Chenot Palace Weggis is the flagship wellness resort of the renowned Chenot brand, beautifully nestled on the shores of Lake Lucerne, right at the foot of the Swiss Alps. Known for its unique Chenot method, this luxurious retreat was honoured with the title of "World’s Best Detox Programme" last year. I was eager to experience the benefits of their renowned 6-day Advanced Detox programme, designed to 'unleash the self-healing power of your body.'
As the founder Henri Chenot wisely stated, "You need to live in harmony with yourself to be in optimal health," and during my stay, I truly understood the power of this philosophy. The combination of an 850-calorie detox meal plan and bio-energetic treatments helped expel toxins and restore balance within my body. During my time at Chenot Palace Weggis, I met a variety of guests—some looking to detox, others seeking to improve long-term health, and many simply wanting to de-stress. What struck me most was how many guests were return visitors, with a few even extending their stays due to the positive impact the programme was having.
Located just 1.5 hours from the UK, Chenot Palace Weggis is easily accessible, a mere 45-minute drive from Zurich Airport. My chauffeur met me at the airport, and as we approached the stunning Belle Epoque building, surrounded by panoramic views of the mountains, I knew I had arrived somewhere truly special. On my return journey, following the recommendation of some fellow guests, I decided to take a scenic boat ride to Lucerne, where I explored the city before catching my train to the airport.
The Chenot Method
Developed over fifty years of research, the Chenot Method® harnesses the body’s remarkable ability to heal itself, strengthen its defence mechanisms, and prevent disease. This unique approach blends traditional Chinese healing principles with cutting-edge scientific advancements from Western medicine. Through a tailored combination of protocols, treatments, and diet plans, the Chenot Method® works to rejuvenate the body and mind, promoting a life filled with wellness, vitality, and longevity.
At Chenot Palace Weggis, three distinct programmes cater to different wellness goals:
Advanced Detox: Aimed at those looking to cleanse and rejuvenate both mind and body.
Recover and Energise: Ideal for individuals dealing with stress, burnout, and fatigue.
Prevention and Ageing Well: Designed for those who want to enhance their body's resilience and maintain youthful vitality.
Each programme offers a personalised approach to help guests achieve their health and wellness objectives.
The Hotel
Upon my arrival at Chenot Palace Weggis, I was welcomed with a refreshing detox drink and given a personal planner to guide me throughout the week. The planner was also available on the Chenot app, which had my full schedule for the upcoming days.
The resort’s tranquil surroundings provide the perfect atmosphere to relax between treatments. Comfortable sunloungers are scattered around the 21m pool and in the outdoor garden. There’s also a private beach area, accessible via an underground tunnel, complete with paddleboards for guests to enjoy the serene lake.
On Monday evenings, the hotel hosts a meet and greet, where guests can connect with the management and fellow visitors. It’s a great way to learn more about the week ahead and mingle with others. I also had the pleasure of sipping a delightful ‘gin and tonic’ mocktail.
Guests are invited to join a range of complimentary activities throughout the week, including hikes, aqua gym sessions, and educational lectures. One of my favourite experiences was attending a cooking class, where I learned how to make a delicious salad dressing and beetroot hummus — a dish I’d enjoyed earlier in the week. For those interested in exploring the area, e-bikes are available for use.
The Rooms
The 97 rooms and suites at Chenot Palace Weggis are spread across four distinct buildings, each offering a unique style. The original building, dating back to 1875, retains many of its historic features, while the other structures feature a more contemporary design. The size of the rooms varies depending on the building.
I stayed in a double deluxe room in the original building, which was spacious and airy. My room had a balcony with breathtaking views of the mountains and lake — the perfect spot to unwind after a delicious dinner. To ensure maximum comfort, Chenot Palace provided a pillow menu and a minibar stocked with various types of water. Since the resort encourages a relaxed atmosphere, I was given a bag, robe, and slippers for the day, along with a separate set for the room.
The Medical Spa
On my first day at Chenot Palace Weggis, I underwent a series of medical, bioenergetic, and nutritional consultations, alongside advanced diagnostic tests. This helped the team tailor my programme specifically to my needs. One of the machines used during the tests had two copper handles that indicated which of my meridians were stressed. From this, my bio-energetic doctor developed a plan to restore my body’s energy balance through acupuncture sessions and daily Chenot energetic massages.
