Has the pandemic derailed your healthy habits? Whether you’re looking for a week of relaxation or a strict detox programme, get inspired by these authentic wellness retreats, blissfully awaiting you once travel resumes
Whether your definition of wellbeing involves yoga and sound baths or more scientifically backed therapies, fully immersing yourself in the wellness culture of some of the world’s most renowned retreats is sure to provide the ultimate post-Covid reboot. From luxury havens hidden deep in the Balinese jungle to traditional Japanese treatments and medicine, these soulful spas will help you discover your authentic self and leave you feeling fulfilled and rejuvenated, both inside and out.
Kamalaya, Koh Samui, Thailand
Tucked away in the south east of Koh Samui, this multi-award-winning sanctuary and holistic spa resort is the ideal spot for a remote healing holiday. Offering stress relief, detox, weight loss, fitness and yoga, the land’s spiritual energy is so intense that monks would gather here to contemplate, and it is around their cave of worship that the resort has been built. Guests are nurtured by some of Asia’s best healers, with activities including everything from meditation to sleep-enhancement programmes aided by acupuncture and cognitive healing, plus releasing therapy to cope with loss and bereavement. Its ayurvedic treatments are also popular with those looking to de-stress and recover. Healthy Thai cuisine is served up on tap, with its near-vegan dishes designed to treat your body from the inside out. kamalaya.com
Euphoria Retreat, Mystras, Greece
An award-winning destination spa which opened to great fanfare in 2018, Euphoria is set in the heart of the Greek Peloponnese, close to the astonishing UNESCO World Heritage site of Mystras. Carefully curated wellness treatments draw inspiration from a number of sources – think Ancient Greek philosophers, Hippocratic medicine, Taoist philosophy and Chinese medicine, with programmes cleverly blending the best of these philosophies and complementary medicines to promote deep emotional and physical transformation. The 45 spacious rooms and suites are as sleek as the impressive spa, which rises over four levels with an innovative sphere pool and 25m water well at its heart. Expect to leave with a deeply rooted sense of balance, equipped with the tools to manage your health on a daily basis. euphoriaretreat.com
COMO Shambhala Estate, Ubud, Bali
Image: Instagram/COMOShambhalaEstate
Bali’s number-one pick for both beauty editors and yoga aficionados worldwide, this popular flagship retreat of the renowned COMO brand promises an authentic back-to-nature experience, perched high above the Ayung River in the Balinese jungle. A natural paradise, COMO Shambhala spans 23 acres of lush tropical forest, with a soundtrack of cicadas, fireflies and the roaring river providing the only background music. The resort offers three distinct traditional programmes: Cleanse, Ayurveda and Be Active, which address everything from stress management to weight and diet, so expect plenty of Pilates, meditation, hydrotherapy, massages, lectures, and treks through nearby rice paddies. What’s more, all dishes are made from local ingredients at the brand’s award-winning restaurant, Glow, leaving you feeling renewed and regenerated both inside and out. comohotels.com/en/comoshambhalaestate
ANA InterContinental Beppu Resort & Spa, Beppu, Japan
A luxurious private oasis nestled in Japan’s Oita prefecture, a trip to the picturesque ANA InterContinental Beppu Resort is worthwhile for the views alone. With just seven guest rooms and 10 suites, it is sumptuously exclusive, and its HARNN Spa boasts five treatment rooms, two outdoor onsens (natural hot springs), open-air baths with mountain or bay views, a Japanese garden and an infinity pool overlooking the Beppu hot springs. Harnessing the power of Japanese onsen water, treatments are based on traditional medicine using natural ingredients – think: mineral-enriched products crafted to focus on renewed skin, activated metabolism, enhanced sleep and relief for tired muscles – and will leave you with serenity and relaxation. This is a well-deserved splurge for the discerning health tourist. anaicbeppu.com
The Palace Downtown, Dubai
Image: Instagram/PalaceDowntown
A harmonious blend of Middle Eastern heritage and modern-day Dubai, The Palace Downtown offers a Bedouin retreat away from the hustle and bustle of the city. At its heart is The Spa at Palace Downtown, and if you’re looking for a true taste of Arabia, its eclectic array of signature rituals make use of traditional Middle Eastern tools and ingredients sourced direct from the desert. Opt for the Arabian Escape, which includes a trio of indulgent treatments beginning with a body-smoothing date and henna scrub followed by a skin-enriching camel-milk body wrap and rejuvenating date facial. Alternatively, the Karak Chai Adventure explores Emirati tradition with a wellness twist, using the finest quality local black tea leaves and fragrant saffron spices to deliver empowering antioxidant benefits. addresshotels.com/en/hotels/palace-downtown
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- Words by Naomi Chadderton
