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Oprah and I don’t always see eye to eye, but in the case of Palazzo Fiuggi we are most certainly on the same page. Located about an hour outside room in Fiuggi, a town long renowned for its healing and therapeutic waters, Palazzo Fiuggi delivers on its motto “”For a longer life, better lived”. Coming off a busy holiday season and in need of an indulgent pampering getaway, my girlfriends and I figured what could possibly be better than a 5 star spa experience in Italy? 

Our plan was brilliant, spend a totally decadent weekend in Rome eating, drinking, and shopping, and then erase all of the negative effects with 5 days at the spa. We packed a lot in to our Rome adventure (which you can read about here), so when the car came to transport us to Fiuggi we were ready. Before too long we made the impressive approach to the Palazzo, an Art Nouveau masterpiece which dates back to 1910. Sporting an endless expanse of cream colored marble the vibe is formal but still approachable due to the sunny and friendly employees who not only greeted us at reception, but who we encountered all throughout our stay. Following a recent 26 million Euro renovation every inch of PF is sparkling and pristine, and just by first impression alone, I was betting our stay would be sublime. We arrived just before noon, and while our bags were whisked away to our respective rooms (we all received an upgrade thanks to our travel agent) we checked in and met Claudia, the incredibly amenable manager who would explain everything we needed to know about our visit.

The first order of business following registration was to check off some of the health formalities that would enable us to take full advantage of all the spa had to offer. All guests are required to have an ECG (EKG) as well as a 3D body scan and meet with one of the Doctors on staff before being green-lighted to participate in the hundreds of treatments and services that are offered. The EKG and Body scan were administered by female technicians and required you to strip down so that an accurate analysis of muscle/skeleton and bone could be obtained and recommendations could be made. One thing I came to learn throughout the stay was that Europeans are way more comfortable with nudity than American spas I have visited. As they say, when in Rome (Fiuggi)! 

This screening process took each of us about 15 minutes, and the chat with the Doctor allowed for a deeper dive into any existing health issues you may have, or restrictions to keep in mind. Luckily we all received the go ahead to immerse ourselves in everything that was available. Depending on the goal/package that you have signed up for, there are a good deal of services included, and then you can pick and choose among a myriad of choices for anything from massages, to facials, to water therapy to Ayurvedic treatment as well as cosmetic botox/fillers, ultrasounds, and bloodwork. Our group was pretty focused on relaxation and trying to capture a little bit of the fountain of youth. 

We were not on a weight-loss plan, rather a wellness and relaxation plan so our calories were not severely restricted, hovering at around 1900 per day; though the food was so delicious and beautifully presented we did not feel deprived. The Murano chandeliers, frescos and soaring ceiling made us feel transported to another era, as did the formal service; but keep in mind that for breakfast and lunch almost all guests appear in their fluffy white PF bathrobes, only having to put on real clothes (casual chic) for dinner. Once seated some dietary preferences were confirmed (we had filled out extensive questionnaires prior to our arrival), and certain dislikes were noted. From that point on, there were almost no choices to make regarding menu choices other than our selection of tea following the meal.

After lunch we were already getting into a more relaxed state of mind, and we took the opportunity to check out our rooms and get ready for our first services. As I mentioned earlier, I had originally booked a Junior Suite, but was upgraded to a full suite upon check-in, which was a lovely surprise. The aesthetic of the decor was predominantly cream with a touch of lavender, which I loved. Everything was spotless, and housekeeping remained highly fastidious and attentive throughout our stay, even cleaning our sneakers after a muddy hike.

I am attaching the spa menu here to get a sense of just how many services are available to PF guests, keeping in mind that although they ask you to choose what you would like to do before you come, the spa staff were able to constantly add and shift services each day. They were exceptionally patient and helpful in this regard.

Before my Welcome Hammam Scrub (included in our packages and very similar to going through a car wash in the very best way), we all enjoyed a quick tour of the facilities. One thing to note, there is water everywhere, all kinds of pools to swim in, soak in, plunge into and even drink. It is recommended that each guest take advantage of several cups of the Fiuggi waters daily to ensure the greatest health benefits. 

Subsequent treatments and soaks followed, as well as relaxing time in the salt room at which time we all changed into actual clothes and enjoyed dinner. Climbing into bed (a literal cloud) and waking up with views of the mountains was heavenly. The days that followed consisted of more of the same, just loads of self care and healthy meals.

A bit more on the food at PF, the quality and presentation is nothing short of dining at a 3 star restaurant, with an emphasis on the freshest seasonal ingredients and fish serving as the primary protein. There were some dishes that featured meat, but as a pescatarian I received additional fish, and of course my gluten free diet was accommodated. The pastas, risotto and gnocchi dishes we had were especially delicious (it is Italy after all) and there was always a small dessert to round out lunch and dinner. The sheer beauty of the presentation of each meal encouraged you to slow down and savor every bite. In addition, copious amounts of water and tea were provided which served to make us all feel satiated. Personally, while my diet is pretty healthy overall this stay proved to be a real reset to wean off some bad habits (an addiction to dark chocolate covered almonds).

The experience at PF is much more focused on treatments rather than the endless physical activities offered at spas in the US, although we did go for a glorious hike in the mountains one morning, and took a fabulous yoga class. There is a very expansive gym with all the latest equipment and the ability to work with a trainer, but that was not our focus, nor the real focus of the spa, so be honest with yourself as to what your expectations are before you book.

Each day brought with it a complement of indulgent services, pictured below are just a sampling of some of the treatments on offer, with my favorites being the Hammam treatment, the Lypmphatic Drainage Massage, a purifying facial, the Psammo therapy on a bed of quartz, and Spa Wave therapy (so relaxing). The Thalasso Therapy was fun as we all got to participate together, soaking first in brown viscous mineral rich water, so buoyant we were literally bobbing like apples, and then into the salt water pool which was less bouncy, finally progressing to the cold plunge which was painful but all three steps left our skin baby soft. The hair dresser was also expert at blow-outs which we booked for the night before we left so we could head home looking as glam as possible.

Every treatment I received, and every therapist I encountered was professional, friendly and informative, not a dud in the bunch. I did have a fair number of male therapists, particularly the Hydrotherapy which culminated in being sprayed down with what seemed to be a fire hose in order to increase blood flow and metabolism. For modesty purposes they do provide very tiny paper panties, but as I said, when in Fiuggi!

While staying at the spa, there is little reason to leave, but you can go off and explore the small town and visit a coffee bar if you desire. We did go for a walk one morning, but if you don’t, you aren’t missing much.

As our visit quickly came to a close we were a little reluctant to get back to the real world from our idyllic cocoon. They made the transition a bit easier by packing a virtuous picnic for the plane, a much healthier choice than what was offered on board.

Did we find the Fountain of Youth? I’m not sure, but I do think the stay at Palazzo Fiuggi restored a sense of calm and well-being, and provided a perfect opportunity to start 2024 in the best way possible. I would absolutely recommend it, and if there weren’t so many other wellness spas I would like to check out (stay tuned) I would make it a yearly excursion. I found that the prices at PF are in line with similar wellness spas in the US but the novelty of being in a historic Italian Palace coupled with the professionalism of the staff really puts it over the top and I would encourage you to give it a try. While there were men there as well as couples, it really is a perfect destination for a girls trip.