Health and Spa Holidays

Two of our staff, Astra Beadle and Lesley Scutt, recently visited the Longevity Wellness Resort in Monchique, Portugal. Below, they share their experiences with you. Over to Astra...

"On the run up to Christmas, like most people at this time of the year, I find myself feeling bone tired and really and truly ready for a well deserved break. My days are spent working hard to book all your lovely holidays, my nights are spent trying to get my house straight and racing around various friends and family’s houses catching up ready for the Christmas break, with my weekends spent trawling the shops or the net in search of that all important Christmas gift.

So when the opportunity came along to experience The Longevity Wellness Resort, a genuine Medical Spa located in the mountains of Portugal’s Algarve with my colleague Lesley, I jumped at the chance. Three whole days dedicated to the rejuvenation of mind body and soul – just what the doctor ordered!

After a short 2 hour 50 minute flight with Easyjet from Gatwick, we landed in Faro Airport to be met by the resorts chauffer service for our short 45 minute car ride to our final destination.

The Longevity Wellness Resort in Monchique opened its doors in the spring of 2010, their mission to help guests to take care of their most precious asset; their health. Their goal to help achieve positive lifestyle changes through optimal physical, intellectual and spiritual balance.

The resort is designed with nature and sustainability in mind, with large walls of windows throughout the resort to provide warmth in the winter months and the feeling of light and space throughout the year. The decor reflects the outdoor space and blends modern living with nature. All work to build the resort was carried out by local contractors; food is locally produced and sourced with the Longevity resort being the main employer for the local area.

On arrival we were greeted at reception with a glass of Monchique Thermal water flavoured with fresh oranges and given a locally sourced delicious apple, before being shown to our suites. All the accommodation at Longevity is suite style, with bedroom, living room, fully equipped kitchen and 2 bathrooms, all suites are identical. The differing factor between the suites is the views and outdoor areas; you can choose between views of the grounds or surrounding mountains both of which have outdoor balconies or you can choose a suite with views of the Atlantic Ocean off in the distance and an outdoor patio area.

Once we settled into our suites it was time to head down to the spa to be given our own personal wellness programme. I was to have a Longevity Scrub, Biophysical and Nutritional Evaluation, and Pressotherapy. We were also able to make full use of Longevity’s enrichment program, a time table of Pilates, water aerobics, nature walks and ball stretch. Along with full access to the swimming pools, Turkish Bath and Sauna.

I was eager to get started, so quickly donned my cossie, robe and slippers and headed over to the Indoor Pool, Sauna and Turkish bath, where I spent a very relaxing couple of hours, so much so that I fell asleep by the pool and did not notice Lesley leave me to get a drink! 

My first treatment was the Longevity Scrub, which is an aromatic full body exfoliation followed by a relaxing massage. The purpose of this treatment is to prepare the body for detox, cleanse the skin and relax mind and body. I was given the choice of lavender, lemon or orange; I chose orange and settled onto the heated bed for my 50 minute treatment, one of the most relaxing I have experienced. After the treatment I was shown to their relaxation area and given a soothing cup of herbal tea.

After my relaxing afternoon it was time to get ready for dinner. Dinner at Longevity is not a formal affair but the service is impeccable. For those guests booked onto a spa program the choice of meals is well balanced and healthy with homemade vegetable soup to start, choice of Chicken, Turkey, Tofu or Fish accompanied by a good selection of freshly prepared vegetables. For dessert some nice fresh fruit is on offer. Of course whilst Longevity Resort promotes wellbeing and healthy living, for those looking for a naughty but very nice glass of wine, a heartier meal or dessert this is by no means forbidden and there is a full menu offering a variety of other wine and food options*.

After dinner you could choose to take part in a further enrichment session a showing of a popular movie or stay in the restaurant and listen to the soothing sounds of a Jazz Saxophonist. Lesley and I chose to indulge in a sneaky glass of wine and listen to the musician before heading back to our luxuriously large and comfortable beds.

The next morning it was time to head down to the Medical Spa where we were to be given our Biophysical and Nutritional Evaluations, these evaluations are give to every guest experiencing a spa program at The Longevity Resort, in order that treatments, meals and excersize plans are tailored to each individuals results. I have to admit I was slightly nervous about these sessions as I already knew that I am overweight, do hardly any exercise and eat mostly rubbish! But... in for a penny in for a pound, perhaps I would learn something that I didn’t already know.

The Biophysical Examination started with me standing on a computerised weighing scale with the assessor putting my height and age into the machine. This was to determine my  weight and BMI. My weight is 76kg (12st! Eek!) With my ideal weight 45kg (7st eek, eek!) My BMI was a higher than average 30.2 with the healthy range for my age and height being between 20 - 26.

