Welcome to Vogue’s first-ever spa guide—a compendium of the 100 best spas worldwide, pulling from the expertise of our global editors. There is a lot out there in the world of wellness, and we are here to sort the cryo from the cold plunge, the infrared light treatment from the IV infusion. Or if your path is a more holistic one—there’s something for you here as well.
Why go here?
Half a century ago, Catalonian-born doctor Henri Chenot set out to answer an age-old question: How can we live forever? Though immortality may, alas, not be possible (in this lifetime, at least), he did conclude that the human body could live to 120, if taken seriously. But how? Enter: the Chenot Method, a preventative medical approach vitalizing human life for longer. Thousands of people—some curious to see if the hype really is true, some being annual returnees (Naomi Campbell is among fans)—flock to the flagship spa, Chenot Palace Weggis. From its eye for detail to the sweeping views of the Swiss Alps and Lake Lucerne, there’s a reason the medical spa is widely recognized as being among the world’s best detox programs.
What’s the vibe?
Though Chenot Palace is set on the shores of a Swiss lake—a common way to arrive is via boat, or helicopter, should the mood take you—the spa is on the cutting edge of all things longevity. Don’t be fooled, though: Chenot is not a hospital. In the words of George Gaitanos, chief operating and scientific officer at Chenot, “We don’t treat diseases here; we treat wellness.” On the standard seven-day retreat, your stay is bookended by in-depth consultations with various doctors, nutritionists, and therapists. The spa’s departments—human performance, sports and fitness, hydrotherapy, medical, aesthetics, and medical aesthetics—work together to make you, but better. You’ll spend most of your week in a bathrobe—dinner dress code is luxe athleisure—while the serenity of immaculate, unfussy interiors and Swiss air evoke the unmistakable hush of the 1 percent.
The history?
The fountain of youth is a pursuit many have sought—largely in vain. The late Dr. Chenot, though, dedicated his life’s work to rebalancing the body’s physiology. The Chenot Method was born in 1974 at a hospital in Cannes. The proof is in the pudding: 50 years on, Chenot stands as a frontrunner in medically informed wellness, with five destinations globally, product lines, and partnerships with other spas.
What should you try?
Each guest’s experience is clinically informed by detailed analysis upon arrival. By no means is the program easy—think of it as a wellness bootcamp and a test of mental and physical strength. You’re restricted to the “Chenot Diet,” an 850-calorie “fasting-mimicking” program that promises to flush toxins out of the body and reduce inflammation, and will likely include daily courses of hydrotherapy (thermal baths, and hydromassages, among others) and energy treatments (acupuncture, “energy-balancing” sessions, etcetera). Embracing the regime is the only way to optimize your experience.
How environmentally friendly is it?
Chenot isn’t just about promoting the body’s inner harmony: The spa uses core sustainability practices to stay mindful of the environment too. Guests can use e-bikes for local transportation, the kitchens use local produce, and environmentally friendly energy sources (e.g. solar panels) are just a few of the ways Chenot shapes the ethos.
What else do we need to know?
In the traditional sense, Chenot is less like a spa and more like a scientific retreat. Visiting is an opportunity to learn more about your body, its immune responses, and how to take your lessons beyond your stay and into life. And off course, there’s the lovely massages and facials involved, and other ways to relax, like yoga sessions and aqua therapy.
Who can go?
There is no exclusive membership required to stay at Chenot. However, the program is serious: No one can visit unless they commit to one of the three programs. Kids under 10 can stay, but their food must be served in the room if it doesn’t comply with the Chenot diet, and they must be accompanied by a nanny.
Booking details for Chenot Palace Weggis
Address: Hertensteinstrasse 34, 6353 Weggis, Switzerland
Read more from Vogue’s Global Spa Guide.