There is nothing more important than your health and wellbeing. Which is why, wellness retreats are on the rise around the world. For those wanting to break away from the stresses of everyday life, here are our top picks for the world’s most exclusive wellness retreats. After all, you can’t put a price on wellness.
Aro Hā, Glenorchy, New Zealand
In need of a wellness reboot? Set your course for New Zealand’s Southern Alps. Designed for to rejuvenate the spirit, Aro Hā offers guests a space to let go of the stresses of everyday life.
Guests can embark on a sub alpine hike through New Zealand’s World Heritage parks, practice mindfulness and meditation, find their flow in vinyasa yoga, and enjoy rejuvenating treatments in an Obsidian spa. The Aro Hā programs include nutrient dense vegetarian and vegan cuisine, healing bodywork, and daily mindfulness practice. Find balance between your mind and body at Aro Hā.
Read about Nicole Lenoir-Jourdan’s experience at Aro Hā here.
Golden Door Elysia Health Retreat and Spa, Hunter Valley, Australia
The Golden Door Elysia Health Retreat and Spa is found within one of Australia’s most prestigious wine regions. This is the only purpose built destination health retreat in Australia. Featuring 74 villas, guests stay in beautifully appointed luxurious private villas. The villas have either one, two or three bedrooms. They feature a large living space with kitchenette, a spacious bedroom with built-ins, and bathroom including bathtub and separate shower.
Guests will have an initial wellness consultation on arrival. During this consultation, they can share the reasons for their stay and will be recommended on how best to meet their goals. The all-inclusive health and wellness programs have been developed to motivate change and give guests the tools they need for lasting results. Through the wellness programs, guests are encouraged to make active changes and move toward embracing their healthiest, happiest selves.
Read about Nicole Lenoir-Jourdan’s experience at Golden Door Spa here.
Song Saa Private Island, Koh Rong Archipelago, Cambodia
At Song Saa Private Island, guests are treated to velvet sand beaches, glittering waters and sun-soaked days. Established by Australian couple Rory and Melita Hunter, Song Saa Private Island evokes a sense of peace and serenity, without compromising sustainable practices and luxury.
Upon arrival, guests will have a private spa consultation. This will allow the island’s wellness experts to create a bespoke program for guests, including traditional Khmer therapies, meditation and Reiki. Song Saa works to create an unforgettable bespoke experience for each guest. This private island offers an intimate escape for A-listers, celebrities and discerning luxury travellers.
Fivelements Retreat, Bali, Indonesia
Ready for a holistic transformation? Then head to Fivelements Retreat Bali. The eco-friendly wellness retreat is found on the banks of Ayung river and offers an unparalleled Balinese healing experience.
The retreat’s Balinese healers practice rituals and therapies that have been passed along through generations. Their signature program, Panca Mahabhuta (five elements), is a life-changing wellness program for rejuvenation, replenishment and alignment. It includes spa treatments, healing sessions, purification rituals, yoga and meditation, as well as award-winning plant-based cuisine.
Read about Rebecca Weisser’s experience at Fivelements Retreat Bali here.
Ananda, Narendra Nagar Tehri, India
Ananda is one of the most authentic Ayurvedic luxury wellness destination in India. Located at the foothills of the Himalayas, this spiritual retreat offers programs aimed at improving your health and uniting body and soul. Guests can choose from more than 80 spa menu treatments and 10 wellness programs. Some program options include: Activ-Fitness, Ayurvedic Rejuvenation, Detox, Stress Management, Weight Management and Yoga.
The retreats all start with an Ayurvedic consultation to determine guest’s dosha*, which then determines diet and treatments. Depending on individual needs, retreats can last between 3 and 14 days. The nature-focused setting creates a peaceful space, where guests can find tranquility and will leave feeling rejuvenated.
*A dosha is one of three substances that are present in a person’s body according to Ayurveda.
Golden Door Spa, San Marcos, USA
That’s right, another Golden Door Spa has made it to the list. When it comes to wellness, they definitely know what they’re doing. And the Golden Door Spa in California’s San Marcos is something special. Golden Door is just a 40-minute drive north of San Diego. It’s surrounded by 600 acres of rolling hills and hiking trails, which means guests will be in pure bliss here. Don’t be surprised if you see Oprah Winfrey, Nicole Kidman or Chevy Chase roaming the grounds, because this retreat is particularly popular with Hollywood luminaries.
Golden Door offers an all-inclusive 7-day program, giving guests a complete mind, body and spirit transformation. The program combines intense fitness training with luxurious pampering. Each guest has a private room with a garden deck or patio, daily in-room massage, personal training sessions, personalised skin care sessions, manicure and pedicure, in-room breakfast and cooking classes.
SHA Wellness Clinic, Alicante, Spain
On the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, the renowned SHA Wellness Clinic offers a specialty SHA wellness program. The program aims to boost health and reduce stress. The treatments offered, focus on finding a balance between the mind, body and soul through combining eastern and western inspired therapies. The program includes a medical examination, nutrition consultation, traditional Chinese medicine treatment session, personalised facial treatment, meeting with a personal trainer, massage, aquatic therapy session and access to a sauna, Turkish baths and thermal waters.
Guests will have a personalised diet designed for their individual needs. They can also attend classes on cooking, fitness and other wellness-focused subjects.
Six Senses Douro Valley, Lamego, Portugal
Eco-luxe hotelier brand, Six Senses offers five-star accommodation and refined service in some of the most picturesque locations around the world. In Portugal’s Douro Valley, sits on a hilltop and overlooking Portugal’s best wine region is beautifully renovated 19th-century manor. Six Senses Douro Valley is a world-class retreat and spa.
Six Senses boasts 10 treatment rooms, with each room overlooking the hotel’s gardens. Guests can also enjoy the indoor and outdoor pools, aromatherapy saunas and arctic showers. For a more holistic experience, The Spa offers a variety of yoga practices, including aerial yoga.
Schloss Elmau, Germany
Escape to the Bavarian Alps at the multi-award-winning spa resort, Schloss Elmau. Its unique location and history will give guests the perfect blend of relaxation and intrigue. The original castle, and current dwelling of Schloss Elmau, was built in 1916 by philosopher, theologian and author Dr Johannes Muller. After much of the structure was damaged due to a fire in 2005, Dr Muller’s grandson rebuilt, cementing this wellness retreat as one of the best in the world. Wellness includes the body, which includes the stomach… food lovers will be in for a treat at Schloss Elmau with a two-Michelin starred chef heading the restaurant.
The family-owned retreat includes an Oriental Hammam, the Badehaus adults-only spa, the Turtle Spa which is dedicated to traditional Chinese medicine and a 24-hour Family Spa, complete with indoor and outdoor pools and several saunas. Designed to cultivate feelings of peace and belonging, Schloss Elmau is the perfect place to find ones centre.
Bushmans Kloof, South Africa
Nestled by the dramatic Cederberg Mountains, is Bushmans Kloof. This award-winning five-star wellness retreat is set in a natural haven. Picture vast open plains, rugged sandstone formations and wildlife roaming free. For guests in need of an escape, the retreat offers a tranquil setting to reconnect with nature.
The spa treatment menu offers a variety of health and beauty enhancing treatments. Each treatment ensures guests are “nurtured, purified, pampered and relaxed”. Drawing inspiration from ancient African traditions and signature B|Africa products, the spa uses native African plant extracts, such as baobab tree oil, mafura butter, cape aloe and rooibos in their practice.
For more personalised information tips and advice, or to book this incredible holiday contact your local TravelManagers’ personal travel manager here.
