World’s Top Wellness Hotels & Resorts for 2024

by Laurie Baratti
Last updated: 2:50 PM ET, Sat January 20, 2024

Since the onset of the pandemic, “self-care” has become a well-established concept and an essential practice among much of the world’s population. While washing your hands every five minutes and observing social distancing protocols are no longer the order of the day, people’s priorities seem to have shifted irrevocably toward taking more and better care of their body, mind and spirit.

Which is why 2024 is set to become, among other things, the year of wellness travel. Where upholding your self-care routine on vacation used to mean getting yourself to the fitness center or spa a few times, more and more travelers are now making wellness the sole and absolute focus of their trips.

While there are fabulous wellness retreats to be found the world over, in building a list of the best for 2024, we’ve done our best to incorporate properties that reflect varying concepts of luxury, relaxation and revitalization. For some, that might be an upscale urban oasis with an incredible spa and wellness center, while, for others, it might mean immersion in nature and connecting with the Earth itself.

Some people feel cleansed by tropical breezes and the invigorating waters of a beach resort, while others prefer the crispness of a mountain retreat, the wildness of a safari lodge or the vitality of immersing themselves in the tropical rainforest.

That said, here is a sampling of the world’s top wellness retreats for the year ahead.

Lanserhof Sylt

Sylt, Germany

Escape to the idyllic island of Sylt, where luxury meets holistic health at Lanserhof Sylt, a renowned health resort nestled in the North Frisian Islands on the North Sea. A haven for rejuvenation, this exclusive retreat follows the principles of modern Mayr medicine through its signature Lans Med Concept. Guests embark on personalized wellness journeys, beginning with comprehensive medical assessments that inform a custom-tailored program, encompassing detoxification, nutritional guidance and holistic therapies. The resort's state-of-the-art facilities merge seamlessly with the island's rugged natural beauty, providing a serene backdrop for high-end accommodations, spa indulgence, fitness endeavors and activities to revive body, mind and soul. Lanserhof Sylt invites you to experience a harmonious blend of medical expertise and luxurious comfort, where each guest's unique health goals are embraced with an unwavering commitment to holistic wellbeing. Explore the transformative power of Lanserhof Sylt and embark on a path to vitality and serenity.

Hotel Chalet Mirabell

Meran, Italy

Nestled near Meran, the five-star luxury wellness retreat Hotel Chalet Mirabell board 6000 square meters (over 64,000 square feet) of opulent relaxation and spa facilities. The Premium Spa offers adults only an exclusively tranquil setting, featuring diverse saunas, an outdoor sunset pool and panoramic silence rooms, creating a haven for the most exquisite moments of wellbeing.

Families, on the other hand, can revel in the Family Spa's expansive water world, boasting a 31-meter-long indoor and outdoor pool, a panoramic indoor pool, a dedicated kids and baby pool, and a new Finnish sauna. The resort's wellness offerings also extend to Day Spa packages, which feature unforgettable experiences amid heated indoor and outdoor pools and South Tyrol's longest swimming pond. This natural gem measures 25 meters (82 feet) long, and is surrounded by lavender plants and peaceful dragonflies in warmer weather.

The Day Spa facility caters to guests aged 14 and over, providing a sanctuary with seven saunas, steam baths and a rejuvenating pool area. Of course, all sorts of restorative treatments are available, from massages and facials to baths and full-body peels, or guests can opt for beauty services like manicures and pedicures. Guests can partake in the Body & Mind activity program, and work out in the panoramic fitness room.

Valsana Hotel Arosa

Arosa, Switzerland

If your idea of relaxation and rejuvenation involves an invigorating outdoor chill, and skiing or spa-ing at alpine altitudes, this is the spot for you. Valsana Hotel Arosa is a stunning contemporary mountain retreat that’s also most modern in terms of sustainability, from its completely CO2-neutral infrastructure to its resource-saving procurement to waste management practices. Perched in the picturesque Graubünden mountains, it’s the perfect place to immerse yourself in the restorative serenity of the natural landscape, where you can switch off your devices and delight in the incomparable crunch of snow underfoot and crystal-clear mountain air in your lungs.

This year-round retreat is a veritable paradise for active holidays that cater to guests’ desires, whether that means hiking, biking, skiing or playing indoor tennis. On days when you’d prefer to stay snug indoors, surrender to the tranquility of the Valsana Spa. It’s an 800-square-meter (over 8,600-square-foot) space where you can immerse yourself in a pool, baths, steam rooms or saunas, which are surrounded by unparalleled panoramic mountain and forest vistas. Its holistic spa concept fuses medical expertise and modern science, tailoring each experience to an individual’s unique needs.

To foster a harmonious connection between mind, body and spirit, guests can participate in meditation sessions, private yoga or gentle exercise, or make use of the spacious gym facility. The spa’s massages, facials and body treatments provide deep revitalization and optimization, while a beauty and nail care lounge ensures a radiant outward appearance.

Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection

Pérez Zeledón, Costa Rica

Nestled in San Isidro Valley in the foothills of Costa Rica’s Talamanca Mountains, Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection offers a sunlit haven for travelers seeking an unparalleled wellness retreat set amid 180 acres of lush cloud forest. The ‘Blue Zone Immersion Series’, inspired by Costa Rica's signature blend of abundance and vitality, brings world-renowned wellness practitioners on-site to share their unique approaches to fostering wellbeing.

Surrounded by nature, guests can partake in a myriad of activities, from coffee plantation tours to waterfall adventures to night hiking. The property also boasts new butterfly gardens and its own horse stables for equine healing and horseback riding experiences. The WELL at Hacienda AltaGracia, the New York-based brand's first international outpost, provides transformative treatments, expert-led health coaching, and daily mindful movement sessions.

The resort's holistic room rate ensures a seamless stay, covering various experiences tailored to individual and group preferences. Private flights with fewer than six passengers can land directly at AltaGracia's private airstrip, offering immediate immersion into the property's offerings. For flights with more than six, the Pérez Zeledón Airport serves as the gateway, facilitating a swift transition into the rejuvenating atmosphere of AltaGracia.

Escape to Hacienda AltaGracia, where the simplicity of life's pleasures converges with world-class wellness practices, promising a unique and transformative experience amid Costa Rica's unrivaled tropical landscapes.

Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary

Paro, Bhutan

If you dream of a wellness escape to the secluded South Asian realm of Bhutan, a small kingdom that sits nestled amid the majestic Himalayas, this is the spot for you. Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary is the first and only luxury, five-star, wellness-inclusive resort in Bhutan, where guests will discover an unparalleled wellness experience that blends traditional Bhutanese medicine with modern-day Western medicine.

The Sanctuary invites guests to embark on a holistic journey guided by in-house Traditional Medicine Doctors. Included in the room rate are private consultations that shape guests’ personalized programs, formulated to foster harmony between body, mind, and spirit. Dining, snacks and non-alcoholic drinks (included in the rates) also help to convey the essence of Bhutan, making this an ideal haven for those seeking authentic experiences and cultural immersion.

Guests also enjoy daily yoga and meditation sessions, and receive one restorative treatment per day. These signature treatments include herbal compression, moxibustion, herbal Jacuzzi, herb-infused hot stone bath and Ku Nye massages (full body, neck, feet, back), which utilize a rich collection of over 60 Bhutanese herbs. Guests can also go on herbal walks to delve further into the history and therapeutic benefits of the Sanctuary's botanical treasures.

Dharana at Shillim

Shillim Valley, India

Nestled in the inspiring landscape of Shillim, India, the Dharana at Shillim retreat stands as a haven for integrative wellness, emphasizing the harmonious balance of mind, body, and spirit. This retreat center, situated amidst awe-inspiring wildlife and nature, specializes in conflict resolution and reconnection with the natural world.

Melding ancient Ayurvedic wisdom with contemporary science, Dharana crafts personalized programs tailored to guests’ individual needs by focusing on preventive medicine, exercise physiology, spirituality, nutrition and dietetics. Guests can book brief stays of between three and seven nights, or linger longer to enjoy for more comprehensive healing experience with immersive programs that last anywhere from 14 to 28 days.

The retreat's holistic approach extends beyond bodily wellbeing to address conflict resolution and sustainable life management—a crucial consideration in today's chaotic world. Beyond wellness programs, which range from weight loss to longevity, Dharana boasts 17 treatment rooms, a geothermal meditation cave, daily yoga sessions and delectable Ayurvedic cuisine.

As an added dimension, the upcoming Shillim Institute will serve as a platform for artistic and creative research, hosting renowned artists, creators and changemakers for fireside conversations on global issues, making Dharana Retreat a truly transformative destination.

Ojai Valley Inn

Ojai, California

Situated amid the Topatopa Mountains, the Ojai Valley Inn, a AAA Five-Diamond resort, captivates guests with its luxurious offerings and commitment to multi-faceted wellness. Established in 1923 in the chic bohemian enclave of Ojai—about 90 minutes north of Los Angeles—this celebrated resort seamlessly blends Southern California glamour with reverence for natural beauty.

Spanning 220 acres scented with lavender and wild sage, and adorned with oak and olive trees, the resort boasts spectacular grounds and facilities, such as immersive beekeeping programs, multiple pools and several gourmet dining options, including the Forbes Four Star and AAA Four-Diamond Olivella.

