Incredible Wellness Destinations: Ana Marqes Of Tivoli Carvoeiro Algarve Resort On Why & How Traveling Can Help Us Heal
An Interview With Wanda Malhotra
…Traveling is a vital component for a quality life. It can improve our mental health, creativity, and perspective. By stepping out of our comfort zones and immersing ourselves in new cultures, we become more mindful, gain clarity and a deeper understanding and gratefulness for the world around us. Personally, I am grateful that I could always travel with my daughter for my work assignments in Jordan, Doha, Dubai, Barcelona and even in the Maldives for short periods of time. To be able to share this experience with her because of my job gave me a sense of gratitude and happiness. We were able to experience new sights, cultures, and dialects together as a family. This experience also gave her the chance to be more mindful and adaptable to change at a very early age…
The pandemic has shaped the way we travel and live, with a growing trend leaning towards health, wellness, and a holistic lifestyle. More than ever, individuals are seeking not just getaways, but immersive wellness retreats that help rejuvenate the body, mind, and soul. Destinations that provide a serene environment, unique wellness offerings, and an unparalleled experience are in great demand. In this interview series, we are talking to property owners and hospitality companies who are at the helm of these wellness havens. As a part of this series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Ana Marques.
Ana Marques is an industry expert with 15 years of extensive knowledge in all aspects of the spa industry, having worked with iconic luxury hospitality brands like Anantara, Six Senses, Mandarin Oriental, and Tivoli Hotels & Resorts, from the Middle East to Asia and Europe. Traveling for work has given Ana the opportunity to experience different destinations and cultures on a holistic level and continuously identify new wellness trends, while making hotels and spas unique places of distinction.
Four years ago, during the pandemic, Ana returned to her home country and was appointed as Managing Director of Tivoli Spas at Tivoli Hotels & Resorts for the Algarve region in Portugal. Here, she oversees the spas at three luxury properties and has enhanced the Tivoli Spa brand identity, creating a more upscale and appealing concept where stress prevention and reduction are the focus. She utilizes evidence-based modalities, partnerships with medical professionals, and other programming, including yoga, fitness and meditation classes, as well as nutrition and healthy food, to offer a holistic spa experience to the clientele.
Ana believes that spas can go beyond luxury pampering and she thrives to offer these experiences in any destination around the world, be it in the first underwater spa in the Maldives, on a remote man-made island in the Middle East, in a medical spa in the Dead Sea or at home in the Algarve nestled near the sea and in nature, close to her family and friends.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive into the main focus of our interview, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood backstory?
I was born and raised until the age of 14 in the Middle East. My parents moved back to Portugal due to the Persian Gulf war in the 1990’s and I finished my studies in the beautiful city of Lisbon. I always had a passion for traveling and for management, so I decided to complete my bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management and start my journey in hospitality. At the age of 25, I got a job as Night Manager (Duty Manager) at Le Meridien Hotel in downtown Lisbon. I remember I was one of the first women working in a Night Manager position in the hotel industry back in the days. This was an eye-opening experience for me and a chance to learn more about the hotel sector. I oversaw the entire evening operations of the hotel, ensuring guest satisfaction and implementing hotel policies and procedures, as well as conducting night audit and front desk duties. On occasion, I got the chance to park a Ferrari or a Porsche for our guests, which was a truly exciting time for me.
What or who inspired you to pursue your career? We’d love to hear the story.
It was later in 2007 when four- and five-star resorts and city hotels started to explore the possibility of adding spa facilities to their fitness programming. I was truly intrigued by this and thought it could really enhance the overall guest experience. I felt drawn to it so when the opportunity to join the first Six Senses Spa in Europe presented itself, I took a job as a Spa Receptionist so I could learn more about the business. I fell in love with the Six Senses culture, their strong environmental commitment and how they extended wellness into the destination and, of course, the opportunity to work in some of the most exotic places on earth. Inspired by this, I quickly moved into a Spa Manager position.
None of us can achieve success without some help along the way. Was there a particular person who you feel gave you the most help or encouragement to be who you are today? Can you share a story about that?
Well, we are taught how to live life from childhood. Whether it is at school, home or in the neighborhood, everyone is an equal participant in our upbringing. Also, the environment you’re in, teachers, classmates, books and travel play a huge role. On my own terms, I have learned a lot about myself, my limitations and where I need assistance. I believe our mind is constantly evolving and it grows from experiences and interactions. Nevertheless, behind my success is the tireless work of my parents, and of course, my past mistakes and accomplishments.
It has been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share the funniest or most interesting mistake that occurred to you in the course of your career? What lesson or takeaway did you learn from that?
