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Top wellness retreats to visit this summer

If you're looking to embark on a journey of self–care, these wellness retreats are waiting to embrace and rejuvenate you
wellness spa
image: Andronis Concept Wellness Resort

Andronis Concept Wellness Resort

Where: Santorini, Greece

On an island where space and seclusion are a rare combination, Andronis Concept Wellness Resort provides both. Located in Imerovigli village along the island’s most exclusive coast in Caldera, Andronis sets the scene as a serene wellness escape away from the hustle and bustle.

Unlike many “boot–camp” styled wellness resorts, Andronis takes a different approach. The concept here focuses on the guest and is built around moderation and practicality.

Whether it’s hiking, yoga, a good meal, or a relaxing massage overlooking the Aegean Sea, the idea is to bridge the surrounding environment with treatments and activities designed to make guests feel relaxed and at peace.

What’s to love:

Apart from the relaxing cave–style spa environment with plenty of massage treatments to choose from, the jewel in the crown of Andronis’ wellness offering is the Visiting Practitioner Program, which grants guests access to some of the most sought–after healers in the industry.

Visitors include the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s acupuncturist and Dr. Zulia Frost, who is famous for a non–invasive treatment called FlexBeam, which uses infrared light to stimulate the body’s healing process.

What makes it different:

While Santorini boasts numerous luxury hotels, Andronis stands out as the first hospitality group to offer a truly exceptional wellness experience. It is also said that the island’s volcanic arc releases powerful energetic vibrations with potential healing properties. Whether or not one believes in this, the resort undeniably exudes a serene and balanced atmosphere.

image: Raffles London the OWO

Raffles London the OWO

Where: London, UK

Opening later this summer in Mayfair, the highly anticipated Raffles is poised to become the capital’s largest luxury hotel spa. Boasting an impressive 27,000 square feet spread across four floors, this magnificent establishment offers a plethora of facilities and services.

Guests can indulge in a state–of–the–art gym and movement studio, take a dip in the 20–meter swimming pool, rejuvenate in the vitality pool, or unwind in the steam and sauna rooms.

The spa also features nine impeccably designed treatment suites, including two exclusive “lifestyle suites” that come with a private fitness area and a dedicated 24–hour butler catering to all wellness needs.

As the inaugural Guerlain spa in the UK, OWO provides guests with a unique opportunity to experience the exceptional beauty and wellness expertise of this renowned global brand. Collaborating with the esteemed wellness expert, Pillar Wellbeing, who have a background in professional sports such as the Premier League football, OWO will offer bespoke training, nutrition, and recovery programs, seamlessly blending Guerlain’s wellness philosophy with personalised care.

What’s to love:

The “Royal Glow Tech Facial” combines microdermabrasion, photo–biomodulation light therapy, and Guerlain’s signature facial massaging techniques for remarkable results. Moreover, the “Coastal Escape” treatment is specifically designed to bring solace to the mind and inner peace. For those seeking relief from travel–related stress and the demands of a fast–paced lifestyle, the “Spirit of London” treatment targets tensions caused by environmental stressors and offers a rejuvenating experience.

What makes it different:

OWO will be the first hotel in London to offer a limited number of Platinum Memberships targeted at well–being. Priced at $7,800 per year, this elite membership will provide unlimited personal coaching sessions with Pillar Wellbeing, a 24–hour package of Guerlain Spa treatments, a personal locker, and complimentary gym kit laundering. The Platinum founding members will also be offered a complimentary one–night stay for two with breakfast.

image: One & Only Portonovi

One & Only Portonovi

Where: Boka Bay, Montenegro

In recent years, Montenegro has made it onto the map of luxury travel. When it comes to wellness, all eyes are on its Adriatic shoreline in Portonovi, where One&Only recently opened its first European luxury hotel.

In collaboration with renowned wellness brand Chenot, the resort focuses on methods and practices that boost vitality and prevent ageing. Every guest undergoes a comprehensive assessment by a nutritionist and a series of biomarker tests to evaluate their aging process. Based on the results, a personalised program with suitable treatments and therapies is provided.

The range of treatments includes neuro–acoustic deep relaxation, ozone therapy,
intravenous nutrient treatments, and hydro–colon therapy, all with a focus on detoxification and rejuvenation of the body.

What’s to love:

If looking younger is your goal, we recommend trying the signature INDIBA — Proionic System treatment. It’s a non invasive procedure that delivers monopolar radiofrequency waves to the skin cells to promote new collagen and elastin for a younger look. If you are a newcomer to Chenot, then their signature Hamman treatment is a must, aiding in detoxification, improving blood circulation, and stimulating the lymphatic system.

