The personal stories from our guests say so much more!

My name is Mercè, I am 53 years old, and I am from Spain. For some time now, I’ve felt the need to take care of myself. My health and well-being were being deeply affected, especially due to fibromyalgia, which worsens with the constant stress of work and daily responsibilities. I wanted to find a space where I could disconnect, heal, and restore balance in my life. I needed an environment where I could focus on my body and mind and find relief from the symptoms that were stealing my quality of life.

I decided to consider a vacation at Palasiet because I felt an urgent need to take care of myself. These holidays were an opportunity to give myself the care I so needed and deserved. It was my second time going to Palasiet Thalasso Clinic & Hotel, the first being two years ago.

I had heard about this type of wellness and health program, but I had never had the chance to go with someone, and honestly, I never considered going alone. The idea of doing it alone made me feel uncertain and afraid, so I didn’t think of it as an option. I was worried that loneliness might negatively affect the moments of care and renewal I was seeking. It was only when I decided to give myself that opportunity to take care of myself and overcome those fears that I dared to try it, and it was one of the best decisions I’ve made.

And I didn’t feel alone at any moment! The staff made me feel very comfortable from day one, always attentive and warm. Plus, I was lucky enough to meet wonderful people, who, although they came for different reasons, shared special moments with me in classes, at the dining hall, in workshops, or even in the pool. The experience was so enriching that not only did I not feel lonely, but I also enjoyed every moment of connection and reflection.

That experience gave me so much that I felt I had to return to El Palsiet, to continue taking care of myself, not just physically, but also emotionally. I felt the need to do a sort of “personal check-up” on how I was caring for myself. These vacations are an opportunity to reconnect with healthy habits that help me throughout the year. The first time I participated, it was a turning point in my life. I managed to change and readjust my daily routine, adopting new habits that have given me more mental calm and balance. I also came back with a sense of peace I hadn’t felt in a long time.

SIS played a crucial role in my decision. I felt supported and understood, as they were always available to meet my needs and adjust the program to my preferences. It was their kind and flexible attitude that truly made me feel that I was making the right decision to take care of myself.

My stay at El Palasiet was profoundly gratifying. From the first moment, the warmth and kindness of the team made me feel at home. The combination of a welcoming atmosphere, the constant support from the staff, and the evident satisfaction of other visitors made my stay truly special and comforting.

I learned to integrate healthy habits that not only improve my physical well-being but also my mental and emotional balance. My time at El Palasiet not only provided immediate results but also gave me valuable tools to continue improving my quality of life in a sustainable way.

I would recommend these holidays to anyone who needs to take a break and focus on their overall well-being. If someone feels the need to reconnect with themselves, reduce stress, and revitalize, this is the perfect place. It’s an opportunity to refresh both body and mind and return to daily life with a renewed sense of balance and well-being.

I would like to express my deep gratitude to the entire team at El Palasiet. Their professionalism and constant support were fundamental in making my experience so positive. I left feeling renewed, with new friends, and with a wealth of valuable tools that have helped me improve my daily life. The care and affection I received made my experience unforgettable and deeply transformative.

I am Sofie from Belgium (49 years). I have already been on wellness vacations, but this was detox and wellness together, a great combination! I had never done a detox treatment before and I had no experience with this at all. I think my health is very important, and I have a busy lifestyle. Furthermore, I have a slow bowel movement pattern, and it is known that bowel movements that remain in your body for a long time are actually "poisoned" - "toxic". I wanted to try this Mayr detox cure at the Océano Hotel in Tenerife, on one hand to clean my intestines on the other hand to relax.

Also for me this was the first time that I went alone on holiday, which I found quite scary. A friend of mine wanted to go, but at the end could not join me. Furthermore, I found it quite pricey, so I had high expectations. It feels like you (eg, a working mother) are egoistic, if you decide to do something like that alone. But I can only say that it was "very selfish" in a good way...

