By: ANETTA NOWOSIELSKA
At Longevity Health & Wellness Hotel in Portugal, the journey toward vitality and renewal is big on comfy accommodations and robust programming that challenges and heals.
Renowned for its captivating sceneries, rich culture, and warm hospitality, Portugal has grown leaps and bounds over the last decade to become a real contender on the luxury spectrum. Today it beckons travelers seeking rejuvenation and tranquility amidst retreats that harmonize upscale comfort with transformative health practices. Some of these resorts feature many of the local modalities and products that make immersion into the Portuguese concept of wellness truly a one-of-kind experience. At Longevity Health & Wellness Hotel, located in the town of Alvor just 50 minutes west of Faro in the picturesque region of Algarve, visitors who seek a restorative experience won’t be disappointed with a myriad of treatments available at this slick-looking resort overlooking the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the range of Monchique mountains on the other.
The resort’s commitment to personalized experience ensures tailored programs that blend cutting-edge medical expertise with holistic therapies. My four-day detox begins with the inevitable blood work, medical examination and a heavy metals evaluation, which immediately shows that my levels of aluminum and silver are way past acceptable. The nurse assigned to my case suggests that tap water and the poor quality of my pots and pans may be the root cause of these elevated readings. On the good side, my blood work is a picture of great health; the body fat ratio, on the other hand, leaves much to be desired.
Though not mandated by my program, I opt to stay away from any menu item that may add to my disappointing fat results and stick to soups and salads instead. At the heart of Longevity’s approach is its culinary philosophy. The hotel offers gastronomic experiences focused on healthy, locally sourced ingredients. The daily juices served at the top floor restaurant overlooking the area can be adopted to any preference and medical recommendations and are absolutely delicious. The soup menu is equally tasty although the top gastronomic ranking goes to the vegetarian lasagna lauded as the best dishes in the area.
Though not mandated by my program, I opt to stay away from any menu item that may add to my disappointing fat results and stick to soups and salads instead. At the heart of Longevity’s approach is its culinary philosophy. The hotel offers gastronomic experiences focused on healthy, locally sourced ingredients. The daily juices served at the top floor restaurant overlooking the area can be adopted to any preference and medical recommendations and are absolutely delicious. The soup menu is equally tasty although the top gastronomic ranking goes to the vegetarian lasagna lauded as the best dish in the area.
My days are spent between workout sessions, meals and treatments at the spa although I do manage to squeeze in long walks down to the beach, where English is spoken more than Portuguese, in part due to the country’s popularity with the British retirees. No surprise, the spa is terrific and features a range of treatments geared toward rejuvenation, relaxation, and overall well-being. I try the Himalayan Salt and Spirulina Body Scrub that removes the dead skin cells, to release excess toxins, and a session in Iyashi Dome, a Japanese sauna, which promises to burn up to 600kcal with just a 30-minute session, thanks to long infrared rays. The Body Contour & Reshape Session aims to help thin and tone my silhouette while improving blood circulation. This treatment is an excellent companion to targeted cellulite treatments, which are terrific and yield real results. Finally, Ozone & Oxygen Therapy Body Sauna is a “must do.” A powerful antioxidant, analgesic, and an activator of the immune system when introduced into the bloodstream this therapy helps to stimulate cells, while fighting inflammatory and infectious processes present in our body.
Though short and sweet, the four days at Longevity Health & Wellness Hotel rebooted my commitment to things that truly matter and in the process delivered on the promise to intertwine those fundamental pillars with some amazing experiences.
