Chenot Palace Weggis Review: My 7-Night 'Life-Changing' Detox Program
When Donald asked me what I wanted for my 40th birthday, I immediately knew what would hit the spot. A gift that would keep on giving… emotionally, physically and yes, professionally.
After a nasty bout of pneumonia earlier this year, neither my body nor mind had yet to feel fully recovered. I was suffering from what increasingly felt to be like incurable burnout at work and at home. When my lifelong best friend Katherine - who has been increasing her role within Craft - told me she’d be keen to join me for some sort of detox bootcamp, a week at Chenot appeared to be fated in the stars.
Quick Answer: Is Chenot Palace Weggis Worth It?
Yes, 100%. It’s a profound and challenging medical detox that delivered on its promise. I left feeling restored, energized, and seven pounds lighter, with a new perspective on food and wellness. It was a life-changing experience I would recommend to anyone feeling burnt out and in need of a true reset.
What is Chenot Palace Weggis?
I’ve had Chenot Palace Weggis on my radar for some time, particularly in the last year as we’ve seen such an uptick in wellness travel. Similar to sustainability, many names in hospitality have jumped on the wellness bandwagon as an afterthought. But for 50 years Chenot, one of the most iconic names in Europe, has been only about the wellness. While their property in Switzerland is only about six years old, they had been operating out of Palace Merano in Italy’s South Tyrol for decades under the guidance of Henri Chenot, a visionary of preventive medicine.
The guiding principle of the Chenot Method is based largely upon their trailblazing work understanding of autophagy (“self-eating” in Greek) and how it relates to our cells. By implementing a very specific, fully organic and plant-based diet of 850 calories per day, we are able to essentially trick our bodies into fasting mode, thereby allowing your cells to rid themselves of the toxins and subsequently repair and regenerate themselves.
This process is typically achieved in around four full days. While a five-night program is available at Chenot, the most common and strongly encouraged program is seven nights. Having done the seven nights, I would fully recommend it. The program’s prices are identical (currently CHF 5,500 per person for the seven nights, exclusive of accommodation), and the longer you stay in the detox the easier it becomes, particularly from the standpoint of being motivated (and equipped) to return home with healthier habits… but more on that later!
Chenot also offers other programs:
Prevention & Aging Well (currently CHF 7,100): This is more targeted to those looking to significantly improve their physical performance and well-being. The program includes significantly more treatments than the Advanced. This had initially interested me, but upon speaking with the medical doctor I realized it was more geared toward those looking to jumpstart their fitness and get into shape, whereas my body was in more need of rest and recovery.
Recover & Energize (currently CHF 6,400): This probably could’ve worked for me as well, but ultimately I was happy with just adding on additional recommended treatments a la carte.
My 7-Night Detox: What to Really Expect
Arrival and First Impressions
Katherine and I arrived on a Friday afternoon after having quite possibly the most epic back-to-back breakfast and lunch at the Dolder Grand in Zurich. My food anxiety kicked in as soon as we checked out of Dolder and made the 45-minute drive to Weggis: I began to consider what only 850 calories a day might feel like as I was still digesting at least four times that amount.
Check-in at Chenot Palace is at 3:00pm and no treatments are booked for your first day. Upon arrival you are given a tour of all facilities and a brief orientation as to how things work, including an introduction to the property’s app where your week-long schedule resides. Lemon water, still water, sparkling water and detox tea are available 24/7 in the spa and clinic reception areas. One of the first things we noticed is how well-staffed Chenot was: it felt as if there were at least one staff member per guest, and the remarkably international team was incredibly friendly and service-oriented.
The Rooms & Accommodations
Though it feels incredibly intimate, the hotel has 97 rooms and suites in total, divided between four wings of the property. We were taken to our room, a beautiful suite with a separate living area and two terraces overlooking the lake, in the newest of the four wings. We had initially booked a Deluxe Room but opted for a paid upgrade to the Suite category as we felt that having separate living quarters would be worth it for such an extended stay at a property that we weren’t planning to leave much.
Another perk of the suites is that room service is included (although its cost while staying in a lower category is quite reasonable at CHF 10), as well as the minibar stocked with artisanal waters, which would otherwise cost between CHF 12 - 18 per bottle. For anyone traveling solo or perhaps with a partner, the Deluxe (or even some of the Classic) rooms would be great. There are smaller, lower category rooms for single travelers, however I’d recommend any guest to prioritize a room with a terrace regardless of your room occupancy. The original hotel structure has smaller rooms but they are incredibly charming and many boast the best lake views.