I enjoyed being helped in the decision process by the ladies of SIS. I received a lot of information by mail and it certainly convinced me to take the final stap and book it.

The Océano Hotel was great! Friendly staff, very involved too. The doctors are there for you, but also the personal coach, the osteopath etc ... It is really a total package that you get, and everyone "cares" for you in all areas. The hotel is beautifully situated, overlooking (a wild - bustling) sea from the room, and the restaurant. The diet is adjusted according to your wishes (in my case, it was really not the intention for me to lose weight, I have a bit underweight, but really “to detox” without losing weight, and that is really taken into account). Have long walks, participated in the yoga, several times osteopath appointments to get my neck loose, delicious facial and pedicure, I enjoyed the swimming pool and sauna, but certainly also the peace ...

Also the regularity and structure that are brought into your day is a nice guide. You can easily adjust appointments and change to any other wishes. You can make there lovely walks, and go jogging in a beautiful surrounding.

I came home very well rested, with well-functioning intestines. My neck muscles were loose!

Since then I do daily yoga at home, and I have enrolled in a yoga club in the neighborhood. My intestines are still okay.

I also had a kind of wake-up call, I watched my busy life from a distance, and when I got home it was quite a big adjustment to go back to work at this speed. But after much thought I decided to keep this workload on hold for a while. Despite that fact, I do get up fifteen minutes earlier for my morning yoga, and insist that I have a lunch break. I also pay more attention to my sleep ...

Also with respect to our family I have noticed from a distance, and especially when I came back that there are quite a lot of tensions at home, tensions that demand a lot of energy, make me tired, and probably also stick to my neck. We are now working on this with our family. So, not without impact.

I can recommend the Mayr detox cure to anyone who seeks peace and quiet and puts his health first. Especially for people with a slow intestinal transit.

I have only been able to go for 1 week, and that is too short. Two weeks is definitely better. I have met people there who stay 4 to 6 weeks, I think that is quite long for myself (by the way, it is not possible with the work), but anyway 1 week is better than nothing, and I have done everything what I before had in mind.

Hello, I am Juliette from the Netherlands. The reason I wanted to get away from it all was because I was 'in between jobs' and wanted a relaxing holiday where I did not have to take much notice of others and with no children! It was the first time for me to take such a wellness trip.

Initially, I doubted whether I would enjoy going on holiday alone and was a bit afraid of being lonely. But the SISters' good guidance made me dare to go. They advised me in the choice of hotel. According to them, Oceano Hotel Health Spa in Tenerife was very suitable to go alone and I can only agree with them completely. And they tailor-made a programme for me so that I didn't do yoga every day but there was more variety. It was all very well organised, good transfer, I didn't have to worry about anything.

It was a really great hotel in a beautiful setting and very suitable for solo travellers. There were many more single guests and the staff were super friendly. The hotel is very spacious. The rooms are also super. I had a single room but wouldn't know why you couldn't stay there as a couple. Separate bathroom, separate toilet, corner to sit, fridge, big double bed, in short, complete! Furthermore, I really liked the atmosphere in the hotel. I also didn’t mind having the meals on my own. Everyone was super friendly and the wellness was really lovely. Breakfast and dinner were also very good.

It was great to get away from it all and in the end it was also a kick to do everything on my own, I made 3 nice hikes, two of which were organised and also to the El Teide volcano. I didn't go so much for the yoga but did enjoy being able to join a few classes. Initially, I also wanted to go cycling on Tenerife, but I only did this for one day as it was a bit too steep...

This vacation made me realize I actually enjoy going out on my own, and I'm definitely going to do it more often now.

I recommend it to anyone looking for relaxation. Of course, the weather helped too. And I think I made it a slightly more active holiday. There were wellness elements and active elements in it. Exactly the way I like it, but that can be filled in differently for everyone.

For others considering this kind of holiday, I would recommend that you especially communicate your wishes well to SIS and they will listen carefully and create a tailor-made programme.

