A £75 million facelift over 17 years transformed a Grade 1 listed Georgian building into a luxury health spa right in the heart of the stunning Derbyshire countryside.

Five-star Buxton Crescent Health Spa has put the traditional English market town, best known for its mineral water, firmly on the map. Run by  Europe’s largest spa operator, Ensana, attention to detail and with high standards, the Crescent is an ideal spot for exploring the Peak District.

Four years after the re-opening, the historic landmark, built in the 1780s by William Cavendish, the 5^th Duke of Devonshire, is at the heart of the town’s resurgence.

WHO FOR:

The hotel’s iconic crescent shape which greets you on arrival is a huge draw for history buffs and lovers of luxury. The interior is just as stunning.

With a sumptuous traditional spa over three floors, elegant bedrooms and fine dining, this hotel is ideal for spa and weekend breaks, weddings and the perfect relaxing stop-off for business people.

ACCOMMODATION:

The 81 bedrooms have high ceilings and elegant furnishings. The spacious bathrooms have baths and showers and individual toiletries.

Beautifully soft slippers and robes are provided, along with tea and coffee-making facilities and a refreshing bottle of Buxton mineral water of course!

My room was facing the front of the hotel, perfect for people-watching.

FACILITIES:

The beautiful spa is the main draw. From a gloriously blue rooftop pool, inside and out, to the thermal mineral water baths housed under huge stained-glassed ceilings, with the wall tiles dating back to 1924 when it was last renovated, the spa offers a relaxing sanctuary.

There’s a choice of a traditional or aroma steam room, infra red, bio-thermal or Finnish saunas and a relaxation pool.

Heated tile beds are a great way to unwind and there is a wide range of treatments available with the Himalayan salt massage not to be missed. Blocks are massaged over the body to detoxify and after a scrub and wash, oils are gently rubbed in to ease aches and pains.

FOOD AND DRINK:

All tastes and appetites are catered for from a light snack in the spa café or lounge and afternoon tea, to the more formal dining room beautifully set out with its teal-coloured walls and decorative lighting.

Here is where fine dining is at its best. With beauties like rock oysters, home-cured and smoked Scottish salmon and oak smoked venison carpaccio and goat cheese salad for starters, to main dishes of loin of Herdwick mutton or salt aged sirloin of Hereford beef, tempting the tastebuds.

Vegetarians are well looked after, with delights including butter squash tagine and truffled wild mushroom risotto, and desserts for all, ranging from forced-grown rhubarb terrine to caramelised white chocolate parfait.

Breakfasts are filling with good choices of cold cuts, yoghurts and cereals, fruit juices, specialist coffees and teas and the option of a hot dish from eggs Benedict to a full English.

HOW MUCH:

Plenty of offers are there to entice you to stay. Opting for two nights currently offers a 10 % discount and includes access to the spa, a three course evening meal from the market menu and breakfast from £156 to relaxation and wellness packages starting around £252 for one night with the added bonus of a salt cave and mineral or hydro bath.

CHECK AVAILABILITY AND OFFERS

WHAT’S NEARBY:

So close to Manchester, but right in the heart of the Derbyshire countryside, Buxton is a beautiful town to visit with The Pavilion Gardens, which date back to 1871, just a short stroll from the hotel. With historic arcades, a lovely hot house and the neighbouring theatre, it’s a lovely step back in time.

Across from the hotel is the famous St Ann’s Well, the source of the ancient natural spring and a day out to the nearby Chatsworth House in Bakewell is a must.

The stately home is the seat of the Duke of Devonshire and has belonged to the Cavendish family since 1549 and has massive gardens to explore.

VERDICT:

Luxury and history rolled into one, the Buxton Crescent Health Spa is the perfect tonic for a well-earned break.

The post Buxton Crescent Health Spa review, Buxton appeared first on The Travel Magazine.

Taiba Investments, a leader in Saudi hospitality and real estate, has unveiled a strategic partnership with Hilton to bring the iconic Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts brand to the holy city of Madinah. Signed during the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) World in Dubai, this agreement underscores Taiba Investments’ ongoing expansion into the high-end hospitality market and further reinforces the company’s commitment to elevating Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector by partnering with world-renowned hospitality companies such as Hilton.

Is it the flawless service or the luxurious amenities that make a 5-star lodge truly special? Why not imagine yourself entering a private haven with an unbelievably stunning in-room sauna surrounding you with the glorious alpine landscape?

This level of luxury may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and at Adler Lodge Ritten, Italy, it sure was for me with a mix of relaxation and nature’s incredible beauty. Here’s why you can have the extraordinary experience that awaits you. 

Who for?

It was clear to me that it primarily caters to couples. It will appeal to those who want to prioritise wellness experiences, especially as so many activities are offered. When I spoke to Robert and Matthias Truber, a couple from Germany who have visited the lodge a few times, they both told me, “It’s the ambience and the nature that makes it perfect. We always get a homely feel, and there are not too many people, which is ideal for couples like us.” I couldn’t agree more – the lodge did have a superb homely feel, and it was limited in terms of guests. 

