wellness - House Of Coco Magazine

Beauty September 26, 2022

Elevate your glow from the inside out

With holidays a distant memory, dark nights, cold weather and shorter days drawing in we could all do with a boost of summer glow. Holding on to that summer sparkle going into Autumn starts from within. When you look after yourself on the inside it shows up on the outside.

Supporting your wellbeing routine with a supplement will help improve your sleep, gut health and enhance your skin and hair giving you that fresh, ‘just got off holiday’ glow.

“If you’re considering incorporating supplements into your routine, it’s worth exploring the best time to take L-theanine, as discussed in this informative article on optimizing your wellness from within. For insights on whether morning or night might be the ideal timing, check out this helpful resource on smartervitamins.com.”

With so many supplements promising an array of health benefits it can be hard for find the right one for you. We asked HUX founder, Damien Byrne, how to get started with a supplement regime. He says, “The category is confusing, overwhelming, boring, and largely full of ineffective products. You need a trusted health supplement partner from when you wake up, to when you go to sleep that addresses a specific problem. As a general guide, ingredients that are plant-based, naturally derived, of organic origin and provide at least 15% of your RDI (recommended daily intake) is a good starting point. The HUX Superfoods Blend provides essential daily nutrition – greens, superfoods, critical vitamins, plant protein; think of it as a daily insurance policy for your health.” When it comes to supplements know there’s no one size fits all. Start by identifying where you want to boost your wellbeing and use this goal to find the product best for you.

For optimum results you need to be taking a supplement daily for a minimum of three months to notice the difference. Byrne recommends, “First thing in the morning, on an empty stomach is the best time to take supplements as your body is most open to receive the nutrients, you most likely haven’t consumed anything else that will block the absorption and you are more likely to remember to do it if it is part of a regular, daily routine. The exception is a sleep supplement though, which should be taken one hour before bed.”

Supplements are not a quick fix or magic pill, you need to have a balanced varied diet, drink lots of water and avoid too much caffeine and alcohol. Here’s a round-up of some of the best supplements to supercharge your beauty and wellness regime.

Beauty from within

The new HUX Beauty capsule is a supplement governed by science, not magic. It features a powerful blend of all the proven nutrients your body needs for thicker hair, stronger nails and more radiant skin. This includes 100% of the daily nutrient reference value (NRV) of vitamins and minerals including Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Zinc, Selenium, Iodine and many more.

Beauty by HUX, £45 for 20 servings or £36 on subscription

Support your immune system

This great-tasting, superfood greens drink powder promotes general well-being, supports digestive and immune health, and provides powerful antioxidant protection. The convenient on-the-go single serve packets contain more powerful antioxidants and phytonutrients than 2 cup of lettuce, 4 cups of spinach, 4 bananas and 4 cups of papaya!

Perricone MD Super Greens Dietary Supplement Powder, £60.00 for 30 servings

Plump skin

These collagen gummies are an expert blend of nutrients, with 500mg of marine collagen and 1200ug of retinol per serving. Make these gummies a tasty addition to your overall wellbeing and beauty routine, including vitamin C – an essential vitamin for collagen formation, immune function and cognitive health.

Myvitamins Collagen Gummies, £32.99 for 60 servings

Banish blemishes

Created by a panel of experts and nutritionists, Skin Saviour is a science-led formula of 11 ingredients including clinically studied gut-friendly bacteria (‘probiotics’), prebiotics, botanicals and nutrients for healthier ageing and a clearer, glowing skin complexion. Including Acidophilus, Hyaluronic Acid, Grape Seed, Green Tea, Bilberry and essential vitamins at optimal levels.

DR VEGAN Skin Saviour, £24.99 for 60 capsules, 2 a day, or £21.24 if you subscribe and save with 15% discount

Feed your brain

With brain nutrition the foundation of mood stability, mental clarity and a vital marker for mental health, it’s little wonder that Nootropics are a trend that’s here to stay. No ordinary Nootropic, HUX’s capsules contain Cognizin as their lead ingredient, which is gold-standard, clinically-proven to improve cognitive function, concentration, focus and enhance your mental energy. Combined with additional active ingredients such as Lions Mane Mushroom, L-Theanine, Niacin, B6, B12 and Ginkgo Biloba, this is a powerful nootropic complex, designed to give you an edge on daily life.

HUX Nootropic, £45 for 20 servings

Great gut health

Gut Feeling is a prebiotic mix that helps support great gut health. Promoting healthy gut bacteria and balance this supplement is great for restoring digestive health and reducing bloating.Containing inulin and digestive enzymes as well as Ginger, Celery, Jerusalem Artichoke and Apple, Gut Feeling addresses the gut-skin axis.By improving your gut health you with see a difference in your skin.Good gut health also supports mind health. Add water for an instant celery juice.

Gut Feeling, £22.90 for 40 servings

Sleep on repeat

Sleep is the single most effective thing we can do to reset our brain and body health each day, HUX has assembled the highest quality, cutting edge ingredients to achieve this standout natural sleep aid. The Sleepcapsule contains a hero ingredient called Levagen, clinically proven to enhance quality of sleep, improve cognitive function the following day, provide quick relief from people suffering from joint pain and stiffness, plus reduce muscle damage. Combining this with Ashwagandha, Magnesium and Chamomile flower powder makes this one of the most effective sleep products on the market.

