The first spa ahh day since the pandemic placed me in the hills over Tuscany at The Adler Spa Resort Thermae (Strada di Bagno Vignoni 1, 53027 San Quirico d’Orcia, Tuscany, Italy). It’s a five-star treasure in the ancient spa town of Bagno Vignoni. The resort sits on top of a hill overlooking the UNESCO World Heritage site of Val d’Orcia. You’re at once transported a million miles from stress into a pleasure dome.
While many guests stay at the resort, I went as a day guest with a day pass that includes one spa treatment from the extensive menu. You can add on additional treatments to enhance your experience.
The day started with a 20-minute visit to the salt grotto. Think less salt lamps and more living like Cleopatra. Each session is private so that you’re left to your own devices inside a posh grotto with a highly saline pool of warm water. You step down into relaxation between two large golden lions. The only thing missing is the sun-tanned descendent of a Roman god to bring me a bellini. It was the perfect introduction to an amazing spa day.
I had initially booked a Watsu treatment since I had familiarity with the water-based stretching journey but was later advised they no longer offer Watsu and had replaced it with Haki Flow. Now, that is Watsu on steroids. While Watsu gently guides you into becoming an amorphous amoeba, Haki Flow is a deep stretching where the therapist gently guides your limbs into places you haven’t been since you were born. Remember those days when you could suck on your own big toe? This is like that. Your quads and hamstrings feel the burn but it doesn’t stay with you and your muscles thank you. After nearly an hour in the cozy confines of the private pool located inside a Balinese style hut, the therapist suggests a plunge in an ice pool just a few steps away. It literally takes your breath away but under her expert guidance, you’re completely relaxed after three deep breaths and your body chills, literally and figuratively!
The day guest pass allows you access to the facilities including the pools, inside and out, saunas, even some classes. The day’s journey is sprinkled with a buffet of healthy finger food and a beverage bar, while that’s replaced by sweet sensations in the afternoon. Picture it, a dessert buffet! They take la dolce vita quite literally at The Adler.
Lunch is also on a grand scale. While it’s included in the resident guest packages, day spa guests may enjoy a great lunch at either $30 or $40 depending on whether you enjoy the entire buffet of antipasti, primi and secondi piatti, and dessert buffet, or just dine a la carte.
Spa spotlight notes: The day pass with the two treatments above cost about $325 plus whatever gratuity you feel is warranted to the amazing therapist. I enjoyed an additional day guest pass on another day where a lifting facial and 30-minute foot massage cost about $295 plus gratuity.
Would I go to The Adler again? In a heartbeat. Is tomorrow too soon?
🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿out of 5
Lisa Fantino is the author of the Detective Flynn Mystery series. Her best-selling travel memoir, Amalfi Blue – Lost & Found in the South of Italy, about life, love and living la dolce vita went to number one in five countries, including Italy!
Photo: Courtesy of The Adler Spa Resort Thermae Tuscany