That being said, the rooms are designed for individuals looking for a break away from their exhausting jobs at home, plus a small group of friends, as you can book one of the exceptional chalets. However, it’s not designed for families with children, but Adler offers other properties under their branding that offer this. 

Accommodation

Adler Lodge Ritten offers a range of 30 rooms, which include the suites and chalets. This is what the German couple meant, with few around, as this intimate number allows for a personalised and peaceful atmosphere. 

All the stunning suites are within the main lodge, known as the Junior Suite, where I stayed. My elegant suite provided me with that homely, spacious interior with cosy alpine decor, a superb balcony, and a gorgeous forest view. Plus, the unimaginable private in-room sauna, which really is a game changer, and the mini-bar included in the price. 

The chalet’s design felt like a private cabin in the woods, secluded from the main lodge. You, of course, have exceptional fireplaces, saunas, and large terraces like the suites but with more space to enjoy the breathtaking scenery.

The focus on wellness is the key to this fantastic lodge. 

Food and Drink

This is where you can really enjoy the fine dining experience that the Adler Lodge Ritten offers. It has a sense of Mediterranean blend with Alpine intensity, which is gourmet but has a health kick and is rich in flavours. 

The buffet breakfast is hearty. You get your typical eggs, pancakes, and coffee to go along with the fresh pastries, delicious local cheese, delicate fruits, healthy smoothies, and granola.

Lunch will vary each day, with different plates on offer—usually a buffet. If there’s nothing you like, they can cook you something from the kitchen, making sure you don’t go hungry. 

Every night for dinner at the lodge’s glorious restaurant, the menu changes, and it is tailored to you—like it was for me, as I have a dairy intolerance – they showed genuine care. The servers explain that all the produce is fresh and locally sourced and give you a story behind the cooking.

The lodge showcases an extensive wine list and local distilleries, with selections from renowned vineyards. If you are more of an exotic cocktails and mocktails kind of person, they are also available to choose from – not to mention an abundance of homegrown tropical soft drinks. A selection of alcohol and soft drinks were available all day and night, which is included in the price. 

The lodge’s overall dining atmosphere is prepared to be both indulgent and nourishing, complementing once again its focus on respite and wellness. 

Facilities

As I have already mentioned, you have your stunning in-room sauna, which you can enjoy all day and all night long, but you also have the standard shared sauna room for all guests, where you can enjoy the mesmerising and stimulating aufguss. They have aufguss sessions throughout the week, a traditional practice that uses essential oil-enriched snowballs to boost health benefits, resulting in a pleasurable experience. This was my absolute favourite thing to do throughout my visit. 

If you feel you’ve overeaten throughout the day, don’t worry—you have your state-of-the-art gymnasium to burn off those calories. If you prefer to stretch out your body, then you have yoga classes that take place on a sun-drenched balcony. Then, to top it off, picture yourself in the serene indoor and outdoor pool overlooking the majestic Dolomites. 

The icing on the cake will be to unwind in the expansive spa, with a variety of healing and soothing treatments and therapies, to stimulate and rejuvenate your mind and body. 

How much

Stays are a minimum of three nights at € 581.33 per night including breakfast, lunch and dinner and guided walks.

 

What’s Nearby

If you want to explore the surroundings, plenty of other options exist. A short stroll will take you to farms, charming local shops, and cafes, where you can savour authentic Italian treats. I saw plenty of guests take on the breathtaking hike to get a picturesque view of the mountains. The lodge offers a walking tour, which you can check out at the activity board to see what day it falls under. 

If you need more than that and want to get a taste of what’s nearby, hop on a train to visit the quaint town of Bolzano, where you can gaze at the historic architecture. You can also take a cable car from Ritten. The Rittner Bahn cable car provides breathtaking views as it ascends to the surrounding Renon plateau, with more hiking routes and lovely scenery.  

VERDICT:

This unnoticed treasure, Adler Lodge Ritten, which combines luxury and nature, from the soothing spa to the superb cuisine, welcomes you to relax and unwind all your troubles. The breathtaking mountain views and peaceful surroundings provide an ideal setting for leisure and adventure.

All images by Shebs Alom

The post Adler Lodge Ritten review, Oberboze, Italy appeared first on The Travel Magazine.

The South of France, with its lavender fields, rolling vineyards, and sun-drenched coastline, offers more than just classic Provencal landscapes. Hidden away in the heart of the Camargue, an unforgettable boat journey awaits travellers looking for a slower, more immersive experience.

Le Boat is the No.1 provider of boating holidays on the waterways of the UK, Canada and Europe, with over 50 years of experience.  We’re going to be sailing ourselves from the charming town of St. Gilles to the fortified medieval city of Aigues-Mortes. This stretch of around 30 km on the Canal du Rhône à Sète contains no locks – easy enough for beginners.

