From a short trip out of the city to a long-haul flight to an exotic destination, health and wellness retreats and spas are becoming more of a draw no matter where in the world you are.
With Wellness tourism growing not only across North America and Europe, it is estimated that by 2017, over 50 per cent of growth in the industry will come from Asia, Latin America and the Middle East/North Africa according to the 2013 Global Wellness Tourism Economy Report by Global Wellness Institute.
We’ve put together a list of some of the top health and wellness retreats and spas across the globe from healing sanctuaries to rejuvenating detox farms and even adventure and fitness getaways.
1. The Farm at San Benito, Lipa City, Philippines
This island resort is a mainstay at the top of ‘best in the world’ lists with its luxury villas and suites surrounded by lush jungle providing a truly secluded getaway environment. The Farm at San Benito features a Healing Sanctuary spa and offers health and wellness services ranging from detox cleanses to nutritional and fitness assessments and holistic health consultations with a medical doctor.
2. California Health & Longevity Institute, Westlake Village, California
This ‘lifestyle transformation destination’ located just northwest of Los Angeles provides everything from expert medical services to a therapeutic spa. From the nutritional, to the mental and physical aspects of personal health, this all-encompassing facility offers services ranging from life balance consultancy to fitness and nutrition assessments and advice. A full medical clinic on site includes medical specialists in Alternative Medicine, Dentistry, Dermatology and Sleep Medicine.
3. Lefay Resort & SPA Lago di Garda, Gargnano, Italy
Located on the shore of the peaceful and picturesque Lake Garda, less than an hour’s drive from Brescia in Northern Italy, the Lefay Resort & Spa offers a wide array of expert medical services including Natural Medicine (Acupuncture, Moxibustion, Aculifting,) Osteopathy, Western Medicine and Physiotherapy. If you’re looking to relax and rejuvenate, Lefay also has a number of wellness programs to choose from with treatments ranging from Ayurveda to Detox and Phyto-aromatherapy.
4. Natur-Med Thermal Springs and Health Resort, Davutlar, Aydin, Turkey
Located on the Aegean Coast, Turkey’s first health center boasts rejuvenating natural hot springs with therapeutic and curative minerals. The extensive services on offer at Natur-Med include specialized Detox programs and a wide variety of Natural Healing therapies such as massage, ozone therapy, colon hydrotherapy, acupuncture and magnetic field therapy for pain relief and to facilitate healing of injury.
5. COMO Shambhala Estate, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
COMO Shambhala has several locations across the globe including health retreats and urban escapes from Bali to Miami Beach. Offering healing experiences in the form of six holistic wellness programs that include Cleanse, Stress Management, Ayurveda and Oriental Medicine. Treatments and therapies that are featured among the different healing experiences include massage, Qigong, acupuncture, beauty treatments, colon hydrotherapy and more.
6. Canyon Ranch, Miami Beach, Florida
Canyon Ranch’s beachfront spa in Miami Beach offers health vacations with a focus on personal health, lifestyle and fitness and medical expert’s onsite. Facilities lay the stage for traditional spa treatments such as massage and facials to Pilates and even rock climbing. Health and wellness services include packages addressing pain management, smoking cessation and weight loss as well as medical services ranging from personalized medical consultations to Chinese medicine and diagnostic testing.
7. Spa Eastman, Eastman, Quebec, Canada
Spa Eastman can be found in the Quebec countryside (about an hour away from Montreal) making it a convenient getaway destination for those in the city seeking detox, stress management and more. Health and wellness services available include everything from massage and hydrotherapy to traditional beauty treatments and keeping fit and active on the property’s 15 km of nature hiking trails. The “Eastman-les-Bains” pools feature a hammam, Finnish sauna, outdoor hot tubs, polar bath, Kneipp circuit, and even a natural swimming pond.
8. Les Sources de Caudalie, Martillac, Bordeaux, France
Surrounded by vineyards near Bordeaux, Les Sources de Caudalie Vinothérapie Spa combines the beauty of the French countryside with luxurious treatments rich in anti-oxidant properties that are made to relax and rejuvenate, strengthening blood vessels and improving circulation. On offer are a number of vinothérapie treatments as such as a Cabernet scrub or Merlot wrap as well as facials and massages.
8. The Island Experience, Ilha Grande, Brazil
Health and adventure come together at The Island Experience on the island of Ilha Grande, off the coast of Brazil, 100 miles south of Rio de Janeiro. Home to the Atlantic Rainforest, the island also houses this combination spa, yoga retreat and fitness program with activities including hiking, kayaking, yoga and massage as well as offering a detox diet.
9. Gaia Retreat & Spa, New South Wales, Australia
The Gaia Retreat & Spa, co-owned by Olivia Newton-John, is located in Byron Bay and offers spa facilities, a fitness center and accommodations including private suites and terraces. Choose from personalized health packages focused on Fitness, Detox, Meditation, Weight Loss, Art and Yoga. Packages include spa services, wellness consultations, massage therapy, naturopathic consultations, organic cuisine and more.
10. Maya Tulum, Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico
This beach resort located on the Mayan Riviera offers a number of retreats to rejuvenate the mind and body including Yoga, Meditation, Alternative Medicine, Detox, Pilates, Ayurveda as well as classes in life management, personal growth, weight loss and more. Stay in thatched-roof cabanas and experience the spa treatments available such hot-stone therapy and Mayan clay massages.
Photo credit: Mila Supinskaya Glashchenko/Shutterstock
