Best Wellness Retreats in the World 

Are you looking for a place where you can forget about all your troubles and get in touch with your spiritual side? Or you want to spend your vacation in a gorgeous retreat where you can be pampered like a member of the royal family? Or maybe you want to enjoy yourself someplace where sunsets look like they belong on a postcard?

No matter what the reason for your journey is, these fantastic retreats offer everything you are looking for! Whether you go alone, with a friend or family, you are guaranteed to create memories that will last a lifetime. 

What Makes a Wellness Retreat Special?

Wellness retreats are far more than just a getaway; they're a transformative experience. Here's why they stand out:

• Tailored experiences: Unlike a typical vacation, wellness retreats focus on your individual needs. Whether you're looking to de-stress, detox, get fit, or conquer challenges like a high ropes course to build confidence, there's a retreat designed just for you.

• Expert guidance: Professionals in nutrition, fitness, mindfulness, and other areas of well-being will support you. Their expertise ensures you get the most out of your experience and can continue your wellness journey long after you leave.

• Stunning settings: Picture yourself practising yoga on a secluded beach, hiking through lush forests, or soaking in natural hot springs. The locations alone are enough to soothe your soul and create the perfect backdrop for healing.

• Community and connection: Many retreats foster a sense of camaraderie among guests, creating a supportive environment for growth and transformation. You'll connect with like-minded individuals, share experiences, and build lasting friendships.

These unique elements combine to create an environment where you can truly focus on your health and happiness, returning home feeling refreshed, re-energized, and ready to take on whatever life throws your way.

Aro Ha, Glenorchy, New Zealand

If you are looking for a place that will nurture your mind and body, this eco-friendly resort is a great choice. Aro Ha is tucked away in between the Southern Alps and surrounded by a rugged New Zealand landscape overlooking Lake Wakatipu.

Since the resort is mostly made of natural materials such as wood and stone, it perfectly blends in with the environment. This solar- and hydro-powered place only welcomes 32 guests at a time, so it is an ideal vacation spot for those who are looking to get away from the crowds. 

Golden Door, San Marcos, California, United States

Do not forget to pack your most comfortable shoes for running since the Golden Door retreat is surrounded by 600 acres of rolling hills and hiking trails. This place was opened back in 1958, and since then it has welcomed a lot of celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Nicole Kidman, Chevy Chase, and Susan Sarandon.

During an all-inclusive 7-day program you will be able to completely transform your mind, body, and spirit and go home as a different person.  Daily spa treatments, exercises, mindfulness workshops, art classes, and meditation walks will help you detox your mind and body, while you will also have the opportunity to harvest your veggies in the garden. The Golden Door has 40 rooms, and all of them come with sliding shoji doors and tatami mats. 

Royal Mansour, Marrakech, Morocco

Going on a wellness retreat at the Royal Mansour in Marrakech is an unparalleled experience that epitomizes luxury, tranquility, and rejuvenation. Set within the mystical city of Marrakech, this retreat is a celebration of Moroccan heritage, architecture, and artisan craftsmanship, blended seamlessly with world-class wellness facilities.

The heart of the wellness experience at Royal Mansour is its exceptional spa. Architecturally stunning, the spa is set beneath a white wrought-iron canopy, resembling a giant birdcage. It houses a traditional Moroccan hammam, where you can indulge in a purifying ritual that combines warmth, fragranced steam, and soothing scrubs. Additionally, the spa offers a range of treatments including massages, facials, and body wraps using organic, locally sourced products.

Make sure to add this wellness retreat to your Marrakech itinerary if you are looking to add some relaxation to your trip.

Kamalaya, Koh Samui, Thailand

In case you want to get in touch with yourself or even lose some weight, Kamalaya offers a series of wellness programs, such as Detox, Emotional Balance, Yoga, Ideal Weight, Optimal Fitness, and many more. In addition, when you are not working on yourself, you can relax on a beautiful beach that is accessible from the retreat and enjoy one of the best sunsets on the island.

This retreat is also a great choice for foodies since meals at Kamalaya are to die for. Whether you choose to eat completely healthy foods or you want to indulge yourself and have coffee and cocktails, you will give your palate a treat.  

Fivelements, Bali, Indonesia

You will surely achieve a complete holistic transformation at Fivelements, where healers practice rituals and therapies that have been around for generations. This retreat has a lot to offer, from spa treatments and healing sessions to purification rituals, yoga, and meditation. You may also savor delicious and nourishing plant-based cuisine at their restaurant that supports your overall well-being.

Whether you wish to boost your well-being on a physical, emotional, spiritual, or mental level, this is the place to be. You can choose to do the program on your own or with a partner. 

Adler Spa Resort Thermae in Tuscany, Italy

Adler Spa Resort Thermae in Tuscany stands out as a top choice among luxurious spa and wellness retreats. Nestled in the heart of the picturesque Val d'Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage site, this retreat offers a serene and luxurious environment where guests can unwind and rejuvenate.

The resort features natural thermal springs, a vast array of spa treatments inspired by local traditions, and modern facilities designed to harmonize with the surrounding nature. Its holistic approach to wellness, combining physical health with mental and spiritual well-being, and the breathtaking views of the Tuscan countryside, make Adler Spa Resort Thermae a quintessential destination.

If you are looking for a more spiritual retreat, check out these top yoga retreats in Sicily.

Sicily is an ideal location for yoga retreats with it’s natural beauty, serene landscapes, cultural heritage and world-famous cuisine.

Six Senses Douro Valley, Portugal

To enjoy a personalized wellness program and focus on restoring your health, visit this restored 19th century manor located among vineyards and acres of rolling hills. Here you can attend a yoga class, choose between four wellness programs that are tailored to your needs, meditate or enjoy a spa treatment. Speaking of spa treatments, they use local ingredients like grape extracts and essential oils.

At Six Senses you surely won’t be hungry, since delicious meals are prepared from locally sourced ingredients. There is also a large organic herb and vegetable garden you can visit. 

Villa Stephanie, Baden-Baden, Germany

Now let’s move to Europe where you should definitely visit Villa Stephanie, a place dedicated to detox, fitness, and beauty. In this charming villa, you can find an extensive spa menu that offers everything from stem cell rejuvenation therapies and ophthalmology to dentistry. If you wish to have all your medical tests done while enjoying yourself in a perfect hideaway, this is the place to go. You can also check out wellness programs such as Weight Loss, Detox, Stay Fit Stay Healthy, and The Kings Way.  

SHA Wellness Clinic, Alicante, Spain

If you cannot decide between Western medical expertise and Eastern alternative therapies, be sure to visit SHA Wellness Clinic in Spain. This place that overlooks the Mediterranean Sea offers a wide range of programs that can be personalized to meet your specific needs, from Detox, to Fitness, Weight Loss, and even Anti-Tobacco. With natural therapies, a customized fitness plan, and a healthy diet you will be able to improve your well-being on multiple levels.

No matter where you decide to go, you won’t make a mistake with any of these places.