Luxury Spa Treatments at Thermae Sylla

Looking for the best luxury spa treatments in Greece? You might just find them at the Thermae Sylla Spa and Wellness Hotel.  During my spa weekend, I “floated” out of its treatment rooms in a half-sleepy, relaxed trance.  My experience involved a good amount of mud, goat milk and of course, the famous warm natural thermal waters of Edipsos.

Thermal Water Luxury Spa Treatments

I reviewed Thermae Sylla Spa and Wellness Hotel as a property in my last blog post.  Just to recap, Thermae Sylla is unique. It is a luxury thermal spa that has a hotel rather than the luxury hotel that happens to have a spa.  In fact, it is one of the top thermal spa hotels in the world.  The hotel’s indoor and outdoor pool are thermal water, maintaining soothingly warm temps and boasting mineral properties that have proven to help cure a number of ailments from skin problems, arthritis to gynecological problems.  I also had the opportunity to experience two different sauna rooms by the pool, one had a eucalyptus tree in its center which was very refreshing.

 

 

The Treatments at Thermae Sylla

For those seeking more rejuvenation and relaxation, the spa list had many treatments to choose from beyond manicures, facials and his/her massage packages.  Faced with the list, I really had a hard time deciding. So, I opted to schedule a few. I signed up for a  Lomilomi Hawaiian message for my stressed out back. I decided on a total body mud bath and facial since it was pretty unique offering.  Then, I placed something called Cleopatra’s Bath on my spa agenda.

The Lomilomi

What’s that? It isn’t a Greek word. So, if you Google Lomilomi, here’s what it means:

Lomilomi is the word used today to mean massage therapist or Hawaiian massage. In the Hawaiian language, the word used traditionally, called lomi, means “to knead, to rub, or soothe; to work in and out, as the paws of a contented cat.

Nice, huh! Well, the Thermae Sylla massage therapist used the palms, forearms, fingers, knuckles, elbows for the head to toe massage.  I especially liked the use of the elbow to dig into my back knots.

The Total Mud Therapy and Facial

During my tour of the spa, I had the opportunity to feel a sample of the mud used for the therapy. The mud, imported from Italy, is stored for six months and a wash of thermal waters infuse therapeutic qualities into it. I found that intriguing so I decided to try it for real.

 

First, the therapist massaged it over my body. It was a silky smooth feeling on the skin. So, that felt divine.  It didn’t smell at all. Next, I was wrapped like a hot tortilla in a warm blanket from the neck down. The lights were dimmed, and I was told to relax for the next 15-20 minutes. Hmmm, that was the funny part. My arms were tightly tucked in the blanket. With no use of them, I have to admit that I felt a bit strange. So, it took me a few minutes to calm down and just feel the warm mud soak into my pores. It was relaxing, so much so that I half-dozed the time away.  When the practitioner returned, I took a hot thermal shower in the room’s shower as she prepared the hot tub which was also in the room. Then, I sat in that hot tub as jets of thermal water pulsed about me.  I soaked in the thermal tub for 20 minutes.  Afterwards, my skin was super soft, I kept poking it!

The total mud therapy includes a basic massage so that knocked me back into that sleepy relaxed haze.  I also signed up for an extra – a mud facial. I love facials and it was on sale! My face got a little mud love in the end, too.

Cleopatra’s Bath

I also signed up for a beauty treatment I think any spa-loving woman would want to try called Cleopatra’s Bath. Here’s how Thermae Sylla describes it:

“The ancient beauty secret recipe of Cleopatra for a rich and deep hydration. Luxury moisturizing creams enriched with aromatic essential oils from flowers and leaves, help the skin to absorb in deep the humidity and the necessary nutritional ingredients. Immerse yourself in a special warm water bed and feel the absolute relaxation.”

Elena, my business partner, friend and co-founder of Travel Bloggers Greece, decided to treat ourselves so we went in as a pair.  The room, decorated in soft purples and pinks, has two message beds (that turn into tubs, I later found out) draped in a sheer lilac bed canopy.

It was kind of strange to be slathered from head to toe in goat milk cream but at the same time, quite soothing. Then, again I was wrapped up like hot tortilla in a towel lined plastic blanket.  Then, low and behold, the practitioner pressed a button and I was dunked gently into a thermal waterbed bath! I could feel the warm soothing thermal jets hitting my Cleopatra plastic cocoon. Brilliant.  The lights went down and I went into that half-dozing relax mode.

The result: super soft skin and a feeling of blissful relaxation for some hours to follow.

The Natural Thermal Springs

At one point during my weekend I braved the chill – in my bikini – to check out the natural thermal spas that were used by the ancient Greeks. There steaming water holes located right outside of the hotel added to the overall seafront scenery. It was like I was on another planet. This view!

 

It wasn’t so easy attempting to sit in the natural hot tubs. The water felt  like a too hot bath.  At some areas it was even scalding.  I managed to find a place to settle down for a bit.  Some pools mixed with the cold sea water which made the temps bearable.

How to Get to There:

The hotel is located on the Greek island of Evia.  From Athens, take the KTEL bus or drive (about 2 hours) to reach the port of Arkitsa. From Arkitsa, a 30-mintue ferry ride brings passengers, buses and vehicles across the sea to the port in Edipsos. An easy 10-minute walk leads to the hotel.

Prices: A one-way bus ticket is €15.30 and the ferry ticket to Edipsos is €3.20.

Additional Info: The KTEL in Athens leaves from Terminal B, Lission Station. The nearest metro stop to get to the bus terminal is Kato Patission which is on the green line.

If you are driving, there is also a vehicle route that leads to Edipsos without the need to take the ferry.

Thermae Sylla Spa and Wellness Hotel
Posidonos Str. 2
34300 Edipsos – Evia, Greece
Tel.: +30 22260 60 100

Rates: From 150 Euro per night/Specials are available. Treatments are a separate cost. Check the website for more details.

Thermae Sylla hosted my stay.  As always, all opinions are my own.

Have you experienced any luxury spa treatments in Greece or anywhere else?

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