Sleep by HUX, £45 for 20 servings

For hormone balance

Forever Beautiful is a mix of powerful beauty berries from Amazonia that support your skin health from the inside out. Containing Chia seeds, Acerola cherries, Acai berries, Blueberries, Maca and Maqui this blend of adaptogens and superfoods is bursting with benefits from reducing inflammation and redness related to acne to supporting hormone balance.With one serving containing over 100% of your daily vitamin C it nourishes your skin.Simply add Forever Beautiful in the morning to your smoothie, acai bowl, yogurt, or oatmeal for healthy skin.

Forever Beautiful, £22.90 for 40 servings

wellbeing September 13, 2022

#CocoLive, Wellbeing By The Lakes, Dorset

Wellbeing by the Lakes is a 4-day boutique wellness festival that is set within 26 acres of one of the world’s most beautiful sculpture parks ‘Sculpture By The Lakes’.

One of the amazing sculpture at Sculpture By The Lakes

Nestled away in the Dorset countryside in Pallington near Dorchester. Three years on from its inception, Wellness By The Lakes is the definitive festival where you can truly kick back and unwind in a unique setting.

At Wellbeing By The Lakes, there’s a myriad of fantastic talks and classes that you can attend which includes different types of yoga which includes Vinyasa Flow, Face, Rocket and Laughter yoga.

There was also an incredible Acro Yoga performance by the lakes in the park which made for a truly enriching setting.

Wellness by the Lakes at Sculpture By The Lakes

The sculpture park is made up of several lakes and even has the fast-flowing River Frome running alongside it.

There are several sculptures throughout the park which have been crafted by both the park owner, and visionary creator Simon Gudgeon as well as pieces of art from some of the UK’s leading sculptors.

Sculpture By The Lakes is a real haven of peace and tranquillity where spirit meets nature and as you might expect, it’s the perfect backdrop to the festival.

This is especially true when you are participating in classes like sound healing (including transcendent sound healing) shamanic healing meditation, crystal sound healing, gong baths, skincare workshops, flower garland workshops, breathwork workshops, forest bathing and more.

There was also a fantastic class on the law of attraction too.

The event includes a wide variety of wellness educators and advocates, from best-selling authors and life coaches to fitness and yoga instructors.

Two of the standout talks were from Dr Jenny Goodman who is a qualified medical doctor and the author of ‘Staying Alive in Toxic Times: A Seasonal Guide to Lifelong Health’.

She shared insightful knowledge on simple, yet effective changes that we can all make to make healthier and informed decisions which are kinder not only to ourselves but to the planet.

My personal favourite ‘Wellbeing by The Lakes’ moment was a phenomenal talk from the coach and celebrated author Donna Lancaster who uses her best-selling book ‘The Bridge’ to teach people about healing from grief and how to live your most authentic life.

This empathetic, empowering, beautifully written roadmap gives the reader the tools for dealing with life’s setbacks and how to heal yourself in order to become the most authentic version of yourself.

One of my favourite things to do was to meander around ‘The Market Place’ which was packed with stalls from independent and local artisan producers selling everything from jewellery, clothing and ceramics to homeware, essential oils, art and so much more.

We got to try one of the best Kombucha I have ever had in the shape of Boochacha and tried some of the incredible oils over at Ayten Aromatherapy where founder Sarah Ayten has effortlessly fused performance art with aromatherapy, creating a fantastic range of premium therapeutic grade essential oils which tackles everything from fatigue to getting your mojo back.

Wellbeing by the Lakes is the ideal remedy for helping people to relax, recharge and feel healthier and happier in the most beautiful and tranquil setting.

It’s the perfect environment to not only just enjoy a festival with a difference, but to help people to fully engage with wellness practices and experiences. It provides an enlightening experience and allows you to come away feeling fully restored and revitalised.

Adventures August 16, 2022

Disconnect and Discover Rutland

Wedged between Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire is Rutland, home to rolling countryside, lakes and hiking and biking trails, making it a fabulous destination to reconnect with nature. Whether you are looking to escape the everyday with your beau, disconnect with your girlfriends or get active as a family, Rutland is a fantastic location for a mini-break. Just two hours outside London, I took the opportunity to kick back and make the most of country living.

Clematis Cottages are part of Lodge Farm, located in the medieval hamlet of Aunby near Stamford. Situated on a hilltop, it’s enveloped by fields and forests and from the moment I arrive I feel myself relax. Stone outbuildings which are believed to date back to the eighteenth century have been sympathetically restored and tastefully converted into rental cottages, retaining many original features to provide luxury accommodation furnished in keeping with the building. I stayed in The Eco Barn, which was spacious and homely, incorporating many eco-friendly elements. It is split across two floors and the top floor, which has a large, dedicated lounge area offers the most amazing views of the countryside. With two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a generous sized kitchen and lounge area, it’s a beautiful base to retreat and unwind. The peace and tranquillity that surround the cottages bring instant zen to my stay. Owners, Kaye and Richard, grow all their own fruit and vegetables, and I arrive to a welcome package of fresh eggs, milk, and home-made jam. Richard is also an avid Beekeeper, and his honey is divine. Close to the market town of Stamford and not far from Burghley House and Belvoir Castle, the cottages are in a great location to explore the local area.

