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Vitality Detox Retreat, West Wittering - 4 bubbles
Sometimes, nothing less than a complete withdrawal from the world with all its baggage, stresses and temptations will do, especially if you're trying to lose weight or give up smoking. In that case, a fully-fledged detox retreat may be the answer. Vitality Detox, in the charming village of West Wittering near Chichester, offers a four-day weekend package with juice fasting, colonics, therapies and supportive nutritional talks. For people with busy lives, perfect!
First impressions?
How did they welcome you?
What happens next?
Which treatments did you have?
What were the treatments like?
How did you feel afterwards?
Long-term effects
Was it worth it?
What else could you have?
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
Any special features?
Who do you think would like it?
Why did you give the spa this rating?
Would you go again?
First impressions?
They suggest you prepare yourself for the rigours of full-on detox with two days of "fasting". After my two days, I went by train to Chichester. Mandy Elliott, one of the two practitioners running the retreat met me at the station. Mandy is a trained homeopath and colonic hydrotherapist. She runs Vitality Detox with her business partner, Jem Friar, who is a naturopath, yoga teacher and bodyworker, trained in many massage disciplines. Both have been involved in running detox retreats all over the world.
Mandy was very cheerful and friendly and took me and my bags to Vitality Detox. This turned out to be a large cottage-style old house on the outskirts of the village, very close to a long sandy beach. It was a bright cold day and everything looked clean and sparkly. Large gardens shelter the house from outside eyes. Inside, the house was spacious and full of light, with huge, long windows looking towards the gardens and beach. Although spacious, the house had a cosy and accessible feel.
How did they welcome you?
A very jolly dog, Emmy, came out to meet us, as did Jem, the other partner and practitioner. He straightaway offered us herb teas from a wide selection in the kitchen, pointing out they were for our use at any time. There was a very laid back and friendly atmosphere. I noticed that the house was wonderfully warm. Being a chilly mortal myself, this is crucially important, as you can get very cold when detoxing.
My room was nicely decorated on a country theme with a big bay window looking out onto the garden and trees, impressionist paintings, and a good sized en suite bathroom with bath and shower. I immediately tested the bed, which was snooze-inducingly comfortable. There were some pleasant new age-y things dotted about: a Ganesh on my windowsill, some scented candles, a chime chandelier (surprisingly soothing), and other thoughtful touches, such as fresh flowers, tissues and luxury Duchy of Cornwall bathroom products.
The rooms and, indeed, the whole house were tastefully decorated, well stocked with cushions and blankets, and generally inviting. There was a large "common" / yoga room on the ground floor, which had useful detox and dietary books, comfortable chairs and sofas and a big DVD player. The kitchen, with a farmhouse feel and large central table, was the gathering area for "meal" times and talks, both general and particular. There was at once a feeling of ease, and the sense that Jem and Mandy would be available for any queries, problems, or issues arising from the programme.
What happens next?
While we waited for others to arrive, I went for a short walk to the beach to get my bearings. Mandy helpfully printed off some maps of the area. I was allowed to take Emmy with me on her lead and she proved a delightful companion, leaping in the sea and barking comically to get her stick thrown. The beach is beautiful and was quite empty except for a couple of kite flyers and dog walkers. There are sand dunes and a row of ancient-looking beach huts.
Back at the house, the other participants had arrived (six women!) so we gathered for an introductory chat from Mandy and Jem about the schedule of activities, treatments, and juice and broth times.
Mandy and Jem introduced us to "magic" water and the concept of "A Message in a Bottle" based on the work of the Japanese author Masaru Emoto. Emoto claims that if we direct our thoughts at water and then we freeze that water, the resulting water crystals will be beautiful or ugly depending upon whether our thoughts were positive or negative. Blessed and loved water particles turn into beautiful frozen crystals (when viewed under a microscope), while unloved, unblessed water looks murky and grim. Hum. Maybe.
We each got a water bottle with our own names on it and were invited to write three aims for the weekend on a piece of paper and stick it to the bottle. We could then be reminded of our aims each time we drank. I wrote: "Rest, relax, focus." It proved very salutary, as I normally find all of those things hard to do!
Jem explained that we would be woken every morning by a gentle Tibetan bell. After a thorough body brush -- with our own personal brushes supplied by them -- we would have lemon and hot water followed by one-and-a-half hours of yoga or Chi Gung. I grimaced at this point. A bit early! In fact, I found myself doing it every morning with great pleasure. Perhaps something to do with the fact that most nights I was asleep before 10pm?
9.30am was morning juice, which was different every day and made with lots of fresh fruit from strawberries and melon, to kiwis, apples and ginger. Delicious!
After juice, we had individual treatments in the two therapy rooms downstairs, followed by more juice -- this time veggie and also delicious -- followed by more therapy and free time for the lovely nearby river and country walks or beach (or, in my case, a nap).
At 4pm, there was -- you guessed it -- juice.
Then free time, then meditation, then -- oh joy! -- broth! A wonderfully hot and filling extraction of vegetables. All the fruit and vegetables were organic. Amongst others, we had celery, apple, fennel, courgettes, melon, kiwis, parsnips, sweet potatoes, leeks and garlic (another big cleanser).
After that, the time was your own. There were plenty of helpful books and DVDs to watch in the comfy "common" room. But for most of us it was early to bed and, for me, the best sleep I've had in months -- in fact, since my last detox!
Which treatments did you have?
I started with a remedial and relaxation massage (as soon as I arrived, with my shoulders under my ears, as usual). Over the next three days, I also had colonic hydrotherapy, an aromatherapy detox massage, and a traditional Thai yoga massage. Three treatments came with the package, and every day we had yoga or Chi Gung and meditation, all of which were also part of the package.