I have a funny mistake to share. At a spa we once sold paper underwear (by mistake) as a proper garment to use for swimming. We only noticed because we saw a gentleman walk by when he left the pool and he realized everyone was staring at him. I had to go over and apologize with a serious face for the mistake and hand him the correct swim shorts. Lesson learned, mistakes can happen and it’s part of the experience. Sometimes simple duties can lead to mistakes that can make people feel very uncomfortable.
Can you share your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Why does that resonate with you so much?
“Life is a long lesson in humility.” — James M. Barrie
I have realized that I still have a lot to learn, and this keeps me motivated every day! Life still surprises me. I feel like I am on a continuous journey of learning, which includes raising my 14-year-old daughter, working with my colleagues, being part of my employees’ lives and getting to know myself better.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? How do you think that might help people?
At Tivoli Carvoeiro Algarve Resort we are working on launching Executive Retreats due to high demand for these types of events during off-peak season. Wellness is now on the agenda of most event organizers, and attendees are demanding it too. They no longer want the pre-pandemic grind of jam-packed agendas!
This is clearly an opportunity for us as we have the perfect setting for companies to upgrade their Incentive Travel.
The resort is situated on a cliffside overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, offering luxurious accommodations, a renowned Tivoli Spa that focuses on holistic wellbeing, beachfront yoga sessions, adventure activities, guided hikes, stargazing experiences, and local healthy cuisine with panoramic views for an indulgent and peaceful experience.
Executive wellness retreats hold immense value in the modern business world. These programs give attendees the chance to unplug from their day-to-day life and elevate some, or all, of the pillars of nutrition, fitness and recreation. They provide high-level professionals with a dedicated space to nurture their well-being, foster personal growth, and enhance their overall performance.
I believe travel can heal even if you are working. The possibility to provide a phone-free day, or even a couple of hours away, is the perfect digital escape for anyone´s mental and emotional well-being!
OK, thank you for all of that. Let’s now shift to the core focus of our interview about wellness destinations. Let’s dive deeper into this together. Based on your research or personal experience, why do you think travel can lead to better wellness? Can you share a story?
Travel can be a transformational experience where you can recharge and reinvent yourself in very positive ways. It offers a chance to assess your current state-of-mind and complex life. Being in a place that allows you to think freely without the constant noise can help you figure out how you can better prioritize your problems, find a better life balance and focus on how to have a better social network, and this includes with family members as well!
Trying new things has helped me appreciate the mental and physical therapeutic benefits that can come with traveling! In my case, and this was a couple of years ago, I felt completely burned out after an intense four-year assignment abroad. Plus, I was also at a stage in my life where I had to make difficult decisions regarding my future…and I must add that I was also going through a divorce process. I felt like I needed to give myself a break, find a practice that could help me relax and recover while allowing me the time I needed to figure out what my next steps were. I had a couple of job offers in hand already, but they all involved an international career, which was exciting but at the end of the day what I really wanted was to return home and settle down, even if it meant being jobless for a while. I decided to embark on a solo trip for two months to Thailand and take a 200-hour Yoga Teaching course to help heal myself and finish my Dive Master course. I decided to celebrate myself and booked the trip on February 2nd, my birthday. It was magical and helped me unlock new interests and skills, which I brought home and are part of my life still today. Nowadays, and for relaxation and healing purposes, I plan my travels in pursuit of all the world-famous diving spots. Diving is a source of peace for me, and the underwater world is a place of true healing. It resets my mind! Hanging with the fish and swaying with the tides is like meditation under the surface.
What are a few things that distinguish your property from thousands of wellness properties around the world?
Tivoli Carvoeiro Algarve Resort is known for its breathtaking and colorful landscape, for the heart-warming encounters with local staff, and for the fresh flavors of our cuisine. But above all else, guests mention that they feel completely renewed and relaxed after their stay with us. The property has a distinctive vibe, and when you leave you somehow know you´ll be back again. For me personally, here you can turn to nature for a complete rebalance journey for body and soul — the meditative walks along the breathtaking Seven Hanging Valleys, unusual coves along the coast, are a must do and are extremely healing. From early morning yoga sessions on the cliff to ice bathing therapies at the Spa after long walks, as well as signature Tivoli Spa treatments, you´ll leave with endless inspiration and a renewed sense of creativity.
What type of experience do you want your visitors to have when they visit?