After this, the assessor asked me to take all my jewellery and metal hair slides off and lay on his couch, I was then attached by sticky pads and wires to his computer by my hands and feet, the purpose of this excersize was to measure my overall body composition by sending electronic waves through my body.

Once these tests were completed they were sent to the Resorts very own nutritionalist, who sat with me to discuss my results and help put together a plan to help achieve a healthier life.

The results of my body composition test were very interesting. The test measured my over all weight, fat mass, muscle mass, water make up, non fat tissue, cellular mass and extra cellular mass. It also measures your body’s metabolism and how evenly spread out your weight is around your body. 

The results showed that my weight at 76.3kg and my height (5ft 2’’) put me in the first stage of obesity (oh crumbs!), I was told however, that my muscular and non fat tissue (bones) were heavier than average, which meant that I would never weigh the 45kg (7st) the BMI machine would like me to (phew!), that in fact my ideal weight should be more like 60kg (9st 10.5lb).

I also learnt that my metabolic age is at 45 and not at my actual 30 years and that my weight is very evenly spread across my body, which whilst I am heavier than I should be is positive news, as the more evenly spread my weight, the less likely I am to develop health issues in later life.

My nutritionalist then spent alot of time talking with me about my current lifestyle and diet, asking me questions about my likes and dislikes and educating me on a healthier diet and exercise regime. She suggested eating smaller amounts more often throughout the day based on high protein, high fibre, reduced salts and carbohydrates with increased amounts of fruit and vegetables. In terms of exercise as I really dislike visiting the gym, I was advised to increase my levels of cardiovascular excecise (aerobics, dancing, running, power walking etc...) and incorporating this with some kind of pilates or yoga.

Even though the results showed that I was erring on the unhealthy side (something I already knew) I felt very positive and motivated by the fact that changing my diet and adding more excersize will achieve very positive results. 

Based on my results, I decided to have a blow out Christmas before starting a fresh in the New Year and yes, I am very aware of the New Year New You cliché, my intentions really are to start making changes gradually, as I want to feel less tired and more attractive – What woman doesn’t?! 

After these evaluations I felt very motivated as I think did Lesley, so we decided to take part in the Nature Walk on the enrichmentschedule. The area that the Longevity Resort is in is very beautiful, set amidst rich green forest and mountainscape. Our guide took us out up further into the mountains passing beautiful scenery before reaching a natural spring tap where we were able to stop and take a sip and enjoy its soft taste. After our short stop we carried on to the village around Caldas de Monchique an old Roman Spa before returning back to Longevity. 

After the nature walk I spent a very pleasant couple of hours out on my patio reading a good book, taking in some more of the fresh mountain air, before heading up for dinner. 

My final morning at The Longevity Resort saw me back at the Medical Spa for my Pressotherapy session. On receiving my wellness plan at the beginning of my stay I was very puzzled by what this treatment would be, the therapist explained that this treatment is a way of assisting the body’s natural toxin clearing functions through stimulation of the lymph nodes in the lower body to make their way up flushing out the liver along the way. 

This treatment was not the relaxing experience I found the body scrub to be; it was more like a visit to the doctor. I was asked to change into paper pyjama bottoms with built in feet. The therapist then helped me into the Pressotherapy suit, which essentially looked like a big blood pressure suit, encasing my legs and lower body up to my waist. 

Once settled the therapist took my blood pressure and set the machine to start. The machine started by injecting air into the suitstarting at my feet and ankles and making its way in stages up to my waist before deflating and starting the cycle again. Once I got over my initial nerves at being in the suit I soon relaxed into it and began to enjoy the sensations. 

Once the treatment was over, the therapist explained that whilst the outwardly physical changes would be very subtle the internal physical changes would noticeable. This treatment can affect people in different ways but most people experience a higher than normal need to visit the bathroom and in my case this certainly proved to be the case along with a case of acid reflux. I was happy with this though as it proved to me that this treatment was indeed successful and had managed to rid me of some of those toxins! 

Following the treatment, we had time for a quick spot of lunch before meeting our driver to take a very relaxed Lesley and Astra back to the airport for our flights home. 

If given the opportunity to visit Longevity again, I would certainly jump at the chance and would like to do a full week’s detox program."

*Subject to charge

Now over to Lesley, for her account of the Wellbeing weekend, and feedback of the treatments experienced...

"Autumn was turning to Winter, the days were getting shorter and I started to wish I could shift that extra weight, feel better and more energised as the Party Season approached.

I needed something (I didn’t know what) to change my attitude and feel better and happier. Problem solved. I got the opportunity to go to the Longevity Resort  and Spa in Monchique for the weekend.

Here I was weighed, analysed and painlessly advised that there was a simple solution to being overweight. I was given a programme to follow in little simple exercises and diet changes to make.

