Kiwi Curated
8 Relaxing Wellness Retreats
by Darren DunneAfter a December spent indulging in the excesses of the holidays, January provides the perfect opportunity to take stock and make some healthy lifestyle choices. Whether this means swearing off vices, improving fitness or squeezing in some spa treatments, a range of hotels specialize in helping guests achieve their aims. Read on as we select eight of our favorite health and wellness retreats.
8 Relaxing Wellness Retreats
Amatara Resort & Wellness, Thailand
Amatara Resort & Wellness sits on the quiet, southeastern tip of Phuket Island, a lavish location for one of Asia’s premier oceanfront spa facilities. Upon arrival, the on-site tennis courts and yoga pavilion immediately command notice, but it’s the presence of a world-first Thai Hammam that’s the star of the show. This facility blends Turkish and Moroccan bathing practices with Thai spa therapies. After a tough day spent getting pampered, retire to one of 22 pavilions or 48 suites.
8 Relaxing Wellness Retreats
Lumeria Maui, United States
Ensconced in a quiet corner of Maui is Lumeria Maui, an educational retreat with a vast array of wellness programs. Each reservation at this resort comes with enrolment in a program, most of which take place in the lush gardens or dedicated spa area. Guests can select from a robust menu of treatments featuring staples such as yoga and meditation, mingling with more bespoke choices such as healing arts or water sports. Dining in these environs is also suitably healthy, with restaurant The Wooden Crate sourcing the vast majority of its ingredients from the hotel’s own gardens.
8 Relaxing Wellness Retreats
Castel Fragsburg, Italy
The epic splendor of the Dolomites provides the backdrop to the 20-room Castel Fragsburg, a charming 18th century lodge with a spa focus. Originally a hunting manor for Italian nobles, the site underwent a complete overhaul, creating a boutique spa hideaway with a mix of classic furnishings and modern service standards. The lodge’s Alpine Healthcare Spa offers an ultra-modern approach to wellness. Consisting of several treatment rooms, an outdoor pool and a sauna, it provides the perfect venue to take in a massage or sample the Stonetherapy offering.
8 Relaxing Wellness Retreats
Castello del Nero, Italy
Rolling Tuscan hills surround the picturesque Castello del Nero, a place for relaxation in the Italian countryside. Originally a 12th century castle, the ancient exterior belies the cutting edge ESPA spa within. Guests can expect to have body and mind brought back into balance through a range of advanced techniques and ancient therapies. Afterwards, retire to one of the luxury rooms or lavish suites and discover the best of Italian countryside living.
8 Relaxing Wellness Retreats
Sha Wellness Clinic, Spain
As the name would suggest, Sha Wellness Clinic is not your typical hotel. The Clinic puts a firm emphasis on guest’s overall wellness, and one of the first tasks upon arrival is to fill out a customized itinerary from the lengthy list of options. A few of these include anti-aging, anti-tobacco, healthy eating classes, yoga, breathing lessons and acupuncture. If that sounds like all work and no play, don’t worry, there’s fun to be had here too. A slate of body wraps and massages envelop one in a relaxing cocoon, while healthy gourmet fare can be had at hotel restaurant SHAMADI.
8 Relaxing Wellness Retreats
Boulders Resort & Spa, United States
Fringed by 12-million-year-old boulders and resplendent in year-round sun, Boulders Resort & Spa, Curio Collection by Hilton provides a spacious spa getaway just outside Scottsdale. Not just a spa specialist, this resort is more of an outdoor playground, making the most of the Arizona heat to provide a world-class guest experience. With several outdoor pools, the hotel sits in between two Jay Moorish championship golf courses. When it comes to wellness, guests are very much in expert hands. Choose from a range of signature treatments, work out in the fitness center, or simply lounge in one of the whirlpools.
8 Relaxing Wellness Retreats
The Farm at San Benito, Philippines
In the depths of winter, thoughts of a tropical resort getaway sound quite appealing, and when mixed with a wellness retreat the package becomes all the more enticing. Luckily, The Farm at San Benito is on-hand to provide exactly that to weary guests. The Farm consists of 32 villas, all inspired by the picturesque surrounds of the local area and decorated in neutral hues. Dining here consists of mainly raw, vegan dishes sourced from the property’s own organic garden. The treatments themselves are the real stars, with an array of medical, holistic and relaxing options available, as well as tailored programs to help guests achieve their goals.
