Our Favorite Wellness Escapes

Updated: Jan 23

We love to stay on top of travel trends - and a major one for 2024 is wellness retreats. We've curated four fantastic resorts where you can experience some of the most beautiful settings in the world with wellness built into each moment. Immersed in some of the world's most beautiful spaces, you can move at a slower pace as each moment enhances your wellness. Each of these top spa retreats offer their own individual brand of wellness (and garner rave reviews from our clients). Read on to see which best fits your ideal spa getaway.

Grand Resort Bad Ragaz - Switzerland

Tucked away in the foothills of the Alps with pristine views of snow-capped mountains and valleys filled with old-fashioned towns, you would never know this resort is only an hour outside of Zurich. This is a perfect place to end your travels of Switzerland - or stay here for a week to take it all in.

Switzerland is known for its medical spas, and Grand Resort Bad Ragaz is no different. Medical healthcare and nutrition services are offered from a team of doctors and therapists who consult and support nutrition and lifestyle, sports medicine and rheumatology, and beauty and aesthetics. The resort is close to the Taminal Gorge, which supplies water for the thermal spas - offering healing properties of the Alps. Spa options include saunas, thermal pools, a family spa, and private spa rooms.

The Grand Resort offers multiple accommodation options, activities on and off site, and a variety of restaurants. Within the resort there are four hotels - each with distinct features. The Hotel Palais Bad Ragaz is the oldest of the four and was originally built in the 18th century as the governor's office. For a more modern feel - choose the Grand Hotel Hof Ragaz. Recently renovated in 2023 - its modern styling accents the natural beauty of the landscape. The Quellenhof offers luxury in each room, and feels more like a palace than a hotel. Or opt for staying in a spa suite equipped with your own sauna and spa room to immerse yourself in the experience.

While on property you will have your pick of 6 Michelin star restaurants, three bars, a bistro, café, or sushi takeaway. When you book the Grand Resort, we'll make sure to ask if you want a personalized, holistic approach to your wellness with the NEWYOU Method that combines the six pillars of health and wellness at your stay - because this is the ideal place to personalize and optimize your wellness stay.

Sensei Lāna'i, a Four Seasons Resort - Lāna'i, Hawaii

This stunning resort is set on the Hawaiian island of Lāna'i - a truly serene destination with no traffic lights and only three resorts. You'll have to make your way from Maui via plane or ferry, but once on the island you'll be rewarded with stunning natural beauty. The landscape of Sensei Lāna'i has been described as a paradise of peace. This resort focuses on nourishing your mind, body, and soul to help you reach your greatest wellbeing. You'll create a personalized journey that can include wellness consultations, spa treatments, fitness and well-being classes, as well as educational lectures. Walk along the extraordinary grounds to feel at peace and come home to the individualized "hales" - private spas designed for 1-2 people to enjoy treatments in private gardens.

Find inner peace through local activities such as walking the nature trails, horseback riding, or sailing on a catamaran - stopping to snorkel the reefs and explore the ocean floor. For those of you who are more adventurous - Lānai Adventure Park has ropes, ziplines, and climbing courses through the mountains. Back on property the resort offers Optimal Well-Being Programs designed around golf and tennis. Overall this gorgeous resort combines spa, sport, and serenity.

The Retreat - Blue Lagoon, Iceland

What could be a better place for a spa than the land of fire and ice? This is an incredible subterranean space where you can experience the healing waters of the lagoon in a world-class spa environment. The gorgeous waterscapes set among the black volcanic terrain are healing and mineral-rich. You may have seen Iceland lagoons online, but those busy pools are nothing like The Retreat's secluded lagoons that allow you to explore the lava canyons and hidden corridors where water and earth meet. Even when you rest in the comfort of your accommodations, the floor to ceiling windows offer spectacular views.

When you eat at the Lava or Moss Restaurants, you'll be up close to the incredible scenery of the lagoon. Enjoy local, nourishing Icelandic dishes at each of the restaurants. The world-class spa treatments are all inspired by the lagoon and it's healing properties - from float therapy to in-water massages, the creativity of the spa treatments immerse you in the Icelandic landscape.

Off property - enjoy all Iceland has to offer. Visit the countryside so you can stargaze and view the Northern Lights, take an ATV adventure, explore the frontier of lava fields, black sand beaches, and astonishing lunar-like mountainscapes. And if you're looking to truly be daring? Snorkel in a caldera among the newly discovered subaquatic hot springs at Kleifarvatn lake. When you're done exploring - the Retreat is a perfect end to your Icelandic journey.

Palmaïa - Riviera Maya, Mexico

Are you most centered and relaxed in nature? If so - Palmaïa the House of Aïa is for you. Aïa means your connection to nature, and the resort's philosophy is deeply rooted in sustainability, the earth, and slow travel. The resort itself prides itself on its carbon energy neutrality, care for the natural groves in and around the resort, vegan design features, and plant-based foods. Fully immerse yourself in the Mexican nature of cenotes and jungles or stretch out on the white sand beaches by the ocean that surround the resort. During your stay you'll be immersed in a world that takes a break from the fast-paced and constant doing we're so often caught up in.

Palmaïa's wellness ceremonies, rituals, and classes are designed to offer comprehensive personal growth for the mind and body. And when we say comprehensive - we mean they have it all. For the mind - anything from mediation and breath-work to art classes and deep healing mantras. For movement Aïa offers a wide variety of yoga, workouts, and dance. If you like to branch out your wellness to cultural experiences, there are opportunities for cacao ceremonies, Tibetan bowls, and tarot readings. The teachers and professionals that are regulars - or Resident Architects - teach many of these classes. Additional guest teachers - or Visiting Guides - come to teach and hold specialized classes and spaces, so make sure to ask us who will be there during your trip.

If you have family and friends who aren't quite as into healing and wellness as you are - they can visit the Sandos sister property just next door (although it feels like a world away) for a more traditional resort experience.