Words by Georgie Bentley-Buckle
Among the healing mountains of Italy proudly stands Palace Merano, a five-star medical spa
hotel that pioneers the finest luxury wellness travel experiences.
With a micro-climate that attracts a bounty of wildlife is the Italian oasis of Merano which entices affluent individuals seeking the healing powers of nature. Originally a magnet for European aristocrats, when Palace Merano hotel first opened its elegant doors in 1906 it became the city’s greatest spectacle. Today, the fine fortress glows in golden yellow beneath bright blue skies against the dramatic South Tyrolean landscape.
When you think of a medical spa, sterile clinical labs and daunting health tests come to mind. This, the very first medical spa hotel in Italy, is however, frosted with dazzling chandeliers, gleams with smart marble columns and towers of fresh, colourful bouquets. This decadent setting invites swathes of discerning international guests to indulge in wellbeing and to discover the joy of health.
From the aristocrats of days gone by to renowned guests of today including Luciano Pavarotti, Victoria Beckham, and Cristiano Ronaldo, Palace Merano firmly remains a place for the well-heeled traveller. Complete with a world-class medical centre and revival spa, brides-to-be are invited to check into one of the 90 rooms and sumptuous suites to immerse themselves in Palace Merano’s ethos to find the equilibrium between body and mind.
Having established itself as one of the globe’s most iconic health hotels, Palace Merano has welcomed through its historic doors swathes of women looking to feel and look their very best in the lead up to their wedding. Consequently, earlier this year, the luxury wellness experts launched the Relax & Balance wellness programme. Across a seven-night stay, this new experience has been curated to combat high stress and restore radiance, health, and inner balance. Tailored to brides navigating the pressures of wedding planning, the programme offers lasting benefits up to six months.
Having recently gone through the wedding whirlwind and stress before, during, and after the bog day, I personally appreciate the importance of taking care of your wellbeing, beyond the physical appearance, but the need to find inner peace and balance to ensure you make the very most of this sacred time. Whilst dealing with the post-wedding admin, I checked myself into Palace Merano for a solo taster of this comprehensive luxury bridal wellness experience.
Proud creators of the Revival method – built upon psycho-physical health, each programme personally created for the individual follows a series of innovative therapies, medical and physical testing, movement and fitness, plus a nutritionist-approved meal plan to help you discover the joy of everyday wellbeing whilst enveloped in luxury. To ensure a personalised programme is created to best suit the bespoke needs of any given bride, on arrival, the in-house experts will carry out a full medical and bioenergy check-up, including blood tests to receive data for cortisol, testosterone, DHEA, and melatonin. With these in-depth insights, brides are provided with a daily wellness schedule that incorporates all Merano Palace has to offer so brides can rediscover wellness, physically and emotionally.
At mealtimes, saunter from the spa into a fine-dining restaurant and well-appointed sunny terrace in a white robe for beautifully presented dishes crafted by the dietitians and talented chefs. Menus follow either the Detox for those looking to cut calories and truly rid the body of toxins, or the Bio light diet: the most substantial option for those to relax and gain strength during training plans. The latter, which celebrated Italian cooking, inclusive of delicious plates of wholemeal spaghetti and creamy risotto for lunch, and protein-packed plates at dinner. As the evening rolls in, the magic of this five-star retreat comes to life with elegant tunes from the grand piano and harp beneath the sparkling chandeliers, inviting guests to dress up for the occasion, all whilst honouring their health.
Each day, my wellness programme directed me around the truly incredible facilities situated around every corner. From hydro-mud treatments to energy massages using suction cups (to rid the body of water weight and boost circulation), the team also checked me in for a body scan and meeting with the doctor. Additionally, I tried a magical dry floating therapy session (the ultimate mindfulness experience), enjoyed a relaxing massage with essential oils, and attended Pilates and functional fitness sessions. This was sprinkled with full access to the indoor and outdoor pools, saunas, and steam rooms. Brides who have the pleasure of checking themselves into the Relax & Balance wellness programme can also receive yoga massages, daily meetings with the dietitians, vitamin booster drips, bioenergy treatments, 121 yoga sessions, plus the opportunity to discover what makes Merano so special with e-bike and hiking tours and outdoor fitness in the fresh alpine air.
The nearest airport, Bolzano, is just a 30-minute drive in one of the hotel’s suave, chauffeur-driven cars. And with SkyAlps launching a new route which swiftly connects Gatwick directly with Bolzano twice a week, it’s never been easier to access the Italian mountains and everything Palace Merano has behind its grand façade. In under two hours from London, this small but smart airline allows you to see the beauty of the mountains from above as you approach the idyllic alpine retreat.
Book it: The 4-day Detox for Longevity Programme at Palace Merano is available from £4,175 per person, including accommodation for single occupancy in a Comfort Room and extra medical examinations with the doctor. www.palace.it
SkyAlps offers the only route from the UK directly into the heart of the Dolomites, Bolzano. With no middle seats, exceptional service onboard, complimentary South Tyrolean wines and snacks, impressive sustainability credentials and more – your mountain holiday begins as soon as you board the SkyAlps propeller plane. Fly SkyAlps: SkyAlps operates up three times a week with flights from London Gatwick – Bolzano from £129 each way skyalps.com. Children under two years old travel free of charge, a 30% discount is applied to children until the age of 11.