8 Relaxing Wellness Retreats
Amanzo’e, Greece
Aman Resorts won’t claim to have invented the concept of a wellness retreat, but at Amanzo’e they’ve certainly come close to perfecting the formula. This peaceful resort has undulating olive groves on one side, and the turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea on the other. The holistic healing philosophy of Hippocrates is the central tenet of the wellness component at the hotel, with the light-filled 2,850-square-meter spa forming the centerpiece. Here, guests can undergo a range of treatments as well as receive advice on diet, lifestyle and fitness. A gym is also available for more active therapy as well as yoga sessions.
Amatara Resort & Wellness, Thailand
Amatara Resort & Wellness sits on the quiet, southeastern tip of Phuket Island, a lavish location for one of Asia’s premier oceanfront spa facilities. Upon arrival, the on-site tennis courts and yoga pavilion immediately command notice, but it’s the presence of a world-first Thai Hammam that’s the star of the show. This facility blends Turkish and Moroccan bathing practices with Thai spa therapies. After a tough day spent getting pampered, retire to one of 22 pavilions or 48 suites.
Lumeria Maui, United States
Ensconced in a quiet corner of Maui is Lumeria Maui, an educational retreat with a vast array of wellness programs. Each reservation at this resort comes with enrolment in a program, most of which take place in the lush gardens or dedicated spa area. Guests can select from a robust menu of treatments featuring staples such as yoga and meditation, mingling with more bespoke choices such as healing arts or water sports. Dining in these environs is also suitably healthy, with restaurant The Wooden Crate sourcing the vast majority of its ingredients from the hotel’s own gardens.
Castel Fragsburg, Italy
The epic splendor of the Dolomites provides the backdrop to the 20-room Castel Fragsburg, a charming 18th century lodge with a spa focus. Originally a hunting manor for Italian nobles, the site underwent a complete overhaul, creating a boutique spa hideaway with a mix of classic furnishings and modern service standards. The lodge’s Alpine Healthcare Spa offers an ultra-modern approach to wellness. Consisting of several treatment rooms, an outdoor pool and a sauna, it provides the perfect venue to take in a massage or sample the Stonetherapy offering.
Castello del Nero, Italy
Rolling Tuscan hills surround the picturesque Castello del Nero, a place for relaxation in the Italian countryside. Originally a 12th century castle, the ancient exterior belies the cutting edge ESPA spa within. Guests can expect to have body and mind brought back into balance through a range of advanced techniques and ancient therapies. Afterwards, retire to one of the luxury rooms or lavish suites and discover the best of Italian countryside living.
Sha Wellness Clinic, Spain
As the name would suggest, Sha Wellness Clinic is not your typical hotel. The Clinic puts a firm emphasis on guest’s overall wellness, and one of the first tasks upon arrival is to fill out a customized itinerary from the lengthy list of options. A few of these include anti-aging, anti-tobacco, healthy eating classes, yoga, breathing lessons and acupuncture. If that sounds like all work and no play, don’t worry, there’s fun to be had here too. A slate of body wraps and massages envelop one in a relaxing cocoon, while healthy gourmet fare can be had at hotel restaurant SHAMADI.
Boulders Resort & Spa, United States
Fringed by 12-million-year-old boulders and resplendent in year-round sun, Boulders Resort & Spa, Curio Collection by Hilton provides a spacious spa getaway just outside Scottsdale. Not just a spa specialist, this resort is more of an outdoor playground, making the most of the Arizona heat to provide a world-class guest experience. With several outdoor pools, the hotel sits in between two Jay Moorish championship golf courses. When it comes to wellness, guests are very much in expert hands. Choose from a range of signature treatments, work out in the fitness center, or simply lounge in one of the whirlpools.
The Farm at San Benito, Philippines
In the depths of winter, thoughts of a tropical resort getaway sound quite appealing, and when mixed with a wellness retreat the package becomes all the more enticing. Luckily, The Farm at San Benito is on-hand to provide exactly that to weary guests. The Farm consists of 32 villas, all inspired by the picturesque surrounds of the local area and decorated in neutral hues. Dining here consists of mainly raw, vegan dishes sourced from the property’s own organic garden. The treatments themselves are the real stars, with an array of medical, holistic and relaxing options available, as well as tailored programs to help guests achieve their goals.
Amanzo’e, Greece
Aman Resorts won’t claim to have invented the concept of a wellness retreat, but at Amanzo’e they’ve certainly come close to perfecting the formula. This peaceful resort has undulating olive groves on one side, and the turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea on the other. The holistic healing philosophy of Hippocrates is the central tenet of the wellness component at the hotel, with the light-filled 2,850-square-meter spa forming the centerpiece. Here, guests can undergo a range of treatments as well as receive advice on diet, lifestyle and fitness. A gym is also available for more active therapy as well as yoga sessions.