The 850-Calorie Chenot Method Diet
Dinner is served from 7:00 to 9:00pm, though we could never quite understand who had the willpower not to show up at 7 on the dot. Even on that first day after our earlier feast(s) at the Dolder Grand, we could not wait to be fed. Dinner is the only meal for which guests are expected to wear “sport/smart casual”; for breakfast and lunch you’re encouraged to stay in your plush Chenot robe. Like the staff, the demographic of the guests is incredibly diverse and international. From that first evening, we saw people of all ages, gender, ethnicity, etc with a mix of those traveling in pairs, small groups or solo.
The dining at Chenot Palace can be described as no less than exceptional. There was not one single dish that was not delicious nor that would not have passed for a two or three-star Michelin restaurant course. The difference of course being that with a Michelin starred restaurant you’ll likely have about 15 courses, whereas at Chenot it’s just three.
For voracious eaters like myself, the portion control is an instant shock to the system. But what I realized quickly is that there is a big difference between being hungry and wanting to eat. That first night I didn’t finish dinner with a growling belly: I was simply desiring more food. Mushroom broth is available on demand without restriction throughout the day for those who feel as if they need more sustenance, as is detox tea and lemon water. Chicory or barley “coffee” are served with meals. Having a chicory coffee with every meal certainly helped take the edge off for me.
Day 2: Medical & Bio-Energetic Consultations
Day 2 of your stay is technically Day 1 of the detox program. It’s a very busy day, and thankfully so as I found that really kept me distracted from thinking about food. You meet with three health practitioners: a traditional medical doctor, a nutritionist and a bio-energetic doctor.
It’s important to note that Chenot is not a clinical facility. While they run a series of tests (technology and biomarkers tests are done on this day, following the aforementioned meetings) and can do traditional blood tests, they will not diagnose you with any conditions. Based on your consultation, the medical doctor will make recommendations as to which additional treatments you might want to add on during your stay. I never felt as if she were trying to upsell me: in typical Swiss German fashion, she was very sincere and direct about which additional treatments she felt would be helpful for me, those which were questionable and those which would be a downright waste of money and time. We opted to include a liquid IV for boosting immunity as well as the Neurac treatment (more on both below).
The absolute highlight for me was my check up and treatment with Dr. Eleni, the bio-energetic doctor. The instant you meet her you can tell that she has the ability not only to read people’s energies but to heal them as well. Dr. Eleni performed a laser acupuncture treatment that immediately relaxed me in a way I hadn’t ever experienced before, despite doing (and loving) traditional acupuncture for years.
The Daily 2-Hour Treatment Block
Day 2 also marks your first of six days of energetic therapy treatments. Each day, guests go through a two-hour block of three treatments, always done sequentially in the same specific area of the property in order to further encourage the release of your body’s toxins. This is in many ways the highlight of each day of the program, as it’s two hours of guaranteed pure relaxation.
The block includes:
20-minute hydrotherapy bath
20-minute phyto-mud wrap and power jet shower
50-minute energetic massage informed by the body’s meridians
Later in the day, I also met with the advanced aesthetics team for a consultation where they advised of the various types of facials and body enhancing treatments available (mostly related to shaping or addressing cellulite), as well as the aesthetics doctor who offers procedures such as PRP needling, lasers and Botox. Katherine and I both opted to add on a Oxygeneo facial.
The Hardest Day (Day 3)
Day 3 was hands down the hardest, and we heard from both staff and guests alike that this is fairly universal. Following my morning hydrotherapy/mud bath/massage block and 20 minute liquid IV immunity booster, my quiet afternoon schedule gave me lots of time to begin fixating on food. Other than on Day 7 (more on that later), this was really the only time I felt actual hunger in addition to the overwhelming desire to pound a giant cheeseburger.
It was a beautiful day so we decided to walk into the charming town of Weggis and stroll along Lake Lucerne. But after longingly passing a giant pastry shop and beginning to feel the fatigue of the early stages of the detox, I had to turn back to the hotel after only 30 or 40 minutes. I consumed a massive bowl of mushroom broth with tons of cayenne pepper, cumin and curry and felt instantly better.
