Sure, you can head to a spa retreat holiday capable of a transformational effect on your mind, body and soul. But what if you can head to an entire island that oozes health, vitality and rejuvenation from the moment you step onto it and breathe its air? Lošinj, in Croatia’s Kvarner archipelago in the northern Adriatic Sea, is touted as such by its founding fathers. 

History 

Credit must be given to botanist Ambroz Haracic whose search for recuperative health in the 19th century helped put Lošinj on the map. Considering sunshine, humidity, geographical, climactic, biological and botanical factors and the island’s microclimate, he determined the idyllic island boasts one of the healthiest climates in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Thus, in its heyday, Lošinj became a go-to wellness destination. attracting hordes of people seeking refuge from a myriad of respiratory problems including Emperor Franz Josef.

Guests travelling in large groups may want to book themselves into one of the five meticulously decorated ultra-luxury villas. (Villa Hygeia, Villa Mirasol, Villa Hortensia, Villa Sea Princess Nika, and Captain’s Villa Rouge which was built in 1892 and is the oldest on the bay).  

But if you don’t have your friends in tow, Boutique Hotel Alhambra (where I stayed) is beautiful in its own right. One of the oldest of the company’s luxury portfolio, (part of it hales from 1902), it takes centre stage on the edge of quaint Čikat Bay. The hotel is comprised of  Boutique Hotel Alhambra and Villa Augusta which are joined together by the modern part of the hotel.

The capacious rooms and suites of varying categories are nothing short of lavish including an extensive pillow menu, and an enormous and comfortable bed. The bathrooms are astonishingly huge with some boasting stand-alone bathtubs just meters away from the bed with views of the bay for ultimate relaxation. I must admit that dreamy views from mine were hard to pull away from. 

Just a stroll away along the bay is the much larger Hotel Bellevue. Guests checked into either one, have shared access to an array of restaurants, two spas and several exclusive-use chill-out outdoor areas along the bay.  

Spas 

While you can breathe the freshest air on the island enjoying multiple benefits to the mind, body and soul, there’s nothing like enjoying a further zoned-in pamper sessions from the comfort of a spa. The Cube Alhambra Spa evolves from Lošinj’s healing heritage and offers a unique Inhalation experience supported by luxury treatments and contemporary spa treatments. The Inhalation Bar is the first thing guests are drawn to upon entering the reception.

The Kurhaus, as it’s officially known, is a reimagined healing ritual where guests can breathe in a concoction of sea mists combined with medicinal herbs from a jug-like decanter. Personally as an asthma sufferer, the combination of forest air and sea air—was like an instant well-being injection for my lungs.

If there ever was an underrated spa, it must be the multi-faceted one at Hotel Bellevue. Spanning the entire ground floor of the hotel (it has a huge footprint of 2500 sq m ), with sinuous indoor and outdoor pools, steam rooms and saunas, areas for aromatherapy workshops; and spaces for daily yoga and cross-fit, one can easily while away an entire day and still not get everything done.

Alongside the usual therapies, there’s an entire clinic dedicated to injectables and non-invasive medical aesthetics treatments. It’s hardly surprising then that this uber-chic enclave has won the title of the World’s Best Hotel Spa by the World Spa Awards. Having had the floating massage where I lay on my back on a waterbed as the therapist worked her magic, I floated out re-energised and rejuvenated to go and explore the rest of the island.