There are two certainties in life: death and taxes. Yet, if you know the right people and the right places, you might be able to delay the inevitable. Our mortality is the source of many deep ponderings and, if you’ve got the means and the willingness, there are tons of spas out there that don’t quite promise immortality — but not far from it. Keeping our minds and bodies in good shape is vital to enjoying the golden years of life; knowing how to achieve that state is half the battle. These five longevity clinics use cutting-edge technology, holistic therapies and time-honored practices to set you on a long and enriching path.
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Chenot Palace Weggis, Switzeland
In the land of mountains, clocks and cheese, the Swiss know a thing or two about wellness — thermal springs have been popular for centuries due to the healing properties of their waters, and there’s nothing that quite matches the rejuvenation of being in the Alps. Chenot Palace Weggis is situated in a serene village beneath the majestic Swiss Alps with soothing views of the calm waters of Lake Lucerne.
The health retreat has three main programs — advanced detox, anti-aging, and recover and reenergize — all of which are personalized following a consultation with your designated doctor. The advanced detox program is perhaps the most revered; it has been voted the World’s Best Detox for three consecutive years — but all the programs reflect the principles of the Chenot Method. It was created by Henri Chenot, who was renowned for his pioneering approach to preventive healthcare — stressing that some lifestyle choices can cause a buildup of toxins that can then lead to degenerative diseases.
The Chenot Method combines pillars of traditional Chinese healing with scientific advances from Western medicine. It is an all-encompassing approach that factors in physical and emotional well-being, and how our body responds and adapts. Chenot’s state-of-the-art medical spa includes an astonishing range of facilities: a full-body cryotherapy chamber set at a chilly -166°F, a 69-ft indoor pool, two saunas, a steam room, Neurac facilities (treatment method for musculoskeletal pain and neuromuscular dysfunction through exercises in a suspension sling) and an anti-gravity treadmill.
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Related
The Molecular Lab for Optimal Living is a new offering in which gene activity is analyzed to determine biological aging. A blood test is taken at Chenot’s molecular laboratory and a novel mRNA-based molecular test is used to analyze the levels of certain genes associated with silent inflammation, oxidative stress, hormonal imbalance, structural integrity of connective tissue and aging. A personalized treatment plan is created to combat premature aging and improve overall health.
From $9,230 per person. Contact info@chenotpalaceweggis.com, +41 412 552 000, chenot.com
Golden Door, California
Deborah Szekely, an American activist, philanthropist and writer, founded Golden Door in 1958 — she was inspired by her travels to Japan and a deep interest in health and wellness (she gained the nickname ‘Godmother of Wellness’). She set out to create a place that combined Eastern and Western healing traditions, and Golden Door quickly amassed a cult following of big-name fans — Elizabeth Taylor, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Burt Lancaster and Oprah Winfrey are just some of the spa’s previous guests.
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[See also: The Top 50 Wellness Suites in the World]
The wellness resort’s location is particularly bliss-inducing; it’s nestled amid 600 acres of serene landscape with pretty gardens, mountains and meadows. A number of the programs utilize the sublime surroundings (as does the cuisine, much of which is seasonal and locally sourced) — there are some 30 miles of private hiking trails and a huge selection of fitness classes with over 40 options that range from the classic yoga and Pilates to the legendary and seriously fun ‘Yuichi’ class (a dance aerobic with 75-year-old Japanese choreographer Yuichi Sugiyama).
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There are five- or seven-day body and mind programs; your goals are discussed before arrival and you’ll receive a curated schedule. The calendar is separated into men’s, women’s and coed so you can select which you’d feel most comfortable with. Golden Door has a partnership with Latitude 33 Aviation; the pair have created The Golden Flight so the wellness journey begins from home, where a private car will transport you to a private plane where, once on board, guests will find a wellness kit and take part in guided meditation throughout the flight before arriving at Golden Door for a seven-night bespoke program.
From $11,200 per person. Contact reservations@goldendoor.com, +1 866 420 6414, goldendoor.com
Clinique La Prairie, Switzerland
Sitting pretty on the shores of Lake Geneva, Clinique La Prairie has won a slew of awards and is renowned the world over for its longevity programs. The clinic itself has a history spanning nearly a century; longevity is truly woven into its foundations. Founded in 1931 by Dr Paul Niehans, it quickly gained a sterling reputation for its cellular therapy treatments. Dr Niehans’s pioneering work in this field quickly attracted interest from royal families and world leaders seeking to look and feel younger.
