Kiwi Curated
Picturesque Retreats for Finding Inner Peace
by Eva ZhuWith the holidays over, it’s time to unwind from all the booze, food and festivities with a peaceful escape for yourself. We’ve rounded up nine blissful retreats to help you get Zen.
Picturesque Retreats for Finding Inner Peace
Hotel Villa Honegg is a breath of fresh, alpine air. This Art Nouveau-style villa sits on a peninsula amidst Switzerland’s pristine nature, surrounded by Lake Lucerne on three sides and overlooking valleys and snow-capped peaks. Views can be enjoyed from one of the heated pools or the terrace, and the spa features a Finnish Sauna and steam bath. Off-site, there are hiking trails, water sports and the town of Lucerne itself.
Picturesque Retreats for Finding Inner Peace
The Wickaninnish Inn sits on the rugged, wild West Coast in the small, surfer beach town of Tofino on Vancouver Island. Perched above the ocean along ancient rainforests, “The Wick” is ideally situated for winding down and tapping into inner peace. In the winter, it’s the perfect vantage point for storm-watching and in summer, for beachcombing and nature walks. Post-adventure, the Ancient Cedars Spa has a menu of First Nations-inspired healing treatments.
Picturesque Retreats for Finding Inner Peace
Surrounded by agriculture, rolling hills and a bird sanctuary in the mountains of Southern Costa Rica is Hacienda AltaGracia, a countryside hideaway of 50 estate-size Casitas. In addition to the largest spa in Central America and a world-class equestrian center, it provides a host of activities for your leisure, including cooking classes, forest treks and coffee plantation tours.
Picturesque Retreats for Finding Inner Peace
Invigorating sea air and vacation vibes meet on the Italian Riviera. This elegant hotel on the Tuscan coast, situated between a beach and pine forest in the breezy resort town of Viareggio, enjoys the promenade at its doorstep. Days here are spent strolling the boutiques and restaurants, walking in the forest or lounging at the Beach Club. Back at the hotel, a rooftop pool and two Michelin-starred restaurant await.
Picturesque Retreats for Finding Inner Peace
Offering secluded privacy with a backdrop of forest and paddy fields, eco-resort Jetwing Kaduruketha has 25 private dwellings across 60 acres in the Sri Lankan village of Wellawaya. The idyllic setting, on-site Ayurveda spa and fresh, locally-sourced meals are all that’s required for wellness. When you’re ready to emerge from your sanctuary, take a wildlife safari or explore nearby waterfalls and ancient Buddhist temples.
Picturesque Retreats for Finding Inner Peace
Located on a hilltop away from the town, Casa Chameleon Hotel at Las Catalinas is an adults-only escape for those seeking a tranquil, tropical getaway. Here, ocean vistas stretch in every direction from the infinity pool, private plunge pool and cliffside restaurant. On sea, there are water sports, and on land, a thousand acres of forest, hills and valleys. But with a setting like the Guanacaste peninsula, you need only sit back and relax with a fruity beverage in hand.
Picturesque Retreats for Finding Inner Peace
In the lush hills of Northern Thailand, where Laos and Myanmar converge at the Mekong River, the Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort is a one-of-a-kind retreat. Modeled after a traditional elephant mahout village, here the gentle giants’ friendly nature and misty hills and tea plantation views will help you feel at ease in no time. But for extra pampering, the Anantara Spa’s open-air suites can be found up in the jungle canopy.
Picturesque Retreats for Finding Inner Peace
Vana Belle’s suites and villas are nestled against a hillside forest over the white sands of Chaweng Noi Beach, a quieter alternative to the busy beaches of Koh Samui. Each comes with a private pool so you never have to leave your abode, and the top-tiered suites’ 24-hour butler service mean you never have to lift a finger. Spend those restful days indulging in resort amenities such as al fresco dining and the Vana Spa.
