So, you’re thinking about a health reset and eyeing a wellness program - awesome!
2 big names probably popped up: Chenot and MAYRLIFE. Both are top-tier, but they’re not the same. Let’s break it down: approach, treatments, vibe, food, comfort, price, and how it fits into your everyday life after your retreat.
Fundamental Approach
Chenot’s all about healthy ageing and detox, with a high-tech twist. They mix precision medicine, traditional Chinese healing, and cutting-edge science to “reset” your body at a cellular level. Think of it as a full-system reboot: detox, energy boost, and slowing down biological aging.
MAYRLIFE, on the other hand, leans hard into Modern Mayr Medicine, based on Dr. F.X. Mayr’s gut-focused philosophy. It’s holistic too, but the core is detoxing through digestion. Cleanse your gut, heal your body. You get an abdominal massage / treatment each day. Your gut absolutely loves it.
Chenot feels broader as well as, for many guests, futuristic, although the Chenot Diet and Traditional Chinese Medicine are important pillars of the Chenot Method.
MAYRLIFE seems narrower at first and super deep on gut health, but bear in mind this is the foundation of MAYRLIFE - and on top of the foundation, each program is tailored to the needs of each guest.
Read more about the approach at Chenot: the Chenot Method.
Medical Consultations
Both offer personalized attention, but the styles differ. Chenot starts with in-depth diagnostics: vascular age tests, heavy metal analysis, even skin collagen checks. You’ll meet doctors and dieticians who tailor everything to your diagnostics results. There are even epigenetic tests for clients who want to analyse gene activity and determine their biological ageing status.
MAYRLIFE follows a Mayr medicine protocol, with daily doctor check-ins, tweaking your plan based on progress, with a big focus on gut diagnostics (like microbiome tests).
Chenot’s consultations feel more tech-driven; MAYRLIFE’s are more traditional, rooted in Mayr’s methods.
Treatments and Inclusions
Chenot’s treatments are intense and varied, with daily hydro-aromatherapy, phyto-mud wraps, cryotherapy for some guests, energetic massages with cupping, and neuroscience tech for stress. The signature Advanced Detox program is truly a powerhouse, aiming to flush toxins and recharge you in a week, which is quite impressive when you think of it.
In comparison, MAYRLIFE keeps it more classic: abdominal massages, light detox, sometimes acupuncture, and personalized movement sessions. The Classic Program is the foundation of all MAYRLIFE programs. It is usually a gentler wellness program than Chenot Advanced Detox, and it focuses on diagnostics, gut regeneration and self-healing.
Chenot packs in more cutting-edge treatments, over a more condensed 7-nights stay ; MAYRLIFE programs are generally designed for longer stays: 10 nights, 14 nights or more - but obviously they are available in 7-nights format too.
Atmosphere
Chenot is one of the ultimate luxury wellness experiences in 2026. You can't get bored with all the treatments, but there are also the stunning Lake Lucerne views, the sleek design. It’s intense but peaceful.
In terms of view, MAYRLIFE is another beautiful lake-side clinic: the lake Altaussee feels more preserved, away from civilization. For many guests, MAYRLIFE feels cozier and simpler, essential, yet warm. It’s a haven, less flashy, and a little more nature-driven.
Chenot’s got that upscale spa feel; MAYRLIFE’s like a nurturing retreat.
Food Experience
Food’s a big deal at both, but the approach is quite different. Chenot Diet is plant-based, low-calorie (around 850 a day), and designed to trigger a fasting response without starving you. It’s tasty and beautiful but strict. Gourmet detox meals. Michelin-star tastes, but low calories.
Note that the calorie restriction at Chenot does not apply to the Chenot Body Insights & Optimisation program.
MAYRLIFE’s cuisine is also personalized, gut-friendly, and regenerative, light, clean, and flavorful. But it's not as exceptional as Chenot's, and it can even feel boring at times. All the more than MAYRLIFE will really, really insist on making sure you chez your food well. For many guests, the learning process to chez correctly makes them loose a part of the interest in the taste of the food.
