Amy Cherry-Abitbol

Co-Founder & CEO, Shou Sugi Ban House

I stayed at Shou Sugi Ban House in the Hamptons with my daughter, Clara, soon after it opened a couple of years back. We loved how the day was so filled up with activities like sound baths, beach walks, and yoga. Plus the (mostly) vegan food, by Noma’s chef Mads Refslund, was insanely good. Last year, they opened the Shou Sugi Ban Inn next door, which lets you access the spa facilities. And this summer they are doubling the size of their spa and adding a more science-based wellness and anti aging program, Shou Sugi Ban Lab. We wanted to ask Amy, who spent years in Japan, for her wellness travel tips. 

Tell us about you and your property.

Shou Sugi Ban House opened in May 2019 and is located on three acres in Water Mill, a hamlet of Southampton on the East End of Long Island. The property consists of both renovated antique barns and modern flat-roof structures combining the local architectural vernaculars. The main property includes 13 guest studios along with a luxury spa. Our physical structure as well as our namesake refer to the meditative process of Shou Sugi Ban, an ancient Japanese technique that preserves wood by charring it, which ends in a final product that is not only beautiful, but also resilient. Since opening, we have expanded to over six acres, including two residences for short term rentals, and an intimate bed-and-breakfast for overnight stays. We are also in the process of expanding our spa to double its current size for this summer.

The spaces and philosophy of Shou Sugi Ban House are inspired by the Japanese principles of wabi-sabi, specifically an appreciation for the beauty and healing properties of the natural world and an acceptance of imperfection. We offer comprehensive wellness retreats as well as customized stays, which can include meditation, movement, nutrition, skin care, bodywork, and healing arts treatments.

Our mission is to offer wellness programs that incorporate practices based on traditional healing arts, as well as current science and technologies. This season we will be introducing Shou Sugi Ban Lab, which will offer life-enhancing therapies for longevity, performance optimization, and rejuvenation through the use of the latest technology and science. Examples of these would be cryotherapy, red light therapy, infrared sauna, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and Pulsed Electro-Magnetic Field (PEMF) therapy

How did you get started down a wellness path?

Wellness has always been a part of my life, though career-wise I come from outside the wellness industry, I believe that I bring a fresh perspective guided by my own intuition to do what feels right. I’m most interested in the integration of wellness, nutrition, longevity science, and global healing modalities, along with my appreciation for design and sustainability, bringing them all together in a unique way.

Where in the world do you feel most at home?

I grew up along the New England coast where I developed an appreciation for the water and nature. I feel most at home in the Hamptons. I love the uncrowded beaches here, as well as the farmland, and most of all the light that reflects across the ocean and land. I also spent several years working in Japan, where my parents had lived and where my sons were born. I still feel a great affinity for the country, culture, and aesthetics which are infused throughout the design and philosophy of Shou Sugi Ban House with its emphasis on minimalism and simplicity.

Where do you go to feel revitalized?

I periodically go on wellness retreats. My recent favorites are the “Alchemy of Clarity” retreat in the mountains of central Portugal, where one of my team members hosted a plant medicine program. I also experienced two retreats in Costa Rica: “The Retreat,” which specializes in Ayurvedic therapies, and a program for energy work at Hacienda AltaGracia which also offers wonderful wilderness excursions. Last fall, I attended “40 Years of Zen,” a program for brain-mapping and neurofeedback.

What are a few other favorite spiritual/wellness destinations and why?

A few of my favorites would include…

COMO Shambala at COMO Parrot Cay in Turks and Caicos for its spectacular private setting on a pristine beach, healthy food, and excellent spa practitioners.

Villa La Coste in Aix-en-Provence, France, which is set on expansive grounds enveloped by sculpture gardens, and also includes an amazing spa.

Amanera in the Dominican Republic, for its impressive modern architecture teetering on a cliff and beautifully appointed casitas.

Also, Six Senses Douro Valley set amidst the Porto wine vineyards for its wellness offerings, culinary program and spa as well as the magical setting.

How do you approach staying healthy and relaxed when you travel by plane?

I dress comfortably for the flight, typically in a Live The Process sweatsuit and ON Sneakers to easily slip on and off, and constantly apply face and body moisturizers to keep my skin hydrated. I avoid coffee, keep alcohol to a minimum, and supplement with magnesium. I’ve recently started packing I-Pekar’s Balancing Drop, which is a calming, organic full-spectrum CBD tincture in a roll-on.

Any strategies for dealing with jet lag?

Given that our circadian rhythm is influenced by light exposure, I’ve found that wearing TrueDark glasses really lessens the effects of jet lag and can support natural melatonin production, allowing me to sleep better in-flight. I also take a melatonin supplement to help me to sleep better. I like Goop’s Knock-Me-Out chews, which have a blend of melatonin, L-tryptophan, and vitamin B6; and, GEM’s Sleep Essentials, which combines melatonin with valerian root, l-theanine, magnesium, GABA and other nutrients.

Favorite revitalizing health drink/tonic?

I drink ceremonial grade, organic matcha every morning, specifically Nekohama PINNACLE matcha, which is made exclusively for Shou Sugi Ban House and is coincidentally harvested in Kyushu, Japan, where my parents lived. I stopped drinking coffee long ago, so throughout the day, I drink the herbal teas that we offer, my favorite being the Azul tea, which Nini Ordoubadi of Tay Teas prepares for us in upstate New York.

Do you have any rituals you use while on a trip to reset and ground yourself in a new place?

I often visit the spa straight away for massage or lymphatic drainage and walk a lot!

What are a few things you always pack for your beauty/wellness routine?

I pack a ridiculous amount of beauty products and supplements! I have DMAE, retinol, and peptides compounded by a pharmacy, along with NAD, and products from Renew by Science. I also bring a few face and body care products from Biologique Recherche, Environ, and Faith, which we use in our spa.Finally, I bring my cocktail of longevity supplements, including Resveratrol, NMN and Metformin along with a slew of vitamins.

Where are you dreaming of going next and why?

I had planned to go to a new property, Lanserhof Sylt, located on a northern island in Germany in May for its opening week, but will now be going later in the summer as it’s been delayed. The setting is spectacular, and the architecture is some of the most amazing I have seen! It is a medical spa offering all the cutting-edge medical and wellness therapies for cleansing and optimal health. I’m also planning a trip to Paradero Todos Santos in Mexico to experience in person its mimimalist, brutalist architecture, which I love. Finally, I am eager to check out Nayara Alto Atacama in the Atacama Desert of Chile, next to the Andes, particularly for hiking and exploration of the dunes, canyons, and volcanos.