9 minute read
INTO THE BLUE
Managing wellness in modern times can seem like a fast track to overwhelm. From wearables monitoring our steps and sleep, to gruelling exercise routines and designer diets. But step inside Sanctum Spa & Fitness and you’ll find the focus is on mind, body and spirit, blending fitness, recovery and self-care by the water, while at the core of this philosophy is a deep connection to the environment and sea, derived from clean ingredients, natural therapies and sustainable choices
Holistic And Sustainable
Call it an unfair advantage, but according to Director of Operations, Stavros Stavrou, Sanctum’s holistic care starts the moment you enter the Marina. The coastal air, rich in beneficial negative ions, can improve oxygen absorption, lung function and respiratory health, while exposure to natural light and sea views boosts dopamine and serotonin levels, reducing anxiety and elevating mood. For maximum wellbeing, Stavros suggests arriving early, to enjoy the Med’s uplifting views over a freshly-brewed coffee from Sanctum’s Health Bar. The combo offers a natural pre-workout ritual to increase energy and focus, while kick-starting the fat-burning process. Thereafter, clients can warm up at the newly-renovated cardio section and work out against the same sweeping blue vistas. Training is delivered via Sanctum’s own digital app, by joining a group class, or working one-on-one with an expert personal trainer. Eco-awareness and sensitivity are also woven into the user experience. Ever since Sanctum replaced all harsh chemicals with magnesium minerals in 2024, clients’ use of the pool has become increasingly popular and beneficial. “We added about 1,000 kilos of magnesium salts with potassium, which dissolve and ionise in the water,” says Stavros, with the move turning out to be a win-win for both clients’ health, as well as for the wellbeing of the environment.
Reset And Recovery
Recovery is also taken very seriously at Sanctum, with the goal of optimising each workout, and positively impacting overall health. To this end, the centre recently invested in six, top-of-the-line Theragun massage guns, which clients can use post workout to accelerate recovery, prevent muscle soreness, increase blood flow and flush out painful lactic acid and toxins. “Recovery is a key part of our holistic wellness concept,” says Stavros, “When you leave, you should feel energised, not in pain. If you recover faster, you can consistently train more often.” Sanctum’s two thermal areas also support this proactive recovery philosophy. For a full reset, Stavros recommends contrast therapy: alternating between the sauna and swimming pool to boost circulation, recovery and overall wellbeing. Recovery extends to the Health Bar, where a curated menu has been designed to support workout performance and post-workout recovery. “We look after the before, during, and after of health and wellbeing,” says Stavros. “No stone is left unturned.”
‘WELLNESS 360°’
Whether your goal is to improve your VO2 max, boost your fast-twitch muscle fibres or transform your flexibility, stamina and body-awareness, Sanctum’s cutting-edge gym and fitness centre delivers. “We believe in a multifaceted ‘wellness 360°’ philosophy,” says Gym Manager Antonis Skoumpris, as part of an approach merging state-of-the-art training with “a unique sense of calm and renewal, reducing stress levels and increasing a sense of wellbeing”. Combining traditional forms of exercise, like functional movement training, with modern methods, such as high-intensity interval training (HIIT), Antonis and his team have also recently incorporated gentler practices like Pilates and yoga, mindfulness techniques and relaxation breathing, as well as discussions on proper nutrition. Attention is also brought to details, such as aromatherapy, soft lighting and relaxing music. Ultimately, this holistic approach seeks to find the right balance between body, mind and emotions. As Antonis explains, with regular exercise, we not only improve our cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems, but we also enhance our resilience to stress, given the release of mood-elevating endorphins and serotonin.
Tuning In To The Body
“We teach our clients to listen to their bodies, respect their limits, manage their emotions and gain greater self-discipline,” he says. On the other side of such efforts, Antonis and his teammates also place a particular focus on tailored guidance, with expert personal trainers on hand at all times -- both for private sessions, as well as offering advice while you work out independently. Such dedication ensures clients follow correct form, executing each exercise correctly and safely -- from undergoing a full warm-up to ensuring a proper cool-down and stretching once the weights are back on their racks. The trainers also partner with therapists across Sanctum’s other departments, to ensure each client’s programme is adjusted to their specific needs.
