Sha Wellness Clinic is an ultra-modern, integrative take on the old school health farm with macrobiotic food at its core. core. Resembling a futuristic space ship, and perched on a hill overlooking a classic Brits’ Abroad strip of the Costa Blanca, the view from the ample fourth-floor deck is pure Hollywood Hills. Whilst Sha is a mere stone’s throw away from Spain’s ‘mini-Manhattan’, Benidorm, it might as well be on another planet. It’s a modish, modernist vision of white curves, giant panes of glass, exotic tressling plants and mirror-still pools.
This impressive holistic medical spa (crowned 'Best international medical spa 2010' by Condé Nast Traveller, and 'Spain's best health hotel' by Hostelco), Sha offers the very best in relaxation and wellness treatments and is run on macrobiotic principles. Under one roof, guests can consult a whole roster of specialists, from sleep disorder and Chinese medicine practitioners to a dermatologist or genetic analyst. This eclectic approach, geared towards achieving ‘preventive, predictive, personalised’ healthcare is the future according to one of the clinic’s doctors.
The spa and clinic area is on the ground floor adjacent to reception. It’s a bright, friendly space, from which winds a corridor to a relaxation area and tea bar bisecting a clutch of a dozen or so consultation and treatment rooms, a flotarium and a 22-step, glass-encased thermal spa.
The clinic has 93 suites of various sizes, from a spacious 70 square metres up to the vast 320 square metres of the Presidential Suite which is split across two levels. In keeping with the resort's holistic philosophy, close attention has been paid to every detail of light, design, sound, texture and fragrance, with a result that is both elegant and comfortable. Suites are cool and comfortable with revolving white Sony flatscreen TVs and roomy terraces. The communal area on the third floor also houses a number of conference rooms, an ecumenical “Shapel” for masses and a library. The centre also boasts a tea room where experts can advise on the most appropriate and beneficial herbal infusions for each individual guest.
Guests are sent a questionnaire prior to their stay, and undergo an initial consultation upon arrival in order to devise a personal programme and a suitable type of macrobiotic diet. The average guest stays for a week and the most popular programmes are for weight loss and anti-ageing. There is a schedule of optional activities, which varies daily, including yoga, t’ai chi, talks on stress reduction, and macrobiotic cookery classes.
The main objective of my trip was relaxation, and to experience the food, not to effect a radical overhaul of my life. Nevertheless, during appointments with the nurse, aesthetician, a doctor, psychologist and nutritionist I picked up numerous useful tips to help with minor health concerns and to tweak my diet.
My spa treatments were superb. The first was a lymphatic drainage massage; soft, fluid strokes combined with robust kneading. I also experienced colonic hydrotherapy (despite my misgivings, a treatment that I would highly recommend; I have never had such a flat stomach), acupuncture and presotherapy (massage delivered via a state-of-the-art machine). Finally, a heavenly 20-minute float in the flotarium filled with water as densely salty as the Dead Sea left my skin feeling baby-soft and oleaginous, but not greasy.
Macrobiotics rule the roost in the fourth-floor restaurant with panoramic views of the bay, mountains and the distant miniature Manhattan-like skyline of Benidorm. It is essentially a diet of natural wholefoods that are unprocessed and where possible, regionally and seasonally sourced. The restaurant menu transforms these ingredients into tasty and creative dishes governed by Spanish/Japanese flavours. For example, a brown rice tuna paella comes with strips of seaweed and a red cabbage pickle. Breakfast starts with miso soup and delicately sliced vegetables. Organic beer and wine is served and, in moderation, even encouraged.
The clientele consists mainly of well heeled Euro couples on a health specific mission and individuals on tailor-made programmes, in addition to the many celebrity devotees (including Kylie Minogue, who has visited twice since her breast cancer diagnosis; indeed, the Argentinian owner of SHA credits macrobiotics with the disappearance of his own stomach tumour).
