Do you dream of stopping time during your next weekend in Milan? In the heart of the very chic Quadrilatero della Moda, a 16th century architectural gem now houses the temple of well-being 2.0. I opened the doors of this extraordinary place to test a stunning biohacking ritual. Story of a total disconnection.
Milan lives at a hundred miles an hour, but behind the majestic portal of Corso Venezia 11, time seems to have stopped. For decades, the city’s former archbishopric seminary remained inaccessible to the public, jealously preserving its secrets in the heart of the Quadrilatero della Moda.
Today, this historic monument finally opens onto a spectacular 2,800 m² Piazza, the true beating heart of Portrait Milano, the sumptuous 5-star hotel of the Ferragamo family (Lungarno Collection). Between Renaissance colonnades, trendy boutiques and lively terraces, the address is already establishing itself as the new meeting place for the Milanese dolce vita.
But the house’s best-kept secret is hidden under these century-old colonnades: The Longevity Spa. In this contemporary 700 m² sanctuary, you don’t just come to relax, you come to “hack” your biology. This is biohacking, a high-tech approach inspired by “blue zones”, these regions of the world where we live the longest. To erase urban fatigue, I tested the Jet Lag Blessing Ritual, a 110-minute promise to reset the body and mind.
The experience starts strong. Equipped with a swimsuit, Crocs, a hat and gloves, I enter a cryotherapy airlock at -70°C. The thermal shock is clear, but surprisingly bearable thanks to the music and a few movements. After 3 minutes, the body is reddened and the inflammation is overcome. To soften this cellular awakening, I then slide onto a dry flotation bed. Weightless, lulled by an aquatic atmosphere, I fall into a half-sleep. This sensory deprivation is formidable for rebalancing the circadian rhythm.
The break continues with 50 minutes of deep massage. The practitioner releases every tension in the back and shoulders until absolute relaxation. The ritual ends with a stunning multisensory facial treatment: alternating hot/cold, collagen mask, and above all LED light therapy (changing from blue to red). Coupled with binaural sounds broadcast over Wi-Fi and aromatherapy, this technology induces rare mental relaxation.
Upon release, these 110 minutes seem to have evaporated. A true physical and mental detox, worthy of a justified investment: concentrated in cutting-edge technologies and know-how, this ritual is reserved as one treats oneself to an exceptional break, more than as an everyday treatment. Its benefits extend to the rest of the hotel. The 10_11 restaurant offers a balanced menu designed with spa experts, while the rooms guarantee restful sleep thanks to a menu of tailor-made pillows (bamboo, memory foam) and incredibly soft Frette sheets. The ultimate address to rise from the ashes during an Italian getaway.