Going into the detox, giving up alcohol had never really worried me much but I had been concerned about coffee. Yet despite normally drinking two cups a day, I surprisingly went through very little to no caffeine withdrawal. And despite my notorious sweet tooth, once I’d recovered from the trauma of my close encounter with the patisserie I actually stopped craving processed sugar. Ultimately the hardest thing to give up was probably animal protein, and up until the very last day I couldn’t stop thinking about burgers!
Optional Add-On Treatments
I will say however that despite some initial skepticism, the results of the liquid IV immunity booster were fairly instantaneous. I felt a boost of energy, and low-level sinus issues that had been teetering on the brink of a full-on infection for a week immediately dissipated.
Days 4 - 6 were the best for me as you start to get into a routine and take more relaxation out of the three daily body therapy sessions. I began enjoying everything about our stay. I also became better at optimizing my free time, much of which was spent working... I began to notice how much easier it was feeling for me to get quality work done compared with how I’d felt in the weeks leading up to my arrival at Chenot. I was feeling highly energized, both mentally and physically.
With an unlimited budget, I would’ve added in many more treatments offered at an additional cost.
Neurac Treatment: I did one session of the the Neurac treatment, a form of physical therapy that quite literally looks like a torture device: it uses a system of ropes and slings (called Redcord equipment) to relieve muscular and skeletal pain with realignment and strengthening techniques. It was essentially a hybrid session of PT and pilates, and I did feel fairly quick improvements in my padel-induced lower back pain.
Oxygeneo Facial: This was great: it’s completely non-invasive skincare and delivers a stream of highly pressurized pure oxygen, infused with serums containing vitamins, antioxidants, peptides and hyaluronic acid, directly to the skin's surface. We both left looking incredibly refreshed and glowy.
My Day-by-Day Schedule at Chenot Palace Weggis
Here is what my daily schedule looked like to give a bit more context:
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3:00pm: arrival to Chenot Palace & orientation
3:30pm: time at leisure
7:00pm: dinner (first Chenot method meal)
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7:30am: breakfast
8:00am: first medical consultation
9:00am: Chenot bio-energetic check up and treatment
11:00am: first nutritional consultation
12:00pm: advanced technology consultation
12:30pm: lunch
2:00pm: hydro-aromatherapy
2:30pm: phyto-mud & hydrojet
3:00pm: Chenot energetic massage
4:00pm: Chenot lifestyle biomarkers
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Description text goes here8:00am: dynamic stretching group class
8:30am: breakfast
9:00am: hydro-aromatherapy
9:30am: phyto-mud & hydrojet
10:00am: Chenot energetic massage
11:00am: immunity liquid IV booster*
12:30pm: lunch
2:00pm: walk into Weggis
4:00pm: medical aesthetic consultation
4:30pm: time at leisure
7:00pm: dinner
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8:00am: dynamic stretching group class
8:30am: breakfast
9:00am: hydro-aromatherapy
9:30am: phyto-mud & hydrojet
10:00am: Chenot energetic massage
11:00am: time at leisure
12:30pm: lunch
2:00pm: Neurac treatment*
3:00pm: time at leisure
6:45pm: Chenot Happy Hour
7:30pm: dinner
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7:30am: pilates on my own
8:00am: sauna
8:30am: breakfast
9:00am: hydro-aromatherapy
9:30am: phyto-mud & hydrojet
10:00am: Chenot energetic massage
11:00am: time at leisure
12:30pm: lunch
2:00pm: time at leisure
5:00pm: Oxigeneo facial*
7:30pm: dinner
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8:30am: breakfast
9:00am: hiking
12:30pm: lunch
2:00pm: hydro-aromatherapy
2:30pm: phyto-mud & hydrojet
3:00pm: Chenot energetic massage
4:00pm: time at leisure
7:30pm: dinner
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7:30am: swim
8:00am: sauna
8:30am: breakfast
9:00am: hydro-aromatherapy
9:30am: phyto-mud & hydrojet
10:00am: Chenot energetic massage
11:00am: time at leisure
12:30pm: lunch
2:00pm: final nutritional consultation
3:00pm: final medical consultation
4:00pm: final bio-energetic treatment
5:00pm: time at leisure
6:15pm: lecture on menopause
7:30pm: dinner
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5:30am: workout on my own
7:00am: swim
7:30am: breakfast
8:00am: dynamic stretching group class
8:30am: walk into Weggis
10:00am: pack up and get ready
12:00pm: checkout
Final Days & The Results
On Day 7, you meet with all three practitioners again to discuss your results from the first day. The reporting is highly interesting and while sadly my brain lacks the scientific inclination to be able to properly describe what they entail, I retained enough to leave each meeting feeling enlightened and empowered.
