A wellbeing reset, rebalance and education at the world’s best wellness clinic

A forty five minute drive from Alicante’s airport lies the multiple award winning SHA Wellness Clinic and as of February 2024 SHA has won the World’s Best Wellness Clinic for the third year in a row.   Wanting to start 2024 with a different mindset, a reset and rebalance I took myself off to SHA for “me” time, on a journey of learning and experiences that combined techniques and therapies used in both scientific and natural medicine.  Whilst temperatures plummeted in the UK I spent a week in sunny Spain on my chosen health program, of which there are a number to choose from depending on your health goals.

SHA Wellness Clinic is located on the hillside facing the Bay of Altea in the coastal town of Albir, an enclave next to the Sierra Helada National Park in Southern Spain. It is perfectly located for spectacular views of the mountains and Mediterranean Sea, and in an area that has one of the best climates in Europe.  With more than 300 days of sunshine a year, with temperatures rarely dropping below 14 degrees Celsius on average in winter, it’s also a great destination for outdoor activities all year round.

On arrival I was presented with a detailed agenda for my stay which consisted of personal consultations, tests, treatments, one-to-one training sessions and a choice of additional group based indoor and outdoor activities that I could slot into my agenda as I wished.   The first few days were filled with examinations, consultations and agenda reviews. My first appointment was with a doctor for a general health consultation about my current health and my objectives for the week.  This was followed by an advanced preventative diagnosis appointment which involved a 3D body scan and a series of cognitive and blood tests.  Shortly after, the results were discussed with the doctor and a consultation with the nutritionist who based dietary and menu recommendations for the week based on results from the previous days testing. 

By day three the treatments had begun and during my stay ranged from hydrocolon therapy sessions to underwater therapy sessions, hydroenergetic detox cures, cryotherapy, acupuncture sessions, intensive sculpting body wraps and a corporal icoone session. In between the treatments there were consultations on nutrition, aesthetics, healthy cooking classes, mindful eating and a number of group activities that you could join such as pilates, aqua biking and group fitness sessions. I particularly liked the sunrise walks to the lighthouse and Nordic walks around the local area. When not participating in a treatment, consultation or group activity I thoroughly enjoyed using SHA’s wellness area where there is a complete hydrotherapy circuit with two indoor swimming pools, numerous treatment rooms and a relaxation area. I even had time to slot in a few additional treatments which included an Indiba facial and an amazing Watsu session which is form of passive hydrotherapy in chest-deep water.

The food at SHA was truly delicious, beautifully presented and whilst you can choose from three different menus to dine from, I based my choices on the recommendations of my nutritionist.  Every meal I consumed consisted of filling foods of vegetable origin and, to a lesser extent, seafood, whilst being as organic, seasonal and as local as possible.

I found SHA to be the perfect retreat to reset and re balance and came away from an empowering week with a personalised food and health plan, recipes and lifestyle recommendations and top tips for keeping up healthy habits in 2024 and beyond..

For anyone visiting SHA for the first time I highly recommend one of their health programmes in line with one’s own personal health goals.  There are hundreds of possible treatments to choose from but by booking on a set programme it means that the treatments are then specially selected to help you achieve your own goals.

Helen visited SHA in January.