Wellness holidays are becoming increasingly popular and these getaways make the perfect “mumcation” or family vacay.
Wellness holidays are becoming increasingly popular and these getaways make the perfect “mumcation” or family vacay.
Set aside all your cares and woes (including those stress-inducing technologies) and lounge by the beach on a hammock.
While wellness retreats may have once been reserved only for those with deep pockets and held within exclusive resorts that are limited only to adults, these experiences are now becoming much more accessible to everyone. According to the Global Wellness Institute, the wellness holidays industry was valued at $886 billion (US$639 billion) in 2017, with Asia Pacific seeing the fastest growth at 13 per cent per year in both numbers and expenditure.
With the vast plethora of options available today – from the intensity of your wellness getaway, to the activities you wish to take part in, to the people you choose to experience this with – all you have to do is select one that suits you. Even children – who were once thought to destroy any state of zen you hope to attain – are welcome... if you want them with you, that is.
Or jump into the pool for a refreshing dip.
For holistic wellness, head to Club Med, which is primed for the perfect escape. You will not have to travel far either. With resorts in Bintan, Cherating and Bali, that well-earned girlfriends’ getaway or “mumcation” (yes, because you do deserve it!) is as close as a mere hour away.
For those who travel as a family, multi-generational wellness is a thing. At Club Med, age is no issue – each person will find something to help boost their well-being.
For the more adventurous set, find your vinyasa (and happy stretch!) with a high-flying session of aerial yoga.
TRANSFORMATIVE WELLNESS
Just a hop, skip and jump away is the award-winning Club Med Bintan resort on Bintan Island, where you can immerse yourself in a holistic wellness experience or embark on an adventure for the whole family. Offering transformative wellness holidays, you need not choose between a relaxing vacation or an adventure-filled one – because you will have both!
If your intention is to become one with your own body, try sunrise and sunset yoga in the yoga palapa where you can listen to the sound of lapping waves as you are guided through your vinyasas. For something different, there is aerial yoga too. No matter what your fitness level is, there is something for everyone, including pilates and taichi.
If you like the idea of pushing yourself, the bootcamp sessions will challenge you with dynamic, high-intensity workouts. For those who prefer water sports, hit the high seas on a paddleboard and get out on a kayak.
Love being on the green? Pack your clubs for a round of golf at the nearby Ria Bintan Golf Course. You will want to stop and catch the spectacular view at Hole 8 (of the Ocean Course) where breathtaking views of the South China Sea can be enjoyed on three sides.
Step out of your comfort zone and reach for greater heights on a treetop course
After all that activity, let the expert therapists at Club Med Hilltop Spa By Asmara soothe your sore muscles in the comfort of your spa villa overlooking the ocean as you choose your preferred mode of pampering with either a traditional or an aromatherapy massage.
Food-wise, the dining options are endless. The Waterfall buffet restaurant (where you go for all your meals) offers a myriad of local delicacies and international dishes, including Japanese, Indian, Korean, Italian, American and French cuisine.
If you have to watch your waistline, make a beeline for the Healthy Corner where you can grab a variety of fruit and veggies – from ready-made fresh salads to make-your-own salads. To quench your thirst, head to the Matahari Beach Bar for a glass of slow-pressed juice.
While you are indulging in some well-earned self-care, rest assured that the kids will be having the time of their life too. Petit, Mini and Junior Club Med will keep them occupied all day. It is a great way for the kids to learn how to socialise and make new friends. It may surprise you to see how confident they become in just a few days!
Or bask in some me-time with a massage in your spa villa with an ocean view.
CALL OF THE WILD
Wellness retreats are not merely restricted to yoga and exercise alone. One can also be refreshed and renewed by new encounters. At Club Med Cherating Beach, the call of the wild beckons at this seaside jungle retreat.
Set amidst lush tropical flora and fauna, seize the rare opportunity to be immersed in untouched nature while releasing the spirit of giving back through conservation.
