflects the island’s celebration of inner tranquillity, offering a space where relaxation can be experienced in its purest essence, away from the chaos of daily life.
These ideas are best exemplified at their AHAL, the first Holistic Center in Holbox. AHAL is the Mayan word for awakening, and at the hotel, it is the location that offers guests a space for rejuvenation and healing. A wide range of well-being activities and therapies provide these journeys. These include transformative therapies that stimulate both body and soul, such as osteopathy, restorative physiotherapy, and the soothing vibrations of Tibetan bowls. Visitors can experience ancient rituals like Mayan cleansing and dynamic synchro techniques. Further, the hotel offers experiential retreats that awaken the heart and guide the mind toward healing and peace. Guests can find countless ways to renew and restore, from morning yoga by the pool to meditation sessions that calm the spirit or specialized treatments like reflexology and cryotherapy. There is consistently more to uncover in this sanctuary of holistic well-being
These remarkable hotels offer a unique refuge for relaxation, integrating cultural heritage, modern luxury, and distinctive wellness experiences. Whether you are drawn to the peaceful beauty of a coastal spa, the timeless magic of a historic city, or the privacy of an island retreat, these destinations promise an ideal start to the year. With memorable treatments, high-quality facilities, and thoughtfully curated details, every stay is designed to inspire balance, renewal, and tranquillity. Begin the year on a journey of self-care and rejuvenation at these properties, where relaxation and luxury create unforgettable moments.