More travelers than ever before are looking to recharge, rejuvenate, and recalibrate their bodies, minds, and spirits.
Whether it’s mastering mindful meditation, a peaceful Savasana, shedding some quarantine pounds, or simply unplugging from the day-to-day grind, a wellness vacation could be exactly what the doctor (and travel advisor) ordered!
Kamalaya, Koh Samui, Thailand
This legendary and award-winning wellness retreat boasts its own private stretch of beach in Koh Samui Thailand, with the island itself believed to hold healing properties. For centuries, Buddhist monks have proclaimed Koh Samui as containing energy that enriches and enlightens their spiritual path, and this healing hotel aims to deliver just that.
Programs offered focus on detox, stress, and burnout, optimizing fitness, weight control, emotional balance, and yoga. The international set of staff includes naturopaths for optional personalized wellness consultations, personal trainers, nutritionists, and massage therapists. Depending on the program chosen, guests receive treatments integrating both eastern and western elements, medicines, and beliefs. The cuisine at Kamalaya focuses on fresh, tropical, and organic where possible. There are options for vegetarian, vegan, and detox-inspired meals.
Fiveelements, Bali, Indonesia
Embracing a holistic approach to wellness, Fiveelements provides personalized wellness retreats to individuals and couples, in a lush tropical setting. Their signature program offers an integrated approach designed to tune in and realign guests on physical, emotional, and spiritual levels, ‘allowing an organic healing process to naturally unfold’, according to the retreat leaders.
Each program includes morning yoga and healing massages, and depending on the length of your stay, may include a Balinese fire blessing ritual, guided jungle walk, visiting a holy water spring, guided mindfulness sessions, and more.
Villa Stephanie at Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa, Baden-Baden, Germany
The town of Baden-Baden in Germany is a well-known escape for many, thanks to its mild climate and natural-occurring hot springs. Visitors to Baden Baden who want to double down on their wellness activities head straight to Villa Stephanie, a 15-room villa set within Brenners Park Hotel, dedicated to health, wellness, fitness, and beauty.
The spa itself spans over 16,000 square feet over five floors and features an enormous 1640 square foot sauna, an indoor swimming pool, plunge pool, private gym, and ladies sauna. Guests have access to personal trainers, nutritionists, physiotherapists, and medical professionals, all in the lap of luxury. Connected to the spa is Haus Julius, where visitors can opt for additional services such as aesthetics (including stem cell rejuvenation therapies), gynecology, ophthalmology, and dentistry. The hotel even has a laboratory and an institute for preventive medicine. While spa services are offered a la carte, many guests commit to a more comprehensive multi-day program, choosing from Weight Loss, Detox, Stay Fit Stay Healthy, The Kings Way (weight loss and intense detoxification), or Bespoke retreats. As part of these programs, participants receive a full blood panel, ultrasound, body scans, and cancer screenings. Each stay comes with an optional digital detox, with rooms that can be free of ‘e-smog’ (electromagnetic fields from electrical devices) thanks to a small switch that blocks high-frequency signals such as WiFi.
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