Wellness travel is here to stay. Whether you’re a corporate executive suffering from burnout, or a parent in desperate need of me-time, travelling to focus on mental and physical wellness is a fast-growing trend. And we don’t mean 10-day lock-ins in austere cabins. Some of the biggest luxury hospitality brands in the world are offering flexible, personalised therapies, events and packages for those who wish to practise self-care without sacrificing comfort and style. Here are seven luxury resorts and retreats to book for your next wellness retreat.
1. REVIVO Bali, Bali, Indonesia
Pursue holistic wellness in the woods
Nestled amid three hectares of teak tree forest in the breezy hillsides of Nusa Dua, Bali, REVIVO Bali offers an immersive Mindfulness and Emotional Balance retreat that incorporates aspects of Ayurvedic and Chinese healing practices for supporting both mind and body. This programme marries mindfulness practices and rituals with energetic therapies such as chakra clearing and reiki, in a tailored experience that includes a comprehensive arrival consultation and personalised retreat journal.
REVIVO Bali is a 30-minute drive from Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport.
2. Amanemu, Nagoya, Japan
For restorative zazen in a Japanese forest
Escape into the forested hills of Ise-Shima, where the ryokan-inspired onsen resort of Amanemu overlooks the serene Ago Bay. Here, guests can practise mindfulness with zazen sessions while enjoying peaceful soaks in the onsen fed by mineral-rich hot springs. Wellness consultations upon arrival and departure provide personalised insights, while therapeutic activities such as yoga and healing herbal massages are offered daily. Complete the experience by following in the footsteps of the age-old pilgrims: take a mindful trek to Ise Jingu grand shrine, Japan’s holiest site.
Amanemu is a 2.5 hour drive from Nagoya Chubu Centrair International Airport.
3. Samadhi Retreat, Melbourne, Australia
For meditative soaks in healing waters
Healing waters rise out of a volcanic basin 450 million years old in this mineral spa region where Samadhi Retreat sits. Once regarded as a sacred place for aboriginal nations, guests may now enjoy its restorative effects via a range of mindfulness and energy balancing programmes. The retreat organises a range of wellness talks to support its visitors in making tangible changes to their daily lives, on topics ranging from emotional self-regulation to building community.
Samadhi Retreat is a one-hour drive from Melbourne Airport.
4. Sangha Retreat, Shanghai, China
For lakeside crystal-enhanced meditation
Perched on the serene Yangcheng Lake, the rooms at Sangha Retreat feature quartz crystal mandalas and curved ceilings that are said to help with quieting one’s mind and enhancing energetic alignment. Sangha’s pride is its meditation dome, which is built for acoustic precision and rimmed with quartz crystals – all the better for guests to go deep into meditation during sound healing sessions. At their ONE Clinic, opt for a customised wellness plan for each of six main habits of life: eating, breathing, sleeping, movement, thinking and awareness.
Sangha Retreat is a 90-minute drive from Shanghai Pudong International Airport.
5. Our Retreat, London, UK
For long meditative walks in the English countryside
One might not expect to find a Mongolian yurt at the heart of a luxury countryside farmhouse, but this is what guests can look forward to at this retreat nestled in a secluded Somerset valley. Intersperse your meditative and yogic practices with walks through nature, or go wild swimming in a nearby lake. Meals are nutritionally-aligned and prepared by private chefs using fresh local produce. End each day with a gathering around the evening bonfire to get to know your fellow travellers.
Our Retreat is a two-hour drive from London Heathrow airport.
6. The Retreat Palm Dubai, Dubai, UAE
For a family-friendly mindfulness break
Earning its stripes as Dubai’s first five-star family-friendly wellness resort, The Retreat Palm Dubai boasts an all-inclusive 24-hour wellness retreat that includes group breathwork and meditation sessions, oxygen relaxation sessions and hourly juice shots. A welcome ritual of aroma and colour therapy introduces that personal touch from the get-go. Parents will be glad to know that the hotel offers a selection of child-friendly amenities and activities, including fully-supervised kids entertainment programmes and play areas.
The Retreat Palm Dubai is a 30-minute drive from Dubai International Airport.
7. Assisi Retreats, Rome, Italy
For deep contemplation in a historic Italian town
For those looking for a more involved meditative experience without sacrificing comfort, Assisi Retreats combines thrice-daily meditations with gentle mindful walks to local sacred sites in this medieval town just a couple hours’ drive from Rome. Guests are housed in a charming, family-run hilltop hotel, connected by a secret gate to the retreat centre for an uninterrupted inward experience. Yet Piazza del Comune, the town’s centre, is just a stone’s throw away replete with restaurants and cafes for when one begins to crave some social buzz.
Assisi Retreats is a two-hour drive from Rome Fiumicino airport.
To learn more about Singapore Airlines’ flight service to these respective destinations, visit the official website.