The Science of Stillness: Inside Anjana Spa's New Cryo Suite

The Anjana Spa at Rixos Premium Belek has long been regarded as one of the finest wellness destinations on the Turkish Riviera. Spanning over 5,000 square metres, it draws on centuries of hammam tradition while embracing cutting-edge therapeutic science. The latest addition — a state-of-the-art cryotherapy suite — represents the next evolution in its philosophy of holistic recovery.

Cryotherapy, which involves brief exposure to extreme cold (typically -110°C to -140°C), has been used by elite athletes for decades. But at Anjana, the team has developed a protocol that combines three-minute cryo sessions with traditional Turkish hammam rituals, creating a contrast therapy experience that is uniquely their own. Guests move from the intense cold of the cryo chamber to the enveloping warmth of a marble hammam, where a kese (exfoliating) treatment is performed using traditional silk gloves.

The results, according to Dr. Elif Yilmaz, the spa's resident wellness physician, are remarkable. The rapid alternation between extreme temperatures stimulates circulation, reduces inflammation, and triggers the release of endorphins at levels far exceeding either therapy alone. Guests report deeper sleep, reduced muscle soreness, and a profound sense of mental clarity that can last for days.

Beyond cryotherapy, the suite houses an infrared sauna, a salt inhalation room, and a flotation tank — each designed to complement the core cryo-hammam experience. The entire space is finished in natural stone and warm wood, with ambient lighting that shifts through the day to support circadian rhythms. It feels less like a medical facility and more like a sanctuary carved into the earth itself.

The Anjana team offers personalised wellness programmes ranging from weekend detox retreats to week-long recovery intensives. Each programme is tailored to the individual, beginning with a comprehensive health assessment and concluding with a take-home protocol designed to extend the benefits long after departure. It is wellness reimagined — not as indulgence, but as genuine, science-backed restoration.