Late Checkout: I'm Not Oprah or Italian Royalty, but I Did Experience the Luxurious Opulence of Italy's Premier Medical Wellness Spa

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“I think she went off to Baden-Baden or Tibet, or something. The girl's a free spirit.” These words were spoken by none other than John Hannah’s character, “Jonathan,” in my favorite movie, The Mummy  back in 1999 (one of the best years of my life). This is important because this was the first time I learned about the existence of medical wellness spas.

Since then, I’ve dived into all sorts of wellness experiences – from a week of nutritive fasting and colonics in the desert  to a Larry Ellis-owned island with Nobu-only dining. One thing remained untouched on my wellness bucket list: a true European medical wellness spa. 

Then, within a two-month period, two different friends mentioned a celebrity-coveted wellness hotspot buried in the mountains of Italy’s Lazio region, just a 50-minute drive from Rome. Palazzo Fiuggi, sitting on a hilltop in the villes d’eaux of the medieval town of Fiuggi, had it all – a palatial setting good enough for Oprah (and Italian royalty), youth-bringing, healing thermal water, top-of-the-line medical equipment, therapeutic treatments based on ancient wisdom, and a nutritionally dense culinary program created by a three-Michelin star chef.

Since I took Italian in college, it only felt right to leverage all of the “Grazie milles” I had in me and maximize the irresponsible tan I had acquired during the summer.

Andiamo (it means “let’s go”)!

The Rich History of the Palazzo

The Palazzo is a palazzo for a reason. Built in 1913, it was the first hotel with a swimming pool on the continent, serving as the most fashionable meeting place for the who’s who of the what’s what in Italian political, scientific, and cultural society, including significant figures like the Italian King, Vittorio Emanuele II and the Royal Family. Stupendo!

Even with its royally luxurious foundation, it actually wasn’t until 2021 that it became one of the most innovative, sought-after medical wellness spas in the world. Italian hospitality giant Lorenzo Giannuzzi reimagined the hotel in an almost $40 million renovation that transformed the property into an ethereal canvas that celebrates its rich history while helping its guests transcend into their optimal future selves.

Now, with 102 decadent rooms and suites that complement the Art Nouveau architecture, Palazzo Fiuggi’s mission is simple: "A longer life, better lived."

Moving Into a More Medical Mindset

When I arrived at Palazzo Fiuggi, I met guests participating in an array of programs and protocols. Some guests had traveled from near and far for a full health-driven overhaul, sometimes staying as long as two months (!). Others took part in shorter programs for end-of-summer resets. I was lucky enough to experience the foundational offerings of the Palazzo Fiuggi with a three-day program that gave me a taste of their impactful 360-degree approach to health and wellbeing. 

Across their core pillars – Medical, Wellness, and Movement – all of Palazzo Fiuggi’s programs are based on medical evidence, tailored by their very own onsite doctors and experts, and uniquely customized to help guests achieve their goals with a highly curated, hands-on approach. 

All guests meet with a doctor upon arrival (mine was Fabrizio, a naturopathic doctor from Rome). From there, any necessary diagnostics, testing, and treatments are assigned, and the kitchen is promptly alerted to one’s unique protocols and dietary needs. Depending on individual objectives, they may meet with a doctor several times throughout the stay to continue iterating on treatments and methodologies to promote the betterment of one’s physiological health on a cellular level.

While Fiuggi’s medically sound structure is a significant part of what it has to offer, I’d be remiss to not mention at least some of the notable technology they’re using to support guests during their stay. We’ll get into the “spa stuff” later, but you can expect to access the best health and wellness modalities the world has to offer like a DEXA Scan, a breast ultrasound, retinal scanning, Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields (PEMF), laser therapy, cryotherapy, Airnergy / Spirovital therapy, High-Performance Biomechanical Analysis, a Technogym, and Styku 3D body scanning. 

The Food of Fiuggi

I arrived at Palazzo Fiuggi right at the tail end of their two-hour lunch window, I’ll call it. I met with my naturopathic practitioner, who determined a high-protein, low-carb, low-sugar, dairy-free, gluten-free menu was the most optimal for me (and my hormones). “I’ll send this to the kitchen,” he said, and off I went, shouting “Grazie mille.” I was already on my way to becoming an Italian wellness goddess.

I was shepherded to an unfathomable dining room that felt like showing up at a five-star, very Italian restaurant from an era that would usually include a moat, brocade velvet, and a corset. Instead, I donned a cropped linen top, grey denim shorts, and rubber Birkenstocks, but walked in as if I were being summoned nonetheless.

Within – what felt like – seconds, a maitre d', who led me to my very own assigned table (that would remain mine for every meal). I received a custom menu that highlighted my meals for the remainder of the day (in courses, of course) alongside a digestively supportive ginger shot, digestive enzymes, and Fiuggi water. These culinary accouterments, by the way, were a part of every meal. Some meals even included herbal teas that promoted better digestion (which is my love language).

Plate by plate, my mouth was agape – and not only because I was about to inhale my wellness fare. The food at Fiuggi isn’t just food…it’s culinary art that has been nutritionally crafted by three-star Michelin chef Heinz Beck, using his graduate expertise in Natural Bioenergies to create light and healthy personal menus from fresh, natural ingredients that reflect Italian cuisine, creativity, and flavor. 

