Let’s face it, this newcomer to the world of luxury wellness hotels and medical spas is reshuffling the deck. Here, at last, is a serious competitor to the Chenot Palace Weggis or the SHA Wellness Clinic, offering exceptional detox cures accompanied by a wide range of treatments in a veritable palace that marvelously blends old-world charm with ultra-modern facilities. Between state-of-the-art diagnostics, ayurveda and dietetic cuisine from a three-star chef, Palazzo Fiuggi composes a devilishly effective score. Pascal Languillon, Director of Luxe Wellness Club, was one of the very first customers to test the Palazzo Fiuggi detox program. Here’s his detailed account.
A palace for kings and queens… of detox!
Fiuggi is a charming little town in Lazio, an hour’s drive from Rome,famous since the Middle Ages for its thermal springs and mineral water. This is where the sumptuous Palazzo della Fonte was built at the beginning of the 20th century, in 1913. It soon became renowned as one of Italy’s finest palaces, regularly hosting the King of Italy and, a few decades later, Silvio Berlusconi’s congresses…
Today, the Palace has been converted into what is to become a new epicenter of health and wellness for Europe’s tourism, in luxury. Opening at the end of May 2021, Palazzo Fiuggi aims to compete with the best-known fitness centers in the upper echelons.
While the building is impressive in its size, all this grandeur goes hand in hand with delicacy, as even the façade is adorned with very fine paintings. Here, everything has been wonderfully restored, and the Palazzo looks great today in the middle of its large park. From its heights, there are beautiful views on all sides, both of the surrounding wooded hills and of the perched old town of Fiuggi. All the charm of Italy is here, and the region’s pure air is much more breathable than in Rome.
I was impressed by the huge “4 Continents” dining room, which is a real daydream for anyone who loves Belle Epoque architecture. It has been tastefully and comfortably furnished to allow you to enjoy the creations of three-starred chef Heinz Beck, considered the master of modern Italian cuisine.
The outdoor pool, Roman baths, ultra-luxury spa and oversized fitness room in the former dance hall… Everything here is majestic.
Comfortable rooms and suites
At Palazzo Fiuggi, nothing has been left to chance, and great care has been taken to ensure the comfort of the rooms. The materials used are of the highest quality, the bedding is exceptional, and the TV screens are particularly large! In terms of decoration, it’s classic Italian charm, with touches of modernity and home automation.
Here, the mini-bar contains only bottled water… but it’s Fiuggi’s miraculous water, which we recommend you drink without moderation. The number 1 accessory for every curist remains the bathrobe, and no disappointment, it’s very comfortable.
The marble bathrooms are finished to the highest standards, with courtesy products created especially for Palazzo Fiuggi. Some rooms have large white tubs.
While the view from both sides of the building is beautiful, I personally preferred the view of the hilltop village of Fiuggi… Madly charming!
An ultra-luxurious and particularly impressive spa
It’s my job to visit the most beautiful spas in the world, and I can assure you that the Palazzo Fiuggi now ranks among the most impressive I’ve ever seen. At 6,000 m², it almost boasts to be the largest spa in Europe…
White marble is omnipresent in its long corridors, and also lines the superb indoor swimming pool. All finishes are meticulously crafted, and the overall ambience is resolutely luxurious, a cut above the majority of spas to be found in Europe today. Even the treatment rooms are beautiful and soothing.
Delicious flavored water and teas are served in the waiting rooms or by the various pools, and attentive staff anticipate every request. What also struck me at Palazzo Fiuggi was the quality of the therapists, and that’s probably the most important thing!
A medispa with advanced diagnostics
The Palazzo Fiuggi is more than just a luxury spa for relaxation. Above all, it is a place where people come to take control of their health and get back into shape. To achieve this, a number of diagnostics are carried out throughout the stay. Even if you don’t always feel like starting your stay with a blood and urine test, it’s compulsory here. Better still, an electrocardiogram is on the menu of all health programs. Various stress resistance tests are also carried out, as well as the indispensable body mass index test .
The results of the blood tests are very detailed, on 6 pages: cholesterol of course, but also thyroid, various vitamins, and all types of abnormalities. In the end, the doctor told me that my inflammation index is low, which is good news… I left the Palazzo Fiuggi with a very complete medical file, and the assurance that I was in good health.
