Blue Zones, the company that researches the world’s longest-living and happiest populations, will deliver a longevity-focused wellbeing retreat programme at Lotte New York Palace hotel in New York City, US.

The retreat will run twice, between 4-6 November and then 7-9 November, at the 909-key hotel’s iLa Only Spa. The 7,000sq ft spa is the sole iLa-branded spa in the US.

The programme will be inspired by behaviours and lifestyles found in the Blue Zone populations on Earth. The retreat leader, Céline Vadam, is a certified health and lifestyle coach, breathwork practitioner, yoga teacher and reiki healer.

Vadam will guide participants in daily wellbeing workshops focused on stress, movement, purpose and nutrition.

Plant-based meals will be served to attendees, inspired by the original Blue Zone regions and prepared by culinary wellbeing specialists.

Other healing rituals will take place, such as sensory meditations, educational workshops and self-love sessions.

A signature facial will also be on offer to retreat guests at the iLa Only Spa, on the hotel's eighth floor, delivered in partnership with Blue Zone-inspired skincare brand Immunocologie.

Immunocologie founder, Karen Ballou, will also deliver a workshop in face yoga.

Ballou told Spa Business, "The Blue Zones Retreat at the iLa Only Spa will offer a sanctuary for longevity and mindful living. Incorporating Immunocologie and face yoga brings an added dimension – supporting circulation, strengthening the skin and aligning beautifully with the retreat’s restorative offerings."

The spa’s longevity centre features technology to complement the retreat, such as a hyperbaric chamber, infrared beds, PEMF mats, IV infusions and an Aescape massage robot.

Blue Zones’ Power 9 principles

Blue Zones' Power 9 principles, based on the company's research, will provide a framework for retreat participants to learn how to live a healthier, longer life:

1. Moving naturally – living in an environment that nudges inhabitants to move without thinking about it, rather than pursuing high effort exercise regimes.

2. Purpose – Blue Zones says that knowing your sense of purpose is worth up to seven years of extra life expectancy.

3. Downshifting – The longest living populations have routines they use to relieve the stress of everyday life. Okinawans take time to remember their ancestors, Adventists pray, Ikarians take a nap and Sardinians enjoy happy hour.

4. The 80 per cent rule – People in the Blue Zones stop eating when their stomachs are 80 per cent full.

5. Plant slant – Centenarian diets feature beans on a regular basis and meat is eaten only five times per month, on average.

6. Wine at 5:00pm – People in all Blue Zones (except Adventists) drink alcohol moderately and regularly – one to two glasses per day with friends/ with food.

7. Belong – All but five of the 263 centenarians the researchers interviewed belonged to some kind of faith-based community. Blue Zones says attending faith-based services four times per month could add four-fourteen years of life expectancy.

8. Loved ones first – Ageing parents and grandparents are neighbours in Blue Zones, centenarians also commit to a life partner and invest in their children.

9. Right tribe – People live longer when they are born into, or choose, social circles that support healthy behaviours.

The price of the retreat, with hotel accommodation and 20 per cent of spa treatments, starts at US$5,500 (€4,730, £4,070). Without accommodation, the price starts at US$4,500 (€3,870, £3,330).