THE SPA AT THE MANDARIN ORIENTAL LAKE COMO

While the shores of Lake Como are already brimming with glamour -think of George Clooney´s lavish Villa Oleandra where friends of his like Meghan & Harry, Matt Damon or Jennifer Aniston retreat, a recent inauguration has further enhanced the fabulousness of the Italian lake. Seamlessly blending Italian style to Oriental charm, the Mandarin Oriental Lake Como sets a new standard of lakeside opulence. Immersed in luxuriant botanical gardens containing 50 species of plants, and perched directly on the tranquil shores of the lake, the new resort boasts two grand Neo-classical villas with private docks and gardens; as well as stylish rooms & suites with custom-designed furniture, private terraces and spectacular views. Dining is the domain of chef Vincenzo Marino, that in his Aria Restaurant elaborates traditional Italian dishes with a creative twist. The stylish Spa, equipped with an outdoor and indoor floating pool, a vertical Kneipp circuit (where cold and hot water comes from above) and luxury spa suites, is already known for its healing experiences, inspired by the waters of the lake, as they are as cocooning and enveloping as those soothing waters. Signature rituals such as On the Lakeshore (3 hours and 30 min., €490) or The Power of Water (3 hours and 30 min., € 460), combining a body scrub to an intuitive massage and a face mask, are realised with fragrant local ingredients like cedar-tree oil, olive oil and rhododendron, and make you feel blissfully reborn. Bespoke facials, performed with Aromatherapy Associates cosmetics, are personalised on the spot according to one´s wants and needs. For a full-day wellness immersion, choose Your Personal Oriental Qi, a holistic experience tailored according to The Five Elements, including a consultation with a therapist, a custom-made massage, a one-to-one fitness session and a special gourmet meal aimed to rebalance one´s energy or Qi (€350). Heavenly.