Next Level Fitness: Make time for 'me' time
Shaking up our approach to fitness can be just what we need to reinvigorate our enthusiasm for exercise. With this in mind, Sarah Howden books a wellness break on Spain's sunshine coast for some much-deserved 'me time'...
Wellness is no longer just a trending concept and holidays for the soul are becoming the most appealing way to press the reset button on our health and wellbeing. The iconic five-star hotel on Marbella’s Golden Mile redesigned its wellness offering in the summer of 2017 to include a series of specific holistic programmes where physical, mental and emotional wellbeing are of equal importance.
With its stunning subtropical gardens and dreamy views over the Mediterranean Sea, the Marbella Club is a spectacular sight and an instant tonic. My garden view room included a living space straight out of an interior magazine and generous private terrace.
My wellbeing overhaul began with an in-depth lifestyle consultation with coach Magalie Paillard in the new holistic studio - an oasis of calm with Arabian-inspired architecture and garden filled with medicinal and aromatic herbs. She evaluated my lifestyle and pressure points and together we identified priorities I hadn’t previously considered. It was enlightening, empowering and I came away armed with notes and recommendations for at-home care.
My particular stay focused on my emotional wellbeing, lack of sleep and pitiful energy levels, and an emphasis was placed on good nutrition and making sure I fueled my body correctly. Thankfully, Scottish nutritionist Amanda Hamilton hosts signature wellbeing programmes from Marbella Club and has designed a number of specialist signature menus for the resort which are incorporated in the hotel’s food menus. And they are exquisite... with even the odd glass of wine or Champagne allowed too. I indulged in everything from fillet steak, gourmet salads, roasted seafood to healthy buffet breakfasts on a whole different level.
Over at the Thalasso Spa, a seaside sanctuary that offers a range of holistic, Thalasso and spa treatments, I invested in the Sleep Inducing Ritual with Comfort Zone, an innovative massage which works on three sensory pathways for profound relaxation – smell, touch and sound. I slept for 15 hours solid that night. With a renewed energy on my second day, I hit the state-of-the-art gym to attend pilates and abs classes, and took a bike ride along the promenade, soaking up the sights and sea views all the way to Puerto Banus and back to Marbella’s Old Town.
Non-intrusive, non-exhaustive and luxurious, The Marbella Club Wellness Escape is good for the soul. I left a whole new person and ready to take on life again.
Book your stay at the Marbella Club here.