Six tips for preparing a wellness holiday

Quite a few people find their everyday lives stressful. At work they constantly give their all and often even have to work overtime. And at home, the housework and its countless associated chores are waiting for them. Against this backdrop, a holiday is always welcome. Rather than spending their time off on the move, many people are drawn to a wellness holiday.

Below, we explain exactly what this is. We also give you six tips on how best to prepare for this type of holiday. And we tell you what makes Hotel La Palma au Lac the right choice for a wellness holiday.

What exactly is a wellness holiday?

There are different kinds of holiday, which differ in both destination and activities. You might, for example, take a city break and spend several days exploring a metropolis. Or you might go on an active holiday and do sport every day.

On a cultural trip, you regularly visit museums, see plays or listen to classical concerts. On a nature holiday, you hike through forests and discover the local flora and fauna. And then there is the relaxing holiday, where you simply do nothing at all.

A special form of relaxing holiday is the wellness holiday. Here, too, you don't pursue any active pastimes. But instead of lying on the beach reading a book, you devote yourself to your well-being by enjoying wellness treatments such as:

• Massages
• Scrubs and other treatments
• Sauna sessions
• Time in the whirlpool

This way of spending your free time not only lets you unwind and recharge your batteries – it also does your body good. Massages loosen your muscles, and scrubs leave your skin looking fresh.

To help you prepare well for your wellness holiday, we have put together the following six tips.

Tip 1: Where should the hotel for my wellness holiday be located?

When choosing a hotel for your wellness holiday, location plays a significant role. The hotel should be in a quiet spot, but without being cut off from the outside world.

Hotel La Palma au Lac is situated right on Locarno's lakeside promenade. When you look out of the window, you will see either Lake Maggiore or the mountains surrounding Locarno. Despite this idyll, you are right in the heart of the town's bustle. The railway station is not far from our hotel, and nor is Locarno's historic centre.

So you can set off to explore the town or take a day trip by train whenever you like. Locarno also hosts a variety of events throughout the year. The best known is probably the Locarno Film Festival, held every August.

For the duration of the festival, Piazza Grande is transformed into an open-air cinema. Around 8000 people watch new films on a giant screen, and with the Prix du Public they can even vote for the best film.

Tip 2: What facilities should the hotel for my wellness holiday have?

What you absolutely need for your wellness holiday is a spa, where the treatments that help you relax are offered. At Hotel La Palma au Lac, this is the Balima Spa. Here, Palm Leaf SPA by Gold Elephant pampers you with traditional Thai massages, inspired by Thailand's centuries-old art of massage.

Book the Antistress massage, the Ayutthaya Aroma-Gold massage with warm oils or the Tok-Sen massage, for example. Couples can enjoy some relaxing time together with a massage for two. Afterwards, you'll feel like a new person. The spa area also features saunas, whirlpools and a terrace overlooking the lake.

Our rooms and suites ensure that your stay with us is excellent beyond the treatments, too. You can choose from a total of 73 rooms and apartments – from single and double rooms to the junior suite and the family apartment. Every category offers high-quality furnishings.

Tip 3: The way to relaxation is through the stomach

Anyone who thinks of wellness often has good food in mind too. A wellness holiday is the ideal opportunity to broaden your culinary horizons and treat yourself to delicious dishes.

At Hotel La Palma au Lac, you have not one but two places to go. On the one hand, there is our in-house Ristorante La Palma, which is regarded – not without reason – as one of the finest restaurants in Locarno.

On the other, you will find Pizzeria Napulé in our hotel. It is a branch of the chain of the same name, which started out in Meilen on Lake Zurich. Its real roots, however, go all the way back to Naples.

That's because Napulé's founder, Raffaele Tromiro, comes from Naples. His aim is to introduce the Swiss to authentic Neapolitan pizza. And we are not the only ones who think he does a superb job of it.

Tip 4: How long should my wellness holiday be?

There is no universal rule for how long a wellness holiday should last to be truly restorative. Even a few days can help body and mind unwind. However, there is then a risk that the feeling of relaxation will fade quite quickly once you are back in your daily routine.

If possible, you should therefore treat yourself to at least two consecutive weeks off. If that isn't possible, several shorter breaks a year are advisable, each lasting around a week.

Tip 5: Who is the best person to go on a wellness holiday with?

Some people cannot do without their family even on holiday. Others only find peace when they spend their free time alone. Decide who to spend your wellness holiday with according to your personal preference. You may also have a good friend you would like to go away with.

If you would rather holiday alone, ask your family for their understanding. It shouldn't be a problem that you want to relax without having to look after the children, for example.

Tip 6: What should I pack for a wellness holiday?

Your luggage for a wellness holiday can usually be a little lighter than for other types of holiday. After all, you won't be out and about very often, so you won't need too many clothes. However, you should definitely not do without comfortable clothing to wear around the hotel.

A good hotel will provide you with as many towels as you need – and that will be quite a few if you often go to the sauna, massages and other treatments. You should, however, bring your own toiletries, as well as a book or two.

A wellness holiday is often used as a chance to spend some time without a smartphone. If you decide to do this, leave both the device and the charger at home. Without constantly checking your emails and aimlessly surfing the internet, you will find it particularly quick and easy to unwind.

Get in touch with Hotel La Palma au Lac

Do you have any questions for us? Would you like to find out more about your wellness holiday at our hotel? Then please feel free to contact us.