Rutland Water, a large man-made reservoir is the focal point of the county. Rutland Watersports offer a range of exhilarating activities, and the team are all knowledgeable, advising on the best activity to suit your goals. I opted for some kayaking to start followed by a bit of paddle boarding. I recently tried kayaking for the first time and loved it so was excited to get back on the water. It’s a brilliant way to switch off. The sun was beaming and the views around the lake were gorgeous. After an hour exploring, I hopped on a paddle board. I’d passed a couple of people effortlessly gliding along the water and after my kayaking success I thought I’d give it a whirl. This was not as easy as it looked, and I spent most of the time on my knees. I wobbled along for 15 minutes before my abs and arms gave up. You can also windsurf and sail, with an option to hire equipment. The team run courses, personal tuition and have an activity programme geared up for beginners through to seasoned sailors.

For those looking for a bit more action there’s a large inflatable Aqua Park on the site. Thrill-seekers can slip, slide and splash at one of the UK’s biggest inflatable outdoor water parks. The Aqua Park features the UK’s tallest obstacle: The Rutland Mammoth. Plummet from the giant slides or free fall from a staggering five metre drop. This Ninja Warrior style course is great fun and will test you to the limit, ideal for families and groups

You can also hire bikes and explore around the water, it’s pretty flat making it just right for a leisurely pedal.

After all the fun on the water I had worked up an appetite. Just 10 minutes from Clematis Cottages is The Olive Branch pub. Situated in the pretty village of Clipsham, this is more than a local pub. Their accolades include Michelin Pub of the Year, Winner of the Good Pub Guide UK Pub of the Year for 2021 and nominated as a Finalist in the GQ Food & Drinks Awards Pub of the Year 2021 and upon arrival it’s easy to see why.

The team are on the ball and friendly. After been shown to my table I am swiftly served drinks and given the low down on the menu. The outdoor space has been converted into a series of ‘garden party’ style gazebos for the summer season. Our tented table was awash with colour and detail. Gingham napkins, dainty flower vases and candles set the shabby chic vibe, while fairy lights, cushions and throws make it cosy and intimate.

The kitchen is overseen by Head Chef, Luke Holland and the menu is determined by the availability of homegrown, local produce. It’s not your usual pub fare, Holland has successfully combined a gastro menu with fine dining touches. I started with a flavoursome Braised ham hock served with heritage radish and perfectly balanced with a light, tasty apple and lovage velouté. The Olive Branch fish and chips are a firm favourite and it’s easy to see why. The haddock comes encased in an airy, crispy beer batter alongside triple cooked chunky chips with soft fluffy centres and a delicious homemade tartare sauce. The team regularly run masterclasses and tasting sessions. Inside the pub there’s a bottle shop for those looking to take the party home. The Olive Branch has successfully combined provenance and quality which is why snagging a table here isn’t easy. Book early to avoid disappointment.

For more information on where to stay and what to do visit Discover Rutland

Behind the bar August 10, 2022

Retox to Detox at the South Place Hotel

These days, it’s rare to come across something that makes you think – ‘why hasn’t anyone thought of this before?’ which was exactly the case with South Place Hotel’s new Retox to Detox package. Team Coco ventures into the buzzy City to see if South Place Hotel’s new package is worth the hype (spoiler alert: it is)

If you’ve ever gone out out over 30, then you must try South Place Hotel’s new Retox to Detox package. City’s most vibrant boutique hotel has teamed up with Vitamin Drop specialists Get A Drip to offer the ultimate party-weekend experience for partygoers whose hangovers have worsened with age.

No need to sacrifice a whole weekend binge-watching the latest reality show after a night out, because South Place has created the solution with its Retox and Detox package.

South Place Hotel is artsy, cool, vibey and effortlessly so. A destination within a destination, South Place Hotel Is conveniently located to all of Shoreditch’s hipster haunts and the City’s sky-high bars – a perfect base for a night out. Not to mention, the hotel’s Secret Garden – which opens every Friday from August – is also an excellent spot for cocktails with guest DJs adding further allure.

We checked into one of the studio suites, one of the 80 stylish bedrooms in South Place Hotel. The suite was stylish, spacious and had plenty of delightfully clever amenities that we didn’t know we needed in our lives until right now. The BNO TV, for example, can be spun around remotely. No need to fumble with HDMI wires, because you can connect your laptop to the TV straight from the desk. The minibar, if you can call it that, contains a fabulous selection of artisanal gins and spirits – perfect to get the party started.

RETOX

There is also an in-room ‘Black Book’ Party Guide which gives you the low-down on the coolest late night spots this side of East London. We were also greeted with some champagne and delicious fruits – perfect to set the pre-game mood.

