Luxurious Magazine’s health and fitness expert, Sabi Phagura, provides an insight into the BodyHoliday LeSport resort on the island of St Lucia in the Caribbean.
‘Give us your body for a week and we’ll give you back your mind.’ This statement is at the heart of the BodyHoliday promise. And if life indeed has left you feeling slightly jaded and dull, then the Le Sport resort in St Lucia is the perfect vacation. This is one of the world’s most beautiful locations which provides a truly luxurious and personal service that can help to bring your senses back into focus.
Set on a secluded cove in the north west of the island, the BodyHoliday LeSport is a very private retreat. Based on the four key pillars of relaxation, restorative beauty, exercise and good diet, the all-inclusive St Lucia resort has been created specifically to ensure guests leave feeling relaxed, rejuvenated and recharged. This was exactly what I needed in the absence of any sunshine for what seemed like an eternity.
With the Wellness Centre having been voted as one of the best spas in St Lucia, I was keen to entrust my body into the hands of the experts. Guests can expect to enjoy one massage per day on full days spent at the resort included in their package. Additional treatments can be booked before you arrive using their online customisation tool. I wanted to make full use of the centre so decided upon a few treatments to get a real sense of relaxation.
The therapists are highly trained thanks to The Wellness Centre Training Academy, which opened in 2006. It broke new ground by setting industry standards in Spa training across the Caribbean with its Holistic, and Health & Beauty Therapist Training Course. Many of the Team Leaders at LeSport have participated in these programmes, so you know you’re in good hands.
The Wellness Centre can be described as a combination of old meets new where ancient philosophies sit alongside cutting-edge modern techniques using the most respected, traditional and organic product ranges. I enjoyed a number of treatments during my stay but the one that completely knocked me out into a deep relaxation was the Shirodhara. This ancient therapy began with a continuous flow of ‘shanti oil’, a warm herbal infusion onto the third eye (between the brows) for a specific duration to stimulate the nervous and hormonal systems. The oil is then massaged into the hair, scalp, neck and shoulders. To say the treatment brings tranquillity, profound relaxation and clarity of mind is an understatement. According to experts, regular practice of Shirodhara has shown to help with fatigue, mental exhaustion and anxiety.
For the more adventurous (and dare I say greedy?) the Synchronised Abhyanga is a must. Two therapists are needed here to massage a specific blend of herbal oils on the body which transmit their own qualities on the skin. The treatments are broken down into a number of different categories including recuperative and restorative and Ayurvedic so there is plenty to choose from. The friendly and mild mannered St Lucian therapists are only too pleased to have them tailor made for you.
So while on one hand the BodyHoliday offers rest and relaxation, it also provides a range of activities that will keep you busy from dawn ‘til dusk. Ranging from the lush rainforests in the mountains to the golden sands of Cariblue Beach, and from the heights of the Pitons to the busy streets of Castries, St Lucia has it all.
The BodyHoliday tries to capture everything that the island can offer and thus laid on a variety of activities and sports. So whether you fancy learning to scuba dive, taking up archery or fencing, or even sailing, it really is up to you. A team of instructors are always at hand to help you learn or improve a new skill. It all depends of course on whether you can manage to tear yourself from your sun lounger planted in the golden sands beneath the gently swaying palm trees overlooking the turquoise sea.
For an all-inclusive resort, the food is surprisingly good. The Caribbeans see food and drink as central to their lives and not many things give them more pleasure than a fabulous meal that is well cooked using fresh ingredients. With diet being one of the four pillars of wellbeing, there is an organic vegetable garden on site so that the food is as fresh as it can be.
Depending on your mood of dressing up or down, you can choose to eat in a number of different restaurants at the resort including The Pavilion Grill, The Clubhouse, Cariblue Restaurant, or The Deli. For a formal lavish dinner, a visit to the award-winning Tao restaurant is crucial. Known for its fusion of Eastern and Western cuisine and its stylish ambiance with an accent on art and music, this restaurant offers some of the most delightfully mouth-watering dishes in the most creative of manners. I would highly recommend the trilogy of scallops, followed by vanilla chicken before finishing off with a frozen coconut soufflé and macadamia wontons for dessert. Perched on a second-floor balcony at the edge of Cariblue Beach, you’re guaranteed a pleasant breeze and a starry sky while enjoying a delicious dining experience. Diners are encouraged to book ahead at this delightful eatery as it’s incredibly popular.
The Piano Bar is great for either pre or after dinner drinks. Here you can order your favourite tipple, try a new cocktail, meet some friends and then sit back and relax. The Caribbean favourite – rum punch – is also an option but be warned they can be on the strong side.
The Deli was one of my favourite places to hang out during the day. It’s a great hub to meet with new friends you have made, read a book or just grab something lighter or simpler to eat. Meanwhile the Clubhouse is always at the centre of the action thanks to a circular bar overlooking the sea. So whether you need a drink, afternoon tea, a great evening meal, or fancy taking in a night time show, this is the place to be.
The bedrooms, which come in various sizes are a place where you retreat to relax and take stock. Each room oozes luxury and has a feeling of first-class comfort and privacy. To promote tranquillity there are no TVs in the rooms but complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout. Each evening, a different blend of tea in a beautifully designed teapot accompanied by cookies is left in your bedroom to induce a good night’s sleep.
Expect to pay from $US475 per night per room (single occupancy) for the first Saturday of December 2013.
For more information, visit www.thebodyholiday.com.
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