Life is all about experiences. And unlike material things, experiences stay with us no matter where we go. Finding ways to make the most of our visitors’ life experiences is a challenge that we face every day. We give our guests a chance to explore the region by offering distinct accommodation and exceptional activities, like boat trips to Carvoeiro and Benagil sea caves located in the Lagoa coastal area of the Algarve, as well as a chance to dive into local cuisines at our restaurants, which have a distinct focus on local produce and Algarve wines. We thrive to showcase local producers, the region’s unique bounty, and generally the best that the Algarve has to offer. Also, we share new ways of living by providing guided meditative walks along the cliffs, unique treatments at Tivoli Spa and introducing our guests to the power of healing through water at one of Europe’s most beautiful beaches. Tivoli Carvoeiro is a stunning setting — guests love the cool Sky Bar with fabulous views, artisan cocktails and sushi, and DJ tunes or live music. Many visiting couples return to the property for their own romantic wedding! The ocean breeze and manicured gardens create the perfect environment to hold an unforgettable ceremony.
What makes your property a beautiful escape for a body and mind recharge?
Tivoli Carvoeiro is a charming coastal property that has retained its Portuguese identity through hospitality that is innate in the locals. It’s less than an hour’s drive west of Faro International Airport, right in the heart of the Algarve on a stretch of beautiful coast. The resort is just a few minutes’ drive from the town of Carvoeiro, and is built within the cliffs, making it a perfectly accessible setting for an escape for the body and mind. It’s attractive to all kinds of travelers — solo, couples, families, corporate and event organizers. It provides a much-needed break from the monotony of daily life, reducing stress and promoting experiences of well-being.
Why do you think the experience you offer is so needed nowadays?
We aim to help guests by changing their perspective, which can lead to them adopting healthier habits and behaviors through exercise, body and mind practices like yoga, holistic therapies, breathwork, guided ice bathing, and more. All these practices lead to improved mental and physical health, enhanced purpose, and personal growth, which are required by all us humans!
Do you think travel enhances our mindfulness, optimism, or sense of gratitude? How? Can you please explain with an example or story?
Traveling is a vital component for a quality life. It can improve our mental health, creativity, and perspective. By stepping out of our comfort zones and immersing ourselves in new cultures, we become more mindful, gain clarity and a deeper understanding and gratefulness for the world around us. Personally, I am grateful that I could always travel with my daughter for my work assignments in Jordan, Doha, Dubai, Barcelona and even in the Maldives for short periods of time. To be able to share this experience with her because of my job gave me a sense of gratitude and happiness. We were able to experience new sights, cultures, and dialects together as a family. This experience also gave her the chance to be more mindful and adaptable to change at a very early age.
What are your “5 Habits You Should Develop In Order Make Travel Into An Opportunity For Wellness & Personal Growth?”
1 . Be Mindful
Focus on the moment, enjoy your time. Disconnect from the digital realm!
2 . Step Out of Your Comfort Zone
Experience new things, create at least one opportunity for personal growth.
3 . Prioritize Self-Care
Book a spa treatment, or simply be gentle and focus on self-care.
4 . Immerse in Nature
Go for a long walk, hike, or run. Take advantage of the outdoors.
5 . Boost Your Mood
Explore the new culture and its food and connect to new people.
Based on your experience, where do you see the future of wellness travel heading in the next 5–10 years?
I think people are see travel as an important part of their mental wellness. We need to stay healthy and improve mental and physical well-being and, of course, when we travel, we take these values with us.
We will continue to see an increase in AI applications in diagnostics and creation of wellness content. At the moment virtual reality experiences take us to tranquil meditation settings from the comfort of our homes, while personalized wellness apps create tailored programs based on our health data and what we would like to achieve. However, we will always need the power of real human touch, and this will never die out. Traveling and the exposure to new cultures, cuisines and people increases our levels of dopamine and serotonin — the “feel-good” hormones — leading to a positive boost in mood and happiness. Having said this, wellness travel still needs to develop holistic offerings that build upon the destination’s unique and local healing traditions, nature, and ethnic cuisine. People will always look for that real authentic experience.
We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US, whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we both tag them :-)
Simon Sinek — Find Your WHY. I would love to have a chat with him about living life with more purpose and passing that on to the business side of things.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Follow me on LinkedIn.
Thank you for these really excellent insights, and we greatly appreciate the time you spent on this. We wish you continued success.
About the Interviewer: Wanda Malhotra is a wellness entrepreneur, lifestyle journalist, and the CEO of Crunchy Mama Box, a mission-driven platform promoting conscious living. CMB empowers individuals with educational resources and vetted products to help them make informed choices. Passionate about social causes like environmental preservation and animal welfare, Wanda writes about clean beauty, wellness, nutrition, social impact and sustainability, simplifying wellness with curated resources. Join Wanda and the Crunchy Mama Box community in embracing a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle at CrunchyMamaBox.com .
