I recently learnt about the healing properties of amber while in Lithuania. However, other Baltic countries are also famed for their use of amber, especially Lativa. Last summer, the country embraced this healing gem with the opening of the Amber Spa Boutique Hotel. Located just a 20 minute drive from Latvia’s capital Riga, and only a 15 minute drive from Riga airport, there are good road and rail connections. The spa is located in an area surrounded by a beautiful pine forest and is only a minute’s walk from the sea. Jurmala is renowned for its mild climate, 30 kilometres of white sandy beaches, curative mud and mineral waters.
The hotel boasts 21 suites of one, two and three-bedrooms, ranging from 14 square metres to 70 square metres in size. The rooms are light and airy, and decorated with customised natural fabrics and designer furnishings. All rooms have flat screen televisions, high speed internet access, mini bar, safe and direct dial telephone.
The My Life Restaurant serves a selection of traditional and homemade dishes alongside contemporary international cuisine and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. A detox menu is also available, as well as individually tailored menus, for those who seek a really healthy retreat.
While, for the less virtuous, the Gourmet Bar offers carefully selected fine wines and a wide range of whiskies, malts and liqueurs, as well as organic coffee grinds. The barmen, famous for their mixology skills, prepare delicious cocktails using natural ingredients.
The spa itself offers personalised holistic programmes and an extensive menu of traditional treatments and modern spa techniques, such as massages, body and face treatments, as well as hydro and mud therapies, thermotherapy and electro stimulation. Products include local herbs, mud, amber, buckwheat and birch juice, as well as Sothys Paris professional skincare line. A selection of day spa packages and wellness programmes are available.
Amber Spa’s philosophy is based on the belief that people are born with a reserve of health which gets dissipated throughout their lives as a result of unhealthy lifestyles. This reserve needs to be replenished regularly to reverse the effects of ill-health as people head into old age.
The Balans Programme offers a three-step approach to achieving improved health and optimum balance:
• Diagnostics – a thorough analysis of functional conditions using bio-chemical testing (a blood test to determine how foods influence the body’s metabolism), physical and emotional diagnostics.
• Renewal – one-on-one consultation with a doctor to understand test results and preparation of personalised diet, fitness and treatments plans.
• Maintenance – a personalised programme to help educate and advise guests how to maintain a healthy lifestyle when they return home, including access to a personal wellness manager for one year following the stay.
The aim of the programme is to optimise food intake and fitness in a relaxing environment to attain a state of balance.
In addition to two wellness managers, there is a team of experts from the fields of general, diagnostic and holistic medicine, as well as seven personal trainers.
The spa also boasts an international beauty salon, authentic Russian baths, personal training studio, indoor swimming pool, bowling club, sports lounge and art gallery.
Group classes available for guests include yoga, pilates, chi gong, callanetics, aerobics, martial arts and dance classes. While tennis, gold, horse-riding, cycling and fishing sessions can be organised on request.
Once guests have exhausted the spa’s delights they can head off on local excursions such as picnics, guided nature walks, particularly exciting in mushroom and berry picking seasons.
Amber SPA Boutique Hotel, Meza Prospekts 49, Bulduri, Jurmala, Latvia LV-2010
Tel: +371 6775 5330
info@amberspahotel.lv
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