The Offsite, Vol. 01: Lisbon, a Status CWO wellness guide designed as a corporate offsite invitation in dark green and yellow

A NOTE FROM YOUR CHIEF WELLNESS OFFICER:

I have been visiting Portugal since 2010. For many years, Portugal was an underground, best kept secret…”the California of Europe”. Before all the hype and fancy hotels and secluded estates, Portugal has always been a place for wellness refuge: (nearly) eternal sunshine, beautiful nature and a slow-life pace. Now with the rising wellness scene, I did what any self-respecting CWO would do: I scheduled an “offsite”.

This isn’t a list of fancy hotel spas. I asked locals where they actually go to unwind and built this guide with their inputs and dutifully tested each and every experience personally. Seven experiences and one bonus excursion, across Lisbon and just beyond.

As the French school holiday approaches, it’s a great time to think of your next trip and add these to your must-visit list.

SALDANHA

1. Core Values

Prescription — Pilates Studio (Saldanha)

Av. João Crisóstomo 55, 1050-128 Lisboa

Saldanha · Nearest metro: Saldanha

prescription.pt · @prescription.pilates: see for other studio locations

A full-body audit, set to a 2000s throwback playlist. Efficient, challenging, and somehow still fun.

Prescription Pilates studio postcard of the instructor team in black, next to a pair of taupe grip socks with lime green dots

2. Between the Lines

Tantos Livros — Bookshop

Av. Marquês de Tomar 1B, 1050-152 Lisboa

Saldanha · Nearest metro: Saldanha

tantoslivroslivreiros.pt · @tantoslivroslivreiros

Mostly Portuguese titles, but the vibe translates without a dictionary. Grab an espresso, sink into the couch, and let the shelves give you a read on the culture instead.

Couch and bookshelves at Tantos Livros bookshop in Saldanha, Lisbon

3. Power Pause

Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian — Garden

Av. de Berna 45A, 1067-001 Lisboa

Praça de Espanha / São Sebastião · Nearest metro: São Sebastião

gulbenkian.pt · @fcgulbenkian

No meeting notes here. Just shade and permission to do absolutely nothing for twenty minutes.

Shaded garden at the Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian in Lisbon

4. The Refuel

The Happy Salad — Quick Bite

R. São Sebastião da Pedreira 51 C, 1050-208 Lisboa

Saldanha · Nearest metro: Saldanha / Picoas

thehappysalad.com · @thehappysalad.pt

Customizable, filling, and actually delicious, proof a working lunch doesn’t have to be sad desk food.

Customized salad bowl at The Happy Salad in Saldanha, Lisbon

5. Face Time

The Face Only — Facials

Av. Praia da Vitória 18, 1000-139 Lisboa

Saldanha · Nearest metro: Saldanha

thefaceonly.pt · @thefaceonly.lisbon

After welcoming you with a waffle robe, a tea and a snack, you get a full facial with a scalp massage that makes you forget you had anywhere else to be.

Reception area at The Face Only in Lisbon, with the illuminated store sign above a screen showing three models

PRÍNCIPE REAL

6. Temperature Check

Hot & Cold Club — Contrast Therapy: Sauna & Cold Plunge

R. da Palmeira 33, 1200-098 Lisboa

Príncipe Real · Nearest metro: Rato

thehotcoldclub.com · @Hotcoldclub

Two saunas, four ice baths, and a crowd young enough to make you feel like you’re at the cool kids’ offsite. Good food, great coffee, even better merch.

Sauna and ice baths at Hot & Cold Club contrast therapy studio in Príncipe Real, Lisbon

PARQUE DAS NAÇÕES

7. User Manual

Seena Integrative Health Centre (with Dr. Vladislava “Vlada” Artemenko)

R. das Musas 13A, 1990-165 Lisboa

Parque das Nações · Nearest metro: Oriente

seenacentre.com · @seenacentre

Officially, it’s called Lifebreath® Manual Therapy. Unofficially, it’s Dr. Vlada reading your body like a diagnostic report. She goes pressure point by pressure point, realigning what’s actually out of order and not just what hurts.