Lanserhof has a mind body approach / Photo: Lanserhof Sylt
Recently, when travelling in Germany, I had a 36-hour opportunity to experience the new Lanserhof resort on the island of Sylt.
During my stay, I experienced the “ah ha!” moment I was hoping for and understood why the famous brand has had so much success — and why Lanserhof properties typically enjoy a 75 per cent guest return rate, being fully booked most of the time.
Luxurious discipline Lanserhof Sylt has that magical formula of being strict and luxurious in all the right ways. Guests are required to stay a minimum of seven days and in my view that timescale works. I’ve experienced this type of programming once before when I worked with the Golden Door in Southern California in the 70s. The programme there was strict and this is where Hollywood movie stars would go to get ready for a film – and they felt and looked terrific after only a week.
The combination of discipline and thoughtful luxury is a winner. Lanserhof removes temptation and guests end up doing the one thing that almost all of us have trouble accomplishing – saying no to easily available things that are not good for us.
They do this by offering marvellous substitutes – at Lanserhof Sylt there’s no coffee or alcohol, no cookies, no snacking and very low calorific intake. Plus, there are gentle gut cleansing protocols, a daily exercise programme and medical consultations. At the same time, there are also enjoyable and luxurious spa treatments on offer, together with caring people, beautiful views, high quality books to read, soothing music, highly-qualified medical staff, health education, abundant hydrotherapy options, beautiful skincare products, delicious (if very little) food, a connection with other like-minded guests, sumptuous sleep and more.
Simply effective This is a model that's increasingly difficult to find, as most resorts offer a smörgåsbord of options (even the Golden Door now offers coffee and alcohol).
Many destination spas offer a wide variety of options because they say “this is the real world where people have choices and they need to learn to make good choices”. But that’s actually the point. People need a break from the abundance that most of us live around all the time. And while no one wants to feel deprived, uncomfortably hungry, bored or lonely, when a place mitigates all of those things with thoughtful substitutes, that really is a formula for success.
Is it expensive? Yes. Will you see results? Yes. The challenge for the operator is substituting wisely and even artistically and that takes thoughtful programming.
I’m glad there are still places that succeed with a strict yet thoughtful luxury formula. In my opinion, it’s the most effective and comfortable way to kick-start a new, healthy lifestyle. Sign me up!
Photo: Susie Ellis
"Lanserhof Sylt has that magical formula of being strict and luxurious in all the right ways" – Susie Ellis
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2022 issue 3
Editor's letter: Salus per natura
Although great buildings lie at the heart of the spa and wellness experience, operators are turning to nature to deliver healing journeys, says Liz Terry
Spa People: Thierry Malleret
We talk to the economist behind Monthly Barometer about key trends emerging in the wellness sector, such as a greater connection with nature
Spa People: Verena Lasvigne
The founder of VLF Spa Consulting shares her learnings from a career running spas on three continents
Spa People: Kim Weller
The wellbeing director of Banyan Tree tells us about the rollout of the company's new brand, Veya – for mind/body wellness
New opening: Loisium Spa
A look at the new luxurious spa situated at the heart of France's celebrated Champagne region
Interview: Neil Jacobs
The CEO of Six Senses talks about creating an eco-system around the brand to deliver hotels, clubs, residential, offices and resorts
Project preview: Next generation wellness
We take our first look at Tulah, the new clinical wellness retreat brand about to make its debut in Kerala, India, and speak to its CEO
ISPA Research: Rate of recovery
Russell Donaldson digs deeper into ISPA's 2022 US Spa Industry Study and considers the industry's resurgence since the end of pandemic lockdowns
Sponsored: Gharieni: Delivering results
Innovation is the hallmark of Gharieni experiences, meeting the rapidly
evolving needs of wellness seekers within the spa and wellness environment
New opening: Lanserhof Sylt
Lisa Starr reports on the industry's eagerly awaited wellness experience – nestled within sand dunes on the German island of Sylt
Healing: Emotional rescue
As people increasingly seek support for their emotional wellbeing, Jane Kitchen talks to the operators who are digging deeper to deliver genuine transformation
Promotion: TechnoAlpin: Powerful contrast
Spa clients can enjoy super-cool relaxation and pain-relief at Sächsische Staatsbäder in Bad Brambach thanks to a TechnoAlpin SnowRoom
Concept: Soneva Soul
The CEO and co-founder of Soneva, Sonu Shivdasani, talks about the philosophy behind the company's new wellness concept, Soneva Soul
Lanserhof has a mind body approach / Photo: Lanserhof Sylt
Recently, when travelling in Germany, I had a 36-hour opportunity to experience the new Lanserhof resort on the island of Sylt.
During my stay, I experienced the “ah ha!” moment I was hoping for and understood why the famous brand has had so much success — and why Lanserhof properties typically enjoy a 75 per cent guest return rate, being fully booked most of the time.
Luxurious discipline Lanserhof Sylt has that magical formula of being strict and luxurious in all the right ways. Guests are required to stay a minimum of seven days and in my view that timescale works. I’ve experienced this type of programming once before when I worked with the Golden Door in Southern California in the 70s. The programme there was strict and this is where Hollywood movie stars would go to get ready for a film – and they felt and looked terrific after only a week.
