Spa trips aren’t just a luxury extravagance, they can be a quick and practical solution to your hectic lifestyle. at home’s editor, Rashmi Madan, went in search of some down time Just a short flight from Heathrow lies the Mediterranean island of Malta (midway between Europe and Africa).

Steeped in 7,000 years of history and blessed with beautiful scenery, it is a favourite short-haul destination. For the British – and one spa in particular is making headline news. Within minutes of landing in the Med, I quickly discovered the Maltese are a jovial and welcoming bunch – having left my phone on the aircraft, I was given VIP treatment by an airport assistant who immediately escorted me back onto the plane. Once there, the entire cabin crew helped search for my brand new iPhone! Nothing was too much trouble. Thirty minutes later, phone in hand and baggage claimed, I set off to be pampered and detoxified at my destination – Fortina hotel and spa resort, located in Silema – just three miles outside the bustling capital city of Valetta.

The Fortina is a uniquely Maltese creation – the brainwave of Michael Tabona. His 17-storey, five-star wellbeing sanctuary is big. Really big. It comprises two hotels for a start – a four-star, and a five-star. They sit side-by-side and share a selection of facilities, but the five-star has superior suites. There are also five swimming pools, four spa centres, a hair salon and dental clinic, cosmetic surgery options, a fitness centre and six restaurants – yes, six!

Rooms with a view
On arriving at reception, I was greeted by Michael like I was an old pal. I later found out he’s a very hands-on owner, adding to the friendliness of the entire spa. He and Cliff (the general manager) gave me a guided tour, then it was time to retreat to my therapeutic spa room. And it was nothing short of stunning. Not only was there a hot tub behind the bed, the en suite was superb. I discovered a private spa for two, a steam shower, a stressbuster machine, a therapeutic bath and a Dermalife massaging capsule (to rid you of toxins). There was a feeling of being spoiled, and it was very addictive! I was beginning to de-stress just by being there.

Relax, unwind and enjoy
You can choose from over 200 treatments at any of the four spas to complement the good work you’ve already done in your spa bedroom

The spas are renowned for their authentic Asian treatments offering a really spiritual and holistic experience. There are full-blown Japanese, Indonesian and Indian rituals, as well as classic massage. You can even have a colonic, get tested for food intolerances, indulge in a bit of yoga or simply sit in a meditation room. I opted for a Balinese massage on my first day. It’s a deep treatment for 90 minutes starting with some gentle strokes before working directly on acupressure points for more intensity. Afterwards, I felt relaxed and ready for a stroll around the rest of the spa(s).

The Spa Mediterranée specialises in concentrated seawater and algae treatments. Its warm Thalasso pool contains salts including potassium, calcium, magnesium, bromine, sulphates and carbonates and is great for relieving the aches of arthritis and rheumatism. You can book 15-minute sessions or do a 30-minute class with an instructor who takes you through a range of moves in the water helping you to stretch out. Treatments such as seaweed baths and mud wraps are all offered here.

Spa Santé is a more traditional spa. The idea is to go through to each of the rooms, one at a time, following a tailor-made circuit lasting two and a half hours. Absolute bliss.

The Belle Époque wellbeing and beauty centre is where you’d come for facials, manicures, pedicures and waxing. Get buffed and beautified in a calming environment.

The Hypogeum, a holistic spa specialising in Chinese medicine, colonic irrigation, Indonesian rituals and massages, colour therapy, acupuncture and Ayurveda as well as facials and body treatments. The Tuina, a full-body Chinese massage, is great for treating sports injuries. You need a good day or two to take in all that the spas offer. And as if that’s not enough, there’s a fitness centre with an indoor pool next to it!

Get brighter, whiter teeth in an hour
The innovative hotel has now added cosmetic dentistry to the menu

Cut-price crowns, veneers, fillings and root canal treatments as well as laser bleaching, are all offered in a state-of-the-art clinic right next door to the hotel. Dentists aren’t my favourite people in the world for obvious reasons, but after meeting Robert, one of the dental surgeons at Fortina’s Fortedent clinic, I was immediately reassured I’d be in safe hands. And I was. I opted for tooth whitening via the laser route. Robert explained each step and guaranteed whiter teeth by the end of the procedure.

Whitening gel was applied every 20 minutes while I sat back in the chair with the laser beaming onto my teeth. I was happily distracted by a movie fed into the TV monitor opposite Robert’s chair. The actual treatment is not painful at all – it’s just best not to talk, else you risk dribbling all over yourself! An hour later I had teeth that were four shades whiter. What’s more, they didn’t look false at all – just much cleaner. For 24 hours after the treatment you’re told not to eat or drink anything that could stain your new teeth – so red wine, chocolate, tea and coffee are all out. It’s well worth doing, though. Expect to pay from £500 for laser whitening in the UK, at Fortedent, it’s around £150 cheaper. 

Food for thought
Food is one of Fortina’s high points. Each of the six on-site restaurants has recently been recognised with four awards for their world-class, globe-spanning cuisine. Whatever you fancy, it’s here. Taste specialises in Mediterranean dishes with an unusual Vietnamese twist; Chinese and Thai food is the heart of Can Thai, while Sa Re Ga Ma, situated in the hotel’s tropical garden, has been recognised as serving the best Indian food in Malta. That’s not all – Hibiki offers sushi, sashimi as well as all manner of food and fresh veg cooked in front of you on a Teppanyaki grill. If you’re after a European influence, French and Italian cuisine can be found at the Tigné Brasserie and Il-Giardino. There’s something for everyone – a few times over.

The wow factor
Fortina really is the ultimate in rejuvenation and relaxation. You can do as much or as little as you like. The biggest draw has to be the spa bedrooms – essentially a spa in your room. You can spend a whole day in the room doing treatment after treatment. What’s more, the ‘wellness’ beds have magnetic mattresses, which guarantee you’ll sleep like a baby every night, while magnetic pillows reduce neck and shoulder pain. Other health-giving gizmos including a water de-ioniser, air purifier, and allergy-relieving bedding. And for total indulgence, you can also request a room with a private swimming pool and garden – I kid you not!

A new you
It might have only been a five-day break, but the impact has lasted much longer. At the end of my trip, not only was I 3lb lighter, but a few crucial inches had slipped off in all the right places. The massages, masks, oils, fat-burning machines and seawater algae pool had worked their magic on me – for five days and nights, I ate, slept and felt well. And I was totally relaxed by the time I had to return to life in London – albeit, minus my own private spa.

The details
Cost: A five-day break in a luxury spa bedroom, based on two people sharing, bed and breakfast, in September starts from €188 per person per day.
When to go:  Malta offers all-year sunshine. Check weather reports.
How to get there: Airlines flying to Malta from the UK include Air Malta, First Choice, Easy Jet, Thomas Cook, Ryanair and Thomson Fly. Further info: www.hotelfortina.com