Today, the ultimate status symbol is time spent investing in that most precious of Dream Machines—the body. And a growing number of longevity clinics are reflecting this new spirit.
It wasn’t so long ago that taking a break from the relentless pace of professional life solely involved booking far-flung breaks to exotic destinations, where days were spent enjoying long fine wine-fuelled lunches and socialising late into the night. Well, not anymore. Today’s luxury travellers are tapping into the decade’s fastest-growing wellness trend, which promises not just indulgence in the present, but vitality and good health in the years ahead.
Anchored around the idea of living longer and thriving in those later years, the concept of longevity is prompting a growing number of people to make changes to their wellness routines for the betterment of their future selves—important given the fact that, according to the World Health Organization, our increase in “healthspan” so far has not kept pace with the increase in life expectancy.
This issue is pertinent in locales such as Monaco; one recent study shows that the Principality is now home to more than 100 centenarians, with another report revealing that the region also has the world’s highest life expectancy; people here now live to an average of 87 years, largely due to its wealth, excellent healthcare, clean environment and the widespread adoption of a nutritious Mediterranean diet. All of which proves that it’s never too early to invest in preventative biohacks to help boost our health as we age—and that’s where Europe’s exclusive roster of luxury longevity clinics come in.
Specialising in diagnostic tests that reveal numbers far beyond weight and blood pressure, as well as new technologies that test for genetic polymorphism associated with everything from osteoporosis to cardiovascular risk, major brands are joining forces with top longevity experts to create programmes designed to achieve peak physical and mental performance.
Case in point? Just this year, SHA Wellness Clinic Altea—one of the world’s leading science-backed longevity resort and clinics, located in Spain—announced an exclusive collaboration with WHOOP, the cutting-edge wearable transforming how we track recovery, strain, sleep and performance. Aimed at high-achieving guests who demand the fullest potential from their minds and bodies, the device focuses on precision nutrition, cellular therapies and biohacking protocols paired with real-time, clinically backed insights.
Villa Eden—The Private Retreat, nestled in Merano, reopened its Health Longevity Med Spa in March, debuting an Advanced Preventive Diagnosis Centre and pioneering therapies including Zerobody Dry Cryo for inflammation reduction and Hydro-Phyto-Algae Therapy for deep cellular regeneration. The resort’s tailor-made prescriptions are based on DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) analysis for precise, effective, and side-effect-free treatment plans.
Another big name in the space includes Bürgenstock Resort—a 152-year-old wellness centre on the banks of Lake Lucerne— whose dedicated longevity retreat combines hydrotherapy, cryotherapy and lymphatic detox with everything from mountain hikes through clear Swiss air, private yoga sessions and evening sleep rituals.
Nearby on the lake, Chenot Palace Weggis offers an unparalleled wellness experience premised around longevity and detox, with its founder—the late Henri Chenot—having championed the benefits of lifestyle interventions to boost health since the 1970s. Today, Chenot’s prevention and ageing-well programme is particularly popular, comprising mRNA-based genetic testing at the resort’s molecular lab, bioenergetic checkups that assess organ vitality, hypoxic training in an altitude room and intense cryotherapy sessions.
Given the health benefits of being close to water—reduced stress, improved mood and enhanced relaxation—it’s no surprise that a large number of these clinics are perched on Alpine lakes. One such venue is VIVAMAYR Maria Wörth at Lake Wörthersee in Austria—celebrating its 20th anniversary this year—which regularly welcomes well-known guests for its world-renowned detox programme. Its approach to healing leans into reinvigorating the gutbrain connection through nutrition, medicine, mindfulness and movement.
Apostles of the new longevity trend may also want to consider Clinique La Prairie—boasting an exceptional setting between Lake Geneva, the Alps and the Lavaux vineyards (wellness is all about balance, after all)—which just this year marked a major milestone with a global launch of two transformative offerings: Epinome, a new precision supplement targeting epigenetic health, debuted alongside the brand’s Longevity Master Assessment, enabling clients to take proactive action long before symptoms appear.
While a select number of big names may have been dominating the industry so far, the inexorable drift towards longevity has also seen a new wave of clinics pop up in ultra-luxury hotels, marrying a fully holistic approach with all the creature comforts of a five-star resort.
Surrenne Riviera at The Maybourne Riviera, for example, offers recovery treatments including cold therapy, infrared therapy, osteopathy and red-light therapy in the surrounds of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin’s most exclusive hotel; while just last year, Royal Mansour Tamuda Bay in Morocco—King Mohammed VI’s lavish sanctuary—opened a 4,300 m2 medi-spa specialising in a seven-day Longevity Programme.
Elsewhere, Six Senses Ibiza’s longevity clinic, RoseBar—the brainchild of American physician Mark Hyman—is attracting White Isle travellers who prefer their cocktails administered via IV drip. Across the Med in Crete, Nao at Minos Palace Resort is wedded to an evidence-based approach that integrates ancient healing practices with advanced diagnostics and treatments.
Ultimately, longevity is no longer centred around chasing youth, but about investing in a future that feels vibrant, strong and deeply fulfilling. And if that comes with lakeside views, Michelin-starred menus and therapies at the hands of the world’s leading experts, then all the better. After all, what could be more luxurious than the promise of time—time spent well, and time spent well into the years ahead.
