Inside the Mallorcan wellness retreat celebrities love: AMIE GORDON follows in Vicky McClure’s footsteps for a teetotal week of plant meals and workouts (and only cheats ‘a little bit’)
- Amie Gordon spent seven days living holistically at The Body Camp boutique country hotel in Mallorca
- Guests follow an entirely plant-based diet with no alcohol and high-intensity workouts throughout the day
- Celebrity guests have also included actress Jaime Winstone and Made in Chelsea’s Sophie Hermann
Nestled in the picturesque Mallorcan countryside a luxury wellness retreat has quietly become the go-to destination to escape the rat race and hit the reset button.
The Body Camp is a seven-day stay in a remote boutique country hotel where guests are encouraged to ditch their phones to work on mind, body and soul with a strong emphasis on fitness. They follow an entirely plant-based diet, with no alcohol and high-intensity workouts throughout the day.
But the goal here is not just weight loss. Indeed, there are no scales on site. Guests are instead encouraged to re-evaluate their relationship with food, exercise, lifestyle and habits, developing a healthier mindset in the process.
MailOnline Travel’s Amie Gordon lived holistically at The Body Camp boutique country hotel in Mallorca. Guests are encouraged to ditch their phones to work on mind, body and soul with a strong emphasis on fitness. They follow an entirely plant-based diet, with no alcohol and high-intensity workouts throughout the day. But Amie said there are windows for relaxing by the property’s pool (above)
LEFT, ON A CAMP BIKE RIDE: Kidulthood actress Jaime Winstone said she felt ‘incredible’ and ‘sexier’ in herself on her Instagram account after completing the gruelling camp in Mallorca. RIGHT: Line of Duty star Vicky McClure with her friend, hairdresser Louis Byrne, at the retreat this spring
Made in Chelsea reality star Sophie Hermann (pictured) took the bikes for a spin during her week at Body Camp this year
Celebrities flock to the retreat, enjoying the expert chefs and trainers away from the glare of the public eye, with guests this year including actresses Jaime Winstone and Vicky McClure, and Made in Chelsea star Sophie Hermann.
Previous fans Millie Mackintosh, Lisa Snowdon, Rochelle Humes, Rosie Fortescue and Emma and Matt Willis have also visited the camp.
Hidden away in the countryside of Sencelles, about 30 minutes from Palma, the villa boasts a swimming pool, indoor gym and outdoor fitness areas with daily activities including running, boxing, resistance work, hikes, cycling, swimming, and yoga.
Guests arrive on a Friday and wake up early (6.30am) to a programme of compulsory training every morning before group activities, or free time, in the afternoon.
Body Camp encourages a ‘360 degree-approach to wellness’, with visitors encouraged to take part in mindfulness sessions and holistic therapies, from facials and sound healing to Reiki and reflexology.
The delicious plant-based menu features a vast array of fresh, natural and locally-sourced ingredients, with every meal made from scratch on site everyday by expert head chef, Ben Whale.
Set in the countryside of Sencelles, about 30 minutes from the capital, Palma, the Body Camp boutique country hotel is a quiet haven set against a backdrop of rolling hills
The rustic rooms are perfect for a good night’s sleep, with a mixture of shared and single rooms
Guests are encouraged to re-evaluate their relationship with food and learn about nutrition. Pictured left – pancake day at the camp
Guests decide which ‘lane’ they wish to go in for the week with portions dependent on their goal – fat loss, maintenance, or muscle gain.
A typical day consists of granola, chocolate pancakes or avocado on homemade bread for breakfast; Buddha bowl or a sweet potato tortilla for lunch then katsu curry or chilli for dinner, with snacks in-between such as protein shakes or Ben’s ‘Magnum’ ice-creams.
The team will also tailor bespoke plans for guests’ likes, allergies, intolerances or even fitness goals.
The food is so delicious, you won’t miss meat (although we did find ourselves grappling for the slice of orange at the bottom of the water jug for a post-dinner sugar hit).
