Travel
Originally published on Tuesday, 20th November 2012
FIVE STAR FITNESS
38°North at Aguas de Ibiza, A Wellbeing Escape
In A Sentence
Five star fitness retreat for people who want to be treated like adults.
About
If you want some pampering with your fitness regime, then this is for you. Set in Santa Eulalia, Ibiza, this is one retreat that doesn’t yell, shout, or boss you about. If you want results, you’ll do it. If not, open your mini-bar and treat yourself. This is a spa-cation – so it’s all up to you. Just the way it should be.
The Programs
38°North, run by Kelly Morgan and James Davis, offers tailor-made fitness programs to suit personal goals. Want to jump-start your fitness regime? Check in for a 3- to 6-day fitness schedule. Not up for bouncing about, but still want to reset things? The juice detox program is a good option. Juice, sleep and pampering, without the pressures of day-to-day London life. We will definitely be checking in after the closing parties next season.
Fitness Program Breakdown
Led by Faye Maloney (who trained as a dancer and more recently, was two-time UK kickboxing champion), activities are varied and include things like hiking to Es Vedra, biking to the beach, outdoor circuit training and Ashtanga yoga, dance fit and Swiss balls classes. UJ received a biometrics consultation, which helped us see what we were doing wrong and how to get the most out of our workouts. There are also chiropractors and osteopaths on hand should you need them.
The Spa
This is a five-star hotel, with a five-star spa (and spa menu) to match. UJ opted for a Shiatsu massage, which took place on a wrestling style mat and stretched us back into shape. There are numerous pools (hot, cold, whirlpool and a pool with underwater bikes) as well as the usual steam, sauna and hammam. Ice was provided for a rub down – should you be so brave – and underwater massages (very on trend these days) are also available.
The Hotel
This was our fourth stay at Aguas and definitely the best. The hotel has truly found its feet, and when you’re on a spa holiday, its décor – rocks, light natural wood and water throughout – is perfect. Ask for a room facing the port. #UJloves the in-room baths with electric curtains.
Highlights
The excursions. Kelly and James took us mountain biking through the countryside where we went from back roads to a beachside café (the new whitewashed Atzaró Beach, the Friday night hotspot of 2012), with a stop at a hippie market (and peek into the World Family Ibiza boutique to see beautiful boots and bags) in between. We also loved the attitude of this retreat. For a few stormy hours, outdoor activities were cancelled so we opted to chill out and catch up on sleep – and K&J were fine with that. This is about what you need – not about ticking boxes – which is refreshing for this type of retreat.
Eat and Drink
Breakfast at the hotel was juice and/or the breakfast buffet (we tried to stick to fruit and veg, but the manchego and champagne were seriously tempting). For lunch and dinner, we went largely with fresh Asian/Mediterranean-inspired bites. We also went off-piste one night to check out Vaughn’s new spot, Babylon Beach Bar and indulged in an amazing fig mojito and pulpo by the sea (definitely one of our haunts next season). This whole side of the island is really coming into its own.
Top Trip Tip
Come alone. This is the best ‘me’ time one could ask for and truly feels like the most luxurious treat. Ask them to remove the chocolate and Crianza – basically everything – from the mini-bar. It’s just too tempting!
When to go
We’d say pre or post season. We love a good detox, but know ourselves, and if the clubs were open, well…… Retreats start again in the spring, so book now for a March/April escape and be ready to retox for IMS/opening parties.
About Wellbeing Escapes
Wellbeing Escapes are spa and wellbeing holiday experts. Focuses include beach, spa, detox, fitness, short breaks, relaxation and pampering. They have an extensive portfolio of destinations – including India, Greece, Malta, Thailand, Italy, Spain, Slovakia and Arizona – and frequently offer single travel rates should you, like us, want to go alone. Call or email for advice on where to book.
Info
Wellbeing Escapes Flexible Fitness Holiday with 38° North and Aguas de Ibiza, costs from £1319 pp. This includes 7 nights’ accommodation with breakfast in a junior suite, a nutrition, fitness and wellness Consultation, 5 private fitness activities, 3 massages, plus complimentary access to the spa facilities and weekday fitness classes. Return flights and transfers to Ibiza also included, www.wellbeingescapes.co.uk. For more information on 38° North visit www.thirtyeightdegreesnorth.com. Email queries can be directed to
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