For anyone who’s visited this famous village, finding sanctuary when the streets are crowded with tourists sounds a little unlikely. But the sanctuary I’m thinking of is in a place of tranquillity and natural beauty on the edge of Valldemossa.

Hotel Valldemossa describes itself as a natural sanctuary. This adults-only 5-star hotel reopened last summer after the IT Mallorca group of hotels acquired and renovated it. Five-star hotels with spa facilities are in abundance in Mallorca, but the Sanctuary very much has its focus on holistic health and wellness, and offers some treatments that are unique in Mallorca to this hotel.

Amor Garzón

The team dedicated to your well-being is led by Amor Garzón. Her first name is the Spanish word for ‘love’, and it seems appropriate for someone who radiates warmth and caring. From the moment I arrived until she escorted me, walking arm-in-arm, back to the hotel terrace where I was meeting a friend for lunch in the restaurant, De Tokio a Lima, I was happy to surrender myself to her ministrations. I’d arrived slightly stressed from the drive across Mallorca from my home, but left for my lunch date feeling almost euphoric.

Amor has some twenty-five years’ experience in the health and beauty sector, although I had to confirm that I’d understood that number of years correctly, as she looks too young. Presumably, she also applies her knowledge and techniques to herself, making her a walking advertisement for the Piroche Method, of which she was a pioneer.

The Piroche Method

Hotel Valldemossa’s Sanctuary is the only place in Mallorca offering treatments using the Piroche Method, which combines Traditional Chinese Medicine with Western lymphatic drainage. It involves drainage and manual massage, essential oils (the aromas are gorgeous), and the use of electric cupping therapy and radio frequency. Treatments are tailored to the individual. Amor also uses acupuncture, although I’m a coward and shy away from needles – however fine they may be!

Amor first ‘reads’ the body, using her eyes and hands. It didn’t take her long to diagnose wind in my liver, which in Chinese medicine refers to disharmony in the organ, disrupting its natural movement and function. This ‘wind’ had nothing to do with digestive gases, but is a metaphor for an imbalance that can result in tremors, spasms, dizziness, and other movement-related issues.

After a couple of hours of Amor’s treatments, I felt lighter and more relaxed – both physically and mentally.

As I lay on the couch, I couldn’t help but wonder why there appeared to be ladders mounted on the ceiling. Something to do with a fire exit perhaps? No. Once my session was over, Amor took me into another treatment room and demonstrated a back massage using her feet on one of her colleagues. Mystery solved.

Other Treatments

There’s a variety of treatments on offer in the Sanctuary, some of them bearing Amor’s name. I’ve provided a link to the treatment list below. You can also have a nutritional analysis carried out here.

I like the look of the Rituals on offer, for one to five days (three-and-a-half hours’ treatments a day). These Sanctuary sessions, combined with staying in the tranquil setting of Hotel Valldemossa, would surely leave you feeling like a new – or at least renewed – person.

See the 2025 Sanctuary treatment menu here.

Jan Edwards ©2025