Package guests can enjoy a complimentary Tanqueray Gin cocktail at the hotel’s buzzy 3 Bar in the lobby, but we recommend also having a cocktail (or two) at the rooftop terrace just before sunset. We promise that you won’t get better views of the City.

For dinner, check out South Place Chop House’s new summer menu. Led by Head Chef Jack O’Riley, there’s plenty to chew on here (pun intended). From the generously sized Large King Prawns starter, which is cooked with chili, garlic and parsley butter to the Cobble Lane Charcuterie-board which offers Cappa, Lomo, Salami and Chorizo with a creamy celeriac rémoulade.

The star of the show is of course the Josper grill. Here, you can enjoy a selection delicious, juicy grass-fed steaks. Each cut is carefully aged, succulent and works perfectly well with a variety of delicious sauces and sides. They say a good meal is a precursor to a good night out, and so after our delicious dinner at Chop House – we danced the night away in East London.

DETOX

Going ‘out out’ often results in dehydration, headaches, and a general fatigue -which gets worse with age. Don’t fret – because South Place Hotel comes to the rescue with the detox part of the package. Start with a hearty breakfast the Chop House, followed by a Vitamin Drip treatment in your room.

Get A Drip is London’s top IV clinic and offers different drips depending on your needs. We went for the Energise drip, but you can also opt for Hydration Immunity or Detox. The IV Drops are administered by a certified nurse – and will not just give you a post-drip boost of energy, but leave you feeling relaxed, refreshed and energised for up to four weeks after your treatment.

Once properly detoxed, South Place Hotel takes the relaxation further with a one-hour full-body massage at the Wellness Centre, so you can banish the aches from the night before. Believe us – once you check out of the South Place Hotel – you’d be asking yourself ‘where has this been all my life?’

Adventures August 8, 2022

Time to Heal With Forest Bathing in Morzine

My moment.

As I sat on the freezing cold boulder that drew me in to the bend of the icy river, I gave in to the truth that nature was healing me. That was what I was feeling.

I slowly breathed in the oxygen that felt thick and forceful, lovingly created for me by the forests around me, and that they had kindly offered to feed me with.

Pursing my lips to prevent the leaving rush of air, I held onto the exhale with a dizzying purpose. Hearing only the sizzle of the water as it bubbled through the rocks on the river bed, I closed my eyes. Resting the back of my hands on my crossed legs, I felt the Earth pull me back to lay down in peace.

I was forest bathing, Shinrin Yoku, in the snowy Alps near Morzine.

The moment.

The trip to Morzine could have been any snowboarding trip. Adrenaline filling every moment from the unnatural downward sliding to the all-natural buzz from dancing all night in your boots following Après.

Don’t get me wrong, it was all those things and more. The food and drink scene in Morzine leaves an indelible impression, as does the historical surprises discovered by chatting to the locals.

Yet, this trip to Morzine was more memorable than ever before. Proof that even if you still haven’t fallen head over heels in love with skiing or snowboarding, it doesn’t mean you have to miss out on a snow trip with friends or family.

Simone, our magical forest bathing guide, greeted us with the calmest, warmest, and most welcoming smile to take us on our enlightening tour.

Shinrin-yoku is a widely popular medicinal practice in Japan. It offers the opportunity to reconnect with our natural ability to heal, recharge our batteries, and therapeutically remedy blood pressure issues, anxiety, and depression.

With Magical Snow Treks in Morzine, guided by Simone, you’ll fully immerse yourself into the forest, re-awakening your digital-living battered senses.

Their moment.

We began our experience at a point in the forest where we asked permission to enter. One of our group, a guy who recently lost his mother, shed a tear at this early point. The powerful pull of nature often has a visceral effect on those who least expect it, when you and your group go all in.

The still silence of our movements meant that the forest and its inhabitants were comfortable in loudly being themselves around us. We showed them that we respected their home and were giving in to whatever lessons they were to teach us, if any at all.

After moving on from the forest gate, snowshoes strapped on and full cold weather hiking gear, it was time to give and receive with the forest.

Simone is a beautiful soul wondering around in this bonhomie radiating human being. She coaches and guides in a way that makes normal-people sense. Nobody felt silly or that they were getting anything wrong. There we’re moments of silence, receiving energy, offering thanks, and deeply getting to know the forest.

She asked us to get to know part of the forest that we felt pulled to, so I made friends with a tree stump that looked like it was reaching out for a hug. I don’t feel stupid about admitting that we had a chat. I asked if they were okay with what happened, they told me that it has been hard but with the support of the entire forest, the moss, and the animals around them they were thriving.

Your moment.

I’m a tree hugging, deep thinking, energy conduit so this was heaven to me. I often feel the receiving or giving of energy intensely. However, even if none of this represents you, please give forest bathing in Morzine a shot.

You’ll experience a slow walk through nature, with time to look around and take in an environment that you rarely get to relax in.

The final piece of the journey is enjoying freshly picked Norway spruce bud tea amongst the orchid filled clearing at the end. The perfect place to chat with your group about how the last couple of hours made you feel. You may even be surprised by yourself and others.