The Inn also encompasses the 31,000-square-foot Spa Ojai and its surrounding Spa Village, which includes two pools, a fully-equipped gym, The Artist Cottage, (a working artist studio), an Apothecary for aromatherapy oil blending, a Spa Boutique and the Spa Café. There’s also the Farmhouse, an epicurean event center designed to spotlight the region’s rich farming heritage and host culinary classes with some of the world’s most decorated chefs.

At Spa Ojai, guests can indulge in the usual types of therapies, like massages, facials, body and treatments, but there’s also a menu of signature experiences, and fitness and hiking programming available. There are also spiritual wellness and alternative medicine offerings, including crystal and reiki energy healing, chakra clearing and sound baths. Guests can also enrich their stay by interacting directly with the natural environment and interacting with animals via raptor demonstrations, horseback riding and equine therapy. Then, there are all sorts of outdoor activities available, from yoga and tennis to rock climbing, surfing, fishing or golfing, and many others.

Carlisle Bay Antigua

Saint Mary Parish, Antigua

Sitting on one of Antigua's most pristine bays, Carlisle Bay Antigua stands as a testament to luxury and sophistication, seamlessly blending with its untouched rainforest surroundings. A distinguished member of The Leading Hotels of the World, the resort captivates guests with an atmosphere of laid-back opulence while maintaining an unwavering commitment to top-tier hospitality.

In the realm of wellness, Carlisle Bay offers a holistic experience where guests can indulge in spa services, watersports, and invigorating yoga and pilates sessions. The award-winning CARA Organic Beauty Spa, rooted in natural and therapeutic lifestyle principles, offers ESPA treatments scientifically designed to restore mind, body and soul. From skin-enhancing facials to immersive yoga classes and health retreats, the spa is a sanctuary of rejuvenation.

For those seeking an all-encompassing wellness escape, the resort hosts all-inclusive retreats curated by the property’s on-site holistic practitioner and yoga instructor. The newest among its wellness package offerings is the Island Rejuvenation at Carlisle Bay retreat, which treats travelers to a four-night stay in a beachfront luxury suite, mere footsteps away from the Caribbean Sea.

This exclusive retreat includes a 90-minute ESPA massage at the acclaimed CARA Organic Beauty Spa and unfettered access to a diverse array of activities, from guided rainforest hikes to complimentary non-motorized watersports, use of the tennis and fitness facilities, and nature walks through tropical gardens.

Sensei Porcupine Creek

Rancho Mirage, California

Nestled in the foothills of the Santa Rosa Mountains near Palm Springs, Sensei Porcupine Creek is an ultra-luxury wellness resort that offers a boutique experience with just 22 rooms, casitas and villas, and the kind of evidence-based wellness programming needed to live a longer, healthier lifestyle. The once-private estate boasts a premier spa, fitness, golf and tennis facilities, and a restaurant and sushi bar by famed Japanese chef Nobu Matsuhisa.

Opened in November 2022, Sensei—which has another retreat within Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort in Hawaii—was founded by Larry Ellison, co-founder of Oracle, and Dr. David Agus, a physician and scientist, best-selling author and CBS News contributor. The two were brought together by the loss of a close friend and motivated by a shared purpose: to help people live longer, healthier lives.

Sensei Retreat guests have access to daily well-being classes, including yoga and meditation, guided walks and hikes, resistance training, core work, nutrition sessions and more. The premier tennis facilities were built to match the professional courts of the nearby Indian Wells Tennis Garden, which hosts the BNP Paribas Open. The 230-acre property also features a private 75-acre, 18-hole golf course that winds among lakes, streams, and waterfalls.

Miraval Berkshires

Lenox, Massachusetts

Located in Lenox within the picturesque Berkshire County, Miraval Berkshires is an exemplar of all-inclusive wellness, where the serene landscapes of Western Massachusetts set the stage for an immersive journey toward balance and transformation.

Miraval Berkshires goes beyond traditional spa experiences, offering innovative programming and pioneering spa treatments to guide guests on their personalized wellness odyssey. The resort's philosophy revolves around the fundamental question: "What's your intention?" This core principle shapes the Miraval experience, inviting guests to hand-tailor their unique journey from a menu of intention-focused programs.

Miraval Berkshires' approach to wellness is both experiential and immersive, offering diverse options under such intention focuses as Mental Wellbeing, Self-Connection,Outdoor Adventure, Couples Retreat, Culinary and Nutrition, Fitness Grief and Loss and more.

The resort's unique connection to nature is emphasized through interactions with animals and insects, providing avenues for creativity and emotional breakthroughs. From equine therapy and visits to the on-site farm to breathwork sessions and Ayurveda treatments, Miraval Berkshires presents a year-round haven for guests seeking both indoor and outdoor wellness pursuits. Whether exploring snowshoeing in winter or enjoying the exclusive Wyndhurst Golf & Club in the warmer months, Miraval Berkshires promises a one-of-a-kind journey, echoing the rhythm of the changing seasons.

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