Maybe it’s just me but I find spas can be a little — dare I say it? — boring.
Oh, it’s all very well being daubed with potions and pummelled and massaged
into oblivion, but all that gratuitous indulgence can be mind-numbing and
sometimes leaves me with feelings of deep guilt.
Step forward Whitepod, an inspired new winter spa destination, high in the
pristine Alps above the polished Swiss resort of Villars. Whitepod is a
luxurious eco bolt-hole, which combines spa with snow. It consists of five
tents, or “pods”, with their own wood-burning stoves, squishy armchairs and
kingsize beds. These are clustered around a central wooden chalet where
guests gather for meals, hot showers and, crucially, specially tailored
post-snow pampering in what used to be a hay loft.
The spa is strewn with cow skins and features twinkling tea lights, a mammoth
cream chill-out sofa and two generously sized treatment rooms overlooking
spectacular wintry landscapes. It offers a range of treatments carefully
geared towards dealing with bodies that have been outside, in the cold, and
invariably exercising hard, so it’s genuinely earned, wholly necessary
restorative therapy.
Guests can pursue any number of snowy activities, from snowshoe walking to ice
climbing, off-piste skiing, horse riding and even dog sledging. And after
such hardy outdoorsiness in sub-zero temperatures, what could be more
delicious than a vigorous massage or full pedicure? The camp even offers
special detox weekends for those of a less high-energy bent. These involve
gentle physical activity, such as slow snowshoeing or yoga, followed by
lavish amounts of massage and a detox menu designed by a nutritionist.
Alcohol is banned and plentiful consumption of the local spring water is
encouraged, plus organised trips to the nearby thermal baths.
All of this is set in the most magical of winter wonderland locations, while
back in your pod a fabulously cosy night’s sleep awaits beside your own
flickering wood fire, beneath two maximum-tog duvets.
Quality of experience My massage was welcomingly vigorous and
the therapists were charming. Treatments range from the Whitepod Special, an
hour-long massage, to a simple neck, back and shoulder massage. There’s also
shiatsu massages, reflexology and osteopathy, and Whitepod has an army of
therapists and beauticians at your beck and call.
Ambience Cosy and clean. Whitepod is about to install an
outdoor hot tub, heated by a wood stove, where guests will be able to soak
their worn-out limbs and watch the sunset.
Food Either organic or locally sourced, served in manageable
rather than monster portions.
In-crowd Young Euro city slickers and hard-working
professionals in need of peace, with a dash of innovation and adventure.
Wallet watch £520 per person for a detox and relaxation
weekend, includes accommodation, food and treatments. Flights are extra. Or
from £90 per person a night, with a minimum stay of two nights, including
dinner, bed and breakfast. Extra spa treatments from £25.
Do it again? I’m going back very soon.
Need to know For details, phone Sofia de Meyer on 00 41 79744
6219 or e-mail sofia@whitepod.com; www.whitepod.com
MORE COLD COMFORT
ITALY
Pragelato Village Resort and Mineralia spa, in Piedmont, which opened
in time for the Winter Olympics. (00 39 0122 740011; www.pragelatoresort.com)
Hotel Rosa Alpina, San Cassiano, has a Daniela Steiner signature spa, a
Michelin-star restaurant and is surrounded by the Dolomites’ extensive
network of pistes. (00 39 0471 849500; www.rosalpina.it)
Many of the Vita Nova Wellness hotels in Trentino have spa facilities and are
located near leading ski resorts such as Madonna di Campiglio. (0039 0461
420603; www.vitanova-wellness.it)
AUSTRIA
Thurnhers Alpenhof, Zurs, a delightful de luxe hotel and spa with 39 guest
rooms in one of Austria’s finest resorts. (01244 202 000; www.seasonsinstyle.co.uk)
FRANCE
Club Med’s Chamonix Mont Blanc resort is housed in a cool
Art Deco building, with a Cinq Mondes Spa offering treatments from around the
world and plenty of skiing. (0700 2582932; www.clubmed.co.uk)
CANADA
The Westin Resort and Spa on Whistler Mountain has a new Avello spa, with
morethan 75 treatments, and some of the best snowsports in North America.
(00 1 604 935 3444; www.whistlerspa.com)
For more than 210 independent spa reviews log on to timesonline.co.uk/goodspaguide