The combination of discipline and thoughtful luxury is a winner. Lanserhof removes temptation and guests end up doing the one thing that almost all of us have trouble accomplishing – saying no to easily available things that are not good for us.
They do this by offering marvellous substitutes – at Lanserhof Sylt there’s no coffee or alcohol, no cookies, no snacking and very low calorific intake. Plus, there are gentle gut cleansing protocols, a daily exercise programme and medical consultations. At the same time, there are also enjoyable and luxurious spa treatments on offer, together with caring people, beautiful views, high quality books to read, soothing music, highly-qualified medical staff, health education, abundant hydrotherapy options, beautiful skincare products, delicious (if very little) food, a connection with other like-minded guests, sumptuous sleep and more.
Simply effective This is a model that's increasingly difficult to find, as most resorts offer a smörgåsbord of options (even the Golden Door now offers coffee and alcohol).
Many destination spas offer a wide variety of options because they say “this is the real world where people have choices and they need to learn to make good choices”. But that’s actually the point. People need a break from the abundance that most of us live around all the time. And while no one wants to feel deprived, uncomfortably hungry, bored or lonely, when a place mitigates all of those things with thoughtful substitutes, that really is a formula for success.
Is it expensive? Yes. Will you see results? Yes. The challenge for the operator is substituting wisely and even artistically and that takes thoughtful programming.
I’m glad there are still places that succeed with a strict yet thoughtful luxury formula. In my opinion, it’s the most effective and comfortable way to kick-start a new, healthy lifestyle. Sign me up!
Photo: Susie Ellis
"Lanserhof Sylt has that magical formula of being strict and luxurious in all the right ways" – Susie Ellis
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2022 issue 3
Editor's letter: Salus per natura
Although great buildings lie at the heart of the spa and wellness experience, operators are turning to nature to deliver healing journeys, says Liz Terry
Spa People: Thierry Malleret
We talk to the economist behind Monthly Barometer about key trends emerging in the wellness sector, such as a greater connection with nature
Spa People: Verena Lasvigne
The founder of VLF Spa Consulting shares her learnings from a career running spas on three continents
Spa People: Kim Weller
The wellbeing director of Banyan Tree tells us about the rollout of the company's new brand, Veya – for mind/body wellness
New opening: Loisium Spa
A look at the new luxurious spa situated at the heart of France's celebrated Champagne region
Interview: Neil Jacobs
The CEO of Six Senses talks about creating an eco-system around the brand to deliver hotels, clubs, residential, offices and resorts
Project preview: Next generation wellness
We take our first look at Tulah, the new clinical wellness retreat brand about to make its debut in Kerala, India, and speak to its CEO
ISPA Research: Rate of recovery
Russell Donaldson digs deeper into ISPA's 2022 US Spa Industry Study and considers the industry's resurgence since the end of pandemic lockdowns
Sponsored: Gharieni: Delivering results
Innovation is the hallmark of Gharieni experiences, meeting the rapidly
evolving needs of wellness seekers within the spa and wellness environment
New opening: Lanserhof Sylt
Lisa Starr reports on the industry's eagerly awaited wellness experience – nestled within sand dunes on the German island of Sylt
Healing: Emotional rescue
As people increasingly seek support for their emotional wellbeing, Jane Kitchen talks to the operators who are digging deeper to deliver genuine transformation
Promotion: TechnoAlpin: Powerful contrast
Spa clients can enjoy super-cool relaxation and pain-relief at Sächsische Staatsbäder in Bad Brambach thanks to a TechnoAlpin SnowRoom
Concept: Soneva Soul
The CEO and co-founder of Soneva, Sonu Shivdasani, talks about the philosophy behind the company's new wellness concept, Soneva Soul
The Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care (SATCC) charity has announced its first five-
day Living with Cancer and Beyond retreat, which will be held at Carden Park Hotel and Spa in
Cheshire, UK, between 1 and 5 September.
Patmos Aktis, a Luxury Collection Resort and Spa, has opened in Greece, with a renovated and
rebranded wellness offering called Ansana Wellness and Spa.
The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, an Autograph Collection property in Hawaii, US, has opened its
22,000 sq ft indoor-outdoor Spa at Mauna Kea as the final step in the property’s overall
renovation, which has cost more than US$180 million (€166 million, £140 mill
The UK spa review and discovery platform for consumers, the Good Spa Guide, has announced
it will host the Good Spa Guide Awards 2026 during an event on 16 November at Sopwell House
Hotel in St Albans, UK.
Eighty-four per cent of consumers now say wellness is a top priority in their lives, with this
percentage increasing year on year, according to a preview presentation of McKinsey’s Future of
Wellness 2026 research report.
Mass protests have been taking place since Monday 1 June in Albania over the development of
a luxury resort by Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner.
Global Wellness Day (GWD) marked its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the
theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities
that spark joy.
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider,
HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its
site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
