SHA WELLNESS CLINIC
SHA Wellness Clinic is a state-of-the-art wellness resort off the eastern coast of Spain offering medically supervised weight loss and wellness programs and best-in-class spa treatments.
The sprawling resort is a modern oasis in an otherwise tattered feeling town, perched up perfectly on the Spanish hillside offering views from the city to the sea. Guests have their bloodwork taken upon arrival, which immediately gave off some serious Nine Perfect Strangers vibes, even more so after the staff begins to prescribe various teas, supplements and elixirs to take during your stay. SHA has experts and specialists in nearly every field imaginable, from nutrition, fitness and preventative aging to medical aesthetics, eastern medicine therapies, and cognitive health.
Whether you’re looking to kick a tired habit, shed extra weight, or simply undo an indulgent European vacation, SHA is your place.
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By flight, you can get to SHA by arriving at either Alicante Airport, which is about 40 minutes away, or Valencia airport, which takes about an hour and a half, or the resort offers a private helipad for an even faster commute, if you have the means. From either airport, SHA offers VIP transfer service taking you by luxury sedan through the scenic Spanish countryside. As you approach the resort, you enter the town of L’Albir – a heavily populated city with high-rise condo buildings and fairly run-down housing, restaurants and shops - which makes the stark white modern architecture of SHA stick out like a sore thumb looking down on the shabby town.
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Description text goes There are nearly 100 rooms in the resort varying in views and size. While they are slightly sterile feeling, and the blackout shades are life-changing if you’re looking to get some extra ZZ’s. If the already comfy beds are not to your liking, choose from the many pillow and mattress topper options from the pillow menu. TV’s and tea kettles are provided along with a mini fridge with complimentary bottled water refreshed daily. Laundry service is provided at an additional charge.here
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SHA offers a variety of different options for staying active during your stay including personal training, hiking, reformer Pilates, tennis, aqua fitness and more. Certain programs are tailored more towards fitness and activity than others, and guests can choose to do as much or as little as they wish depending on their goals.
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SHA offers literally hundreds of services ranging from acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine to neurofeedback and medical aesthetics and everything in between. The spa facilities, treatments and providers are hands down some of the best I have ever experienced, and the aqua circuit is absolutely to die for. During your first visit, they encourage you to attend consults for nearly every category of services which can feel very sales-pitchy… some of it was useful and informative, while others are probably worth cancelling the consult if something is not of interest for you. SHA has its own mobile app which gives you access to all of the services at your fingertips. You can even book through here as well.
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The food program and gastronomy at SHA are pretty mind-blowing. Even though you’re likely eating far less than you’re used to, the chefs do an incredible job with the flavors and presentation of the primarily plant-based dishes. There are three different menu options to choose from during your stay which are determined for you with your physician based on your physical exam and your goals. They range from super low calorie and entirely plant based (Kushi), to one that provides a little more sustenance and small amounts of fish (Biolight), and then one that is least restrictive which adheres to a traditional Mediterranean diet (SHA). I was initially assigned the Kushi program by my physician as I was on a mission to get svelte, but I very quickly bumped it up to the Biolight as my stomach felt like it was eating itself with how little food they give you on Kushi. You can also mix and match your meals and choose the Kushi lunch option and the Biolight or SHA for dinner. Afternoon snacks include individually prescribed teas and a small anti-climactic snack… glorious were the days you actually got to chew something versus slurping down some apple sauce. Wine and coffee are available if guests so choose; although they may make you sign a waiver for wine should you choose to “go against your physician’s orders” … which, obviously, I did. Guests are welcome to sit wherever they please for breakfast and at whatever time, but lunch and dinner you have an assigned table and time. I would recommend going with the earliest seating options for both if you’re anything like me and go to be around 9:00pm. They offer some form of entertainment at dinner most nights including a magician and somewhat dodgy musicians. There is also an entire nutrition portion of the app in which you can find recipe and a glossary of terms for the foods you eat throughout your stay which I thought was pretty cool.
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A distinguished mix of sophisticated Europeans, exotic models, and Arab sheikhs mixed in with a handful of average joes. There are singles, couples and groups from all over the world, but was primarily European based clientele during my stay.
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For first time guests, the cost can vary pretty dramatically depending on the program and room of choice, but in general, a 7-night stay will run you approximately $7,500 (~$1,100 per night is probably a good assumption). The cheapest and shortest option is the Rebalance program where a 4-night stay will cost about $5,000. The more intensive the program you choose, the more it will cost you.
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• Mobile App – the easy-to-use app that allows access to your schedule, the ability to book services and countless other resources at your fingertips.
• Best-in-Class Spa - facilities and treatments are some of the best I have experienced and the aqua circuit at the spa is a must.
• Options – from the different menus to the wide range of spa and fitness offerings, you have endless opportunities to build a custom stay and access to some of the world’s top providers
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• Sketchy Town - Alicante is not very conducive to leaving the resort…but then again, you don’t really need to (and I don’t think they want you to).
• Very Salesy - everything is a sales pitch, especially during your first stay where they schedule in a consult for nearly every department of service offering. A little pushy with the prescription of supplements and products as well.
• Large Resort – the resort is large and feels like it lacks a sense of intimacy, community and belonging that some wellness retreats offer, especially if you’re traveling solo.
INSIDER TIPS
After your first stay, where you are required to choose a program, choose an a-la-carte visit where you can pick and choose the activities you actually want to do (and omit all the consults).
Request morning workouts and afternoon spa treatments. I prefer to get my activity done early in the day, so I can spend the afternoons relaxing at the spa or by the pool.
Appointments begin early. Request for your appointments to being after 8:00am (or whatever time you want to sleep until).
Organized morning walks fill up quick. If you wish to partake, add these to your schedule upon arrival. If the walks are full and you still want to go, there are directions within the mobile app.
Request the mid-morning “picnic” the meals aren’t fully satiating. I learned this tidbit at the end of my trip, and it was game-changing.