My very best memory of this trip is that on the last day I went on a beautiful hike in the backyard of the hotel, that was really super!

Hi, I'm Inés from Spain. This year, my personal situation has been extraordinary, compelling me to embark on my first solo trip. I considered activities I enjoy, those compatible with a pleasurable holiday experience, and with this in mind, I began searching for a good beachfront hotel offering physical activities and a quality spa. SON CALIU, along with the package that SIS offered me, met all my requirements.

It marked my first wellness holiday. I had heard about it and had always been curious but hadn't decided because I relied on the opinion of my then-partner, who preferred a different kind of trip.

The only doubt I had was about traveling alone, which was an absolute novelty for me. The rest was explained to me by SIS and it seemed very promising. Marta from SIS played a significant role in helping me make my decision. She reassured me that it would be an unforgettable few days, and indeed it was. Marta not only flawlessly organized my stay but also provided spot-on advice on how to find what I was looking for.

The Son Caliu Hotel & Spa Oasis and its surroundings are wonderful. The facilities, cleanliness, food, staff, attention, and commitment to my well-being were all outstanding, a solid 10 out of 10. I enjoyed a lot of relaxation, peace, reading, beach time, delicious meals, and smiles from all the staff. Notably, the personal training was a perfect 10, and the spa was a 12!!!

The result of experiencing this type of holiday is that I returned completely RESET and super tanned! Hahahahahaaaa. Returning with renewed energy, as well as a sense of relaxation, disconnection, and personal respect—both physically and mentally—makes a wellness holiday incredibly fulfilling. I am certain I will repeat it.

I want to express my gratitude to SIS for this incredible experience. I will definitely consult them for my next holiday. Truly, from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU!

We are Jennifer (Canadian) and Tom (English), aged 48 and 61 , respectively. Although Jennifer hadn't experienced a wellness holiday prior, Tom had. Together, we considered going on this kind of holiday because we want to prioritize our health and well-being while taking a break from the stresses of daily life.

We didn´t know exactly what we were looking for or where to go but the comprehensive information provided by SIS, including details about all the different resorts offerings really helped us decide on the right program and resort.

Pine Cliffs Resort seemed like the perfect place to achieve our goals, offering top-notch facilities and programs. Before booking this holiday, I wondered if the experience would truly be as rejuvenating and transformative as advertised. However, after researching Pine Cliffs Resort and reading glowing reviews, any doubts I had quickly dissipated. And the experience at Pine Cliffs Resort was nothing short of spectacular!

The resort's luxurious amenities, delicious cuisine, and attentive staff exceeded our expectations. The spa treatments were especially rejuvenating, and we both had great trainers who knew what we needed to be successful in our goals. All the staff were so amazing!

Taking this holiday helped us both recharge both physically and mentally. We felt more energized, focused, and centered after immersing ourselves in the wellness activities and enjoying the serene surroundings of Pine Cliffs Resort. Additionally, we both noticed positive changes in our bodies, including improved flexibility and a greater sense of well-being.

This holiday inspired us to prioritize self-care and incorporate more healthy habits into our daily routines. We are being more mindful of what we are eating and have incorporated our daily workouts into our schedules.

I would recommend this type of holiday to anyone looking to rejuvenate their mind, body, and spirit in a luxurious and tranquil setting. Taking a health break and feeding your body nutritious foods combined with exercise and spa treatments does a world of good.  Pine Cliffs Resort offers something for everyone.

Overall, our experience at Pine Cliffs Resort was truly transformative, and I'm grateful we could prioritize our well-being and relationship in such a beautiful and nurturing environment. Just having that time together in a gorgeous place. It was so nice to share my love of Portugal with my partner! I highly recommend this resort to anyone seeking a rejuvenating escape.

It was a perfect getaway, next time we would do a longer stint!

I am Asa from Sweden and I am 60 years old. I wanted to lose some weight and get back in shape, so I contacted SIS Wellness Holidays to find the perfect place and program for me. After talking to Julia, I chose Camiral Golf & Wellness Hotel in Catalonia.

