If you’re looking for a world of wellness near Florence, Asmana has it all. The largest day spa in Italy is celebrating its ninth anniversary this June, so there’s never been a better time to lounge in the pools, saunas and steam rooms of this relaxation paradise in Campi Bisenzio, just 30 minutes from central Florence.
It’s a midweek morning when The Florentine visits Asmana. Placing a towel on one of the sun loungers on the recreated sandy beach, the day begins with a dip in the heated outdoor pool, a light breeze rippling water and hair. The warmth of the salt pool purifies with its saline bubbles after drifting aimlessly around the counter-current Lazy River loop, benefitting from an invigorating head and neck massage. Swimming from outside to inside reveals the immensity of Asmana: three floors expertly designed and dedicated to every aspect of wellness.
Feeling the stress of the city fade away, it’s time for a drink at the Tropical Pool Bar perched on a stool, legs and abdomen floating in the soothing water. Couples and friends (there’s a minimum age limit of 18) chat while sipping spritzes, green juices and cocktails, and nibbling on olives and taralli bread snacks. After a lie down, book in hand (phones are discouraged in the pool areas and altogether prohibited on the upper sauna floors), the Wine Sauna to the rear of the beachenvelops with its subtle heat as grape aromas are released from the Chianti barrel at the centre of the circular space.
Back in the main building, the colour therapy of the Grotta beckons, an award-winning eight-metre waterfall cascading from the heights of the building as wellness lovers boost the circulation in their lower legs from walking through alternating cool and warm waters. View the waterfall through a side window on the first floor before removing your slippers and laying down a towel in the Zen Sauna, where a stone bowl filled with herbs softly scents the air as contemplation descends while gazing at the glimmering cascade through the pane of glass. Exiting the gentle calefaction, I dive into the adjacent shower prior to entering the more intense 70-degree Finnish-style Herb Sauna, complete with latticework steps, low lighting and relaxing music, followed by the recommended 15 minutes in the vast Indian Sauna, the largest sauna in Italy, marked by a sculpted marble portal. After replenishing the body with a long drink of water, the quietude of the Hay Dream and Cocoon Escape relaxation rooms proves irresistible with their mountain goodness and birdsong. Determined to relieve the weariness in my limbs, I pull a cord to activate a 15-minute session beneath the gentle yet effective infrared lights on the very top floor of Asmana.
The eastern promise of the Hammam awaits with the octagonal pool lined by multiple steam rooms: the lingering iodine vapours of the Salinarium, the captivating essences of the Sensorial Bath and the purifying Soap Bath, where a pre-bookable 1001 Nights ritual is available for a minimal additional fee of 12 euro. The Turkish Bath provides further relaxation in the form of a wellness ceremony as an expert wafts the air, upping the temperature and handing out a freshly made scrub made from hibiscus and palm rose essential oil. A wander down a bamboo walkway leads to the Bali-inspired Fire Sanctuary, Himalayan Salt Room and the impressive Indian Temple, where guided meditations focus on each of the seven chakras surrounded by striking stone columns and the primordial echoing of the Om. A healthy lunch on the shaded terrace by the pools completes the holistic Asmana experience.
Getting here has never been easier thanks to the Asmana Relax Pass + Transfer package (89 euro), which includes a round trip transfer from/to Florence, five hours of pure relaxation, a drink immersed in the water at the Tropical Pool Bar, and even a spa kit comprising of a bathrobe, towel, slippers, shower gel and shampoo. Relaxed and recharged, Asmana is the perfect antidote to busy urban living.
Via Allende 10, Campi Bisenzio
Weekday and weekend rates are available for all day or three or five hours. Open 365 days a year. Monday-Thursday 10am-midnight, Friday 10am-1am, Saturday 9am-1am + Sunday 9am-midnight
