Best wellness retreats around the world
Press pause and recharge with these mindful stays around the globe.
By Joanna Tweedy | February 22, 2024 (Updated June 19, 2025)
Joanna Tweedy
Joanna Tweedy is an award-winning travel writer and editor who lives in London. A former U.K. national newspaper travel editor, she now contributes across many titles, and specializes in writing about family travel, wellness breaks and luxury vacations.
When life gets busy, a wellness-focused vacation is often the answer — restoring mental and physical harmony surprisingly quickly. Self-care comes in a variety of forms, from all-out pampering to embarking upon a new fitness adventure or just spending some time connecting with nature. Consider these five restorative escapes for the chance to truly switch off and feel thoroughly refreshed.
Bali, Indonesia
It doesn’t take long for travelers arriving in Bali to see stress levels dialed right down. Indonesia’s peaceful isle is a vision of swaying palm trees, perfect beaches, ornate Hindu temples, and cool jungles. And to top it off, the Balinese are famously generous hosts. Stay at Umana Bali, LXR Hotels & Resorts for the ultimate retreat. The resort’s Lohma Spa goes beyond locally-inspired massages and treatments to also offer more holistic wellness experiences like sound healing, private holotropic breathing sessions, daily complimentary yoga classes, and even a soul blessing at a nearby temple. The concierge can also arrange experiences to help immerse you in nature. Wellness-seekers particularly love rafting the Ayung River in Ubud, early morning hiking on spectacular Mount Batur, or simply taking a dip at a different beach every day.
Scottsdale, Arizona
Located just outside of Phoenix, the sophisticated city of Scottsdale is known for its art and architecture, including the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, as well as fine dining and fabulous shopping. With sunny weather year-round, it’s also ideal for warming your bones and soothing your soul. There are dozens of day spas and health-focused activities to discover, plus walks and hikes among the red-rocked beauty of the Sonoran Desert. Check into Boulders Resort & Spa Scottsdale, Curio Collection by Hilton, and find an expansive spa campus with a reflecting pond, meditation labyrinth, and a tranquil organic garden perfect for reconnecting with nature. Seek inner calm with a personalized Ayurvedic treatment, take a health coaching session with an expert, or dine from the carefully thought-out Spa Café menu.
Stockholm
Nicknamed Beauty on the Water, the Swedish capital boasts picturesque historic quarters teeming with cozy cafes, sleek Scandinavian design, and around 30,000 tiny islands nearby. Kick-start a wellness break by enjoying the Swedish art of bathing at the city’s public baths. Centralbadet is Stockholm’s oldest public bathhouse with impressive art nouveau architecture, Roman baths (warm and icy), a Nordic sauna, and treatments that include sun therapy and traditional Swedish massage. Base yourself at the centrally located Hilton Stockholm Slussen, which offers comfortable, sleek rooms to help you unwind further. Savor fresh flavors and healthy dining options at the hotel’s Eken Bar and Panorama Restaurant, both of which feature stunning city views that enhance the culinary experience.
Algarve, Portugal
Portugal’s sunny southern coastal region is famous for its golden sand beaches, with breathtaking limestone cliffs adding the perfect backdrop. It’s also known to work wonders if you’re in need of some rest and relaxation. Nature is a good place to start, considering the ample opportunities to spot sea turtles, dolphins, and porpoises along the coast. If you’ve never played golf, this is the place to fall in love with the sport. There are more than 30 pristine courses, such as the highly acclaimed Dom Pedro Pinhal Golf Course, which sits adjacent to Hilton Vilamoura As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa for easy access. Staying at this sprawling resort also gives you prime access to 7 Seven Spa, Portugal’s largest spa facility and home to an indoor thermal pool, Turkish baths, saunas, an experience shower, and a Zen garden.
Bengaluru, India
Touch down in Bengaluru — also known as Bangalore — at the heart of southern India, and you’ll find wellness practices based on centuries of tradition. Urban nature flourishes in the tropical climate, with the historic 240-acre (97-hectare) Lalbagh Botanical Gardens offering a serene place to walk among clouds of fragrant flowers. With sweeping views across Ulsoor Lake, the centrally located Conrad Bengaluru offers a tranquil retreat after a day of sightseeing. The hotel’s luxurious Conrad Spa has signature treatments that include sound vibration therapy, massages with Himalayan salt, and frankincense smoke rituals. Bengaluru is made for foodies, too, with spicy vegetarian dishes, dosa (thin, savory crepes), and aromatic chai, all worth experiencing.
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