The holiday was so well prepared by SIS. I mostly had contact with Julia, who was very informative and did her utmost to reply quickly, helping me solve all my extra requests, including PT lessons and so on. Everything was handled with flexibility and professionalism, which is really important to me!

I arrived one night before the program started and was greeted very well at check-in. I felt very welcomed, got a great room, and had my first detox dinner, which was superb! I felt so comfortable being by myself! I have had the pleasure of staying at many 5-star hotels and golf resorts in general since my husband is a golf maniac, and this is one of the best ones I have been to in terms of great staff, service, room cleanliness, and making me feel comfortable.

The detox and weight loss program I chose to do was perfect; I loved it! When it comes to such programs, the desired outcomes can be quite personal. For me, I wanted detoxification with weight loss as a result. That’s why I focused on a lot of exercise. Jepi was my personal trainer, and I had a session with him every day. He was fantastic at motivating me. I even went to the gym by myself after his sessions. Additionally, I also had pilates with an excellent teacher and engaged in various other sports activities as well.

The detox food that I had from Friday to Monday lunch was absolutely fantastic! So good and well-prepared, but a little bit too much if you want to lose some weight! Three courses for lunch and two courses for dinner. On Monday, I made the decision to do fasting, only having soup for lunch and dinner, from Monday evening until I left on Thursday morning, and that gave results. When I came home, I had lost 2.5 kg and 6 cm in my waist, which felt amazing.

The staff at the Wellness center was amazing!!! The nutritionist Mireia, the manager Nuria, and the staff Emilia and Vanessa, all fantastic and made me feel so well taken care of! The treatments were absolutely amazing. I booked extra body Icoon and lymphatic massages. I love treatments, but this was extraordinary! The Cryo room... I can’t believe I did it! -110 degrees!!

In my opinion, what makes the program complete is a mix of everything: great food, great workouts, and great treatments. I think it's very important, though, to figure out before the client arrives at the hotel what their goal for the days is! Is it weight loss or detox? I knew what I wanted and what it would take to reach the goal, which was weight loss, so I decided a lot of workouts were important for me. If I had not decided that and followed the exact program, I don’t think I would have lost that much weight. They can offer two versions: the original one, which is absolutely great and still makes you feel great, and a more hardcore one with much more workout and less food.

I was so content and pleased that I reached my goals: weight loss and fewer centimetres in my waist:) I really felt relaxed, safe all the time, and slept so well! I also felt that the staff always paid attention to my needs. As soon as I lay down by the pool in the Wellness Centre or finished a treatment, they came serving water, tea, and fruit. Excellent service!!! In the dining room, all staff were aware that I was on the detox program, so all meals worked perfectly!

I would describe my overall experience as absolutely fantastic!!! Great hotel, great staff, great food, got my own menu on paper with every meal, great treatments, and nice, fresh, clean facilities all over! So happy that I chose this program at Camiral and keep telling all my friends and family how fantastic it was!! I will be back for sure.

Big thank you for the SIS bag and beach towel which were placed in my room! That was my carry-on bag the whole week!

My name is Sara. I am 51 years old and Iive in Italy. At the end of last year, I wasn’t feeling very healthy and strong and was having difficulties to sleep, so I decided to take some days for myself to recover. Wellness treatments always helped me a lot in the past.

I’m used to take some time off every year, for one or 2 weeks, to take care of myself. I started this habit more than 10 years ago in India, and then discovered some nice places in Europe. I came across SIS Wellness holidays some years ago thanks to a friend.

I am a yoga teacher and started practising yoga 12 years ago. I have yearly tried to take a yoga retreat, in Europe and all over the world. It’s a good balance to relax, meditate, have fun and also an opportunity to recharge and reflect.

I like to try new places and for this specific retreat I wanted to address a specific issue, sleeping. So I did some research to find out if there are places where you can do this kind of treatment. SIS helped me to find a place and program that matched all of my wishes, being near the sea and where they are specialised in improving sleep. They advised me to go to the Longevity Health & Wellness Hotel in the Algarve, South Portugal.

