Our Travel Review: Epic Sana Algarve Wellness Retreat, Portugal

What were your first impressions of the hotel?

The moment you enter the smart coastal region of Albufeira you immediately feel like you're on holiday and can relax a notch. On entering the spacious, beautifully designed lobby at Epic Sana you feel the large size of the hotel, but also a sense of cosiness thanks to strategically placed lounge chairs and relaxation areas.

I was shown to my room – an Ocean View Deluxe, and was immediately wowed when I stepped onto the balcony. The views are truly breathtaking, a mix of the sea, clifftop pine forests and the matured botanical gardens of the hotel grounds. These allow for hours of wildlife watching, with tropical birds and rabbits plus they provide plenty of privacy from other hotel guests.

What was the spa like?

To enter a world of calm and bliss before your treatments I would recommend using the indoor spa pool area, which feels like a tropical haven and is adults only.

I enjoyed a wonderfully relaxing aromatherapy massage followed by some downtime in the post-treatment relax lounge, where you're brought herbal teas and a healthy sweet snack to reground after entering cloud nine. The Japanese design of the spa area and the low lighting helps to add to your zen.

The massage and treatments on offer are a synergistic blend of Eastern principles and healing modalities, with treatment techniques of the west to maximise the benefits.

What's the wellness offering like?

Epic Sana has a comprehensive choice of fitness and wellness programmes with specialisations including bootcamp fitness, yoga, de-stress and mindfulness. The group sessions are great for solo travellers to make friends and keep up motivation.

On the fitness programmes you have a nutrition and fitness evaluation at the start, with your progress assessed during and at the end of the programme with dedicated fitness experts. The programmes combine fitness and classes together with massage and spa treatments to allow your body to recover and relax after your hard work.

Fitness and yoga sessions take place when possible outside, within the beautiful hotel grounds. They take place in the morning so you can spend the afternoon relaxing and enjoying the beach.

If you are looking for a less structured and independent programme, you can opt for a nutritional consultation which will assess and provide your bespoke dietary plan for your stay to eliminate the buffet temptations. You can still take advantage of the varied fitness classes.

Who would you recommend Epic Sana to?

Epic Sana is great for intensive wellness breaks (if you're on a programme) and more relaxed leisure holidays for pampering treatments.

Solo travellers would love the retreat programmes as these are done in a small group environment, giving you the opportunity to meet other singles. You can dine together, too.

Top tips

• I would recommend upgrading your room to an Ocean View, the view from the balcony really is something special
• If you are travelling with your other half, who might prefer to mix their wellness break with some indulgence, they are welcome to try the delicious buffet. Your bespoke healthy meals can still be served to you whilst dining together.
• Take a trip to Vilamoura marina for excellent seafood restaurants and a buzzy vibe.
• Take a scenic walk through the pine cliff forest promenade in front of the hotel to enjoy spectacular sunsets.

Want to find out more about this leafy seafront resort? Click here to explore Epic Sana and its wellness offering.