Living better and longer—that’s the promise of SHA Wellness Clinic. A pioneer in the world of wellness retreats, this exceptional destination is consistently ranked the best wellness spa in the world. And for good reason: it stands out with its holistic and integrative approach to health. Our editorial team tested this one-of-a-kind concept and here’s why it deserves your full attention.
It all began in 2008, in the south of Spain, in Alicante, when SHA Wellness Clinic was founded. At the time, Mr. Alfredo Bataller Parietti was battling colon cancer. Faced with a serious diagnosis, he was fortunate enough to meet a doctor with extensive expertise in nutrition and integrative medicine (which considers the individual as a whole). After changing his diet, he quickly noticed many positive changes in his health. That’s when the idea struck him: to create a clinic where people from all over the world could benefit from this new approach to wellness and health—supported by a team of world-renowned professionals.
As you can imagine, nothing is left to chance at SHA Wellness Clinic. For 17 years now, it has established itself as a go-to retreat for those in the know, attracting celebrities, athletes, business leaders, and private individuals alike.
Programs Tailored to Every Need
Today, the SHA brand operates two establishments: the first perched above Altea Bay in Spain, and a second one in Mexico, opened in early 2024 near Cancún. A third location is on the horizon in the United Arab Emirates, set within the Al Jurf real estate project in Dubai, slated for 2027. Each is designed to integrate seamlessly into its natural surroundings. In Alicante, for instance, there’s no flashy bling—it’s all about minimalism. The spaces flow harmoniously from indoors to outdoors, spread across multiple levels. True to its sustainable values, the brand uses primarily natural materials and renewable energy, thus minimizing its environmental impact.
In terms of retreats, there are four different programs, each tailored to specific needs.
The first, “Recover & Energize”, is aimed at people navigating high-stress environments. It combines various technologies and treatments such as hydro-energetic detox therapies, Tibetan bowl sound therapy, stress management sessions, and non-invasive neuromodulation. This process modifies brain circuits or activity by applying electric, magnetic, or ultrasound energy to the scalp. The program promotes deep recovery, boosts energy levels, and helps restore overall wellness by rebalancing the body’s functions.
A Focus on Health
“Detox & Optimal Weight” is designed to eliminate toxins and sustainably reactivate metabolism, largely through an anti-inflammatory nutritional plan. The goal is to revitalize the body, boost energy levels, and lay a solid foundation for long-term optimal health. Ideal for people wanting to improve their appearance, overall health, detox their system, and reach their optimal weight—understood as the body weight where one feels and performs best, particularly in sports.
So if you’re hoping to lose 15 kilos in a week, look elsewhere. In fact, this is the program one of our team members tested. What’s on the agenda? Colon hydrotherapy, acupuncture (especially effective for caffeine withdrawal headaches), underwater therapy, body drainage, pressotherapy, and intensive reshaping wraps.
A Sound Mind in a Sound Body
“Leader’s Performance” was developed to optimize physical, mental, and cognitive performance to meet professional challenges. It includes advanced treatments like ice baths, cardio-respiratory fitness assessments, and serotherapy. This last involves injecting customized cocktails of vitamins, minerals, trace elements, amino acids, and antioxidants directly into the bloodstream for immediate and maximum absorption. This program helps boost cognitive functions such as decision-making, memory, and concentration.
Lastly, “Advanced Longevity” is intended for those who wish to slow cellular aging and improve their overall health. SHA Wellness Clinic takes a preventive approach, incorporating innovative treatments in functional medicine. Brain photobiomodulation, for instance, uses red and infrared light to stimulate brain cell activity and improve blood circulation.
This is complemented by a comprehensive, personalized analysis covering 88 key indicators. These include hematological, biochemical, rheumatologic, and hormonal tests, as well as screenings for deficiencies, immune function, and vascular risks. Additional assessments are carried out in various specialties—urology or gynecology consultations, sexual health, dental diagnostics, and neurocognitive evaluations.
There are also specialized packs to improve sleep or digestive health, quit smoking, unlock mental potential, or reach peak sexual wellness. These retreats typically last 7, 10, or 14 days. However, some programs can be done in just 4 days. Best of all? You can start your stay any day of the week.
Advanced Diagnostics
Regardless of the chosen program, each retreat begins with a blood test and a full check-up. Cardiovascular health, visceral fat, cognitive assessment, stress levels and resilience, central nervous system function, oxygen saturation, nutritional consultation—you’re literally scanned from head to toe. The results are then reviewed by a wide range of specialists. The goal: to develop a truly customized plan.
In total, 300 healthcare professionals guide each guest through their wellness and longevity journey. Naturopaths, osteopaths, fitness coaches, longevity experts, nutritionists, specialists in preventive, regenerative, revitalizing or holistic medicine, psychologists, dentists, etc., all ensure optimal and ongoing support. You’ll meet with them several times during your stay to adjust treatments or your schedule as needed.
In the “Detox & Optimal Weight” program, our team member particularly enjoyed her Watsu session (one of the best she’s ever experienced). She also appreciated the hypoxia session, an optional add-on treatment involving alternating respiratory cycles of low and high oxygen availability. The aim: to improve sleep quality, aid weight loss, and accelerate metabolism, among other benefits. Last but not least, she tried ozonotherapy. This procedure jump-starts the body’s natural detox and regeneration processes using ozone (O₃), a naturally enriched form of oxygen. A small amount of blood is drawn, ozonated, and reinjected into the body. The benefits? Renewed energy, mental clarity, glowing skin, and enhanced immunity.
SHA Wellness Clinic also offers blood purification therapy. This technique, called apheresis, involves drawing blood and separating it into its components (plasma, platelets, white and red blood cells). The plasma is isolated, filtered to remove harmful substances, reoxygenated, and then reinjected into the body along with the other components.
A Personalized Schedule
Though the program is intensive, you’ll still have some free time. Besides your tailor-made SHA Wellness Clinic schedule, you can use the opportunity to treat yourself to appointments you might not usually have time for—like a peel or a dental check-up. It’s also the perfect time to try out cutting-edge wellness technologies. For example, the ICAROS Health VR system, which allows you to fly, glide, or immerse yourself in various virtual scenarios while working on balance, strength, and endurance. Or neurofeedback, which trains your brain’s electrical activity. The promise: to improve and rebalance bodily functions while helping the brain self-regulate. To help manage your results and appointments, SHA Wellness provides an app that tracks all your data—useful before, during, and after your retreat.
While most treatments are individual, some are done in groups—such as fitness classes (fat burning, high intensity…) as well as cooking workshops, conferences, and holistic activities. In short, you won’t be bored. In fact, most guests stay at SHA Wellness Clinic alone. It’s a chance to be fully present and focus entirely on yourself.
The Importance of Nutrition
Finally, the last (but crucial) pillar of SHA’s integrative method is nutrition. Each retreat is based on a healthy, energy-boosting, alkaline, and balanced diet—rooted in ancient principles but adapted to modern life. It emphasizes local, organic, seasonal produce. Again, each menu is specifically tailored to the patient’s chosen retreat and individual needs. However, the team remains flexible and, if you’re tired of a certain ingredient, they’ll gladly swap it for a healthy alternative.
Of course, all of this comes at a price. In addition to the retreat, accommodation costs are extra. Several options are available: deluxe suite, superior, presidential, royal, and more. All offer top-tier comfort and service. And above all, the results speak for themselves. After just one week, you already feel better in your body, more at peace, and in better shape.
