Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady Wellness

Launched in 2021, Virgin Voyages has embraced wellness as a key differentiator in its mission to disrupt the cruising industry.

Quentin Long reviewed Resilient Lady on her inaugural (Virgin Voyages like to call them ‘MerMaiden’) sailing across the Greek Islands. Now he reviews the wellness experiences including the spa, gym and beauty offerings.

Redemption Spa

The Redemption Spa onboard the Resilient Lady (and all three other Virgin Voyages ships) is in the bowels of the ship on deck five.

The location is unusual, as spas aren’t often mid-ship and low on the decks. It’s also a small space when compared to other larger ships – but then again, Resilient Lady is carrying a maximum of just under 3000 people, compared to the more common crowds of 4000 to 4500 people.

A spa pass is US$39 ($57) on port days and US$59 ($86) for sea days; this gives you three hours of access to the thermal pools, saunas and steam rooms.

the redemption spa, Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady — Get steamy at the Redemption Spa. (Image: Gina Joy Photo)

Move from the salt room to the steam room. Once the steam has opened your pores, grab your mud and head to the mud room to get the skin really glowing.

One feature that’s atypical and will perhaps disappoint regular cruisers is the lack of heated sun beds. In their place is an enormous heated slab of marble, which can accommodate around eight adults. It’s a bit of an occupational health and safety risk if you have wet feet and are trying to step onto it for a lie-down. Marble is also a very hard surface, so a multitude of towels are needed to arrange a makeshift lounge for a more comfortable spot to relax and snooze.

an overhead shot of the jacuzzi onboard Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady — Lounge by the biggest jacuzzi at sea. (Image: The Fraser James)

The spa menu is comprehensive enough without an overwhelming array of esoteric mumbo-jumbo offerings. The treatments are in increments of 50, 75 and 100 minutes, with six types of massages and several body and facial therapies. The 50-minute massages cost between US$199 ($292) and US$229 ($336).

One massage uses bamboo sticks to roll you out like thin-crust pizza, and this reviewer loved it. It was the best thing I could do after five relentless days of exploring and energetic nightly entertainment.

B-Complex

The gym space is split into two spaces. Burn & Bike is made up of treadmills and rowing machines with a spin room, while the Build & Balance area is where you’ll find traditional weights and floor space for mat work and roll-out sessions. Sunrise and sunset yoga is offered at The Perch outdoors on deck 17.

The wellness program is comprehensive with a huge variety of sessions, like gut health talks, horizontal bungee and HIIT classes.

Perhaps the most popular and fun part of it all – although not technically held in B-Complex – is the VHS Workout (videos, headbands and Simmons). Held in The Manor, the nightclub on deck six (with a balcony on deck seven), the class is a return to the ’80s aerobics workouts led by Richard Simmons. Replete in full fluoro leg warmers and lycra, this is a camp workout for the ages.

health and wellness b-complex at sea, Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady — Bask in transformational wellness at sea.

Stubble and Groom

The upscale barbershop offers a full menu of men’s grooming, including haircuts, hot lather shaves, beard trims and pedicures. It can be hard to get a booking and isn’t priced like your local barber shop; a 30-minute express shave is US$89 ($130).

Dry Dock

The options in Dry Dock on deck six vary from a 15-minute organic Kerastase hair treatment to a 45-minute scalp massage with a hair mask and blowout. The Dry Dock is also home to the brow bar.

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The Tune Up

The Tune Up on deck 15 is the manicure/pedicure spa and medi spa. Manis and pedis range from US$69 ($101) to US$109 for 25–60 minute treatments.

For more intensive treatments, The Tune Up offers Dysport injections and Restylane fillers.

chairs facing the sea at The Tune Up, Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady — Treat yourself to an all-out mani-pedi experience at The Tune Up.

Squid Ink

Squid Ink is the only tattoo parlour at sea. I had my doubts about its popularity – for one thing, you’re not meant to swim for five days after being inked, but the studio manager informed me they have appropriate bandages (used for burn units) that allow more freedom. And I was proved wrong, as the studio was pretty much fully booked for my trip.

Every sailing has a different tattoo artist and their bonafides are presented in the studio. One woman in her early 30s with a few tattoos of her own did admit to it being expensive.

the first tattoo parlour at sea, Squid Ink — Pop into Squid Ink, the first tattoo parlour at sea.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady spa, gym and beauty options