Top 5 Sea Retreats
Go with your lover to the Maldives
Spa time at Constance Halaveli
If my husband and I ever won the lottery, it’s the Maldives we’d head to first, to have treatments, drink champagne and plan our new life together. There are all sorts of glamorous retreats out there, but we rather liked Constance Halaveli in the Ari Atoll, a civilised island with mahogany-lined over-water villas, exceptionally good Balinese therapists (ask for Ayu) in the over-water U Spa by Constance and delectable seafood (we got addicted to the reef fish balls). Hang out in the hot pools on the spa deck and watch the endless pea green and turquoise ocean stretching right to the far horizon with nothing in between. Skinny dip, or watch black-tipped sharks cruising off your deck, then eat with your feet in the sand at Meeru. Kuoni (01306 747008 or www.kuoni.co.uk) offers seven nights at Constance Halaveli, Maldives from £2812 per person in a water villa with breakfast, including economy flights on Emirates Airlines from London Gatwick via Dubai with seaplane transfers in resort.
Go alone to Greece
Yoga on Silver Island
I adore the family-owned Silver Island, which offers week-long yoga holidays from April to October led by different teachers. A 15 minute boat ride from the coast of Evia island in Greece, it’s small, charming, packed with wild herbs and pretty flowers, arty and safe...there’s a romantic light house perched on a hill you can amble to when you’re not in a class, plus a couple of cute pebbly beaches to hang out on and kayaks and snorkels to use. The art dotted all over the place by your hostess Lissa Christie can’t fail to inspire - she’s an excellent cook too, and both her and her husband Corné have an easy-going charm that makes being here a pleasure. Be sure to take time choosing a week that has a yoga teacher who’s right for you - and bring layers incase of a chilly spell. From £1100 per person for 6 nights all inclusive (except flights).
Go with your mum to Cornwall
Relax at The Scarlet
This adults-only eco-haven is my favourite UK spa hotel and a great place to go for a grown up break by the sea. You’ll find creative, colourful art on the walls and uplifting views from just about everywhere over the wind-swept beach of Mawgan Porth - the best place to enjoy them is from the outdoor scarlet hot tub with a champagne or smoothie in hand. Staff are laid-back and friendly, the relaxed restaurant serves upmarket comfort food and you can book Ayurvedic-inspired treatments in serene, tented rooms at the spa. On rainy days have a sauna, steam and a swim in the chemical-free swimming pool - when it’ sunny, there’s an outdoor pool and divine coastal walks from the door. From £190 per room B&B based on two sharing.
Go with your friends to Ibiza
Stand Up Paddleboarding with 38 Degrees North
Arguably the best way to see Ibiza’s beaches and coves is by cruising the azure waters on a paddle board, and talented health & fitness company 38 Degrees North now offer holidays to let you do just that. Join a group (the next runs 26 June) or get them to organise one of your own. Stand Up Paddle Boarding is easy to pick up, loads of fun and an intense core workout - after a session, do some yoga or have some spa-time back at base, the modern Aguas de Ibiza hotel which is set on the harbour at Santa Eularia. From £430 non-residential or £1130 residential per person for a group long weekend including accommodation, full board and all activities.
Go with your family to St Lucia
WellFit family month at The Body Holiday
I had lots of fun with a friend at this well-run beachside healthy holiday resort set on its own bay. It’s usually only for adults, for whom they run an enormous range of fitness activities, from mountain biking to zumba in a treehouse studio, but during July and August, for seven weeks, older children can come with their parents for a family-based fitness week designed around the beach - learn lifeguard skills, do a bit of yoga, go biking and sailing, then end your stay with a fun competition. For stressed parents, I can recommend the beachside hot tub which has properly powerful jets, and the hilltop spa, where the Ayurvedic massages are the most nourishing choice. Everyone gets a 50 minute daily treatment included in their stay. From £2410 per person for a week including accommodation, one treatment a day, all meals and most activities.