The place is amazing! It was a holistic experience, like a clinic, which tries to offer care from different perspectives, dedicated to your soul, your body, your mental health, but with data and examinations in order to check your health status. Another good thing was the opportunity to stay in a 5-star place in low season, you can have the premium benefits in a top way, as there are few people and they treated me like a princess.

Some highlights:

• The spa and the clinic, I didn’t come across a huge place with very good massages and lots of doctors for a long time. Longevity offered this and more, it’s really a clinic.
• Very very professional and flexible to personalize and adapt the program to you, your needs and wishes.
• The food - healthy low carb vegan, if you wanted, but so delicious! The breakfast was amazing.

Besides, and more importantly, I did not just enjoy my stay but achieved very good results!

First, and for me the reason I choose this place, I have started to sleep better. They explained me the reasons (from body and mental point of views) why I can’t sleep and gave me some suggestions and taught me some techniques in order to improve my sleep. They also gave me, after some examinations, activities (from gym to yoga, to meditation, massage) in order to feel better in combination with beautiful massages, treatments and fantastic food. I have also had time to meditate, relax, read books, and walk a lot in the beautiful village Alvor and the weather, except for a few days, was amazing and quite warm.

My stay at Longevity has made me more aware of my habits and I made some important changes in my lifestyle. I’m trying to maintain the good habits to sleep better, by disconnecting and relaxing, meditating and reinforcing my body (fitness, yoga, Pilates).

I can really recommend a stay at Longevity Health and Wellness Hotel, especially to those who are looking for a health program with some scientific/medical background and support and do not look only for a spa/yoga retreat.

Furthermore, the Portuguese people and staff there is amazing! I’m South European, but these guys are super special :-)

We are two sisters from Amsterdam, Anouk (29 and pregnant) and Sophie (31). This was our first wellness holiday and it seemed like a wonderful chance to spend some quality and relaxing time together to enjoy our SISter band before Anouk's first child is born. We were looking for a nice, quiet and beautiful place to be pampered far from the bustling city life so decided upon Shanti Som Wellbeing Retreat in southern Spain.

In the middle of all the greenery, palm trees and hills, and far from the smoke of Malaga & Marbella, lies the beautiful Shanti Som. Upon arrival we were immediately greeted with a friendly personal chat, a tour through the chic retreat and the massages & treatment options were explained while we enjoyed a welcome drink. A great start!

With just 14 rooms, each named after a heart-warming element, Shanti-Som has a very exclusive atmosphere, tastefully decorated with soft tones and using natural materials. Our room had a private terrace with sun beds where we were able to hideaway if we felt like it, while enjoying a cup of tea that we were able to prepare ourselves in the room. The Ritual bathroom products are such a treat, so you can mimic the whole spa experience in your own room under the enormous rain shower.

Our stay was short so we really wanted to get the most out of it, so decided to combine a healthy yoga break with our wellness trip. We enjoyed the Yoga classes under professional guidance which was slightly modified for the pregnant Anouk so that she was able to go at her own pace.

But the highlight without doubt were the amazing treatments! Sophie enjoyed a scrub and came back with super soft skin and the firm and loosening deep tissue massage made her feel completely rejuvenated! For Anouk there was a wonderful relaxing massage with a real 'mommy to be' package. What a treat!

We also loved the food! The cuisine is Asian / Middle Eastern Fusion and the dishes are prepared with as many local, organic seasonal products as possible. There is a lot of choice, including plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. The only disappointment was that the kitchen was only open at set times, so it's good to take this into account.

The spa facilities are not very extensive; there is a sauna and a Turkish steam bath. These have to be requested in advance so you cannot spontaneously walk in unfortunately. As we had already planned a number of massages & yoga classes, it was not a big deal for us. Thanks to the lovely Spanish climate we preferred to stay by the swimming pool or on the sunbeds!

