Health Update: Health Update: 7 of the best wellness resorts, as chosen by travellers – What Experts Say– What Experts Say.
Wellness is one of the key motivators for booking a holiday. After all, the entire point of jetting off somewhere new most of the time is to be able to completely relax and unwind while you are there, with the goal being that you return home feeling better than when you left.
That’s where dedicated wellness resorts come in. These are places that prioritise healing in picturesque surroundings, with incredible spa facilities, gourmet food and luxurious accommodation.
In order to help you find your perfect trip, Health Travel asked its community of wellness travellers to vote for their top 50 resorts, with the results now in. Below, you’ll find a snapshot of the properties that made the list.
Wellness retreats have a reputation for being idyllic, but RAKxa Integrative Wellness is truly special. Located on Bang Krachao, a protected jungle island just south of Bangkok, it’s an integrative hub for both scientific and traditional therapies including Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Traditional Thai Medicine (TTM), Ayurveda, sports medicine and hydrotherapy. It also offers groundbreaking diagnostics thanks to a partnership with VitalLife, the scientific wellness clinic operated by Bumrungrad International Hospital.
While RAKxa Integrative Wellness is adults-only, RXV Wellness Village is for the entire family, making it perfect for multi-generational groups including children. Located within the historic Suan Sampran Estate (famously known as the Rose Garden) on the banks of the Tha Chin River, it’s a truly beautiful setting from which to relax and unwind, with a harmonious approach that balances body, mind and lifestyle. After establishing wellness goals and analysing your current health stats, the team will come up with a bespoke plan just for you, which combines a wide range of treatments as well as organic food.
The Lanserhof brand has become synonymous with modern medical wellness and longevity thanks to its signature programme for gut health and detoxification. With bespoke, doctor-led programmes, every stay is individually tailored to the guest, with comprehensive medical assessments and treatment plans. What’s more, Lanserhof is renowned for its beautiful, minimalist architecture, with calming spaces that support revitalisation. The Lans location is the original Lanserhof outpost, in the Tyrolean Alps, near Innsbruck, Austria.
Lanserhof offers the same core treatment programme at its locations, though each resort also offers bespoke additional elements.
An alternative option to the flagship in Lans is found on the beautiful island of Sylt in the Wadden Sea, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As such, at Lanserhof Sylt, there’s more of a focus on the revitalising power of sea air and water, not to mention incredible coastal views. As the newest resort, it’s also the most high-tech to date.
Lanserhof Tegernsee is often regarded as the most luxurious of all the Lanserhof resorts. Situated 900 metres above Lake Tegernsee in the Bavarian Alps in Germany, the sprawling 21,000-square-foot complex boasts breathtaking views of its surroundings, not to mention elegant, minimalist architecture and decor. One of the most exciting features is the advanced in-room technology that stops electromagnetic fields disrupting sleep, while there’s also a saltwater bathhouse, plus an 18-hole golf course.
Located on a quiet stretch of Phuket’s Andaman coastline, Layan Life by Anantara is the perfect place from which to totally reset. Focused on longevity, its approach combines advanced diagnostics, wellness therapies, nutritional and exercise plans and, of course, Thai healing traditions. The best thing about a stay here is that it’s not prescriptive – you can dip in and out, doing as much or as little as you like.
Set across 22 acres of lush tropical landscape on Koh Samui’s coastline, Kamalaya was built around a centuries-old meditation cave that was once used by Buddhist monks. This spirituality permeates the entire sanctuary, which has a pioneering East-West philosophy when it comes to wellness, from Ayurveda to osteopathy, private fire ceremonies to meditation. Upon arrival, all guests are given a comprehensive consultation, with a programme tailored specifically to their needs. Emotional, physical and spiritual healing are given the same weight here, creating a truly holistic experience.
Visit Health Travel to book today and to see its full list of the top 50 wellness resorts