Spa Guide: Ku Retreats | Condé Nast Traveller
Published by Condé Nast Traveller, January 2015
In brief
A close-knit macrobiotic haven with broad horizons
The lowdown
In the lush, green valleys of Santa Gertrudis at the very heart of Ibiza is Ku, a yoga retreat that hums with the sound of ceaseless cicadas and aims to kick-start an extensive lifestyle overhaul. The emphasis is less on luxury and more on action, so don't expect lavish, pamper-fuelled days, but do prepare to have any conceptions of healthy living and diet transformed.
The retreat is run by husband-and-wife team Miguel and Dominika Silva, who have travelled the world in search of insight and education - a quest that's turned them into walking wellness gurus. The duo are well-versed in reflexology, Oriental diagnosis, hatha yoga, t'ai chi, qigong, meditation, Chinese medicine and tui-na massage, so whether you're looking to get on the spiritual or physical path to enlightenment, they're on hand to help. You'll be guided through a macrobiotic diet, which gently alkalises and rebalances the body by purging it of the negative effects of modern-day consumption. Daily meals consist of wholegrains, vegetables, legumes and locally sourced products - dairy, caffeine, alcohol and sugar are all off the menu. The high-carb content means this isn't a natural choice for weight-loss seekers, but it's worth remembering that macrobiotics is centred on inner wellness rather than face-value aesthetics.
With a maximum of seven guests at one time, and with the villa serving as a family home as well as a retreat, Ku is an intimate affair (though the Silvas are currently looking for a bigger venue so they can double the numbers). Mealtimes are a chance for friendships to develop with fellow novices and listen to personal guidance from the hosts, so long, leisurely breakfasts and candlelit dinners form an integral part of each day. There are t'ai chi, meditation and theory classes, and don't miss morning yoga - the sun warming your back while you strike a downward-dog pose may well be the spiritual experience you've been searching for.
Afternoons are all about activities (necessary to stop cabin fever striking), so go hiking in the surrounding pine forest, kayak off one of Ibiza's breathtaking beaches or savour mountainous vistas while cooling down in the pool. And at night, relax on the balcony soaking up the serene, incense-infused air, or for something less sedate, head to Las Dalias hippy market for a dose of life as you once knew it. For those seeking not just a newfound sense of wellbeing but also the methods to maintain it, Ku is a safe place to start. The hosts' expertise means big changes to mind, body and soul are possible in a limited period of time, and their calming presence and heartfelt attention really make the place zing.
INSIDER TIP
Take advantage of the eponymous Ku massage, in which you'll be startled by how your body can reveal unspoken sins. It's painful, but worth it.
BEST FOR
Holistic Healing, A Hit of Sunshine
BOOK IT
Four nights at the Ku Retreat (+34 652 802 359; www.retreats-ibiza.com) cost from £430 per person (seven nights from £840) full board, including transfers but not flights