It truly is an inspiring way to relax, just a few hours out of the day or night and the chance to see more of the area in a new and mindful way.

To book your experience visit www.morzine-avoriaz.com.

Adventures August 2, 2022

A Guide to the Best Luxury Summer Stays

If you still haven’t managed to book a summer break, then take inspiration from our round-up of some of the best luxury stays. Whether you are looking to recharge your batteries, explore, bar-hop or dine out, we have some of the best places to enjoy a long weekend in style.

JW Marriot Venice Resort & Spa

Avoid the crowds at this luxury hideaway in Venice

Situated on the secluded private Venetian island of Isola delle Rose, travellers can choose to unwind at the JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa, a luxury five-star hotel that offers the perfect hideaway from the excitement of the city and busy crowds. New arrivals are transported by the hotel’s glamorous private water shuttle to the 40-acre resort, surrounded by charming views of the beautiful gardens and olive groves. Guests can choose to book from a choice of luxurious rooms, suites, and JW Retreats with private gardens, and enjoy award-winning cuisine, cooking classes and a choice of three pools. While those seeking a little downtime can head to the JW Venice Spa, a unique sanctuary that overlooks the Venice skyline.

Rates start from €450 per double room per night.

The Tivoli Marina Vilamoura Algarve Resort

Exclusive beach club access and benefits

The Tivoli Marina Vilamoura Algarve Resort has refurbished its Purobeach rooms with a design inspired by the beaches and sea of the Algarve. Guests staying in these rooms are offered free access to the beach club, Purobeach Vilamoura, along with a range of exclusive benefits including free sun loungers, towels and parasols, iced water, a welcome drink and after sun lotion plus a 10% discount on treatments at the Tivoli Spa Vilamoura. Purobeach features a programme of themed events and visiting DJs over the summer.

The club has two distinct zones – beachfront on the 5km long Praia de Vilamoura and poolside around the black tiled pool in the gardens of the resort, which is an adults only space. Guests can sunbathe either beachside or poolside on Balinese and Nomad style sun beds, enjoy cocktails brought to their loungers and dine on local seafood specialities to the relaxed sounds of the club’s DJs. At Purobeach poolside, guests can also join in morning yoga sessions and relax with a massage.

The 42 newly refurbished Purobeach rooms and suites are on the seventh floor of the hotel – each with a balcony or terrace. They have been decorated with soft tones and natural materials, inspired by the sand and the light on hot days, while the striped fabrics are a nod to the sails of the boats in the marina. Situated in the prime location of Vilamoura Marina the hotel is close to the shops and bars.

A stay at Tivoli Marina Vilamoura Algarve Resort in a Purobeach room in August, costs €600 per night (double occupancy) with breakfast and other Purobeach room benefits included.

Explore Madrid’s Golden Mile

The cosmopolitan, five-star BLESS hotel re-opened late last year in the heart of the glamorous Salamanca district, known as Madrid’s Golden Mile, following a major refurbishment with sensory interiors by Lazaro Rosa Violán. Each of the 111 rooms has unique details, with some retaining original Murano crystal features from the former hotel that occupied the historic building in the 1950s. Others have private terraces with hydromassage jacuzzis and anti-ageing sleep system technology.

Signature cocktails have been newly crafted by Libe’s expert mixologists and stylish events on the Picos Pardos Sky Lounge transform the hotel into a buzzy social hub for BLESS guests and Madrileños alike.

The hotel offers a range of experiences exclusively for guests, establishing it as a reference point in Madrid’s fashion, art and gastronomy scenes. Guests can make the most of their city break by immersing themselves in the capital’s cultural hotspots with a private five-hour tour of the Museo del Prado; Palacio Real and Madrid Antiguo, before enjoying a traditional lunch from the Executive Chef. Alternatively, the ‘BLESS Art Madrid’ tour of nearby private art collections allows guests to create their own piece of art with a local artist. Meanwhile an expert personal shopper and butler are on hand during the ‘BLESS Your Golden Mile’ experience, taking advantage of the Salamanca district’s many boutiques, followed by a relaxing in-room Bathology ritual.

Double rooms at the BLESS hotel are priced from £462 a night, room only.

Get a little dose of zen in Sicily

Having launched last summer, the10-hectare Grand Palladium Sicilia resort is the only five-star all-inclusive resort on the stunning island of Sicily. Perfect for a relaxing long weekend, the Zentropia Palladium Spa offers a complete wellness experience. Equipped with all the latest technology, it features a fabulous hydrotherapy zone, dry and humid sauna, chill-out zone, hot and cold hydromassage baths, and a sensation shower. Guests can treat themselves to a range of exclusive aesthetic treatments for the face and body and relaxing massages.

The magnificent white sand beach is just a stone’s throw away, while guests can also cool down in four spectacular pools within the resort. There is plenty to do to fill a weekend, as the resort is ideally situated for discovering both the city of Palermo and other coastal settlements such as Bagheria, Termini Imerese, and Monreale. Those who unwind best in nature will enjoy visiting the nearby Serra Guarneri nature reserve, whilst culture enthusiasts can head to the world-famous Mandralisca museum or cathedral in Cefalù.