There is a complete menu of state-of-the-art medical aesthetic treatments and techniques available, including treatments for fat burning, anti-cellulite body sculpting, facial lifting and firming, body wraps and scrubs, and traditional body treatments. There are specialist therapists for medical/osteopathic body treatments, such as Ortho-Bionomy, craniosacral therapy and visceral manipulation. Other specialist treatments include Ayurvedic therapies, photostimulation using LED and infrared therapy to treat cellulite, acne, hair loss and depression, and to provide detoxification.
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Created on-site by Dr Paul Niehans, the Revitalisation is a popular program and a favorite among the world’s rich and powerful. The Revitalisation Premium uses the Revitalisation program’s approach to cell regeneration and immune defense, then turns it up a notch with a highly medical approach to regenerate the brain, heart, circadian rhythm, skin, metabolism, immunity and microbiota. Every detail is considered (including limousine service) — the program includes a number of consultations and medical checkups (including a dental panoramic and a CT scan with calcium score), a DNA microbiota assessment, dental checkup, cardiovascular assessment and antioxidant injections.
Price on request. Contact reservation@laprairie.ch, +41 219 893 311, cliniquelaprairie.com
Chiva-Som, Thailand
When the resort’s name means ‘haven of life’ you can be fairly certain that you’re in for a rejuvenating experience. Chiva-Som can be found on the Gulf of Thailand in the royal town of Hua Hin, and it sits almost directly above the beach — a tranquil setting if ever there was one. When the resort first opened in 1995, it was a pioneering concept; former minister Boonchu Rojanastien dismantled his beachfront holiday home to build a sanctuary focused on wellness (his motto was “Above all, enjoy your life”).
Fast-forward almost 30 years and the multi-award-winning resort is considered one of the premier destination spas in the world. The treatments are plentiful, and all programs are designed to be integrated into guests’ lives long after they leave the resort.
Every retreat is created by taking elements from the resort’s six wellness principles: physiotherapy, holistic health, nutrition, fitness, spa and aesthetic beauty. Each guest has a wellness advisor who will monitor progress and is available throughout their stay. There are also more specialist treatments, such as the Cell Vitality retreat, which has been created to support those who are in remission or have recovered from cancer, and the Cranial Relief retreat to help those suffering from migraines and severe headaches.
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The Ageing Well retreat addresses the fact that, while we all age, we can do it better. The seven-night program includes spine mobilization, bone density exercise, sleep enhancement sessions (including a naturopathic consultation and biofeedback rebalance) and Gyrotonic (a movement method that stimulates the nervous system, increasing range of motion and improving strength and efficiency). It can be customized but includes some of the same core treatments. Longer stays are available, too.
From $1,100 per night. Contact reservations@chivasom.com, +66 325 365 36, chivasom.com
The Ranch Hudson Valley, New York
The Ranch Malibu has a devout following thanks to its intensive approach to health and wellness — think: strenuous hikes in the Santa Monica Mountains followed by muscle-soothing massages and organic cuisine using ingredients grown on-site (and no alcohol, meat, dairy, soy, gluten or caffeine). Now, The Ranch has brought its own signature brand of wellness to the East Coast with a new opening in the lower Hudson Valley.
The second stand-alone location, The Ranch Hudson Valley is on a private estate less than an hour from New York City. Built by JP Morgan in 1904 as a wedding gift for his daughter, the estate now comprises a light-filled dining room overlooking the lake (where seasonal activities take place) and mountains, spa and a gym that was formerly a 2,000-sq-ft ballroom. There is also a 5,000-sq-ft solarium with year-round pool facilities, hot and cold contrast plunges, and an infrared sauna.
Additional services such as colon hydrotherapy, IV therapy and energy healing are also available. Limited to just 25 guests, there are options for both three-night, four-day and four-night, five-day stays. The Ranch is surrounded by 200 forested acres, and guests have access to hundreds of miles of trails in the 4,000-acre Ringwood State Park (or a short drive away in the 40,000-acre Harriman State Park). In summer, enjoy kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding on the lake; come winter, go snowshoeing and sledding.
From $2,575 for three nights. Contact guestrelations@theranchlife.com; + 1 888 777 2177, theranchlife.com
