BodyHoliday

This was one of many visits I’ve made to Bodyholiday, and as always, it did not disappoint. Each trip feels unique, which is exactly why I keep coming back.

One of my absolute must-dos is a visit to the skin clinic. It offers a wide range of services, and as a woman of colour who is very mindful about the products used on my skin, it’s one of the few places where I have complete confidence in both the treatments and the products.

Samson has the magic touch, simple as that. I used to be very reluctant to have facials, but he completely changed my mindset. Alongside my dermatologist, he’s helped me manage and even reverse my hyperpigmentation, and I’ve genuinely seen a difference in how my skin is ageing.

What truly sets him apart is his ability to assess your skin and recommend exactly what you need. He’s incredibly knowledgeable and takes the time to explain each treatment, so you fully understand the process and the results you can expect.

He is thorough, patient, and never rushes. He makes sure you feel completely comfortable and confident before proceeding, and there’s a genuine sense of care in everything he does.

If you’re visiting Bodyholiday, booking with Samson, in the skin clinic is a must. Your skin will thank you!

Some resorts invite you to relax. BodyHoliday hands you a smoothie, points toward a mountain, schedules your massage up 78 steps, and politely dares you to become a more interesting version of yourself.

This is not a standard “sit still until checkout” beach resort. It is adults-only, calm, social, and built around movement, wellness, and trying things you might normally talk yourself out of. The beach is about a 60-second walk from your room, and in a refreshingly bold move, only one guest room on the resort has a TV. The message is clear: Gotham can brood indoors. You are here to get outside.

What makes BodyHoliday special is the balance. You can start the day with the excellent “Morning” shake from the smoothie bar, take a class, meet people at lunch, climb to the Wellness Centre for a treatment, dance on a boat cruise, and still end the day feeling restored instead of exhausted. With only about 150 rooms, the resort feels intimate. You keep seeing the same guests at meals and activities, which makes it easy to form friendships. Repeat visitors are everywhere; many had been 5+ times, and one guest we met was on visit number 50. That is not a guest. That is lore.

The resort works best when you lean into it. Try the water aerobics, Tai Chi, yoga, hiking, sailing, scuba, or dance lessons even if they are outside your comfort zone. The instructors are welcoming and meet people where they are. We took a Foxtrot lesson with Gordina and Trent, the featured dance instructors during our stay, and yes, bring dancing shoes. BodyHoliday is less “do nothing” and more “come home with stories.”

Detective Tips:

• Take the 10:00 AM resort tour as early as possible so you understand the property and everything available. • Ask the concierge for the restaurant menus for your whole stay because menus change daily. • Book anything marked “Reservations Required” through the concierge early. • Ask about the complimentary scuba lesson; it is easy to overlook. • Try the “Morning” shake at the smoothie bar. It became a daily favorite. • Visit the infinity pool early before aqua aerobics makes it busier. • Do the shorter guided walk before signing up for the longer hike. • Schedule the body scrub early in your stay before your skin gets sun-kissed. • Schedule the aloe wrap closer to departure to soothe your skin after time in the sun. • Flip your room card to “Out Playing” before dinner or activities to help ensure turndown service. • Bring or use a reusable water bottle because you will be active throughout the day. • Showing up right on time for activities worked fine; we still got into everything we wanted. • The boat cruise is highly recommended. It becomes a dance party, and light food is served. • We visited in June, which is considered part of the lighter season. • Make an effort to meet people. The resort’s size and activity schedule make it naturally social.

BEWARE OF...

• The 78 steps to the Wellness Centre. Your massage begins after your calves file a complaint. • The longer hike. It starts by walking up the road to the top of the mountain, then descends through wooded trails back to the resort. It is vigorous. • Bringing a purse or bag on the hike. Leave unnecessary cargo behind unless you enjoy recreational luggage management. • Birds at the Pavilion Restaurant. They aggressively steal unattended food with Penguin-level confidence. Do not leave your plate alone, even briefly. • Leftover food after you finish eating. Cover it with a napkin or empty plate until staff clears the table. • Renting a sailboat without checking wind conditions. We saw one capsize on a windy day. • Mosquitoes near the beach after dark. Bring bug spray. We got numerous bites. • Waiting too long to book reserved activities. The concierge is your ally, not a side quest.

BodyHoliday blends wellness, adventure, relaxation, and community better than almost anywhere we have stayed. It is active without being punishing, social without being loud, and restorative without being boring. Gotham could use a place like this, though I would still keep an eye on the birds.