I was endlessly impressed by the choreography involved in the daily dining dance of supporting each individual guest’s nutritional needs (which – as a reminder – are working in lock step with their medical protocol).

A Room Fit for Royalty

I stayed in one of Palazzo Fiuggi’s Junior Suites, which may as well have been a mini apartment, if you ask me.

When I entered my “chambers,” I called my mom and said, “I could get used to this!” Immediately, I took myself to my very own balcony and looked out onto a gorgeous scape of a picturesque village beneath the clouds (that I was appropriately above), feeling like I, myself, was royalty of a kind (although this still has yet to be confirmed).

My bathroom was behind a completely separate door that guarded an entirely separate hallway, which made every entrance to the marble-ridden space feel as luxurious as it sounds. Every night, I treasured going back to my room, which felt as healing as the treatments and therapies I had been receiving. There was no shortage of terry cloth robes and slippers at my disposal, as well as a very chic, very white, and very cozy sweat set (that I’m wearing as I write this).

Given Palazzo Fiuggi is a “program” after all, your room is a part of a package – mine specifically was in the $4-5K range (obviously rates vary based on programs, suites, length of stay, and add-ons).

The Royal Treatment(s)

As I may have mentioned, I came in as a broad strokes queen – there to experience the basic (but not basic, if you know what I mean) wellness program.

Throughout my three days, I got to experience Palazzo Fiuggi’s signature treatments that not only celebrate their approach to overall holistic wellbeing, but also utilized Fiuggi water as a central healing theme.

Some of the standouts:

Thalasso Therapy

You simply can’t go to Palazzo Fiuggi and not partake in a Thalasso treatment. I went in completely blind, having absolutely no idea what was involved. “First magnesium, then salt, then cold plunge,” I was told.

As if I was on your first Birthright trip, headed into the Dead Sea, I was given a shower cap, told to stay on my back while I floated, and to avoid touching my eyes no matter what. “If you have a cut, it might sting.” 

For 15-20 minutes, I lay belly-up in a warm magnesium-enriched mineral pool that seamlessly relaxed my muscles, calmed my central nervous system, and soothe the skin. Once I bounced off every pool wall (and maybe into an Italian neighbor…or two), I made my way into a dense salt pool for another 15-20 minutes. 

The finale is to cold plunge as long as you can (three minutes is ideal, but we’ll take one). I plunged with two Italian women, who were championing each other in Italian, which “io capisco, ma non parlare bene.” I threw in two-to-three “Grazie Milles” and felt brighter than ever as I made my way to my healthy lunch. 

Hydrotherapy | 3-Step Ritual

When I was told I was going in for hydrotherapy, I was curious how this treatment would be that different from my first treatment, given it was once again based around…water.

Wrong, I was!

In a three-step dynamic performance, I was taken to a private room where I was nakedly put into a powerful hydrotherapy bath riddled with healing minerals. For a few minutes, I went into a soothing theta state, feeling – once again – full-body relaxation. But this was simply just Phase I.

My personal spa sherpa guide practitioner (PSSGP) came to retrieve me for Phase II. I was carefully covered in mineral-rich mud and wrapped to promote circulation, relieve muscle tension, and detoxify the skin. At long last, I was placed on a floating table of warm water, which was like being on a warm, rolling water bed (I have never experienced anything like it).

Phase III was the most potent of them all. As if I was taken through a third secret door to a third secret back room, I entered a large shower space (luxurious, of course), where my PSSGP essentially hosed me down with – what Palazzo Fiuggi refers to as – a Scottish shower. Imagine a spa version of a fire house. And then imagine that same hose helping to increase bloodflow, reduce inflammation and the appearance of cellulite, and improve metabolism…and I liked it.

Lifting Face Kobido

I’ve been on somewhat of a facial massage tear this year, so the Kobido treatment piqued my interest. I wish I could report back with more detail, but I was in such a relaxing stupor, I fell asleep for most of it. What I do remember was two healing hands toning and massaging all of the muscles in my face, neck, and shoulders that left me saying – you guessed it – ”Grazie mille.”

I noticed a significant difference in the tone, texture, and complexion of my skin pretty instantly, and the tightening, lifting effects lasted well beyond my stay (which was perfect since my skin had been through it over the summer).

A Spa to Remember

When I wasn’t dabbling in life-altering wellness treatments, I spent time luxuriating in Palazzo Fiuggi’s comprehensive spa portfolio.

Imagine three pools (one of which was connected to one of the outdoor pools through a tunnel), an infrared sauna, a himalayan salt room, multiple dry saunas and steam rooms, cold plunges, and a very special hot-cold therapy / sound bath session on my last day.

Va Bene, Grazie

Over the course of three days, I felt myself fully detach from the detritus and messy white noise of my everyday life. I felt brighter, more energized, and determined to upkeep the alignment I felt during my time at Palazzo Fiuggi.

While my plan to upkeep my sleep hygiene, maintain my tan, and avoid bloating after eating hasn’t fully panned out, knowing that I always have the option to drop into a place like Palazzo Fiuggi for a “boop” (and a biomechanical evaluation) allows me to accept the non-linear path that wellness take (don’t quote me!).

Their team, service, and programs are so highly catered to their guests’ overall longevity and education, it is no wonder that some guests return year after year, season after season – many on their own in need of respite, or couples looking to wind down and turn up their wellbeing together.

I’ll say it one more, “Grazie mille.”