4 nights from £1,548 sha wellness clinic costa blanca

Immaculately-designed, bright white and gleaming, SHA is Europe’s first luxury clinic dedicated to macrobiotics, a holistic system of health that focuses on rebalancing your system, primarily through nutrition.

SHA was awarded Best Destination Spa Europe by Conde Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence 2018

It’s set on a quiet residential road above the mellow town of Albir in the Natural Park of Sierra Helada on the Costa Blanca. Bedrooms are contemporary, spacious, white and silver affairs, all with balconies and elevated views over the town, surrounding mountains and sea beyond. For quiet time seek out the SHApel, a high-ceilinged room with a giant photo of the outdoors running down one side, though you’re likely to spend most sunny days on the spectacular rooftop, with its infinity pool, calming water features and day beds. 

Macrobiotics takes into account the impact our food choices have on pretty much everything, including our constitution, lifestyle, the environment and the climate in which we live, so meals play a vital part to any stay. Expect a core daily diet of fibre-rich, organic whole grains, vegetables, legumes and pulses with the occasional piece of fish, and strictly no red meat or dairy. Everything that is perishable is locally sourced and in season, and you’ll be encouraged to chew well to aid digestion.

Macrobiotic world expert Dr Michio Kushi, personal advisor to the likes of Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow, is a visiting consultant at SHA, and there’s a supportive programme of cooking classes, yoga, meditation and chi gong sessions held in a spacious tawny-brown and Buddha-orange studio. Lots of holistic therapies such as shiatsu and reiki are available at the elegant and spacious spa, which also has a giant hydrotherapy pool, a foot spa walk, a separate pool with massage jet beds, a simple sauna and steam room, an ice machine and two showers.

• See Kathryn's review of SHA after a visit last May

Highs

• Superb macrobiotic food, thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented.
• Top-notch facilities and public spaces, most notably the amazing roof top.
• The Natural Park of Sierra Helada has a gorgeous, balmy microclimate that’s been recognised by the World Health Organisation as one of the best in the world.

Lows

• There’s no proper relaxation room where guests can go after a treatment, though there is a relaxing waiting area with a tea bar.
• Some of the bathrooms don’t have baths, though you can book a private lavender-infused jet bath at the spa instead.
• While a core part of the macrobiotic ethos is a respect for the environment, staff tend to change the sheets and towels daily and the cleaning products are not eco-friendly. 
• Luxury and macrobiotic knowledge comes at a very high price.

Healthy traveller tip

The local terrain supplies easy and relaxing walks appropriate for people who will be naturally detoxing – there’s a lovely flat promenade beside the beach in town, or a fragrant hillside walk out to the local lighthouse.

Other wellness clinic ideas

• Parkschlösschen in Germany
• Adler-Thermae in Italy
• Park Hotel Igls in Austria

Other wellness ideas in southern Spain

• Shanti Som - a little slice of Balinese heaven