Best wellness retreats in the world: 2024

Wellness retreats are a chance to reset, recharge, and rediscover your best self. Many people want to escape the daily grind and disconnect from the world in a spectacular setting.

But where should you go? Here are the best wellness retreats in the world, from luxurious hotels to rigorous health programs for a much-needed wellness boost.

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Table of contents

What is a wellness retreat? Top 10 wellness retreats in the world 1. COMO Shambhala Estate, Bali 2. Lake Austin Spa Resort, Texas 3. Ananda in the Himalayas, India 4. Kamalaya, Thailand 5. SHA Wellness Clinic, Spain 6. The Ranch Malibu, California 7. Aro Ha Wellness Retreat, New Zealand 8. Canyon Ranch, US 9. Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort, Hawaii 10. Six Senses Douro Valley, Portugal Going abroad? Make sure to take a Wise card with you How do I choose a wellness retreat? Wellness retreat FAQs

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What is a wellness retreat?

A wellness retreat is a purposeful, health-focused getaway. Unlike a regular vacation, wellness resorts offer structured programs to improve your physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

Traditionally, wellness retreats are associated with activities like yoga classes and meditation. But there are many other ways to improve your health, from spa treatments and fitness classes to stress management and gut health techniques.

There are wellness retreats that help you eat healthier, think better, and even reverse aging. Use these 10 wellness retreat ideas to plan your ultimate escape.

Top 10 wellness retreats in the world

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1. COMO Shambhala Estate, Bali

• Location: Ubud, Bali
• Average cost: 600-3,000 USD per night¹
• Programs: Ayurvedic treatments, yoga, meditation, hydrotherapy
• Unique feature: Jungle setting with natural rivers
• Perfect for: Luxury seekers who want to relax in a tropical paradise

COMO Shambhala Estate is an award-winning wellness resort in a lush Balinese jungle between two rivers.

You can choose a room-only accommodation or indulge in a full suite of holistic healing with the targeted Wellness Paths. These Paths guide you through a dynamic journey of diagnostics, Ayurvedic treatments, nutritious food, outdoor activities, and more.

2. Lake Austin Spa Resort, Texas

• Location: Austin, Texas
• Average cost: 500-1,500 USD per night²
• Programs: Water-based activities, fitness classes, cooking, spa treatments
• Unique feature: Lakeside setting with a wide range of water-based wellness activities
• Perfect for: Water enthusiasts looking for a blend of active and relaxing experiences

One of the best all-inclusive wellness resorts in the world, Lake Austin Spa Resort blends quaint charm with luxury to help you improve your health with the healing power of water.

There are 40 charming cottages to choose from, and your stay includes all meals, refreshments, spa treatments, wellness events, and complimentary use of paddle boards, kayaks, and hydrobikes.

3. Ananda in the Himalayas, India

• Location: Himalayan foothills of North India
• Average cost: Programs start at 1,550 USD per night³
• Programs: Detox, rejuvenation, immunity, stress management, sleep enhancement, weight management, hormonal imbalance, chronic pain management, meditation
• Unique feature: Former Maharaja's palace setting
• Perfect for: Spiritual seekers and yogis looking for an authentic Indian wellness experience

Ananda in the Himalayas is a destination spa that sprawls across the 100-acre grounds, gardens, and forests with world-class wellness facilities.

The staff consists of Ayurvedic doctors with multigenerational lineage, yoga and meditation gurus from the traditional Bihar School of Yoga, and chefs trained in Ayurvedic principles of healthy eating.

4. Kamalaya, Thailand

• Location: Koh Samui, Thailand
• Average cost: Wellness programs start at 1,550 USD for a 3-day experience (accommodations not included)⁴
• Programs: Healthy lifestyle, detox, stress, burnout, women's health, immunity, yoga
• Unique feature: Built around a sacred monk's cave
• Perfect for: Stressed-out professionals and spiritual enthusiasts looking for a blend of luxury and authentic Eastern wellness practices

Kamalaya is a place where you can reconnect with your inner self by following one of the center's targeted programs. From Introduction to Detox to Structural Revival, 15+ functional programs extend over 3, 5, 7, 9, 14, or 21 nights to help you address health concerns and improve your emotional balance.

You can also choose a tailor-made wellness program after booking your accommodations.

5. SHA Wellness Clinic, Spain

• Location: Alicante, Spain
• Average cost: 5,000-8,000 USD per week⁵
• Programs: Medical spa treatments, nutrition plans, fitness classes
• Unique feature: Cutting-edge medical diagnostics
• Perfect for: People who want a science-based approach to wellness

If you're looking for the best health and wellness retreats, you can't go wrong with the SHA Wellness Clinic in Alicante, Spain.

A leader in integrative health, prevention, and longevity, this clinic combines the latest medical advances with natural therapies to improve your health. Popular programs include Leader's Performance, Well-Ageing and Prevention, and Intensive Detox.

6. The Ranch Malibu, California

• Location: Malibu, California
• Average cost: Starting at 9,200 USD for one week⁶
• Programs: Intense fitness regime, plant-based diet, massage therapy
• Unique feature: No-nonsense approach to fitness and weight loss
• Perfect for: Fitness enthusiasts and those who want to achieve a dramatic physical transformation

The Ranch Malibu is famous for its rigorous, results-driven approach to wellness. It's not a retreat for those looking for pampering - it's a boot camp-style program that pushes you to your physical limit and beyond.

The Ranch's signature program includes hours of daily hiking in the stunning mountains, yoga, daily massages, and a strict plant-based diet for fast detoxification.