Deluxe rooms are priced from £253.08 on an all-inclusive basis.

Mistral Beach Club, Split

Sundowners in Split

As part of the five-star Radisson Blu Resort & Spas, the Mistral Beach Club has become one of Split’s most sought after destinations, open to resort guests as well as outside visitors. This luxury beach club combines sunset and sundowners to make an unforgettable evening. International DJs and lounge music provide the perfect sound any time of the day.

Staying in the Radisson Blu Resort & Spas, however, comes with its own perks. Not only do guests get to enjoy luxurious facilities and an outstanding service within the resort grounds, they can make use of all the facilities Spalato Spa has to offer, dine in high-class restaurants, and explore the historical old town of Split, located only a stone’s throw away. A stroll through the romantic old town eases you into the Dalmatian way of life. Charming cafés offer foamy Cappuccinos in an oasis of calm within the lively city centre.

Rooms at the Radisson Blu Resort & Spas are from €309.13 per night

Lakeside Luxury for Less

Tucked inside the lower reaches of the Alps, the Northern Italian region of Trentino is famous for its Dolomites (UNESCO World Heritage Site), stunning landscapes, olive groves, rich history and picture-perfect historic towns and villages.

On the northern shore of Lake Garda in Trentino lies the beautiful town of Riva del Garda boasting a Mediterranean climate and filled to the brim with olive and lemon trees, palms, views of turquoise waters, and mountains for a majestic backdrop. This chic & stylish town with cobbled streets and historic buildings has great culinary offerings such as Al Volt, with seasonal tasting menus using local produce from across the region and is a short distance from the Dolomites mountain range, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The town is home to many activities such as sailing and windsurfing, paragliding, wine-tasting, hiking up soaring mountains, mountain biking, rock climbing & canyoning. A must-see natural attraction is picturesque 100-metre Varone waterfall.

Enjoy a 6-night stay at Hotel Portici Romantik & Wellness in Riva del Garda from £990 for two adults. The hotel is located in the picture-perfect historical centre of Riva del Garda and just moments from the crystalline waters of Lake Garda with soaring views of the mountains. Based on two adults sharing a double room, on bed and breakfast basis 21 – 27 August 2022.

Nourish your body and mind in Tuscany

Tucked away in between the pristine Serchio Valley and the Apennine Mountains, the Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco Resort & Spa is the perfect retreat to unwind away from the stress of everyday life. This small piece of paradise is located near the town of Barga in one of the most breathtaking locations in Italy and offers a variety of activities to care for the body and mind.

Guests can refresh in the sparkling waters of the hotel’s two pools or breathe in relaxation as they enjoy the spa’s extensive services, treatments, and amenities. The spa menu includes a special wine treatment using Tuscan grapes, a couples wine ritual that ignites the senses and treatments especially for men.

For those that would like to be a bit more active in their time away, there are a plethora of hiking paths, allowing visitors to be one with nature during a peaceful wander. The Garfagnana is known to be excellent for mountain biking and the many bike paths are perfect for exploration of the area on two wheels. There are also tours offered to discover all that is to see in the towns of Barga, Pian di Fiume, Guzzano, Isola Giovanna, Pieve di Controne and more and visitors can bring a packed picnic basket from the hotel’s kitchen to enjoy amidst the beautiful scenery.

To nourish the body, the hotel offers a special ‘From The Land To The Plate’ day-experience where you visit the local market with a trained chef to pick out the freshest ingredients and afterwards prepare a three-course meal to enjoy alongside some local wine.

Double room per night in Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco Resort & Spa is priced at £196

Fitness August 1, 2022

The Latest Wellness Must-Haves

We have checked out what’s new on the wellness scene this summer. Here’s our round-up of the latest products and experiences.

Supercharge your bath with Bathletic, the new self-care product that also gives back. Bathletic is entirely vegan, cruelty and sulphate-free with 100% recyclable packaging meaning it is great for the skin and mindful of the planet. Containing plant oils specifically targeted at sports recovery it soothes aching muscles, exhausted bodies and fatigued minds post workout.

Purchase Bathletic Bath Oil for £16.99 online at teambathletic.com

Whether you are taking some time out to reset, hitting the gym or heading outdoors this summer, do it in style. Lorna Jane active wear takes inspiration from mountainous landscapes and sun filled days. The collection includes cute, oversized sweaters and shorts, perfect to chill in around the house as well as chic printed co-ords you’ll love for the gym.

With a mission to create the best Activewear on the planet, each sustainably produced item effortlessly blends fashion with function and is performance tested on real women. Lorna Jane does this by spending hours mimicking how their audience move their bodies to ensure each piece encourages the women that wear them to become a fitter, faster and stronger version of themselves.

Prices for tanks start from £26, £43 for sports bras, £63 for leggings and £8 for accessories. For more information visit lornajane.co.uk

Described as Chelsea’s new destination for inclusive wellbeing, Volonté offers the ultimate 360 fitness experience, sessions guide individuals to optimum vitality under the expertise of founder, Haylene and her team of instructors. They do this by energising the body with aerobic workouts, building strength and skill with purposeful, movements to restore the breath, and calmly renew the mind.

