Why This Stunning Holistic Spa Is Actually Worth Giving Up Booze and Caffeine

Set along Spain’s sun-dappled Costa Blanca, in the foothills of Alicante, Sha Wellness Clinic has been serving up intense, science-backed wellness in paradise since 2008. In December, to celebrate its big 1-0, the favorite retreat of top athletes and high-powered executives turned up its already astronomical luxury quotient by unveiling a collection of 11 residences that are so over-the-top, we’re practically drooling.

We must admit, the new accommodations, which range from two to three bedrooms, are more than a little bit futuristic. All white and gleaming with wraparound terraces that slope like the prow of a ship, they call to mind something Le Corbusier might have designed when he heralded in the modern era of architecture. In fact, the homes are the work of­ architect Carlos Giraldi, along with fellow Spaniard and interior designer Elvira Blanco, who realized the spaces in a monochromatic palate of white and gray.

Sha is a mecca of wellness, and the new estates are more than pretty. They’re brimming with healthful amenities, from hydro-massage tubs and aromatherapy steam showers in the bathrooms to the gourmet kitchens built for turning out Sha’s latest in macrobiotic cuisine (private chef included). We’re particularly fond of 5,300-square-foot penthouse estate, which has a rooftop massage room and sauna, a yoga terrace, and an outdoor shower.

While most of the resort’s programming—which goes so far as to include brain training and live blood analysis—takes place in the main spa, Sha brings many of its therapies straight to the new estates, with on-site facials, salon services, yoga, meditation, and fitness instruction. Come evening, moderate temperatures beckon outdoor swimming and stargazing. And, before sleep, guests can select from a relaxation-inducing bespoke pillow program (the menu offers six options) and choice of custom aromatherapy spray. It’s all so luxurious, we suspect you won’t even mind Sha’s stringent rules of no caffeine, dairy, refined sugar, chemical additives, or nightshades. Every time your stomach grumbles, just dive into your infinity-edge pool and imagine how much better you’ll look in your bathing suit in a few days’ time.