Breakfast time: Each morning starts with fresh coffee and a nutritious breakfast to set you up for the day ahead
Celebrities enjoy the expert chefs and trainers away from the glare of the public eye. Jaime Winstone is pictured on the left at the camp with her personal trainers Rick and Anthony. On the right – a selfie Vicky McClure took during her recent week-long stay
LEFT: The fitness programme, from around 8am, changes daily and is adapted to suit all fitness levels – with most workouts taking place outdoors. RIGHT: Jaime took part in a selection of the boot camp’s high-intensity workouts, including a boxing workout
Exercise might start with an outdoor HIIT session, boxercise, TRX or yoga – all accompanied by music and the boundless energy of personal trainers cheering you along
Guests decide which ‘lane’ they wish to go in for the week, with portions dependent on your goal – fat loss, maintenance, or muscle gain
Guests are also invited to join nutrition talks and cookery demonstrations so they can recreate Ben’s incredible food at home.
The fitness programme, from around 8am, changes daily and is adapted to suit all fitness levels.
It might start with an outdoor HIIT session, boxercise, TRX or yoga – all accompanied by music and the boundless energy of personal trainers cheering you along the way.
If you’re worrying about cabin fever – you’ll also be treated to a day away from the villa with a group cycle trip, or drive to nearby Soller before a hike up the mountain followed by a trip to the beach.
It’s not all work and afternoons can be spent lounging by the pool or making the most of being away from the office and getting your step count in on the 25-acre grounds.
Kidulthood star Jaime Winstone said she felt ‘incredible’ after completing the gruelling camp, writing on Instagram: ‘MIND, BODY and SOUL. Thank you @thebodycampofficial for the most amazing week of self-discovery, recovery and a mind-blowing fitness regime!
‘What you guys achieve is second to none. Magic! You have shown me that I can do anything if I put my mind to it, the food is incredible and the vibes are on point!
‘Can’t wait to come back… here’s to a healthier mindset and a sexier feeling body after workout!! Positivity, light and love is all you need to succeed.
This is England actress Vicky (centre row, third from right) wrote on Instagram after her stay: ‘I honestly was not prepared for the amount of working out and plant-based food (no tea!). Sometimes ya gotta step out ya comfort zone! Feel very lucky to have had this experience’
LEFT: Making sure to let her hair down as well during the seven-day stay, Jaime (pictured far left) uploaded several group photos with her fellow guests as they lapped up the sunshine. RIGHT: Jaime (centre, back) and her group still managed to have fun as they got caught up in torrential rain in Spain
Jaime revealed how impressed she was with her stay, admitting that she felt ‘sexier’ in herself
LEFT: Sophie Hermann (front centre) shared this group picture from her stay. RIGHT: The delicious plant-based menu features a vast array of fresh, natural and locally-sourced ingredients, with every meal made from scratch on site everyday by expert head chef, Ben Whale (pictured)
Amie with head trainer Rick Parcell after she won the David Goggins fitness challenge on the last day of camp
‘I am forever grateful to everyone I have met this week and so proud of my sister Lois for getting stuck in and killing it! Big love @thebodycampofficial.’
Line of Duty star Vicky McClure also enjoyed a week at the retreat in April, writing on Instagram: ‘I honestly was not prepared for the amount of working out and plant based food (no tea!).
‘Sometimes ya gotta step out ya comfort zone! Feel very lucky to have had this experience.’
The Body Camp isn’t just for 20-something celebs – guests come in all shapes and sizes from different walks of life – one of the most rewarding elements of your week in Mallorca is that everyone can take part.
Crucially though… is The Body Camp actually worth it?
Regardless of your goal, whether fitness, fat loss or tackling your inner demons, the camp will equip you with the confidence and new-found energy you need to get back to work and smash your goals.
As a cynical, stressed journalist I was anxious about sitting around in a circle and opening up my soul for mindfulness sessions.
I would rather hit a punch bag for half an hour. So while meditation and talking about feelings may not be for me, the fresh air, fitness, escapism and delicious food are things I would go back for every year.
I will also take this time to admit that yes, I did cheat. Yes, I stole that fruit from the water jug for a post-dinner sweet treat. Yes, I begged chef Ben to sneak an apple and a banana from the larder for me. And yes, some of the other girls and I ate some bread and had Diet Coke during one of the excursions.
Do I regret my theft, cheating and overall experience? Absolutely not. The Body Camp is the chance to step outside your comfort zone and rediscover what joie de vivre actually means.
TRAVEL FACTS
Prices at The Body Camp in Mallorca start from £1,850 for a week’s stay – price includes accommodation, all food and drink and a fitness programme. Retreats run from April to October, Friday-Friday. Mixture of shared and single rooms. Excludes flights and transfers. More information at www.thebodycamp.com.
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