Surrounded by trees on all sides and set within 11 acres of land, Parkschlosschen Ayurvedic retreat is Europe's only five-star hotel devoted to Ayurveda, the 5,000-year Hindu art of medicine or ‘the science of life’, which is based on the idea of balance in bodily systems and the belief that food is healing.
Who goes?
Stressed out execs who need a break from their day-to-day lives, serious detoxers and people seeking rehabilitation after a serious illness. Ninety per cent of Parkschlosschen's clientele is German, but all staff speak English.
On arrival
All Parkschlosschen guests see the vaidya (Indian doctor/healer), who checks your pulse and tongue to diagnose your dosha (constitutional type). He then prescribes a regime of Indian herbs, hot-oil massages, meditation and yoga.
Treatments
The signature treatment, Panchakarma, is a ten- or 14-day detox (from £1,880), an internal cleanse that restores the body’s natural balance and strengthens the immune system. You’ll be having ghee (clarified butter) and caster oil for breakfast (to extract those nasty toxins) and lunch is rice soup.
Enemas naturally play a part. But it’s not at all gruesome and there’s no therapeutic vomiting or bloodletting. The Parkschlosschen approach is far more gentle and enjoyable with hot oil massages that stimulate the internal organs and the skin’s metabolism.
If you don’t fancy the full-on detox, try the one-day taster of Ayurveda (£214) or the anti-stress package (£1,063).
Food
Parkschlosschen's food is delicious, delightful and detoxifying. The Ayurvedic meals are all vegetarian, but even hardened carnivores will find these gourmet feasts hard to resist. The Sunday buffet especially is a triumph.
There are two dining rooms. Detoxers have their own to avoid succumbing to temptation. And don’t even think about ‘accidentally’ wandering into the wrong one – you’ll be found out.
To get your digestive juices flowing before meals, a cocktail of hot water, cumin, turmeric and ginger is served. Meals begin with a fruit dessert, eaten first as it takes longer to digest.
The Parkschlosschen philosophy is that mealtimes should be cherished and taken in near silence with no distractions like radio, TV or even talking.
Atmosphere
All around is an oasis of calm and tranquillity. Children are banned and mobile phones are discouraged. Chill out in a thermal bath, the steam room or the lemongrass-scented sauna. Or take a gentle swim in the pool that’s overlooked by a giant Buddha.
Style
Only organic materials are used and colour schemes are designed to bring about a calming influence in the Ayurvedic retreat. Rooms are decorated according to dosha types: blue cools hot-headed types, while green is calming and apricot is invigorating.
Could do better
Despite being set within the Moselle wine-producing region, alcohol is not on the menu at Parkschlösschen, and there’s no caffeine either but the bar does serve a mighty fruit punch and other non-alcoholic drinks. And you can drink your fill of Ayurvedic teas, which help balance your dosha.
Unexpected pleasure
Each massage ends with being wrapped in a soft cosy duvet with a hot-water bottle at your feet and you’re left to drift off to sleep.
Verdict
Rather than trek across the world to find Ayurvedic heaven in India, Parkschlosschen is only an hour's flight from London. After just three days, I emerge with super-soft skin, a calmer digestion and a determination to adopt at least part of the Ayurvedic way of life. My sleep has improved significantly.
Parkschlösschen +49 (0) 6541 7050, parkschloesschen.de
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