Take a guided tour of the Cherating Turtle Sanctuary with the resort’s Green G.O. (Gentil Organisateur) and learn about the important works it is pursuing and the vital role it plays in conservation. Take an excursion outside the resort to watch the turtles laying eggs, witness hatchlings, and take part in the turtle release while watching them make the daring trek to their new ocean home.
Harness your creativity and unleash your inner artist at the Studio's art class
At Cherating, you can also take a guided journey to the mangroves to observe fireflies in their natural habitat. When the sun sets, you will be mesmerised by the fairy tale-like atmosphere of glowing fireflies surrounding you. The way they light up the trees as if it were Christmastime is truly an exhilarating experience not to be missed.
For the adventurous, explore the jungle from a bird’s eye view by climbing challenging rocky cliffs on the beach on the Pantai side of the resort. Or, embark on a treetop course at the resort, then zipline through the trees to see the jungle from above. Or, try your hand at the trapeze!
The food options at Club Med also include delectable local dishes that are prepared with fresh pesticide-free ingredients, as part of their agro-ecological practice.
CULTURE CLUB
While there are the many activities you can expect from a Club Med holiday, the experience at Club Med Bali is a tad different. It is also where you go to look inward and be closer to nature. It is a wellness retreat with a cultural, eco focus that benefits your mental and physical well-being.
Embrace the opportunity to truly disconnect and slow things down with a locally-inspired art class at the Studio, or learn to appreciate the craft of Balinese dance.
Another way to expand the mind is to take part in the excursions that immerse you in the natural surroundings. Discover the scenic rice terraces, go river rafting, visit the volcanoes, or head out on a biking or SUV tour. Bali is also the perfect place to pick up surfing if you are keen to try.
Learn the art of giving a massage at the Mandara Spa's hands-on sessions.
Besides getting rejuvenated with a Balinese massage at the Mandara Spa, classes are held thrice a week under the beach palapa, where you can get hands-on lessons so you can take home some simple massage techniques.
As with any Club Med resort, you can dine all day to your heart's content. However, in the resort's bid for a more sustainable economy, Club Med Bali has partnered with local farmers, through Agrisud International, to boost agro-ecological practices to reduce their carbon footprint while supporting the local farming community. Guests also get to dine on fresh, local pesticide-free products as well.
Another place where the kitchen gets fresh ingredients is from the resort’s own organic garden. As part of Club Med’s Green Trident Project, the garden aims to teach children to respect nature as they learn more about how vegetables are planted and grown.
EXTRA CHARGES APPLY FOR PETITE CLUB, BOUTIQUE PURCHASES, SPA AND EXCURSION ACTIVITIES.
WIN!
EXCLUSIVE STAYS AT CLUB MED, WORTH $3,760!
For your chance to win stays at Club Med Bintan, Cherating Beach and Bali.
WIN!
Fabulous Club Med Holidays!
Craving for a getaway to relax and refresh? We’re making your dreams come true with the exciting giveaway to stay at the beautiful Club Med resorts in Bali, Bintan and Cherating Beach. Whether it’s a wellness retreat to reclaim your zen with a BFF, or a couple escape to tune into nature and each other, you won’t want to miss this.
HOW TO TAKE PART:
1. Visit www.womensweekly.com.sg or scan the QR code.
2. Click on the “Win + Events” tab.
3. Select the contest you wish to take part in and fill in the required fields.
4. Fill in the promo code CLUBMED#1019 to increase your chances of winning!
Terms & Conditions: Promotion is valid from September 25, 2019 to October 25, 2019. Winners will be notified via email by November 2019. Prizes exclude flight/ferry tickets, petite club, boutique purchases, spa and excursion activities. Promotion is open to all residents of Singapore, other than employees and their families of SPH Magazines Pte Ltd and its associated agencies.
CLUB MED BINTAN
1 X 3D2N Staycation at Club Med Bali for two adults, worth up to $1,360
CLUB MED BALI
1 X 3D2N Staycation at Club Med Bali for two adults, worth up to $1,400
CLUB MED CHERATING BEACH
1 X 3D2N Staycation at Club Med Bali for two adults, worth up to $1,000
