Resting serenely on an ancient hilltop in central Italy, a rarified new resort promises a holistic wellness experience grounded in scientific research and the regenerative power of mineral-rich springs. Prenay Agarwal was among the first to put Palazzo Fiuggi through its paces.
I take the train to Roma Termini, where a Mercedes is waiting to whisk me away to the resort, a 50-minute drive away. The entrance to Fiuggi is grand, with iron gates opening to reveal a palatial building surrounded by lush grounds. I am greeted by very warm and professional staff, who give me a tour of the massive property.
My first lunch – grilled octopus salad with green beans – is part of a health-focused menu designed by three-Michelin-starred chef Heinz Beck and Professor David Della Morte, a specialist in senescence-related diseases. The menus are personalised using biodynamic and natural ingredients.
After lunch, I am shown to my room with windows looking out onto the hills. There is no
compromise on the quality of the elegant, minimalist furnishings in the room, or the large fluffy towels and natural shower products.
I head down to the spa area for the welcome ritual, a unique hammam treatment that leaves me feeling like I’m floating. Next, I am taken on a circuit of medical check-ups, including a full set of blood tests.
Afterwards, I catch up with some work before heading to the dining room for a delicious meal: darne of salmon with a berry sauce. You can feel that they have perfected the art of making healthy food taste delicious, while pairing it with grand style – including Murano glass chandeliers.
I wake up feeling fresh, and head to the medical facilities for a genetic anti-ageing test as well as a bioelectrical impedance analysis, which evaluates body composition. I have a generally good result except for a lower-than-average muscle mass in my legs – this is passed on to the trainer to incorporate in my gym sessions.
After a pair of medical treatments – ozone therapy and an IV infusion of vitamins and minerals – I undergo two spa-focused treatments, the first being a three-step hydrotherapy cure, Fiuggi’s signature experience.
In the second stage, I am wrapped in fango mud, and a mechanical waterbed sinks down to cocoon my body while the mud does its magic. It is a very comforting, womb-like sensation. I spend some time exploring the other Roman spa facilities, the thalassotherapy pools and the Kneipp pool circuit. These are all housed in modern glass structures and corridors, giving a nice contrast to the historic nature of the buildings.
I notice that my body and mind have now adjusted to the effects of eating less and more consciously. I begin the day with breakfast followed by a movement posture analysis. Using techniques I haven‘t seen before, the therapist notices all of my imbalances, and we perform some static stretches on a vibrating plate followed by some manual therapies – I notice a change in my posture.
A private holistic movement class inspired by ballet as well as yoga, Tai Chi and qigong – set in a stunning room with windows overlooking greenery – is followed by an intense, excellent private training session. By this stage, I am very familiar with the lovely hotel staff and am starting to feel at home.
I am well into the rhythm of Fiuggi. I am feeling nourished with clarity and energy while maintaining a Zen-like state. After lunch, it’s time for psammotherapy: lying on a sand-based heated massage table, I am given a soothing poultice pressure point massage, followed up by a full-body aromatherapy massage that flows into energising sound therapy using Tibetan singing bowls. It is a very soothing and unique experience, and I feel like I have been transported to an ancient world.
It is the last day before my departure. I feel sad that my time here is coming to an end, as this is the healthiest I have felt in a very long time, both physically and mentally. A Celliss treatment in a chair straight out of Bladerunner is a bit uncomfortable (I would opt for a traditional massage next time), but I am soothed by the deep facial that follows. In the afternoon, there is a quick consultation with the nutritionist, a medical check-up and a sound-healing session.
Today is check-out: I am sad to be leaving, as I had started to feel at home with my healthy routine. I opt for the base discharge, which involves giving blood samples to see what had changed in the week – I will receive these in a week, along with feedback from the doctors and team members. We do another body scan before the final breakfast.
In the end, I lost one kilogram of fat and gained one kilogram of muscle. I felt mentally and physically fit, with high levels of energy and clarity, as well as a sense of relaxation that I don’t remember ever experiencing before.
Read more