A core part of my programme involved hydro-aromatherapy baths, phyto-mud treatments, and hydro jet therapy designed to improve circulation, nourish my cells, eliminate toxins and fat deposits, and cleanse my skin. Due to my low blood pressure, I was advised to take lower temperature baths, and the hydro jet therapy was an invigorating experience. My therapist used warm water jets to target specific areas, followed by blasts of cold water—perfect for recharging my energy after the relaxing treatments.
The Chenot energetic massage was another daily ritual that I looked forward to. My therapist worked on clearing blocked meridians and restoring the flow of energy using a combination of cupping and targeted massage techniques.
Since I had arrived feeling overstressed, the doctors prescribed a neuro-acoustic relaxation therapy and whole-body photobiomodulation to restore my natural rhythm. I also tried cryosauna sessions, managing to increase my time to three minutes over the week, and Intermittent Vacuum Therapy to aid the detox process. I couldn’t resist booking a session with the advanced technology in the medical spa, opting for the Lymphatism and ZField Dual session to support body contouring.
By the end of my stay, I felt incredibly relaxed and rejuvenated, with all my meridians balanced. The doctors reviewed the results of my Chenot lifestyle biomarkers and body composition analysis, offering helpful recommendations for when I return home. One of the most interesting findings was from my minerals and heavy metals analysis, which revealed that my body had high levels of aluminium and silver. The doctor explained that this was likely due to overuse of my mobile phone and recommended switching to aluminium-free cosmetics.
The Fitness
Back home, my focus is mainly on running and high-intensity classes. During my initial consultation at Chenot Palace Weggis, I mentioned that the lower half of my body had been feeling quite weak recently. As a result, the doctor recommended the Neurac treatment, which uses suspension exercises to correct imbalances and strengthen muscles. I noticed an immediate improvement and, following my physio’s take-home recommendations, I am now exercising pain-free.
The fitness centre at the retreat offers stunning views of the mountains and is equipped with advanced scientific machines. One of the highlights was the anti-gravity treadmill, which allowed me to run at just 20% of my body weight. This innovative machine, invented by NASA, helped me burn 700 calories on a 6km run while giving me the sensation of running in space. It even provided a video to help enhance my gait and movement patterns. My trainer explained that it’s especially popular with athletes for reducing injury risk, improving accuracy, and assisting rehab patients.
The Food
During my nutritional consultation at Chenot Palace Weggis, I was informed that I would be following a 850-calorie per day diet as part of the detox programme. The Chenot diet plan is plant-based, with no sugars, processed foods, caffeine, or salt. The purpose of this approach is to put the body in a fasting state, giving organs a break while working to eliminate toxins, regenerate cells, and boost energy levels. The nutritionist explained that it's common to experience side effects like fatigue, nausea, and headaches during the first few days as my body adjusted and withdrew toxins.
Meals at the retreat were beautifully presented and offered stunning views of Mount Rigi and Mount Pilatus. Breakfast typically started with fruit to regulate blood sugar levels, followed by a detox tea. Caffeine wasn’t available, but barley or chicory coffee was offered as an alternative. Lunch and dinner were served as three-course meals, but there were no desserts. The dishes included delicious alternatives to pasta, risotto, and gnocchi, and between meals, broths were available to help curb hunger. Throughout the week, I made a conscious effort to eat each bite slowly and mindfully, which surprisingly helped me feel full and satisfied, with hunger lessening later on in the programme.
There was also a tea lounge offering unique blends created by the in-house tea sommelier, along with juices and smoothies. However, I was informed that I would only be allowed one smoothie or juice per day due to the calorie restrictions.
Summary
Chenot Palace Weggis is perfect for anyone looking to invest in their health and well-being, offering the time and space to reflect on both physical and emotional health. While the 850kcal per day diet may sound challenging, there's no better place to undergo this detox than under the expert care of Switzerland’s best detox specialists.
After my stay, I left Chenot Palace Weggis a couple of kilos lighter and feeling much clearer in both mind and body. While I haven’t fully converted to a plant-based diet at home, I’ve made a conscious effort to eat smaller portions and make healthier choices, inspired by the benefits of a cleaner diet I experienced during my time at the retreat.
Find out more about Chenot Palace Weggis here or call to speak to one of our specialists on +44(0) 203 886 0082