Already stressing about the end of summer? I know how you feel! The idea of dark nights, long commutes and the impending run up to Christmas is enough to make anyone dream of a getaway.
If you are after sun, sea and serious detox then look no further than the recently revamped Bohemia Suites & Spa in the heart of Gran Canaria. This five-star boutique hotel is offering a Summer Detox Package to get even the most run-down of us back to our full potential.
Having never been to Gran Canaria before, and in some serious need of a detox weekend, a friend and I decided to book in to Bohemia Suites & Spa in order to restore ourselves.
After a quick (ok, not that quick) four-hour flight from Luton Airport, we found ourselves in the 30°C heat, belting along the motorway to the middle of Maspalomas. On arrival, we were warmly welcomed by the hotel manager and given a quick tour of the grounds. With two pools, a Thai spa, Jacuzzis, steam rooms, Turkish baths, a poolside lounge, a rooftop bar, and two restaurants there really is no need to leave all weekend!
As you can imagine, the Detox package is all about R&R and includes a 90-minute yoga session, a lymphatic drainage foot massage, Body Feng Shui and personalised detox meals.
After a leisurely tapas lunch at Sapphire, the poolside bar, we eased ourselves in to the weekend by lying by the (so quiet it felt private) pool. We were offered drinks, nibbles and cool towels by the very attentive staff and spent all afternoon working up an appetite for dinner.
One of the jewels in Bohemia’s crown is 360°, the in-house restaurant on the top floor off its modern building. As you can imagine from the name, the views from up here are, well, 360° and overlook the sea, sand dunes and volcanic mountains. We started dinner with a few cocktails (detox starts tomorrow!) on the outside bar, and then spent the evening eating a low-calorie (but utterly filling) meal using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients cooked by Bohemia’s award wining chef Xavier Franquet, all while watching the sun set on the Atlantic Ocean.
A night in one of the bespoke rooms, complete with a huge balcony that overlooked the pool, and a bed big enough for 10, meant we were ready for our morning yoga session the next day.
Yoga was at 9.30am, which gave us time to sample Bohemia’s incredible breakfast selection served in 360°. We gorged on tortilla Espana, fresh fruit, yogurts and croissants before making our way to our private yoga session on the spa terrace. Having never done yoga before I was skeptical, however 30 minutes in, both my friend and I felt totally zen.
After a light lunch, we sweated out the remainder of last night’s cocktails in the Spa’s hammam Turkish baths and Finnish Sauna. After a jam-packed day it was just about time to experience the rest of the Detox package.
We started with a personalised Body Feng Shui treatment. Performed by the Siam Spa’s certified Alfa Chi therapist Anouschka, the ancient energy treatment is designed to maintain the energetic equilibrium and detoxify and balance the mind, body and soul by eliminating negative spots of energy. We were told to focus on parts of our lives we wanted to improve while authentic Feng Shui symbols were applied to specific points of the body. This allows for the natural flow of chi to circulate freely in the body-mind system. After the 90-minute treatment, we both felt realigned and very much in touch with our inner workings.
As if we weren’t relaxed enough, we then had the final instalment of our detox package; a lymphatic drainage massage that helps with any excess water retention. An experienced Thai therapist worked on specific reflex points on the feet to improve circulation and lymph flow while cleansing the body and restoring it back to it’s natural healthy balance.
Inspired by our new calm state we went to check out Bohemia’s relaxation zone and lush Mediterranean gardens. Everything here feels private; although other guests are around, Bohemia’s design makes you feel like you are in an exclusive resort. People keep themselves to themselves, and with no kids allowed, this is the perfect retreat for adults.
And if you do want to venture out of the hotel (why would you?!), Bohemia is located a few minutes walk from the beach, and is surrounded by local bars and clubs incase all the detoxing is just too much for you!
Bohemia Suites & Spa really does offer the full bespoke package in a sunny oasis of luxury and after only a couple of days there we were rested, relaxed and (almost) ready to face the real world again.
Bohemia Suites & Spa’s new spring and summer detox package is available at the Siam Spa from now until 31 August 2015 and is priced at 385 Euros/£279 per person. The package includes:
One 90-minute private Yoga session
One 90-minute Healing Hot Stone Massage
One Body Feng Shui Treatment
A personalised Detox Meal
Nightly rates at Bohemia Suites & Spa start from £120 for a Sun Double room; and from £266 for a Junior Suite, including breakfast, excluding VAT. For more information please call +34 928 563 400 or visit www.bohemia-grancanaria.com
British Airways holidays offer seven nights at Bohemia Suites & Spa, from £599 per person for a Sun Double or £939 per person for a Junior Suite, including return flights from London Gatwick. For reservations visit www.ba.com/grancanaria or call 0844 493 0758.
Airlines currently flying in to Gran Canaria from the UK include British Airways, EasyJet, Jet2, Norwegian Air, Air Europa, Iberia, and Ryan Air