What were the treatments like?
They were all excellent and incredibly therapeutic. The remedial and relaxation massage in my case focused on my neck and shoulders and lower back -- I suffer from terrible sciatica. The massage room was warm and peaceful, and the couch embracing. The pressure was firm but gentle, and the results instant. Omigod I can walk! Jem is a wonderfully skilled and empathetic masseur. Plus, steady as a rock. Any doubts I had about being massaged by a man were quickly allayed by his professionalism and the magic kindness of his hands. More please! For the first time in months, my shoulders were back where they belonged.
The colonic hydrotherapy was very different from the self-administered colonics I've had before. You lie on a couch and Mandy does everything else. I won't go into exactly what (could be too much information) but what I will say is that it is reassuringly painless and even relaxing. Mandy is very skilled and reassuring. During the process, Mandy talked me through what she was doing and the short- and long-term effects it could have. She explained that for sufferers of any kind of bowel problem, from IBS to diverticulitis, a colonic treatment two or three times a year, can be very beneficial. I think I may be an addict.
The aromatherapy detox massage was an hour of full-body massage using specific detox oils: lavender, fennel and geranium. The massage was blissfully relaxing and, though the pressure was firm, not painful, even in the areas I usually find untouchable.
The Thai massage -- one-and-a-half hours of acupressure, gentle stretching and applied yoga -- was revelatory. I didn't know my body could move so freely.
Our morning yoga was quite gentle, great for stretching and waking the body up to aid the system's detoxing. Ditto the Chi Gung: a bit like Thai Chi without the martial aspects. The meditation was calming. So calming, I fell asleep a couple of times.
How did you feel afterwards?
After every massage, incredibly good. After the remedial and relaxation massage, I felt great and joined in with the rest of the day's events. My body seemed to have grown several inches taller. I could walk and move my neck and arms like a normal person. My head felt quite detached from my body (in a good way) because of the lack of pain. It made me feel very bright and -- according to the other guests -- cheerful.
After the colonic hydrotherapy, I experienced a great feeling of relief and lightness. I had such a spring in my step that I walked down to the estuary to look at the Arctic geese and Hooper swans. Also took in snowdrops, early daffs and crocuses. Signs of spring everywhere, fabulous. I felt light and fresh, in spirit as well as body.
The aromatherapy detox massage made me very sleepy, so I just went to my comfortable bed and dozed for a bit. I did notice the general lack of stress all over my body and I felt much more flexible.
I felt particularly energised after the Thai massage, with better posture, and a real feeling of vitality. I'm glad I had this one on the last day as it prepared me for going out into the real world again.
Long-term effects
Other guests told me that my skin looked good, and my eyes were bright and clear. My body was out of tense, stress pain and I felt very energised. Well, "Vital", I guess! I also lost four pounds.
Was it worth it?
Yes. Vitality Detox is not cheap, detox retreats never are, but I felt it was worth it. I left feeling full of life and looking (apparently!) tons better. Back in the real world, I felt a new positive energy flowing through me. Vitality Detox is good as an introduction if you've never done detoxing before, and also quite a bit cheaper than other detoxing retreats I've attended.
What else could you have?
I could have had structural rebalancing, sports massage, Reiki, a homeopathic consultation and treatment, life counselling and dietary advice, plus aqua detox. Most treatments last an hour and cost around £40 - 50 each.
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
That Vitality Detox was a house, not a hotel or "spa" in the normal sense. I would have only brought my sloppiest clothes and comfiest slippers. As it was, I didn't get out of sweats the entire time.
How beneficial a pre-fast "fast" is for detoxing, particularly giving up caffeine, alcohol and smoking. The more rigorous you are with yourself in the days leading up to the detox, the easier and gentler on your system it will be.
Any special features?
Although it could in no sense be described as a "spa", Vitality Detox works brilliantly as a retreat, being quite cut off from the real world in a rather special bubble of its own. The place has all the healing properties you expect in a traditional spa, plus the benefits of an intimate atmosphere, lots of personal attention and an amazingly calm and kind zeitgeist.
Who do you think would like it?
Judging by the guests on my retreat, media people. Among us were a film producer, a stylist, an advertising creative director, a physical therapist, a designer, and me (a writer).
Vitality says every group is different. They may get people who are quite ill with dietary problems, in recovery from other illnesses, who want to give up smoking or drinking, or just need a real getaway-from-it-all break, without mobile phones, Blackberries, TV or radio. These are not forbidden, but they are frowned upon -- as are newspapers.
The staff at Vitality Detox want to make sure that every guest has a good experience and gets the very best out of their stay. But if you want impersonal and distant with lots of water to splash about in, then don't come here (unless you're after a dip in the sea).
Of course, in beautiful West Wittering there is a sprinkling of local celebrities, who have been known to detox. I'll say no more.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
We gave Vitality Detox 4 bubbles because they are not a "spa" in the usual sense. Time to oneself is very beneficial and gives clarity of mind on what you really want and need. You can effect surprisingly big changes in a very short time. The mantra is "kindness, compassion and integrity". I can say wholeheartedly that Vitality Detox fulfilled all three. They are working on a landscaped garden, a yoga, sauna and hot-tub extension and more accommodation space, which will be separate from the main house. I would love to return when they have all that in place and enjoy the difference.
See more on how we rate the spas.
Would you go again?
Yes. I'm thinking of booking for a weekend to learn about the Law of Attraction. That's "positive thinking" for you!
We visited Vitality Detox Retreat in March 2009
See also:
* Contact Details for Vitality Detox Retreat
* Massage
* I want to detox
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