My nutritionist gave me a five-day plan for easing back into a normal diet. She advised that because I was leaning toward the underweight side (and I’d now lost three kilos) and that the detox had already given its full results, she would allow me to have double portions of my entree course for both lunch and dinner that day... Having the double portion for lunch was fascinating, as it truly felt as if I’d been delivered a Cheesecake Factory sized plate, despite the fact that my dish was still smaller than the appetizers of most upscale restaurants. It felt like the ultimate indulgence and was reflective of just how much this experience was changing my relationship with food for the better.
That being said, by Day 7 we definitely felt ready to leave. It’s almost as if we were on the eve of prison release... With the excitement of departure, I woke up at 2:00am on what was to be the final day and could not go back to sleep. Not only was I excited, I was once again truly hungry... I finally relented and went to my snack bag... and had a nut bar.
Within 15 or so minutes, the craziest thing happened: it was as if I’d drank five cups of coffee. I was turbocharged and ready to seize the world. After an hour or two of the productive work of my life, I went down to their state-of-the-art gym... Following ninety minutes of an intense workout, I swam for 30 minutes and finished with dynamic stretching. It was in these moments that morning that the effects of the detox were overwhelmingly clear: my body - my cells - had changed.
When we checked out a few hours later, I no longer wanted a cheeseburger. The first thing I ate “on the outside”? The salad that Chenot had prepared for me in a takeaway lunch box. When I returned home and weighed myself, I’d lost about three kilos (seven pounds) and felt stronger yet leaner than I could remember.
Two weeks out, I can say the benefits are still there. Despite one of the most stressful weeks of the year upon my return to real life, I was far better suited to cope and still felt incredibly energetic. I’ve found myself much more able to resist temptations with food (particularly sugar, my ultimate weakness), even as I find myself finishing this post at the tail end of a five-night ultra luxe safari with the staff of Tengile River Lodge and Cheetah Plains... Somehow, that weight has continued to stay off. And most importantly, my body really does feel restored.
Final Thoughts & Insider Tips
Overall there is essentially nothing to be faulted with my stay at Chenot. If I had to give some feedback, it would probably be these few insider tips:
On Consultations: I can imagine that especially for those with underlying health issues, meeting with all three doctors in unison or having a trained liaison who accompanies you... would be incredibly beneficial.
On Communication: It might be nice for Chenot to implement a Whatsapp chat where you can message regarding any questions or requests... sometimes it was a bit confusing as to whom exactly should be called for what.
On Scheduling: In retrospect, I personally would have probably... rescheduled my two-hour hydro/mud/massage block for the afternoons following lunch. The days I did this I felt I was able to relax more thoroughly... Katherine however much preferred doing it in the mornings. Any guest should consider what flow would work best for them.
On Tech: With regards to the accommodations, Chenot Palace is truly five star. But if I'm being very picky, I would like to see some updated tech in the rooms, particularly as it relates to charging outlets and... a simple Netflix application where you could log into your account.
About the Author
Julia Carter is owner of Craft Travel. She visited Chenot Palace Weggis for a 7-night program to personally inspect the property for clients and recover from her own bout of burnout. This review is based on her firsthand experience and 'life-changing' results.
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These are all very minimal points in what was truly a life-changing experience that I would repeat over and over again and would recommend wholeheartedly to so many friends and clients.
It’s worth noting that if you book Chenot through Craft, you receive various benefits, most notably multiple credits toward services and even some credits on a completely complimentary basis. You also have the added benefit of being able to speak with someone who has done the program and can objectively tell you both what add ons are worth it, and also how to best structure your days there.
If Chenot is something that interests you and you’d like to learn more, feel free to drop me a note anytime and we can schedule a chat. Sharing this experience with others would make my time there all the more valuable!