With a collective spotlight on nutrition and wellbeing, the studio has a café jam packed with a feel-good menu ideal to refuel post-workout.

Volonté, 299-301 Brompton Rd, London SW3 2DY

cafevolonte.co.uk

Take care of your skin this summer with the ESPA Isotonic Cooling Body Hydrator. This lightweight hydrator absorbs instantly to help relieve dry, thirsty skin. A powerful cocktail of hydration heroes leaves the skin feeling quenched with maximum moisture and a healthy glow. Nutrient-rich yet non-greasy, this summer saviour is a soothing jelly formula that leaves skin feeling fresh, revived, and revitalised. Tip: keep in the fridge for an extra-cool treat for the skin.

RRP: £43.00, shop ESPA’s summer cooling bliss here

Stay calm and stress free this summer with the Mål Paper Stress Bundle. This set includes a Check in Journal, a perfect mindfulness tool to help you check in and connect with yourself, a Stress Relief Card Deck which includes 52 different practises and reminders to help with stress relief and an Affirmation Card Deck to help you start your day happier and more productive by focusing on the positive and becoming more mindful.

£45, available from the Mål Paper website

Digital wellness app Able is a health guru in your pocket, offering one-to-one coaching across nutrition, fitness and more.

Whether you’re looking to lose or gain a few pounds, adapt to postpartum changes, or help yourself to combat emotional eating, post-Covid stress or other wellness challenges, Able will match you up with the perfect health coach for a fully personalised, holistic journey towards a happier you.

Together, you and your coach will establish a tailored action plan to build healthy habits, using always-on milestones and progress check-ins; video calls and messaging; water, sleep and movement trackers; a food journal and more.

Available to download in the App Store.

wellness July 2, 2022

How to Make Recovery from Illness a More Bearable Experience

When you’re recovering from a recent illness, you need to be very careful about how you’re approaching the situation. If you don’t pay attention to your body’s needs, you can easily fall right back into the hole you just climbed out of.

You may even make things worse, depending on what exactly you’ve recovered from and how it affected your health. There are some things you can do to make the whole ordeal at least a little bit more bearable. Don’t assume that you can just power through this – in most cases, that will only make things worse.

Use Resting Time as Intended

Many people tend to get overcome by a sense of guilt after they’ve gone through an illness, believing that they need to immediately get back on their feet to compensate for the time lost. This isn’t limited to employees. You might feel like you need to make up to your family for not being available, for example.

But if you try to rush through your recovery period, you risk getting sick again. Use your prescribed resting time as intended and give your body some time to improve. Note that this doesn’t necessarily mean staying in bed all day long. If you feel like going for a walk will improve your situation, go for it – just don’t excessively strain and go out of your way to be more active.

Address Any Sources of Physical Discomfort

Until you get better, you might deal with some additional physical discomfort that makes it more difficult to recover properly. If you have any options to address those issues, use them to their full potential. For example, if you have gone through something that affected your throat, you might find it difficult to swallow your food and drinks. Products like SimplyThick Easy Mix can make the situation more bearable and help you push through those difficult times without straining your body excessively.

Keep a Journal

Many people underestimate the power of journaling. When done right, it can significantly improve your wellbeing and help you see things from a new, more positive perspective. For example, it can help you realize that your situation is not as bad as you might think. It can also help you revise recent developments and make more sense of them.

This doesn’t have to be anything too fancy or convoluted. A simple day-to-day journal that outlines how your day went and what issues you encountered with your recovery can go a long way towards helping you make more sense of everything.

Take notes along the way as well. If you discover something that plays a particularly positive role in your recovery, you will want to remember that the next time you come down with something. It will help make your future recovery easier. Hopefully you won’t have to revisit that list anytime soon, but in case you do, you’ll be glad that you’ve taken the time to compile it. Being prepared is half the battle when it comes to dealing with illnesses, after all.

RE PLACE London is the new wellness clinic you simply must try

If you’ve never heard of lymphatic drainage before – then now is the time to jump in the body rolling bandwagon. Our girl Hannah Tan-Gillies ventured to RE PLACE London to be one of the very first people to try its innovative lymphatic massage treatments. Here is what went down.

RE PLACE, the first of its kind in town, is bringing the lymphatic massage concept from LA and New York to London. Its Body Roller machines are a game-changer for banishing stubborn fats, loose skin and ridding your body of nasty toxins.

Walking into the RE PLACE London studio in Westbourne Grove is like entering a wellbeing sanctuary from the future. Before starting your treatment, the lovely Jade at front of house will tell you all about the myriad of benefits of lymphatic drainage massage and myofascial release, which (as we learned) can help boost your body’s natural lymphatic systems to get rid of bloating, excess fluids and toxins.

Before getting down to business, we visited the RE PLACE London café for some delicious, dairy-free coffees and protein snacks. The staff at RE PLACE London make a wicked cup of joe, and it’s easy to get lost exploring the different healthy snacks and drinks on offer here too. We especially liked NUCCY’s Nut Butter, which offers deliciously nut spreads, the 111Skin face mask and the Served Hard Seltzer.