Picturesque Retreats for Finding Inner Peace
A short drive outside of Kuala Lumpur, there’s a true escape nestled in a green valley and cradled by ancient limestone hills. Carved out of these natural surrounds, The Banjaran is a haven of geothermal springs, cascading falls and hidden caves. The holistic experiences here are too many to list—yoga, healing caves and health-conscious fare, for starters. But the wine bar cave is an absolute must.
Hotel Villa Honegg is a breath of fresh, alpine air. This Art Nouveau-style villa sits on a peninsula amidst Switzerland’s pristine nature, surrounded by Lake Lucerne on three sides and overlooking valleys and snow-capped peaks. Views can be enjoyed from one of the heated pools or the terrace, and the spa features a Finnish Sauna and steam bath. Off-site, there are hiking trails, water sports and the town of Lucerne itself.
The Wickaninnish Inn sits on the rugged, wild West Coast in the small, surfer beach town of Tofino on Vancouver Island. Perched above the ocean along ancient rainforests, “The Wick” is ideally situated for winding down and tapping into inner peace. In the winter, it’s the perfect vantage point for storm-watching and in summer, for beachcombing and nature walks. Post-adventure, the Ancient Cedars Spa has a menu of First Nations-inspired healing treatments.
Surrounded by agriculture, rolling hills and a bird sanctuary in the mountains of Southern Costa Rica is Hacienda AltaGracia, a countryside hideaway of 50 estate-size Casitas. In addition to the largest spa in Central America and a world-class equestrian center, it provides a host of activities for your leisure, including cooking classes, forest treks and coffee plantation tours.
Invigorating sea air and vacation vibes meet on the Italian Riviera. This elegant hotel on the Tuscan coast, situated between a beach and pine forest in the breezy resort town of Viareggio, enjoys the promenade at its doorstep. Days here are spent strolling the boutiques and restaurants, walking in the forest or lounging at the Beach Club. Back at the hotel, a rooftop pool and two Michelin-starred restaurant await.
Offering secluded privacy with a backdrop of forest and paddy fields, eco-resort Jetwing Kaduruketha has 25 private dwellings across 60 acres in the Sri Lankan village of Wellawaya. The idyllic setting, on-site Ayurveda spa and fresh, locally-sourced meals are all that’s required for wellness. When you’re ready to emerge from your sanctuary, take a wildlife safari or explore nearby waterfalls and ancient Buddhist temples.
Located on a hilltop away from the town, Casa Chameleon Hotel at Las Catalinas is an adults-only escape for those seeking a tranquil, tropical getaway. Here, ocean vistas stretch in every direction from the infinity pool, private plunge pool and cliffside restaurant. On sea, there are water sports, and on land, a thousand acres of forest, hills and valleys. But with a setting like the Guanacaste peninsula, you need only sit back and relax with a fruity beverage in hand.
In the lush hills of Northern Thailand, where Laos and Myanmar converge at the Mekong River, the Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort is a one-of-a-kind retreat. Modeled after a traditional elephant mahout village, here the gentle giants’ friendly nature and misty hills and tea plantation views will help you feel at ease in no time. But for extra pampering, the Anantara Spa’s open-air suites can be found up in the jungle canopy.
Vana Belle’s suites and villas are nestled against a hillside forest over the white sands of Chaweng Noi Beach, a quieter alternative to the busy beaches of Koh Samui. Each comes with a private pool so you never have to leave your abode, and the top-tiered suites’ 24-hour butler service mean you never have to lift a finger. Spend those restful days indulging in resort amenities such as al fresco dining and the Vana Spa.
A short drive outside of Kuala Lumpur, there’s a true escape nestled in a green valley and cradled by ancient limestone hills. Carved out of these natural surrounds, The Banjaran is a haven of geothermal springs, cascading falls and hidden caves. The holistic experiences here are too many to list—yoga, healing caves and health-conscious fare, for starters. But the wine bar cave is an absolute must.