Travel
8 stunning wellness getaways to book in 2026
Wellness is shaping luxury travel more than ever before – whether you’re looking for a cutting-edge holistic retreat or stunning rural escape. Say ‘om’ to better wellbeing with our wanderlust picks of the moment
Lead image: Ol Donyo Lodge
Nova Maldives
On its own private island in the South Ari Atoll, Nova Maldives is a breathtaking getaway with wellness options aplenty, including kayaking, snorkelling and guided diving trips. You could also just keep it serene by laying back in one of the resort’s water villas and gazing at the shoreline. The Eskape spa, built overwater, has a menu of holistic rituals – the tempting ‘Eskape Detox’ combines two hours of circulation techniques, a seaweed wrap, and seaweed-oil-orange massage. The resort is relaunching ‘Solo Traveller Month’ with a Flow Retreat (15–21 Sept) – a week-long wellness journey of yoga, reiki, sound healing, cacao ceremonies, and more.
The Original FX Mayr
This Austrian medical spa and cult favourite – in the beautiful setting of Lake Wörthersee – was offering the ultimate gut reset long before cleansing the digestive system was a go-to for clinic after clinic. Originally developed by Dr. Franz Xaver Mayr in the 1920s, the Mayr Method encourages mindful eating (chewing properly being part of that), fasting, and detoxification by eliminating sugar, dairy, gluten and caffeine. Overseen by a team of doctors, guests undergo diagnostics followed by curated treatments. Results can include significant weight loss, increased energy and mental clarity.
Royal Mansour Tamuda Bay
A recent opening and Morocco’s first medi-spa, this world-class luxury resort – a member of Leading Hotels of the World – has 700m of private beach, spacious suites with four-poster beds, and lush tropical gardens. The medi-spa’s longevity programme, guided by doctors and holistic therapists, examines guests’ metabolic health, nutrition, fitness, sleep and stress management. Treatments include cryotherapy, lymphatic drainage, osteopathy and Watsu massage (a form of hydrotherapy), plus private yoga sessions. The cuisine is top-notch too, with Mediterranean Blue Zone-inspired menus crafted by Michelin-starred chefs.
Ol Donyo Lodge
Fancy finding your yoga flow while wildlife-watching? Set within 275,000 acres of pristine Kenyan wilderness, this remote Great Plains retreat (founded by National Geographic explorers Dereck and Beverly Joubert) offers guests the option of horseriding, silent guided bushwalks, dreamy star bed experiences, and of course, safari drives. The lodge’s deluxe suites look out towards Mount Kilimanjaro, and each room comes with a yoga mat so you can work out next to your private plunge pool or from various panoramic spots, from the top of the ancient kopjes rocks to the El Mau twin hills.
Les Hauts de Sancerre
A brand-new opening in the legendary French wine town, this stunning renovation of the Château de Sancerre – a private residence for 151 years – is all about soaking up nature and a spot of forest bathing, combined with a curated art programme, gourmet cuisine and a wine library in the cellar for good measure. The five-star hotel has a wellness space in partnership with forest-inspired spa brand La Chênaie, and offers rituals with antioxidant formulas and woody scents, designed to soothe, ground and restore inner harmony.
Sha Spain: Longevity Resort
Tailor-made programmes that will extend your life are the focus at this renowned wellness retreat and spa complex, nestled into the mountains within Sierra Helada National Park, 40 minutes from Alicante airport. ‘The SHA Method’ is about as holistic as it gets, focusing on wellness pillars that include cognitive and emotional health, nutrition, natural therapies, preventative medicine and healthy lifestyle habits. Guests have a comprehensive evaluation on arrival, with high-tech testing facilities on site and a range of doctors, nutritionists and wellness experts ready to help you feel better and meet your goals.
San Montano Resort and Spa
The volcanic island of Ischia is famed for its thermal waters, long believed to have healing properties and drawing wellness travellers from around the world. Perched atop the Monte Vico, with gorgeous views across the Bay of Naples to Vesuvius and Capri, this five-star resort has a dedicated thermal experience – including five outdoor panoramic thermal pools heated to different temperatures, six outdoor swimming pools, and a grotto-style sauna heated by thermal waters. The Ocean Blue Spa specialises in revitalising spa treatments: try a full body thermal mud cleansing, or a signature massage al fresco in the hotel’s aromatic lemon grove.
Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana
Set within a 24-villa estate and surrounded by emerald rice paddies and ancient temples, this Balinese retreat on the outskirts of Ubud is all about finding balance and inner peace. The five-star resort offers a range of holistic wellness programmes, drawing on centuries-old Balinese spiritual practices. Signature elements include Ayurvedic massages, private yoga, and nourishing Balinese cuisine, while experiences like ‘The Journey to Balance’ retreat encompass sacred water blessings (Melukat), energy healing, palm readings, and hypnotherapy for emotional release and clarity.