We really enjoyed out stay and it was a real treat to be pampered like this! We can recommend it to everyone; lovers of life, rest-seekers, health lovers and also active people (did we already mention that you can also enjoy the surrounding nature with walks or hikes?) - alone or accompanied.

We had a wonderful time thanks to the super hospitable & friendly staff, the serene environment and pampering meant that we returned home fully charged. For us a first, but certainly not the last! It was not cheap, but complete and Zen-feeling guaranteed!

By: SISters Anouk (29, pregnant) and Sophie (31) from Amsterdam

Hi, I´m Susan. I’m 57 years old from Scotland. I was already familiar with juicing, having done five other juicing weeks previously, mainly since 2016. My yoga experience was limited to my juicing weeks, rather than a regular practice. Since August 2017, with a combination of juicing, healthy eating and an unhealthy dose of stress thrown in, I have lost 4 stone in weight. However, in the four months before this retreat, I had had no work life balance and had gained 12lbs so I wanted to nip it in the bud and reboot. I deliberated whether to chose Aleid and Doby’s retreat or return to the juicing holidays I know. I was interested in the vegetarian diet and the fact that they offer a mind and body detox but, as this would be a mix of juice and vegetarian solid food, I doubted whether I would see the dramatic body change that normally comes with a week of pure juicing.

However, SIS provided me with excellent information about the retreat and I was able to chat to Aleid on the phone before making my decision and so I decided to give it a go…. and loved it!! Aleid and Doby are a beautiful couple and very welcoming. Their house is very comfortable and in a stunning location. I had a hire car and enjoyed the fact that there was some downtime to explore the local area. The programme was flexible, and the food was lovely. Aleid is a fantastic yoga teacher – she really takes the time to break each move down and talk through the mechanics of it. I would perhaps have liked to do more yoga instead of the counselling sessions but that was a personal experience and the other two guests got a lot out of their sessions. The location was perfect and easy to spend time on your own or with the other guests. We spent time exploring, swimming in the harbour and off the rocks at one of the local terraces. We took the bikes out to the nearby beach. And Doby gave a great massage!

I was also surprised how easy the intermittent fasting was. We were able to do normal things on one of the fasting evenings – a bit of retail therapy, visit a cocktail bar and still stick to the fast with just a sparkling mineral water although we were surrounded by food and drink.

The results were great! I have come away with an eating plan that I feel is totally sustainable in the long term. I was surprised to see that I had lost 5lbs as I felt I had eaten quite a lot of food.

I learnt so much from this retreat. Since I´ve returned home, I am unconsciously choosing healthy options and am determined to continue to follow a mainly plant based diet with a little fish. I see a change in my body shape and am happy to report my clothes are back to being comfortable and I  dropped a further 4lbs over the next week. I am also continuing with yoga – at the moment just a few moves at home, but I am looking for a class.

I would recommend this type of holiday to everyone! I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t benefit. I already have a few friends looking into it, I hope you pay commission lol ;-)

Last but not least, I would like to add that the week totally surpassed my expectations and I know the benefits will be long-lasting. I think the combination of the retreat and being in a location where you can also get out and enjoy local life set me up for coming home. The other retreats I have done have been locked away in a resort and going out into the “real world” and re-introducing food into everyday life was sometimes a bit daunting as I didn’t leave knowing how to eat going forward.

I look forward to going back to Aleid and Doby sometime!!

During my search on the internet for a coaching holiday I came across many different options, so then it was quite difficult to choose! However the quick response from SIS and the friendly communication gave me a good feeling from the start. We had telephone contact and this was a very pleasant conversation where you came across very friendly and personally involved. I followed your advice for a yoga retreat with Aleid and Doby and did not regret it for a moment, on the contrary I would recommend this retreat to everyone.