Where Nature Meets Science
Step upstairs to Sanctum’s serene spa, and you’ll find a range of face and body therapies, rituals and massages to soothe, restore and revitalise you. Head Therapist and Skin Expert Tabitha Soteriou and her team offer personalised care, combining science-backed techniques with premium-quality, natural products. “Our newly-refined menu covers everything,” confirms Tabitha, a Sanctum veteran of over a decade. “We have incredible Thai therapists, Ayurvedic treatments, body therapies and a full range of skin treatments.” Committed to natural wellness, Sanctum’s menu features a curated range of product lines, prioritising non-toxic ingredients and sustainable practices. These include Greek brands Naxos and Korres, along with award-winning iS Clinical and Augustinus Bader. Rooted in Greek botanicals, Naxos and Korres deliver clean results via naturally-harvested ingredients, while iS Clinical and Augustinus Bader blend pharmaceutical-grade actives with potent natural ingredients. Comparing natural formulas to vitamins for the skin, Tabitha says the aim is to deliver gentle, reliable, long-term solutions, safe for daily use. The result? Clients consistently report positive outcomes, which include healthy aging, and glowing, balanced skin.
Vitamins, Minerals and Relaxation
One of the spa’s most popular treatments – “clients rave about it, they feel amazing and don’t expect the results to last so long” – is iS Clinical’s renowned Fire & Ice facial. “It’s what we call our red-carpet treatment,” says Tabitha. Gentler than a chemical peel, this enzyme peel delivers impressive, long-lasting results. The hero ingredients include Extremeozymes: plant-derived actives, clinically proven to work on a higher level. “It’s all about repairing, moisturising and healing the skin, but the Extremeozymes inside help that happen faster,” explains Tabitha. The process is as much art as science. Ultimately, “from the moment they walk in, I assess their skin, do a consultation and ask how they’re feeling, what they want to achieve, and adjust accordingly,” she shares – an approach that also applies to the customisable body massage therapies, too. Amplified by the fresh sea air, by the end of any session, the spa will have soothed the client into a profound sense of peace, delivering relaxation naturally. “This used to be seen as a luxury,” says Tabitha. “Now, it’s a necessity. Everyone deserves to feel cared for, and we understand what they need and make them feel better.”
Styling, Colours and Shine
There’s nothing like stylish grooming to bring pep to your day, dial up your confidence and reinvent yourself for that special occasion. And that’s just what Sanctum’s high-end hair and nail salon, run by Marios Papadopoulos and his specialists, delivers. The salon ensures clients receive personalised self-care from industry experts -- “colour, highlights, cuts of all kinds, styling and special treatments” -- thanks to its wide range of treatments, as the perfect complement to the other wellness experiences on offer. Especially popular is the salon’s special keratin treatment, and a deep, nourishing treatment for extremely damaged hair, designed to reconnect broken bonds through a three-step process, leaving locks visibly healthier, softer and revived. Going the extra mile is the norm, says Marios, “so, we add in a hot-towel massage. This not only boosts results by helping the formula penetrate the hair and scalp, but also enhances the experience for the client.”
Most of the treatments use Italian hair-care brand Davines, renowned as much for the quality of their salon-grade products, as for their dedication to sustainability. Every aspect of the brand is geared in this direction, from growing the natural and organic ingredients behind their professional formulas, to their low-impact pack- aging solutions. “I have visited Davines in Italy, and they are really serious about the sustainability,” confirms Marios. Davines’ ranges are also results-driven and beneficial to the hair and scalp. Using natural ingredients, specific issues, such as hair loss, oily or itchy scalp and dandruff, are targeted. “Clients are amazed at the difference after using these products,” Marios shares. “The hair feels refreshed, with more texture, shine and volume.”
Experience Meets Personalisation
Combined with extensive experience in the hair industry, the team can also recommend products and integrate treatments based on a client’s specific goals. “I love to talk to my clients, really get to know them and learn about their lifestyles,” says Marios, “so I can give personalised consultations to help them get the best results.” This warm, customised approach keeps clients coming back, with many salon clientele being loyal regulars and gym members. Appointments are also spaced out, to ensure a one-to-one, “more relaxed and personal” experience. Marios also often recommends specific trainers or spa therapists to his clients, based on a deeper understanding of compatibility and personality. “We are a very close team, like a family,” he says, “so we can connect the dots between departments, which makes it feel like a complete experience.”