Another interesting meeting was with dietician Francesca Chiereghin. In particular, she explained how the food served at Palazzo Fiuggi helps boost the immune system, with its blend of Mediterranean cuisine rich in micronutrients with antioxidant and anti-aging properties.
A wide range of high-quality treatments
While the beauty of a spa is always appreciated, it would be nothing without qualified staff. Palazzo Fiuggi has invested heavily in the human aspect, and its therapists have been recruited from the four corners of Europe to meet the demands of a demanding clientele accustomed to the highest standards.
Every stay here begins with a successful hammam ritual, designed to exfoliate the skin and, above all, leave the outside world behind. Following this, I had a“Classic Abhyanga” massage: a form of Ayurvedic medicine that involves a full-body massage with specific oils infused with warm herbs, according to your Dosha type. Absolutely delicious!
It’s important to note that Palazzo Fiuggi stands out from its competitors because it gives pride of place to ayurveda and oriental treatments. Another treatment I really enjoyed was psammotherapy, lying on a quartz bed and rocked by sound vibrations…
Palazzo Fiuggi also offers hydrotherapy cures, similar to those offered by the Chenot method (hydrotherapy bath, algae wrap, hydrojet).
I also tested the cryotherapy, the celliss (an unpleasant but effective anti-cellulite device), and above all the detox provided by the iDome infrared sauna combined with plasma therapy on the face: this is a light therapy technology that producesincredible results on the skinwhich looks brighter and less dull from the second session onwards.
Other noteworthy treatments include the Spa Wave, for deep relaxation. Using specific vibrations and binaural audio frequencies, Spa Wave, like meditation, slows down mental activity, and the vibratory frequencies act specifically on the body’s energy centers (chakras).
The other not-to-be-missed device at Palazzo Fiuggi is ICAROS, an augmented reality device that gives the sensation of flying. I found it very fun and interesting for exercising certain forgotten muscles, although I must admit that it made me a little airsick …
The fitness room is one of the best I’ve seen to date, with highly original REAXER machines to give your muscles a different workout.
A session with an excellent posturologist, Armando Vinci, who has worked with professional soccer teams in Italy, will remain one of my fondest memories of my stay. I learned how kinesiology can have long-term effects on the body. An absolutely fascinating session from which I emerged well stretched, without having had to exert myself.
Finally, I must also mention the thalassotherapy pools, with three basins, one of which is very rich in salt and magnesium, allowing you to literally float. This treatment is reputed to be excellent for bones and muscles.
Three-star diet dishes
Maybe one day I’ll write a whole book about the food served at Palazzo Fiuggi. It was a real feast for the taste buds, and without doubt the most beautiful and tasty plates I’ve tested in detox cures, with SHA Wellness Clinic. We’re a million miles away from the simple cuisine offered in some health food establishments. Here, losing weight is a pleasure, and no longer a struggle…
Chef Heinz Beck, who has had 3 Michelin stars for 16 years in Rome with his restaurant La Pergola, has created over a thousand recipes for the Palazzo Fiuggi. The dishes are of great finesse and extremely well presented. Heinz Beck has been working on the development of this project for over 2 years, using a scientific basis to create healthy menus with anti-aging effects .
Among the dishes I particularly liked were: “Grilled cauliflower with 20 flavors”, “Sea bream with mango and squash”, “Asparagus and mushrooms on parsnip purée”… and even a healthy dessert, “Fresh fruit salad with strawberry sorbet on lemon jelly”.
Our feeling
The quality and variety of treatments and medical care on offer, the charm of a historic palace, an immense and grandiose 6,000 m² spa, the warmth and friendliness of the Italians… it’s all here. La Dolce Vita revisited with a healthy twist. And it works! Palazzo Fiuggi is well placed to become a new benchmark for detox cures, and thanks to its three-starred chef, it can boast a podium position when it comes to diet food.
Luxe Wellness Club
Book (with Luxe Wellness Club advantage)
Take advantage of our expertise in wellness breaks and contact us for a personalized quote for Palazzo Fiuggi
Rates : From 7,000 euros for a single person for a one-week stay, or around 11,000 euros for two. Stays of a few days are also possible. Contact us for special benefits provided by Luxe Wellness Club (upgrades, discounts, etc.).
Call us from the USA on +1 (646) 980 6652 or from the UK on +44 20 4577 3258 to discuss your holiday plans.