The water at this village in Portugal is very good for you as it is PH 9.5 . The hotel supply is the local water and is available at every meal. I enjoyed the spa facilities, the gym and the swimming pools to start my healthy regime. The Resort organises Nature walks around the area , which I took part in and they were not too long about 40 minutes to an hour long. There were classes of Pilates but i did not have time to do them. It is not all wellbeing if you don’t want to, as there was a nice balance of activities including a cinema film most evenings. I did enjoy my wine at dinner.

The rooms are spacious and suite only with 2 bathrooms, so they are roomy enough for a family together. Some rooms face the mountains , some a courtyard and mine faced the sea, although it was a long way off. The Resort is  3 linked  buildings with plenty of stairs and lifts. You can’t get lost as there was always someone around to ask or press the star in the lift and you ended up in Reception.

Free water and fruit was always set out here for guests to enjoy. It was very peaceful everywhere, with an air of calm and tranquillity. Soft music and colours of the outside blended with the glass that was on all corridors to let the natural light in. There are spaces to eat and drink in good weather outside and plenty inside when it’s not. The sports bar has a water menu so you could try different waters from around the world, but the tea and cake was lovely. 

One of my treatments was a rain massage. Just imagine an hot shower lying down and a massage at the same time. Very relaxing I nearly fell asleep. The water keeps you warm all through the full body massage. Afterwards I was so relaxed. I slept well that night.

Dinner held a nice surprise as there was a musician who played soft saxophone tunes while I ate. The food was tasty and beautifully presented. Always healthy and well balanced. I stayed 2 days and left feeling sorry to be going home but I feel sure I will be going back, if only to see if my changes made any difference. See you next year!"

Ms Jane Ward who is interested in holistic therapies had 2 weeks holiday leave in February. Her brief to Debra was "I'm stressed and tired and need a total 'chill out break' somewhere warm!" Debra arranged an Ayvedic treatment holiday at the Barberyn Reef Hotel in Sri Lanka using Medway Travel's specially negotiated hotel and flight rates.

Jane says: "I was totally exhausted and needed complete rest and relaxation. I have never considered Ayvedic treatments although I had heard of them. The total package was designed just for me with private transfers to and from the airport full board and all the treatments that the Doctors at the centre recommended to totally detox me. 2 weeks later I felt like a new woman!! What a pleasant change to have your holiday arranged by someone who has as much interest and enthusiam for it as you have. Thanks!"

There is only one way to describe this hotel - Superb!

We have just come back from two glorious weeks on the beautiful island of Mauritius. We were lucky that Stephen of Medway Travel had helped us to choose to go there for our honeymoon and to stay at The Residence.

From the moment we arrived, to the time of our reluctant departure, nothing was too much trouble for the staff at The Residence. You are greeted on the front steps with hot flannels to refresh you after the journey and in reception, iced tea is served before you are escorted to your room where check-in is completed.

You are then introduced to your personal butler! The butler will do your unpacking and sets everything out beautifully, shows you how everything works in the room and will answer any questions you have about the hotel. Our butler also prepared the most spectacular and delicious hot baths imaginable, topped with a foot of bubbles and strewn with rose petals. He will also do all the packing when you leave! Now that's what you call service, especially when it is all delivered with a genuine friendly smile.

You can take your breakfast on your balcony (at no extra charge); just leave your order hanging outside your door the previous evening, or in the dining room where an excellent breakfast buffet awaits you. There are either snacks by the pool or on the beach during the day, or a more formal lunch on the terrace.

There are two wonderful restaurants to go to in the evening - one in the hotel and one five minutes walk away called 'The Plantation', which is open on three sides to the beach and the ocean, and is simply a perfect location. Both restaurants offer an excellent 'menu de jour' and full 'a la carte' dining. In the dining room, which overlooks the pool, where the cuisine is a tantalising mix of Asian, Oriental and European, the food is expertly cooked, wonderfully presented. The flavours are superb, incorporating subtle levels of spicing with more European style cooking. Dinner at The Plantation is also a superb dining experience, where the cuisine is a little more locally inspired with plenty of fresh seafood and many of the dishes have an Indian style. Your challenge is choice and they are not always easy. However, the staff in both the hotel dining room and The Plantation, as everywhere at The Residence, are very friendly, very attentive and very helpful. They are keen to help you with your journey through the menu and the wine list, to make your evening as enjoyable and relaxing as possible. In our experience, they succeeded!

As a break from the rigours of lazing in the sun and going for a swim in the pool or the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean, you may want to take the opportunity to be thoroughly pampered in The Residence's own spa, The Sanctuary. Of course, on the other hand, if you want something more energetic they also have their own sailing club, gym and floodlit tennis courts.

Mauritius is thoroughly recommended and The Residence is THE hotel. Thank you Stephen - we certainly cannot wait to have the opportunity to return there!

Christine Alderson