What makes it different:

Chenot is widely regarded as Europe’smost scientifically advanced wellness methods. With over 50 years of research, their cutting–edge epigenetic technology has been proven to optimise an individual’s health by examining gene activity. This approach enables Chenot to offer a personalised and tailored program on a molecular level.

image: Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som

Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som

Where: Al Ruwais, Qatar

On the coastal setting of Qatar’s northern tip, Zulal Wellness Resort reigns as the region’s largest hidden gem, spanning an impressive 280,000 square meters. The wellness destination is the world’s first retreat to fully embrace the philosophy of Traditional Arabic and Islamic Medicine (TAIM), embodying traditional healing practices and herbal remedies based on the lifestyle rituals of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH).

Zulal Wellness Resort presents two distinct venues for health and well–being. Adults can explore seven different therapeutic and lifestyle enhancement treatments in the Zulal Serenity resort, while families can opt for the Zulal Discovery resort, specifically designed for a wellness journey together.

What’s to love:

Zulal retreats are action–packed but guaranteed to be an energy booster. We recommend trying the traditional Qatari Hamiz, a deeply relaxing massage using tadleek oil infused with medicinal herbs and hot stones. The slimming body mask of camel milk with neem and sidr leaves is also a good treatment for those seeking enhanced metabolism, detoxification, and hydrated skin.

What makes it different:

Zulal has created lush gardens filled with herbs and plants mentioned in the Holy Quran and The Prophet’s sayings for their healing properties. The green spaces offer serene natural surroundings and serve as an open–air pharmacy, providing access to nature’s remedies.

image: Kamalaya Koh Sumui

Kamalaya Koh Sumui

Where: Koh Sumui, Thailand

Situated on the idyllic island of Koh Samui, this holistic wellness sanctuary offers guests the opportunity to embrace and fulfil their “life’s potential.” Many visitors make it an annual pilgrimage to immerse themselves in a transformative journey, much like a Thai–inspired version of the popular film “Eat, Pray, Love.”

Serving as a true sanctuary, Kamalaya combines healing therapies that focus on promoting longevity and overall well–being. Masters in Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic healing, Kamalaya provides a balanced approach of pampering treatments and healing practices founded on the philosophies of Buddhist monks.

With over 70 therapies and treatments to choose from, many focused on helping guests with burnout, trauma, and healing, Kamalaya offers a comprehensive wellness experience. From Ayurvedic therapies and Traditional Chinese Medicine to Homeopathy and other holistic services such as Qi Gong and meditation, guests will be guided by a personal one–to–one wellness expert to review their results and promote a
wellness journey for optimal results.

What’s to love:

The spa’s Longevity house is one of the main attractions of this destination. Bringing together therapies focused on boosting cells and regeneration, the Longevity House offers therapies including IV Infusion Therapy, Ozone Therapy, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, and High–Sensitivity Preventive Cancer Screening.

What makes it different:

You could return here year after year (many do) on a life–long mission of self-improvement. Unlike many spas that focus on the healing effects of treatments, Kamalaya goes much deeper, encouraging guests to explore more emotional issues in a safe space.

image: Six Senses Rome

Six Senses Rome

Where: Rome, Italy

Opening their first hotel in Italy earlier this year, Six Senses Rome brings an exciting new spa concept right to the centre of the eternal city. Set in an 15th century old building, the spa blends the tradition of Roman bathing with the most advanced technology and wellness treatments of today.

Roman baths play an integral role, featuring three plunge pools that replicate the calidarium, tepidarium, and frigidarium pools, commonly used by Romans in anceint times. The 60–minute bathing ritual is not only relaxing, it also helps reduce sore and inflammed muscles. With five treatment rooms and a hamman, other wellness must–do’s include the healing herbal hamman treatment and the 90–minute “cocooning session”, which is a full–body scrub that is followed by a tension–melting Tuscan candle massage.

What’s to love?

The futuristic biohacking technology treatments are definitely worth a try. The technology is not only a quick way to recover from jet–leg, but also effectively slows down the process of ageing.

What makes it different:

The Italian–focused treatments, along with the brand’s longtime commitment to wellness,
makes this spa one of the main attractions at the new Six Senses Rome. It also provides guests with a sanctuary amidst the capital’s chaotic streets — a rare find in such a busy city.