Downstairs in the treatment room, you will find several of RE PLACE London’s innovative Body Roller machines. These machines combine the benefits of lymphatic rolling with infrared and collagen lights that can help reduce inflammation and boost circulation leaving you feeling revitalised and recovered.

Don’t expect a relaxing massage though, because the 45-minute Body Roller experience is just as much a workout as it is a massage. As a Body Roller novice, I mistakenly thought you were going to lie underneath the roller and have all your toxins squeezed out of you – unsurprisingly that was totally inaccurate. Instead, the 45-minute session is broken down into 3 minute intervals, rolling different parts of your body starting from the feet all the way to your arms. The secret, according to Jade, is to roll towards your heart. This is the best method to maximise your body’s lymphatic drainage system.

Indeed, after the 45-minute session, I felt light, toned and svelte. RE PLACE London takes a 360-degree holistic approach to wellness and so after the rolling session, we were invited to try Somadome, which is a kind of futuristic meditation dome that will help you relax the mind.

Overall, the RE PLACE London experience left us feeling rebalanced in mind, body and soul. RE PLACE’s treatments were designed to complement any form of training – no matter how active – and are excellent for people looking to diversify their fitness and wellbeing routines. RE PLACE London is a wonder – and we shall surely be returning.

For more information please visit: https://replacelondon.com/

Health June 4, 2022

Galgorm: Showing us why 2022 will still be the year of the staycation

Pre-March 2022, I would not have considered a staycation in the United Kingdom, given a general preconception of poor value for money offered by the hospitality industry. However, the last 2 year have shown us, that our hotel industry has seriously upped its game and have pumped countless pounds into its facilities to make them world-class. A case in point is my recent visit to Galgorm in Northern Ireland which is a mere half an hour from Belfast. With the recent airport issues, flying to Belfast is a much safer bet than flying further afield with countless flights from numerous British airports daily. (Although, saying that, I am still liaising with British Airways to claim compensation for a cancelled Belfast flight).

Travelling from Belfast to Galgorm is the opposite of the M4 Heathrow experience. Rolling green meadows and towering trees greet your arrival and if you want an even more VIP experience, arrange for one of their Rolls Royce Phantoms to pick you up from the airport. The long gardened drive up to the reception area sets the scene for a regal experience even if the front of the hotel building seems deceptively unassuming. There are over 163 acres of serene woodland for you to discover.

What immediately catches the eye is the picturesque beauty of the River Maine, which flows through the estate and the immaculately manicured flora which blooms on the estate. The resort used to be a very important local mill hence why the river plays such an important role on the estate. The hotel has been expanding exponentially with the boom in staycations and offers hotel rooms, shepherd’s huts, cottage suites, log cabins, residences and treehouses. The core of their business is the 125 hotel rooms divided into suites, deluxe and superior rooms. The rooms are extremely spacious ranging from 32 m² to 122 m². Most have impeccable views of the scenic river. Whilst the complimentary minibar is always a crowd-pleaser including local craft beers. You know it’s a no-expenses-spared experience when you find Aromatherapy Associate amenities, Dyson heater/fan and Marshall Bluetooth speaker. The king-sized beds offer a pure blissful sleeping experience with their King Koil mattresses.

There is no shortage of dining options to choose from including The River Room, one of only 4 restaurants in Northern Ireland to be offered 3 AA Rosettes. And options for Italian food lovers at Fratelli Ristorante, options for meat lovers at Gillies Grill and a gastropub experience at Castle Kitchen + Bar. The latter I would particularly recommend if you want a little trip outside of the estate, as it’s situated at the Galgorm Castle Golf Club and the hotel will provide complimentary transportation to and from the restaurant. Whilst the Gillies Grill is also well worth visiting, not just because they source some of the finest cuts of Irish aged steaks but they also have Asian twists on their meat-heavy menu. Their bang bang chicken with a hypnotic mix of sweet chilli, soy and satay is a guilty pleasure to savour.

The jewel in the crown of Galgorm is their thermal spa village. Calling it a village is a very apt description of their facilities with every possible spa experience under the sun available. This is not an exhaustive list but includes Celtic sauna infusion, snow cabin, sanarium, snail shower, the salt cave, Beltane hot tubs, saunas and pools. You can enjoy an exclusive individual hot tub relaxation session right by the river and this is the kind of restorative therapy that can take away every scintilla of stress from your body.

If you want to enjoy professional spa treatments, make sure you book well in advance as their slots do book up very quickly. Highly recommended are their opulent aromatherapy massage on a heated massage bed and the anti-aging skinceuticals expert skin-specific facial. With the former, they will even give your recommended regular treatment suggestions to ensure you reap the full benefits.

If you looking for a wellness escape, Galgorm is the place to check out with their world-class thermal spa village. It is a one-of-a-kind experience in Ireland and great value for money with what they are offering.

Rooms are from £195 per night including breakfast

You can book an individual hot tub in its secluded riverside spot to enjoy an hour soaking in the freshwater and watching the local wildlife with a bottle of fizz for £80.