Review: SHA Spain spa review
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Set the scene
Beneath the moss-covered mountains of the Sierra Helada National Park, overlooking the Mediterranean sits one of the world’s top destinations for integrative health and wellness. SHA is a two-hour flight from London to Alicante, followed by a 40-minute drive to the secluded hilltop clinic, where a revitalising experience awaits.
What is it?
This is the original SHA Wellness Clinic, but they’ve recently opened SHA Mexico, and more outposts are set to open. SHA attracts those seeking a complete lifestyle reset that targets emotional and physical well-being. Although they offer first-rate spa facilities, the focus here is getting to the root of your health issues through diagnostics, aiming to reset your lifestyle with habits that have an immediate health impact and change your habits for good once you return home. SHA is popular with everyone from celebrities and CEOs to those just looking for a health MOT and answers to niggling issues.
What’s the backstory?
Alfredo Bataller Parietti founded SHA. When he was recovering from a serious illness, he began following a strict macrobiotic diet that followed the Buddhist traditions of balancing yin and yang. His wellness trajectory was so impressive that he felt he needed to share his experience with others. He developed this integrative medical clinic, fusing science, traditional medicine and holistic treatments under one roof. Perietti’s sons are now part of this family business, too.
What’s the wellness concept?
Burnt out? Stressed out? Exhausted? This is the one-stop shop to cure all those maladies with thorough medical testing and integrative wellness practices. With doctors and experts on hand, this is the place for a full MOT. Many come in a bid to find a cure for an ailment that modern medicine alone hasn’t managed to solve. There are extensive high-tech testing facilities (including on-site blood testing), so every possibility is covered when it comes to getting answers. Though SHA offers weight loss and detox options, even the most restrictive of menu plans is truly delicious – a big selling point. The entire ethos of SHA is centred around rebuilding health and wellness from the inside out.
What are the signature treatments?
There are numerous packages and programmes to choose from. Guests can tailor their programmes, adding in extra treatments like an incredible Watsu treatment that uses water therapy to soothe muscles and rebalance the mind through gentle stretching or ozone therapy to help boost immunity and lower inflammation. Because this is a medical facility, there are options for those who are pregnant or have medical issues – email the team who can advise the best programme before you book. One of the newest programmes is Leader’s Performance, an intensive mix of diagnostics, rebalancing and therapies for those who work in stressful environments.
Which therapist should I book?
On arrival, you’ll be advised which experts you’ll be seeing. Your programme will be tailored depending on your needs and the outcomes of your tests. SHA has many incredible experts, including dentists, GPs, and aestheticians. Many request an appointment with Dr Bruno Ribeiro, who specialises in neurocognitive assessments and treatments like transcranial stimulation (a non-invasive magnetic form of brain stimulation).
What else do they offer?
Between treatments, there are lots of ways to relax and recuperate. Nip to the open-air rooftop pool, try a yoga class or take part in a cooking class to change your habits and gain new skills. During the day, make the most of the glorious locale by hiking the surrounding mountains and, come evening, cosy up in the on-site cinema. There’s a gym with personal trainers and bookable padel courts. End your stay with a beauty treatment for a top-to-toe refresh.
Where do you stay?
The rooms at SHA are comfortable and modern, flooded with natural light with a minimal Muji-chic vibe. Some rooms have roof terraces and an in-room jacuzzi.
Anything else to mention?
Some of the programmes can be a little intense, so speak to the team if you need to plan in some downtime. Add a massage into your schedule if it feels too jam-packed.
Final word
This is the place to fix all your health woes in one go. You’ll return home with a new outlook and approach to your health and well-being routines.
Healing Holidays (healingholidays.com/condenast; 020 7843 3592) can arrange a 4-night Rebalance & Energise programme from £2,849 per person sharing, including transfers, full board accommodation and inclusions of the programme.