Our product manager, Helen, heads off to the Turkish sunshine to get the low-down on the beautiful resort of Sianji Wellbeing Resort and reports back on her findings:
What were your first impressions of the resort?
It's got personality! Big, bold, colourful, bling, beach-side and shimmering in Bodrum sunshine. There's a mix of leisure clients, with some families, as well as focused wellness clients, so it's ideal if your partner or friend doesn't want to do a detox or fitness holiday, but you do. I loved the beach-side setting and the incredible value. We've teamed up with a Dutch wellness specialist company too so our Wellbeing Escapes guests and Dutch clients will be able to mix and mingle on these programmes in resort, forming a sociable, supportive small group atmosphere.
What do you think makes the resort so special?
It's an unbeatably affordable way to have a fitness or relaxing spa holiday or indeed detox, in the sun, beside the sea, gaining real results at a decent price. The rooms are very comfortable, the views from the terrace across the outdoor pool and sea are divine and there are a good range of complimentary activity classes available each day. It's a fun atmosphere, you definitely know you're on holiday along the way! I loved their handy "Sianji Life Manual" that they give you, it's a great place to jot down health tips along the way.
What was your favourite treatment?
They have a number of Balinese therapists there, so their massages are intuitive and deep. With a visiting spa doctor and resident detox specialists, there's a range of detoxifying treatments as well as lighter options, such as pampering spa treatments.
What was your favourite activity?
For me it was the yoga classes, held in the open-air yoga Balinese shala beside the beach, with draped reeds hanging down over the side of the roof, listening to the rustle of the reeds and the sound of the waves really hit the spot for me. Their yoga teacher was very good, stretching the more advanced within the class and supporting those with less experience of the practice.
How was the food?
I liked their juice bar, where fresh alkalizing juices were whizzed to perfection. Guests can undertake a juicing detox, or a balanced raw food detox (with daily juices as well). Alternatively, there's an alkalising meal option for those who want healthy but cooked food instead. Then on top of this, Sianji offer leisure guests international cuisine, with all sorts of meat and fish options (they even have their own fish restaurant beside the sea) which is great for our clients who may prefer to do our Fitness Booster package or a relaxing Wellbeing Booster option, but of course this isn't available to those wanting to detox.
What was your favourite aspect of the resort?
The location is pretty special, and the fact that you can detox, experience a relaxing spa holiday or get fitter alongside clients staying there on a beach holiday means that there's something for everyone (it would work well for a family too, if one member wanted a wellness package but the others didn't). It's brilliant value, and the sea and pools are very inviting. Having a detox host in resort helps to bring guests together, so there's chance to meet other wellness-minded guests, and helps create a sense of community within a large hotel, so it's the best of both worlds; the facilities of a big resort but the support of a smaller retreat.
Who would you recommend the resort to?
It would suit a wellness client who is able to resist temptation. You're served your detox juices and meals, but if you can't resist diving into their main restaurant and ordering food off the regular menu, then this isn't for you. But if you fancy a great value, effective detox set within the comfort of a luxury hotel setting, with a sandy beach and lush gardens to enjoy, then this is the right option for you. Our Fitness Booster and Wellbeing Booster are great for couples or single travellers wanting a healthy holiday but without undergoing a focused detox option. Bodrum remains warm and inviting well into the European autumn, so it's a brilliant short flight away pre-winter.
For personalised advice, please call our expert wellness team on 020 3735 7555.
Why Wellbeing Escapes?
