8 Beautiful Wellness Retreats That Will Change Your Life
From India to Oman and Switzerland, these exclusive resorts are designed to recalibrate your mind, body and soul
Looking for your own Eat, Pray, Love life reset? Head to these stunning wellness retreats that are just as physically and mentally rejuvenating as they are beautiful to look at and experience.
As summer sparks a feeling of rebirth the world’s best wellness retreats are ideal locations where travellers can get back in touch with their inner selves through state-of-the-art treatments surrounded by impressive beauty. These resorts offer world-class spas, detox programs, rebalancing retreats, and programs to re-energise and help guest find their true selves. Each also offers a reprieve from the chaos of daily life and are truly refuges of well-being.
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No matter what each guest is looking for, gurus, experts in holistic philosophies, and medical teams ensure that everyone is given the opportunity to transform during their stay. Of course, every location also features stunning architecture, impeccable design, and breathtaking natural beauty to make the visit that much more impactful. Below, AD rounds up the world’s most stunning wellness retreats, for a rebirth this spring – and in any other season too.
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1/8Chenot Palace Weggis, Switzerland
Combining the principles of traditional Chinese and Western medicines, the Chenot Palace Weggis won the best detox program in the world at the World Spa Resorts Awards for two consecutive years (2021 and 2022). Located at the foot of Mount Rigi—and offering private access to Lake Lucerne—it’s among the world’s most luxurious wellness retreats.
Performed under medical supervision, treatments consist of cell resonance therapies, cupping massages with electrostimulation, hydro-aromatherapy baths, and applications of mud enriched with pure microalgae followed by high-pressure showers. All of this takes place inside a facility that combines elegant design with charming touches, thanks to a recent renovation by Swiss architect Davide Macullo. “At Chenot, we focus on well-being—staying healthy as we age,” says Dr. George Gaitanos, director of operations and science at Chenot. “We empower residents to make meaningful changes that ensure their optimal health. To be awarded the World's Best Detox Program again is a recognition of nearly 50 years of experience and continuous scientific research and innovation.”
2/8Six Senses Crans-Montana, Switzerland
World-famous for its beautiful landscapes, elegant old town, gourmet restaurants, and enchanting peaks, Crans-Montana encapsulates the best of alpine style and living. Sitting directly on the slopes in the heart of age-old forests and valleys is the Six Senses Crans-Montana. This natural high-altitude playground is home to the most cutting-edge spa in the Alps: the Six Senses Spa which blends “high-tech biohacking and high-touch therapies.” While here, the hotel’s suites, terraces, or even rooftop pool offer postcard-perfect views of the peaks between the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc.
Paul Thuysbaert3/8At Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Muscat, Oman
Within the luxurious Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel, the on-site spa is a destination in and of itself. Encompassing 33,000 square feet and spread over three floors within a building inspired by Oman’s historic forts, Al Bustan Palace Spa offers a one-of-a-kind experience. All treatments are based on ancient traditional Omani practices and are enriched by the sublime scents of products that use locally sourced ingredients, such as black soap, oud, frankincense, and Damask rose. The spa includes six swimming pools, four private lagoon pools, a 164-foot infinity pool, infrared saunas, ice showers, steam rooms, as well as six hammam rooms.
4/8Lefay Resort & Spa, Lake Garda
Sitting on 27 acres of rolling hills dotted with forests and olive groves, Lefay Resort & Spa Lago di Garda is located in Gargnano, Italy, on Lake Garda’s so-called Lemon Riviera. Overlooking the water, the completely sustainable 96-room resort was constructed with natural materials and clad in Italian marble and olive wood. Of course, several of the resort’s pools, including the Fonte Roccolino whirlpool, also offer views of the stunning natural setting. Here, guests can choose from seven different types of saunas for detoxing, followed by time in six relaxation zones, among other wellness treatments and offerings.
Photo: Supplied5/8One & Only Portonovi, Montenegro
Located on the shores of Bay of Kotor, One&Only Portonovi is among the best wellness destinations in Europe. At the elegant and state-of-the-art facilities, guests can book a stay at Chenot Espace, an on-site spa promising transformative detoxification and a body-restoring journey. The nearly 500,000-square-foot oasis is equipped with hydrotherapy and cryotherapy facilities, sauna, steam room, a splendid indoor pool, and a peaceful relaxation area.
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Sakis Papadopoulos6/8Milaidhoo, Maldives
Milaidhoo is a true tropical paradise located in the Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Maldives. Full of of coral reefs, lush vegetation, and white-sand beaches, its guests are surrounded by natural beauty. Of course, there is also plenty of man-made beauty, including a collection of picturesque over-water villas. For wellness offerings, guests can visit the Serenity Spa, which offers various holistic treatments performed on the water, lulled by the sound of the ocean. The striking water pavilion also hosts daily yoga or meditation sessions to realign the mind, body, and soul.
7/8ACRO Suites, Crete
Located along the beautiful coastline of Agia Pelagia, a seaside resort in northern Crete, ACRO Suites is carved into a cliff, with endless panoramic views of the Mediterranean. The hotel’s design blends into the natural scenery, disappearing among the island's striking landscapes. “ACRO Suites was built around the concept of well-being and provides a place where you can truly rest, an important element during the stay. We designed the resort to be not only a place where you can feel at peace with yourself, but also a home away from home,” Danae and Konstantina Orfanake, sisters and cofounders of ACRO Suites, explain.
Here, spend the day in the beautiful Bath House Spa—which includes an authentic Byzantine-era hammam—take a dip in the private saltwater pool, or join a yoga session for deep relaxation. Still, the founders say the resort’s wellness focus begins with its design, which incorporates colors and materials seen throughout the landscape.
Originally published in AD Italy.
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Photo: Supplied8/8Ananda in the Himalayas, Uttarakhand, India
Nestled in the sacred Himalayan mountain ranges, where hermits and sages have long sought solace and enlightenment, one of the most well-known wellness retreats of the country effectively uses the oxygenated mountain air, medicinal Himalayan plants and the ancient Ayurvedic methods to heal the mind, body, and soul.
And Ananda in the Himalayas has the reputation of an uber-luxury wellness retreat for a reason. It is housed in the estate of the erstwhile king of Tehri Garhwal, where the rooms are either inside the historical palace or overlooking the serene Ganges river. Either way, you are in for a visual treat. The discreet staff caters to Bollywood celebrities and international royals, ensuring privacy and luxury. With customised wellness sessions, tailored meals, and holistic therapies, Ananda imbues you with vitality that lingers with you for a long time even after you have left.