7. Aro Ha Wellness Retreat, New Zealand

• Location: Southern Alps, New Zealand
• Average cost: Retreats start at ~4,278 USD for 6 days/5 nights⁷
• Programs: Adventure sports, yoga, meditation, spa treatments
• Unique feature: Eco-friendly retreat
• Perfect for: Adventure lovers and eco-conscious travelers

With over 40 global awards and 10 years of excellence, Aro Ha is one of the best health and wellness retreats. Aro Ha's retreats stick to small groups and last 6 days, focusing on increasing lifespan and managing the four horsemen of chronic disease: metabolic dysregulation, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and neurodegeneration.

Their test has found that participants reduced their biological age by 2+ years on average as a result of the program.⁸

8. Canyon Ranch, US

• Location: Multiple locations (Arizona, Massachusetts, California, and Nevada)
• Average cost: 1,000-2,000+ USD per night depending on the program⁹
• Programs: Medical consultations, fitness classes, outdoor activities, nutrition counseling, spa treatments, and more
• Unique feature: A wide range of holistic treatments in different locations across the US
• Perfect for: Health-conscious people interested in an all-encompassing approach to wellness

Canyon Ranch pursued wellness before wellness was a household word. There are three ways to stay at any of the four Canyon Ranch locations: Stay Your Way, Designed Experiences for specific wellness goals, and Camps & Retreats for an intensive deep dive.

You can take Canyon Ranch's Interactive Wellness Quiz to figure out what the best option is for you.

9. Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort, Hawaii

• Location: Lanai, Hawaii
• Average cost: 1,000-2,000 USD per night for accommodation, wellness experiences are extra¹⁰
• Programs: Spa treatments, nutritional cuisine, island activities, fitness center, yoga studio
• Unique feature: High-tech wellness facilities in a luxurious Hawaiian setting
• Perfect for: Luxury travelers looking for an island experience

If you're looking for luxury wellness retreats, look no further than Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort.

Secluded on a Hawaiian island, this adults-only resort offers stunning accommodation options and a wide range of wellness activities, such as functional movement, hiking, sleep consultations, and more.

10. Six Senses Douro Valley, Portugal

• Location: Lamego, Portugal
• Average cost: Accommodation costs start at ~1,760 USD per night¹¹ (use of wellness facilities is included, but spa treatments and experiences are extra)
• Programs: Spa treatments, yoga, color therapy, smart tech, alchemy bar
• Unique feature: 19th-century manor house in wine country
• Perfect for: Wine enthusiasts who want to combine wellness with activities in a beautiful setting

A true labor of love, Six Senses Douro Valley offers luxurious treatments in its spa and immersive experiences. Try tile painting, wine experiences, the "Pickles, Yogurts and Sprouts" workshop, or even tree climbing to relive your favorite childhood memories.

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How do I choose a wellness retreat?

There are a few things to keep in mind as you're choosing a wellness resort or retreat experience:

• Goals: If you have specific wellness goals, such as stress relief or weight loss, look for retreats that offer targeted programs

• Budget: Weigh the pros and cons of all-inclusive wellness resorts (typically more expensive) vs. regular resorts (might come with costly extras)

• Setting: Do you prefer a tropical, mountain, or lake setting? Domestic or international?

• Programs: Look for activities that match your interests and goals

• Reviews: Read reviews from people who have already attended that particular retreat or program

• Duration: Wellness programs can be as short as a weekend and as long as a month or more

• Food: If you have any specific dietary needs, make sure the retreat can accommodate them. Keep in mind that many wellness resorts focus on plant-based diets

It shouldn't feel like you'll need a vacation from your retreat, so make sure to evaluate all important factors.

Wellness retreat FAQs

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What is the best fitness retreat in the world?

The term "best" is subjective, but there are several renowned wellness retreats with a strong physical component. The Ranch Malibu is often recognized for its fitness focus. You can expect daily hikes, strength training, yoga, and a plant-based diet.

What is the most expensive wellness retreat in the world?

Luxurious wellness retreats can be costly, and they come in many different forms. For example, you can rent Musha Cay, a private archipelago of 11 islands in the Bahamas, for 57,000 USD per night for up to 12 guests, with a minimum 5-night stay.¹²

How long is a retreat usually?

It varies. Most wellness retreats range from long weekends (3-4 days) to one or two weeks. Some, like the Aro Ha wellness retreat, offer standard programs for everyone. Other destinations are more flexible and you can stay as long as you want.

Are wellness retreats worth it?

Wellness retreats give you an opportunity to focus entirely on your personal health and well-being, but whether or not it's worth it for you depends on who you are as a person.

Many people feel refreshed and motivated after a retreat. But it's important to have realistic expectations. A retreat isn't a quick fix, it's a starting point for long-term change.

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Wellness retreats cater to different preferences, goals, and budgets, but the best wellness retreats in the world are quite costly. Many of them can charge well over 1,000 USD per night. That said, they can be a fantastic way to reset your mind, challenge your body, and escape daily stress.

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Sources

1. COMO Shambhala Estate - Reservations
2. Lake Austin Spa Resort
3. Ananda in the Himalayas
4. Kamalaya - Introduction to detox
5. SHA Wellness Clinic - Health Programmes
6. The Ranch - FAQs
7. Aro Ha - Choose a retreat
8. Aro Ha
9. Canyon Ranch - Plan a stay
10. Sensei Lanai- Accommodations
11. Six Senses Dour Valley - Accommodation
12. Musha Cay - Reservations

Sources checked 09.13.2024