And depending on what your body needs, your MAYRLIFE doctor will prescribe supplements which may not taste good, but which will drastically rebalance your metabolism and restore your gut health.
Chenot’s food is a delicious detox bootcamp; MAYRLIFE’s is a gentle Mayr medicine retreat.
Hospitality and Comfort Level
Chenot’s hospitality is next-level, five-star everything, fluffy robes, attentive staff who make you feel pampered. It’s Luxury with a capital “L,” and you feel it in every detail. It's above and beyond, even better than some of the world's best luxury hotels.
MAYRLIFE’s comfort is simple luxury: nice modern facilities, attentive service, but overall it’s more down-to-earth, less ostentatious. And it also feels more like a clinic.
Chenot wins on perfection ; MAYRLIFE feels homier.
The fact you can enjoy Chenot programmes in Chenot Espace destinations is also a strong plus: the programme is the same, but the destinations allow a different experience. Chenot Espace are available at:
Everyday Life Applicability
Chenot boosts your energy, in a very powerful way, and gives you a toolkit: lifestyle tips, diet advice, diagnostics to track at home. But its intensity is not meant to replicate daily. It’s a big reset, not a casual habit. You take home the exercise routines, and the motivation to stay on a healthy diet for long.
MAYRLIFE’s focus on gut health and sustainable eating feels more doable long-term. They also offer telemedicine follow-ups to keep you on track.
And depending on your condition, MAYRLIFE may also be a better fit to investigate deeper how your metabolism works, why it reacts in certain ways, why you have certain pathologies, and find ways to rebalance everything. This is not true for every guest, but it is also one of the virtues of Mayr medicine, when done really well, and when taking enough time to go through the diagnostics, and then the cure.
Price
A program at Chenot Palace Weggis is expensive - and a great value for money. A 7-night program like Advanced Detox starts at CHF 5,500, plus accommodation (starting at CHF 410/night). You’re looking at CHF 8,000+ easily.
MAYRLIFE’s more affordable, with the MAYRLIFE Classic program priced at 2740 EUR for 7 days. With accommodation, the starting price is around 6000 EUR for the week. The 7-day MAYRLIFE Classic program is one of the most affordable program in a premium longevity clinic in Europe.
The challenge is, of course, to make sure we're comparing apples to apples. Based on Serenity Ways clients' feedback both right after their program and a few months down the line, the standard 7-night Chenot program has an equivalent impact to MAYRLIFE 10-night Active Detox program for the energy boost and the rejuvenation feeling. And for some guests, a MAYRLIFE program allows to go deeper to understand fundamental health issues, and to tackle them.
There is also a MAYRLIFE Active Detox program: its price starts a little under 7000 EUR for the 7-day duration, and 9300 EUR for the 10-day duration.
So, MAYRLIFE or Chenot, which one’s for you?
Go Chenot if you want a high-end, tech-savvy detox that feels like a VIP health overhaul. It’s perfect if it's within your budget and you want serious results.
Pick MAYRLIFE if you’re into a gentler, gut-first approach, and one that may be easier to weave into real life. Also, it's less expensive for the 7-day MAYRLIFE Classic program, which many clients love as an entry-level experience into wellness clinics ; and the 10-days Active Detox is a great detox spanning over a longer duration, allowing for a smoother detoxification experience.
I rarely advise Chenot and MAYRLIFE to the same clients. Both are incredible, and life-changing, but not ideal for the same situation. Contact me if you'd like to find the best wellness retreat for your objectives. And booking with Serenity Ways provides exclusive benefits in most luxury wellness retreats, all over the world:
- My personal follow-up during the booking process and the retreat ensuring a perfect seamless experience
- Room or Suite upgrade, upon availability
- Early check-in and late check-out, upon availability
- A spa credit to enjoy an extra massage or treatment
Contact Serenity Ways to discuss your next wellness stay... Talk soon!