Vacation for Health: Wellness Retreats Around the World

In today’s hectic world, planning a vacation that focuses on wellness, rather than just a destination, is a hot trend. While in the past you might get a spa treatment as an afterthought at a high-end hotel, in this era of constant communication, many folks are opting to devote an entire holiday pampering and rejuvenating oneself. And it isn’t just about a massage or facial spa experience alone anymore, with many resorts are elevating the concept to the next level, and focusing specifically on wellness. You’ll find they are incorporating a host of health focused concepts into their amenity choices: from sessions with a personal trainer to surf lessons and even falconry, properties are going all out to make your holiday healthy, relaxing and digitally detoxing. Here are three very different exotic spa resorts with a wellness focus from around the world.

1. Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit Resort, Mexico

On Mexico’s beautiful west coast, near Puerto Vallarta, the all-inclusive Grand Velas resort features five-star service, excellent food and an option to book the Wellness Suites, which offer a holistic holiday experience. Upon check in, guests are given a massage in their two-floor suite, which also features a rooftop Jacuzzi, in-room exercise bike and a Vitamin C infused shower. You’ll also have the option to have your bed made with Nikken Kenko sleep technology, which uses magnets in a special comforter, pillow and mattress topper to promote a more restful and deep sleep (we tried it and loved, but it isn’t for everyone). Wellness Suite guests also have the option to work out with a personal trainer, and the resort offers all guests classes from yoga to pilates in their gym. Additionally there is a wonderfully relaxing spa with a water rituals station.

2. Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa

We love this Four Seasons Resort in the Maldives for combining surfing and wellness in one holiday. Located just a few minutes from a top surf break, the resort has its own surf school that attracts beginners and skilled riders alike. It also has a three-deck catamaran that can be booked to take you to surf some of the world’s most remote atolls, where you will be the only ones riding the waves. After a day surfing, you’ll be ready to partake in one of the relaxing massages offered at the Four Seasons’ spa, which is on its own island. They also offer sleep therapy wellness treatments from 10pm to 1am in the spa that are linked to the lunar cycle.

3. Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, United Arab Emirates

For a different kind of wellness retreat, head to the desert outside of Dubai. Just an hour away from the city’s skyscrapers, the Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa is inside a nature preserve created to protect the Arabian oryx and its habitat, and today these antelope roam the red sand grounds of the luxury resort. You’ll sleep in a posh Bedouin-inspired tent suite that comes with binoculars to look for desert creatures and easels to paint the landscape should you feel inspired. They also feature private pools that are especially appealing for stargazing after dark. Beyond a wonderful spa, the resort encourages guests to digitally detox and go back in time trying out a host of ancient Arab activities from falconry to camel rides.