There’s no getting around it: the last few years were tough on us all. Our collective mental health took a massive hit, and even with the world open again, some of us are still feeling the effects. If there’s one good thing that’s emerged, we’re a hell of a lot better about talking about it.
If there’s another, it’s the even greater emphasis on wellness resorts—places we can escape from the everyday, focus on ourselves, refresh our mind and body, and leave feeling a little more centered with life.
If you need some time to reset, we’ve got you covered. These are some of the best wellness resorts in the world.
Civana Wellness Spa
Location: Carefree, Arizona
Price: $287+
Vibe: Health doesn’t require wealth
The rundown: Wellness resorts have an awful reputation for ludicrous rates, often spiraling into multiple thousands per night. Civana, while not a budget resort, sits in a far more approachable range while never skimping on its goal of rejuvenating you.
Set in the aptly named town of Carefree, Arizona, the desert resort is designed to be a relaxing escape from everyday life. Running with its daily mantra of sweat and meditation, its classes, imaginative restaurants, and 20 acres of desert grounds to explore are certain to reset your mind and body.
Carillon Miami
Location: Miami, Florida
Price: $232+
Vibe: High-tech all-rounder
The rundown: As if the calm waters of Miami Beach weren’t enough, Carillon Miami pulls out all the stops to ensure your body and mind are precisely where they need to be. Utilizing some of the most advanced health tech available, guests can analyze, improve, and reset virtually every aspect of their health.
Boasting the largest fitness and spa center on the East Coast, the most stressful aspect of a stay will be working out what to try. Cryotherapy chambers, more than 65 fitness classes a week, anti-aging treatments, brain therapy, hydrotherapy, a crystal sauna (no clue), sex therapists, an ice igloo room, massages, experiential rain showers, and a wellness concierge are all listed on their services—and there’s a ton more to explore at this staggering wellness resort.
Six Senses Fort Barwara
Location: Sawai Madhopur, India
Price: $450+
Vibe: Health fortress
The rundown: Coming in first place for theatrics is the Six Senses Fort Barwara. While Six Senses is already a renowned name in the wellness resort industry, theFort Barwara location is something special.
Masterfully designed inside the walls of a 14th-century fortress, its activities include sound wave healing, yoga instruction, lip balm making, and naturalist-led walks through the surrounding countryside. Its dramatic location near an ancient temple helps along too.
BodyHoliday St Lucia
Location: St Lucia
Price: $1,000+
Vibe: Every box-ticked Caribbean getaway
The rundown: The first of our big-budget recommendations, BodyHoliday St. Lucia knows how to build a trip for wellness enthusiasts. Embracing a self-decided itinerary focus, guests at BodyHoliday can be as involved or detached as they prefer.
For those getting stuck in, endless amounts of fitness classes, spa treatments, and island activities keep you occupied and rejuvenated, while those content to relax on the resort can enjoy the expansive rooms and luxurious restaurants. Plus, it’s in St. Lucia, which is therapy in itself.
Six Senses Duoro Valley
Location: Duoro Valley, Portugal
Price: $1,000+
Vibe: Wellness heaven, or perfect hangover
The rundown: The wellness retreat for the anti-wellness retreater. Six Senses’ second appearance on this list is its Duoro Valley location. Nestled in the hills of the country’s famous winemaking region, wine is literally on tap in its on-site restaurants.
Six Senses’ reputation means the spa is guaranteed to be world-class, while the idyllic surroundings alone will do wonders for your mental health. How much wine you intend to drink lies solely with you, but if you wake up with a hangover, you’re in the best place you could be to nurse yourself back to life.
The Ranch
Location: Malibu, California
Price: $7,600+ (for a week)
Vibe: Total body reset
The rundown: This is a big one. Less wellness resort, more immersive experience, The Ranch is renowned for its methods, but it’s not for everyone. It only runs full retreats in week-long increments, with the longest being a full month. Instead of a relaxing week, you’re on a no-choices itinerary consisting of six hours of low-impact exercise every day.
To complement the exercises, typically four-hour hikes in the Californian mountains, yoga, and strength classes, guests are on a strict 1,400-calorie vegan diet and can take massages and cryotherapy treatments after each day’s efforts. It’s highly likely you’ll be hiking around with a celebrity or two, and guests frequently use the term “life-changing” in their reviews. Whether you think it’s worth it is a different question altogether. But it’s an interesting concept.
by travelers, for travelers.