St Gilles

We start in the village of St Gilles, around an hour from the airport of Marseille. Lots of other boats are moored in the Rhône à Sète Cabal and ours is one of larger. It’s a Horizon 5 with five en-suite cabins, fully equipped kitchen diner and a sundeck above. Each cabin comes with a double bed, shower, washbasin and cupboards for storing your luggage.

After a safety briefing and driving instruction, I set out to explore. St Gilles was a significant stop on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela and the imposing Abbey is now on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Its intricately carved stone façade tells stories from the bible and inside is the tomb of St Gilles.

Today is Saturday, and there’s a traditional Camargue wedding going on. Waiting outside is a horse carriage for the bride and groom and there’s delegation on horses in traditional black jackets and trousers. They line up in formation and position their long cattle prods to form an arch for the wedding couple. Gypsy guitarists are waiting nearby to entertain another lucky couple.

Next day dawns bright and sunny although there’s a strong wind. It doesn’t deter us as we leave St Gilles to sail to Aigues Mortes. There’s little traffic on the canal but we give a wide berth to Sunday fishermen on the banks. The sky is that piercing Provencal blue, and the countryside is dead flat, marshland on either bank. Rows of stubby trees frame our passage and we spot the occasional white wild horses on the banks.

It’s only around 30 km to our destination and the only village on the way is Galician, where we’ll stop on our return. Here, though, the locals are keen to point out the speed limit and they watch us closely making sure we slow down. It’s around another hour to Aigues Mortes and we’re soon mooring just outside the town walls. We come under scrutiny of other boat owners, desperately worried we’re going to damage their craft as we manoeuvre.

Aigues Mortes

We’re in a prime spot and the gate to the town is only a few minutes away. Inside it’s a maze of narrow cobbled streets, crammed with quaint shops, cafes and restaurants. In summer the place gets full with tourists but in September all is calm. The best way to get an overview is to walk all round the 1.6km of ramparts with the tallest tower, the Tour de Constance offering views over the salt marshes to the distant sea.

Just nearby are the salins or salt pans which have been in operation for centuries. Indeed they were integral to the town’s medieval economy and they are still a source of revenue. The fleur de sel from here is particularly prized and it’s worth walking round the vast pink-hued salt pans, watching the trucks work. At sunset the colours are the most vibrant and there are stunning views across to the walled town.

Manade St Louis

Scattered around the marshland outside are ranches for breeding bulls and horses, a deep rooted culture of the Camargue. The Manade St Louis continues that tradition and showcases the beautiful sturdy Camargue horses as well as the fierce black bulls for which the region is famous. Some of these will compete in the Course Camargaise, contests that are part of village tradition. Unlike in Spain no blood is spilled and the animal is the star.

Le Grau-du-Roi

In Le Grau-du-Roi, a few kms west, several ranches offer guided horseback tours. I’m not the most experienced rider but feel comfortable following a line of horses as we cross the marshes to the beach. Looming over is the 1869 Phare de l’Espiguette, a lighthouse built to safeguard shipping along the coast. We canter along the wide sandy beach, still a long way from the sea, before returning to the stables.

Galician

We set sail next day and in around 90 minutes arrive at the small hamlet of Galician set in the marshes and surrounded by vineyards. They’re in the midst of the harvest and tractors full of grapes are arriving for pressing. The wine here is Costières de Nîmes, an excellent appellation delivering robust reds and refreshing rosés. It’s been my drink of choice over the last week and I can vouch for the quality.

There’s not much else to see so we get on the bikes we’ve been carrying on the boat and set out for the Étang de Scamandre nature reserve. A visitor centre provides information on the area’s flora and fauna and we meet our guide here. He leads us along raised wooden pathways through the swamp pointing out herons, flamingos and other wildlife.

After our visit, we’re on the home straight back to St Gilles, but the storm clouds are already gathering. Fortunately the rain holds off until we’ve moored safely but our plans for a barbeque on deck are stymied. No matter, we sit in the saloon, cooking the meat on the stove and enjoy our final glass of Costières de Nîmes. Despite our initial worries about piloting a big boat, this has all been plain sailing.

Factfile

GO: British Airways flies direct to Marseilles from London Heathrow. Then it’s around an hour transfer to St. Gilles.

INFO: Le Boat offers a seven-night self-catered cruise on the Camargue on a Horizon 5 starting and finishing at Le Boat’s base at Saint Gilles from £1,609 per boat or £322 pp. Bike hire is £42.

ACTIVIES: A Guided tour of the Manade Saint-Louis and demonstration of bull sorting costs €40/pp.

Horse riding in La Grau-du-Roi costs €60 pp for 2h.

Entry to the Scamandre Nature Reserve costs €8 pp.

A tour of Aigues-Mortes Salins costs €9 pp.

EAT: L’Atelier des Halles is one of the best restaurants in Saint Gilles.

Le Dit Vin in Aigues Mortes serves traditional dishes including bull steaks.

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