The luxury of longevity

Longevity is the new frontier in luxury wellness, blending advanced science, technology, and ancient healing to help guests extend their healthspan beyond relaxation.

Living a long, healthy life is a priceless thought, and wellness spas across the world have found a way to make it attainable with science-backed wellbeing. They offer advanced, non-invasive therapies that boost energy, accelerate healing, and support a longer, healthier lifespan. These spas view wellbeing as a lifestyle, offering multi-day programs that empower guests to take charge of their health in tangible, measurable ways that last beyond their stay.

The Chenot Palace in Switzerland offers a structured seven-day programme combining advanced diagnostics, personalised nutrition, and well-tech therapies. London’s Surrenne positions itself as an exclusive hub for next-generation longevity. Six Senses Vana in India pairs Ayurveda, Yoga, and Sowa Rigpa with modern screenings, emphasising restoration over optimisation. Japan continues to champion healthy ageing through its onsen culture and ‘J-Wellness’ principles such as Ikigai and Kintsugi.

Blu Xone is far from your conventional spa. It is a transformative wellness hub offering five powerful anti-ageing therapies, each with profound long-term benefits. Guests experience a curated blend of Cryotherapy, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Red Light Therapy, Intermittent Vacuum Therapy, and Intermittent Hypoxic Training (IHT). Together, these modalities are designed to awaken the body’s innate ability to repair, restore, and regenerate.

“Each therapy is thoughtfully tailored to activate your body’s self-healing capabilities,” explains Dr Rashmi Ambastha, Director of Spa, Wellness and Recreation, as she unpacks the science behind these treatments. “Every element here is crafted to bring you closer to optimal wellness, offering a journey that is as transformative as it is nourishing. While HBOT can offer support to cancer patients in remission, Cryotherapy is highly effective for athletes recovering from injuries. Depending on your personal wellness goals, multiple sessions may be recommended.”

Longevity at Fairmont

With the surge in global interest in longevity and high-performance living, Fairmont has pioneered a distinctive longevity program that blends cutting-edge therapies with age-old traditions of restoration. I recently visited Fairmont Mumbai for a firsthand experience with Cryotherapy, one of the treatments offered in the program. I took the lift to Level 3 of the Mumbai Art Deco–inspired hotel, and the doors opened to a whole world devoted to wellbeing. This is Fairmont Spa & Longevity—the city’s first luxury wellness destination where innovative technologies and ancient healing philosophies converge to gently turn back the clock.

The spa explores the ever-advancing world of longevity science, ensuring that guests experience not just renewal but a deeper, lasting transformation. At the heart of this spa lies Blu Xone, a space that promises to elevate vitality, slow the ageing process, and nurture complete mind–body harmony.

Blu Xone is far from your conventional spa. It is a transformative wellness hub offering five powerful anti-ageing therapies, each with profound long-term benefits. Guests experience a curated blend of Cryotherapy, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Red Light Therapy, Intermittent Vacuum Therapy, and Intermittent Hypoxic Training (IHT). Together, these modalities are designed to awaken the body’s innate ability to repair, restore, and regenerate.

“Each therapy is thoughtfully tailored to activate your body’s self-healing capabilities,” explains Dr Rashmi Ambastha, Director of Spa, Wellness and Recreation, as she unpacks the science behind these treatments. “Every element here is crafted to bring you closer to optimal wellness, offering a journey that is as transformative as it is nourishing. While HBOT can offer support to cancer patients in remission, Cryotherapy is highly effective for athletes recovering from injuries. Depending on your personal wellness goals, multiple sessions may be recommended.”

Inside the deep freeze

Walking into the Cryotherapy chamber felt strange yet interesting; it is a modern, thoughtfully designed sci–fi room with soft lighting. As I stood at the entrance of the room, a trained attendant conducted a health screening by checking my blood pressure and oxygen levels. I was told that guests with a history of heart disease are advised against the treatment, as the sudden temperature drop can place stress on the cardiovascular system.

The attendant then handed me a pair of robes with boxers, socks, gloves and slippers to change into for protection against frostbite. The thought of entering the freezer-like room colder than winter on another planet was worrying, but curiosity nudged me forward. The attendant smiled and reassured, “Three minutes only!”

As I stood in the chamber, the air turned sharp and crisp. The first few seconds inside were manageable, but then the temperature dropped further, and the cold wrapped around me. By the second minute, the experience felt meditative. I could sense heightened awareness of my breathing. In the third minute, the cold was biting, but a sense of calm enveloped me.

After three invigorating minutes, when the session ended, and the chamber door opened, I could sense a rush of freshly oxygenated, nutrient-rich blood flowing through my body. Short bursts of ultra-low temperatures reduced my muscle pain and soreness. The science is simple: intense cold triggers the constriction of blood  vessels.

As I returned to the lounge and sipped on herbal tea, I could notice the aftereffects of the session: my muscles felt lighter, and there was an instant rush of energy in my body. I felt revived and invigorated. Would I do it again? Absolutely! 

Benefits of Cryotherapy: Cryotherapy harnesses the power of extreme cold to reduce inflammation, accelerate muscle recovery, and improve circulation. It helps with conditions such as chronic pain, injury rehabilitation, inflammation-related conditions, mood enhancement, and even skin health. For best results, the treatment is recommended two to three times a week.

Advanced recovery therapies

A quick guide to four cutting-edge treatments that accelerate healing, enhance performance, and support overall cellular wellbeing. 

Intermittent Vacuum Therapy (IVT)

The 25-minute session includes rhythmic pressure cycles to stimulate blood circulation, enhance lymphatic drainage, and boost metabolic efficiency. The result is accelerated healing after injuries or surgeries, along with a reduction in swelling and water retention.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)

HBOT is essentially supercharged oxygen for cellular repair. This flood of healing oxygen accelerates recovery, reduces inflammation and oxidative stress, and supports deep cellular repair.

Red Light Therapy

This therapy uses gentle, low-level red wavelengths that penetrate deep into the skin to stimulate cellular renewal. It boosts collagen production, enhances cellular repair, and helps reduce inflammation and oxidative stress at a foundational level.

Intermittent Hypoxic Training (IHT)

A form of simulated high-altitude training designed to elevate performance and resilience. This cellular ‘training’ enhances endurance, optimises metabolism, and strengthens overall physiological performance.