Hotels and resorts have stepped up their wellness offerings.
As wellness evolves into a quest toward one’s own unique spirituality, hotels and resorts are increasing their holistic retreat offerings in order to provide guests with options to dive deep into connection with self and higher powers.
According to Anne Dimon, President/CEO of the Wellness Tourism Association (WTA) and Owner/Editor Travel to Wellness, a wellness retreat is a guided, intention-driven, multi-day program with a set or semi-set schedule hosted by one or more facilitators. The program may include learning and lifestyle workshops such as meditation and healthy eating, as well as fitness activities such as yoga, nature walks and hiking. She explains, “Wellness retreats are also casting a much wider net. There was a time when the spa experience was front and center, now one trend our members are witnessing is the rise of more intention-based retreats. A focus on food and learning how to make better choices, how to get a better night’s sleep and learning to nurture one’s mental health are just a few examples of popular intentions.”
The WTA 2022 Wellness Travel Consumer Survey indicated that the top three Must Haves were: Accessible Nature and Outdoor Activities, a Variety of Healthy Food Options and Peace & Quiet. An increasing demand for nature-based options is something WTA Members are also reporting.
The following resorts and hotels are offering a new lineup of intention-driven wellness options for travelers seeking a holistic experience.
Primal movement is part of the wellness retreat.
Embrace Your Nature
Paradisus by Melia, Los Cabos, Mexico
The resort will host its first wellness and art retreat, Embrace Your Nature, March 17-22, powered by SUDA, a company that specializes in designing innovative and well-being experiences. A fully immersive holistic experience, the five-day retreat is designed to help relax, detox and reconnect your mind, body and soul with nature through a calendar of sessions guided by international wellness trainers that mix yoga, meditation, movement, breathwork and stretching with art experiences. Participants will also be able to participate in special art sessions after meditation to embody their emotions through painting.
The resort offers various wellness options.
Sankalpa Ceremonies
Miramonte Resort & Spa, Indian Wells, California
Drawing inspiration from the natural healing powers of the desert, Miramonte's wellness offerings connect mind, body and soul. Some of the offerings include: Sankalpa Ceremony: Led by Miramonte’s yoga educator, Alex Casillas, the ceremony begins with a sage burning and meditation, followed by self-reflect time for guests to write their intentions on flying wish paper; Sound Baths: This explorative class stimulates the nervous system through sound therapy instruments such as tibetan bells, tuning forks, shruti box as well as chants and mantras; Stones of Intention: The spa team explains the benefits of various gemstones including releasing negative emotions like fear and doubt; Sunset Vinyasa: Guests enjoy guided sunset flows with organic, somatic movements and variations including pranayama.
Every day starts with a local spiritual tradition.
Giving Alms & Aligning Chakras
The Peninsula Bangkok, Thailand
At The Peninsula Bangkok, every day starts with a local spiritual tradition. Tak Bart, or alms giving, is a sunrise ritual in Buddhist communities across Thailand, and is considered a crucial element of the “making merit” philosophy that underpins the Songkran festival. Guests are invited to partake in giving alms with monks at the hotel each morning or participate in sunrise yoga at Gong Wu Shrine. Experience the transcendental beauty of sunrise over the Chao Phraya River during a meditative Sunrise Yoga session. Once your chakras are rebalanced, indulge in contemplative reflection at the sacred Gong Wu Shrine.
Enjoy a picnic above the forest canopy.
SAVIA
Hotel Belmar, Monteverde, Costa Rica
SAVIA, a 17-acre private reserve located in the cloud forest mountains of Monteverde, Costa Rica, offers curated forest immersion adventures perfect for embracing, connecting with and learning about nature in a truly sustainable way. A sanctuary for nature, biodiversity and scientific knowledge, guests will explore the tropical forest from ground to tree-top by hiking, walking on a hanging bridge and rope climbing to high-altitude viewing platforms, canopy level hammocks and even climbing the hollow inside of a live Ficus tree. Visitors can entice their senses while walking on a sensorial garden, meditating in curiosity pods, bird and animal watching with the latest scientific gadgets and enjoying a picnic above the forest canopy.
The Lodge offers customized wellness sessions.
Energy Journeys
The Lodge at Blue Sky, Auberge Resorts Collection, Utah
Your customized session starts with an opening tea ceremony and chakra clearing utilizing crystals and palo santo led by the resort’s in-house healer, Sugar. From there, your journey is intuitively guided and can include oracle cards, meditation, discernment of your personal intuitive gifts and changing beliefs from negative to positive. A numerology transformation journey includes Master Numerology to bring awareness of challenges, help identify strengths and deliver positive recommendations for the best outcome of your higher self. A sacred plant ceremony includes an intuitive healer who leads you through a guided meditation to create a personalized plant essence remedy to encourage and support your personal transformation. You will be given instruction on how to best receive the plant essence that you are gifted to continue your journey.
Connect with a global community of curious individuals.
Immersive Adult Study Abroad
Sojrn’s Mental Wellness in Bali Program, Ubud, Bali
Sojrn Mental Wellness in Bali is a four-week immersive program Oct. 1-28, 2023 designed to give you the space and environment to develop habits around personal wellness as you connect with a global community of curious individuals. The month is divided into four focuses: Soul, Mind, Body and Self-Reflection. Bali is known as the Land of Gods for a reason. It is a place where you can experience multiple cultures intertwining and where you can allow yourself to be swept away by the magic found in its arts, ceremonies, food and extremely welcoming people. Ubud is the ultimate sanctuary for total relaxation, located among rice fields, deep ravines and verdant jungle. Prices start at $3,399 based on accommodations.
Pangkor Laut Resort offers guests a peaceful retreat.
Spa Village Pangkor Laut
Pangkor Laut Resort, Pangkor Laut Island, Perak, Malaysia
Pangkor Laut Resort is a tropical haven amid an ancient rainforest, white-sand beaches and turquoise waters. A sleepy island paradise, the resort gives guests a glimpse into true, laid-back island living. From guided daily walks through a two-million-year-old rainforest to deep sea fishing adventures and sunset cruises guests will be enchanted by all the paradise island has to offer. During their stay travelers can also enjoy Spa Village Pangkor Laut, a unique retreat that extols the healing cultures of the region. Spa Village Pangkor Laut comprises a number of structures designed to facilitate an extensive range of treatments from China, Japan, India, Thailand, Bali and Malaysia. Programs combine physical and spiritual health and well-being and are based on one of four concepts: Rejuvenation and Longevity; Relaxation and Stress Reduction; Detoxification; and Romance.