This was my very first Yoga and coaching retreat so I didn´t really know what to expect. Upon arrival I was warmly welcomed by Doby and immediately felt very welcome and at ease. Aleid and Doby are very sweet people, very warm and welcoming. Everything is allowed, nothing is required. Doby prepares very nice, special, delicious (vegetarian) dishes, which I enjoyed very much. The Yoga in the morning was very relaxing (we even went once to the beach for a yoga session) and my coaching sessions with Aleid really paid off. The week flew by and I was so glad that in my situation, where I had some important life questions to consider, that I decided to spend a week with Aleid and Doby. It has brought me such a lot!

Thank you very much SIS for helping me to find this retreat. Thank you for the hamam towel and your personal note upon arrival, it was a nice surprise. Keep this up, because these types of gestures and your personal approach is what makes SIS so special!!

Hello, I am Susan from England. I know from past experience that I need time to recharge and de-stress on my own. This holiday is my 'ME TIME!'. I can talk to people or choose not to. I like to take a 10 day break, as a week just isn't long enough. SIS and the Oceano are able to provide the flexibility. The Oceano is one of the most healing places that I have been to because of the location and incredibly caring staff.

This was not my first wellness holiday. When working I used to go annually, now retired I am looking to restart this after a very stressful time with my family and loss of a parent. 

I have been to the Shanti Som Wellbeing Retreat and the SHA Wellness Clinic but none are right on the ocean! The latter is now just too crowded, staff who treat you as if you were on a  conveyor belt and  rather pushy clients (in my opinion!!)

The Oceano offers yoga every morning very early  - called ocean awakening - lovely if you want to get up! I chose to go for a swim at dawn in the sea pool - and just enjoyed the peace and sound of the sea. Nice to meet the locals too!

I was in doubt as to whether the hotel had changed in the few years I had not been there. No - it hadn't, it had got even better.!!!! Were they still solo traveller friendly? Even more accommodating. I am sure that when I went, single travelers were in the majority and mainly ladies.

SIS ensured that everything was confirmed: room type and position, and the airport transfers before I left. The private transfers are essential if you are on your own - it is a long drive to the hotel, and I felt safe.

I wanted a mixed package to include non-programme days - SIS sorted it. It was very good having a week's spa programme spread over 11days - I would really recommend this as it would not give you any down time! I had a maximum of 2 spa treatments / exercise programmes per day.

I experienced my stay at Oceano Hotel faultless - once I had sorted out the meal plan. I changed to half board after 3 days (there is no price difference). I was very active each day (gym, swimming, aqua fitness and walking) as per the programme. I measure my body activity via a fitbit and count calories - I was massively in calorie deficit (which, as a trained dietitian, is not good). I had to go and see the doctor in charge of the programmes again to get this changed. He was very understanding but I had to prove it!!! I am fairly forceful so it wasn't a problem - but others may not be so happy doing this. So the guidance here is: at the initial medical examination make sure you discuss your activity levels and whether to change to a half board. I still lost nearly 2kg!

I realised how emotionally and mentally drained I was. The programme, treatments and comfort of the hotel helped me to rebuild my mental and physical strength and I arrived home feeling so much better.

The spa treatments and high quality of the therapists make the experiences very healing and relaxing. The spa staff care about you as a person - you are not just a job to them. It was nice to have the same therapists for several treatments too.

The restaurant staff also remember what you like and your name - a lovely touch.I felt reborn!

Ever since I will be taking more time for myself.I would recommend this type of holiday to couples and solo travellers. You meet some lovely people.

I understand that they allow children but this was not in the school holidays - I am not sure that the hotel grounds and pool area would be quite so quiet and relaxing during school holidays!!!

The best treatment – Ocean Balancing (aqua massage) with Alejandra. She is a very  experienced Mayr therapist and you need to totally trust her and relax. It was a very powerful experience in terms of healing and recovery from a stressful time. Thank you Oceano!

And a big thank you to the SISters! I will be back to you next year. Take care of each other

Pic: View from my balcony - and off for my swim at 7.30am ! - see you next year.

Sue