The celebrity-adored health retreat that promises to turn you into your best self within a week

Exhausted by the rigorous demands of adulting in New York City, I packed a suitcase and headed to St. Lucia to conduct a highly scientific experiment: can a wellness vacation fix my life? 

Certainly, it's not my first beach vacation. Having island-hopped throughout the Caribbean and the Mediterranean over the years, I know the power of a daybed and a cold drink.

Still, when I was invited for a stay at sister resorts BodyHoliday and StolenTime, there was something more being offered than just a tan and a hangover. 

Give us your body for a week, and we’ll give you back your mind.

Challenge accepted.

Can a wellness vacation fix your life? BodyHoliday challenges guests to spend a week working on transforming themselves in mind and body 

BodyHoliday and StolenTime, prove there is more to beach vacations than just getting a tan and a hangover

BodyHoliday is an all-inclusive luxury wellness retreat nestled in a posh corner of St. Lucia. Celeb fans of the resort reportedly include Emma Bunton and legendary actor Morgan Freeman.

If it's good enough for a Spice Girl, it's good enough for me.  

After making my way through customs, I was greeted by smiling hotel staffers who handed me a cold towel and a bottle of water before whisking me away for a scenic ride to the resort (if winding car rides through the mountains aren't your thing, not to worry - a helicopter ride can be arranged by the concierge).

Upon arrival, guests barely lift a finger - unless it is to raise a glass of champagne. My luggage was magically transported to my beachfront guest room, which was prepared to my specifications using a pillow menu so that I could optimize my sleep. Naturally, a sleep consultant is also available to guests looking to take their rest to the next level.

BodyHoliday is an all-inclusive luxury wellness retreat nestled in a posh corner of St. Lucia

Sunrise yoga is a favorite offering among guests

However, getting a good night's sleep isn't really a difficult task given the dawn to dusk schedule of fitness classes available to guests. The offerings include unlimited archery, golf, tennis, and sailing lessons just to name a few. At night, the sound of the ocean just outside my balcony lulled me to sleep.

While the beach is technically public, you'd never know it if you visited, as resort guests are the only people I saw on this scenic and remote stretch of sand. 

The daily spa offerings - which are also part of the all-inclusive package - include facials, massages, and virtually any other treatment you can think of. 

Celeb fans of the resort reportedly include Emma Bunton and legendary actor Morgan Freeman

Upon arrival, guests barely lift a finger - unless it is to raise a glass of champagne

While the beach is technically public, you'd never know it if you visited, as resort guests are the only people I saw on this scenic and remote stretch of sand

Of course, no wellness retreat would be complete without sound baths, sunrise yoga, and sunset tai chi. 

While the food offerings include a wide array of healthy options, guests hoping to indulge will have no problem locating a juicy steak, sushi, or a burger and fries.

Perhaps the most distinctive feature of BodyHoliday is how it caters to solo travelers, and keeps them coming back. 

Sitting in the piano bar before dinner, I scrolled through my phone - a crutch I use when I'm not quite sure what to do with myself. 

However, my awkwardness did not last for long. Within five minutes I was approached by a beautiful statuesque British woman who asked, 'Are you here solo?'

Getting a good night's sleep isn't a difficult task given the dawn to dusk schedule of fitness classes available to guests. The sounds of the sea and the tree frogs will lull you to dreamland

While the food offerings include a wide array of healthy options, guests hoping to indulge will have no problem locating a juicy steak, sushi, or a burger and fries

Moments after she sat down and introduced herself, I was joined by three others who did the same. As the conversations drifted from which private members' clubs were on the rise in London - and which are on the decline - I realized that this group of  fast friends were all once strangers who only needed one thing in common - they had booked a vacation at BodyHoliday years ago, and had been coming back ever since.

Those repeat visits were a common thread throughout the stay - to find a guest that was a first-timer was a rare occasion, with one man revealing he had stayed at the resort at least thirteen times over the years.

So who are the clientele? Aside from the stars, the resort seems to be favored by Brits, with a smattering of guests from the US and Canada - doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs, and financiers - along with others who maintain an air of mystery as they enjoy their two-week vacations at $1K per night. 

For those seeking a similar experience at a more intimate resort catering to couples, there is StolenTime, BodyHoliday's sister resort located 20 minutes away. Here, guests can expect stellar wellness options at a hotel built around a 150 year old tree - strung romantically with a chandelier that illuminates a lush garden at night.

For those seeking a similar experience at a more intimate resort catering to couples, there is StolenTime

StolenTime boasts stunning daybeds dotted along the beach

Guests at this locale can expect modern St. Lucian cuisine as well as a gorgeous French restaurant with a meticulously well-curated menu. 

Even the alcoholic beverages are a cut above the rest. The resort offers a full bar, but the traditional vacation drinks like rum punch and pina coladas are made with fresh fruit and just the perfect touch of sweetness, leaving you refreshed rather than nursing a pounding headache.  

So, did my week of wellness make me better? I have to say it did. Spending the week focusing on wellbeing is a luxury, but it is one worth indulging in. Being mindful of how we move our bodies and what we consume is a practice that we can't help but bring home with us. As I returned home to the hustle and bustle of the city, I found myself more centered, armed with the tools to clear away the stressors that come along with the daily grind.

Regardless of which of the sister resorts you choose, one thing is for certain - you are sure to come away feeling more human than you ever have, in mind, body and spirit. After all, can't we all use a little refresh?