Botanic Health Spa wins SPA Star Award

Amid Antwerp’s blooming Botanical Garden, a window opens onto both past and future: a listed 15th-century monastery, its complex of buildings and grounds transformed by a unique restoration project into the Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp, a 5-star superior member of Leading Hotels of the World. New standards were set in creating this peaceful haven where the legacy of the historic site is preserved, and luxury redefined as a sumptuous experience of nature, space and privacy. This rich heritage was in no small part shaped by Peeter van Coudenberghe, Antwerp’s famous botanist and pharmacist. Considered the founder of the Botanical Garden, it is his experimentation with and use of plants and herbs that led to the establishment of the monastery pharmacy.

‘Our vision for the Botanic is based on the traditions of monastic medicine, and our mission is to combine these with contemporary discoveries, carrying them into the future. This is a return to nature and origins and, just as this revival is reflected in the wellness centre’s sustainable architecture, so botanical wellbeing is at the heart of our destination. It finds its completion in the holistic spa and meets society’s desire for natural healing and holistic solutions. Here, in the heart of the diamond city of Antwerp, we combine the heritage of monastic medicine with modern phytotherapy and evidence-based preventive methods. Our extraordinary Mylife Changer concept creates a remarkable bridge between ancient and modern. Receiving the Best City Spa 2023 award acknowledges the value of combining conservation and change to achieve a sustainable way of living. We are delighted to have been honoured with this prestigious award and will continue to pursue our holistic path with the same zest and commitment!’

The clinician Dr Alexander Papp considers the synergy that has been created between his method and the Botanic Sanctuary to be a benchmark for the health and spa industry.

‘Monastic medicine and Traditional European Medicine (TEM) take a holistic approach to health, preventing imbalances, dealing with deficiencies and slowing down the ageing process. Our evidence-based, preventive method is based on holistic consultations with our patients that take into account their individual typology. From these, we derive highly personalised treatment protocols. At the Botanic Sanctuary, monastic medicine and the additional connection with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) allow us to provide an integral synergy with modern medicine and science that is second to none.’

‘In this fast-moving and demanding world, the health of body, mind and spirit is increasingly a primary focus as the effects of our lifestyle become evident in physical and emotional complaints. Only a holistic approach that takes into account lifestyle, dietary habits and social and mental components can offer lasting solutions.’

Xavier is a renowned TCM practitioner who takes a deeply mindful approach to the way he applies his expertise. This creates the basis for a solution at the source, rather than merely chipping away at the symptoms. One-to-one health coaching and personal training sessions support a future-oriented path to physical fitness, good mental health and increased resilience for all of life’s challenges.

From the roots of western medicine and TEM to modern science and therapy, the outstanding healing methods that have evolved in history are synthesised into a unique method: Mylife Changer. This holistic and integrated concept is based on a modern adaptation of Hippocratic typology, which classifies people into four basic types or combinations thereof. This serves as the foundation for personalised treatment and nutrition plans that aim to achieve a new, holistic healthstyle and healthy beauty. Transformational approaches to the mind and to exercise– under the guidance of the Botanic’s renowned coach and Health Spa & Sports Manager Ingmar Harthoorn – are essential components. Scientifically sound and evidence-based, this method delivers holistic solutions for personal transformation and sustainable change. The basic principle of this holistic methodology? Everything begins and ends with a cellular health reset. Visible beauty at any age thanks to an active metabolism and healthy cell nourishment.

A return to nature and the origins – the history of the Botanic Sanctuary begins in the Middle Ages with the earliest written records dating back to the 13th century when the Sint-Elisabeth hospital moved to this site. The later monastery’s Augustinian monks grew herbs and vegetables, using them to heal and nourish, while also experimenting and developing new remedies.

The legacy of botanist and pharmacist Peeter van Coudenberghe has also been brought to life with the lavish restoration of the historic apothecary that now houses the Saint Charles Store. This is where around 400 Saint Charles products and niche brands are stocked, including natural cosmetics, aromatherapy and nutritional supplements. As elsewhere at the Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp, the focus lies on extraordinary experiences.