Rebecca’s Wellness Travel Review: Epic Sana Algarve Retreat

Location and design

Epic Sana is located in the Algarve just 40 minutes from Faro airport. It has a beautiful clifftop location with direct access to Falesia Beach, whilst being surrounded by nature. The hotel itself prides itself on being chic and cool — and it certainly is! 

The food

Half board meals are served in the Abyad restaurant, which is buffet-style. There are so many options including show cooking, fresh seafood, as well as an enormous starter section with a focus on locally sourced, seasonal wellness cuisine, as well as freshly baked breads and more calorific handmade desserts which were hard to resist (so I didn’t!) 

The breakfast offering was vast, with freshly baked pastries, fresh juices, as well as a great selection of fruits, nut butters, seeds, grains and overnight oats, plus hot options such as omelettes and porridge. There is something to suit everyone here.

During the summer months, you can also choose to dine in the à la carte restaurant, poolside lunch restaurant or sushi restaurant.

Wellness facilities

The Sayanna Wellness Spa & Fitness Centre is an incredible space at the heart of Epic Sana, beautifully designed over two floors. Facilities include eight treatment rooms, a Vichy shower room, sauna, Turkish bath, indoor spa relaxation pool (adults only), another indoor swimming pool (open 24 hours) and a fitness centre (open 24 hours). 

If you stay in one of the Deluxe rooms, you have direct lift access to the spa, making it really convenient if you want to nip down in your robe. There's also a great gym with impressive bodybuilding equipment.

There are at least two group classes per day, which take place either in the spa, the studio, in the grounds or along the clifftop. The guided clifftop walk was a real highlight for me, and I highly recommend everyone to try this. It's possible to hire a bike, and a bike tour can be arranged. There's a one-kilometre path that runs around the resort, perfect for a morning or evening stroll.

The programme options at Epic Sana range from a gentle Wellbeing Booster through to more goal-focused programmes, such as the Sayana Active Escape, which is bespoke and tailored to include a meal plan. The Sayanna Yoga Retreat and Sayanna Active Escape programmes are led by Neida Olivera, who is simply incredible. She has more than 20 years of experience and is a qualified yoga therapist with particular knowledge of yoga in relation to women’s health. I would highly recommend both these programmes.

My wellness experience

My stay at Epic Sana was short and sweet, just two nights, but I left feeling refreshed and revitalised. My schedule included a 75-minute hot stone massage which was beautiful, and a guided clifftop walk which I recommend to everyone visiting. We walked along the clifftop in the direction of Vilamoura, the scenery is so dramatic. We walked down onto the beach and along to the private steps leading back up to Epic Sana. A top tip is to watch the sunset either from the beach or the clifftop for an unforgettable experience. I had a 90-minute private yoga session with Neida, which was another highlight of my stay.

Personal highlights

• Guided clifftop/beach walk — the scenery is breathtaking
• Hot stone massage — seriously relaxing!
• The delicious food
• Spending time enjoying the spa
• Strolling around the grounds and being amongst nature

Who's it for?

• Anyone looking for rest and relaxation
• Those looking for a personalised, in-depth yoga retreat or weight loss programme
• Solo travellers who are comfortable having some alone time
• Sports enthusiasts who will benefit from the facilities in the gym, tennis, group classes and fitness options available
• Families — I recommend one of the So Suites, which have a dedicated swimming pool, great kids' club and restaurant
  
  

Has Rebecca sold you on Epic Sana? To book your wellness escape in the Portuguese sunshine, contact our expert team.