Welcome to Vogue’s first-ever spa guide—a compendium of the 100 best spas worldwide, pulling from the expertise of our global editors. There is a lot out there in the world of wellness, and we are here to sort the cryo from the cold plunge, the infrared light treatment from the IV infusion. Or if your path is a more holistic one—there’s something for you here, as well.
Why go here?
At SHA in Costa Mujeres, Mexico, there are just as many treatment rooms as guest rooms. Some are for traditional spa offerings like massages, facials, and sound baths. But most of them are for more cutting-edge undertakings: Think ozone IVs, transcranial electrical stimulations, virtual reality workouts, cryotherapy, infrared therapy, and more. There’s also a significant number of medical-grade offerings: You can get diagnostic tests done here, as well as dental cleanings, food sensitivity tests, and hormone screenings. Those who go to SHA are usually looking for a complete health and wellness overhaul rather than a simple trip for rest and relaxation.
Photo: Courtesy of SHA Wellness Clinic Mexico
What’s the vibe?
SHA is chic yet clinical—many patients here are experiencing state-of-the-art medical equipment or visiting doctor’s offices. Yet that doesn’t mean it is cold: Interior designers at Sordo Madaleno infused the futuristic architecture by Alejandro Escudero with a warm minimalist palette: Think gray upholstery, white chairs, and pale wood bookcases lined with Assouline books. The restaurant, meanwhile, is adorned with soothing greenery. There’s also a number of resort-like amenities, such as an infinity pool overlooking the Caribbean, and a gift shop.
Photo: Courtesy of SHA Wellness Clinic Mexico
The history?
Father and son Alfredo and Alejandro Parietti family founded SHA in 2008 after both saw respective early-onset health issues go into remission with an intense focus on a macrobiotic diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes. After consulting with doctors, they came up with the SHA Method, a disciplined program that focuses on nine different factors and is aimed at maximizing the effects of the time you spend there: healthy nutrition, natural therapies, preventive and healthy aging medicine, advanced aesthetics (that would be your Botox or cool-sculpting, etcetera), cognitive stimulation, emotional health, well-being and inner balance, physical performance, and something they call “healthy living academy,” which is designed to help guests take some of their learnings with them. Their first clinic opened in Alicante, Spain, and has earned accolades and awards as pioneering spas on the forefront of the wellness wave. Their second location, in Costa Mujeres, Mexico, opened in early 2024.
Photo: Courtesy of SHA Wellness Clinic Mexico
What should you try?
At SHA, guests must sign up for one of four specific programs: Detox & Optimal Weight, Rebalance & Energize, Optimal Performance, Well-Aging & Prevention. Each has a unique set of treatments. They range from 4 to 14 days long.
I did the Rebalance & Energize program, which was meant to destress and relax me while simultaneously boosting my energy levels. (Sounds contradictory, I know.) When I first arrived, a nurse did a general medical examination that included taking my weight and blood pressure. Then, I was given a series of cognitive tests to assess my memory and spatial awareness. Soon after, I met with an on-site doctor who went over my results and suggested specific treatments that he thought would benefit me most during my time at SHA. Then, a nutritionist put me on a semi-personalized meal plan that included a bowl of miso soup for breakfast as well as a side of sauerkraut during dinner.
Over the next few days, I did a mix of activities, many with roots in traditional Eastern medicine techniques. This included: sound baths, yoga, personal training in the gym, shiatsu massage, cell regeneration therapy, and ice baths. When I had downtime between treatments, they encouraged me to visit the hydrotherapy center, which included a cold-plunge pool, a steam room, a traditional and an infrared sauna, a cold room, as well as a swimming pool. However, I just scratched the surface of what’s available. (Again, there’s 100 treatment rooms.)
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