Zen and the art of wellness

Many holidays are relaxing but a beautiful resort, in a special place, focused on wellness takes rest and rejuvenation to whole new level, writes Ute Junker.

If you would like to change your life, then it is time to head to a wellness resort. No longer just about taking time out, wellness resorts increasingly aim to help you make lasting improvements to your life.

Alongside masseurs, you can expect to find life coaches, psychologists, sound healers and even neurologists on staff. These luxurious properties will help you find a better way to be.

Joali Being, the Maldives

When you arrive at Joali Being, the first full-scale wellness retreat in the Maldives, don’t go looking for the spa – there isn’t one.

Instead, the whole island functions as a wellness centre. Venues range from the ocean sala, where antigravity yoga sessions take place, to the herbology centre and hydrotherapy centre that includes a Russian banya (sauna) and a pink himalayan salt room.

A session in the cryotherapy chamber is a must, as is a sound therapy healing session, where even the bed you lie on is a musical instrument.

The resort has three separate kitchens, each one looking like something from a Wes Anderson film, delivering delectable, nutrition-packed meals. Visit joali.com.

Ananda In The Himalayas

It is right there in the name. Set on a 40-hectare estate in the foothills of the mighty mountain range, Ananda In The Himalayas is a place where you can breathe deeply.

The resort offers programmes covering everything from immunity boosting to chronic pain management – there is even a post-Covid rejuvenation package – all drawing on Ayurvedic principles.

The team identifies your dosha (one of the three body types defined by Ayurveda), which is used to determine everything from the oils used during your massages to the food you eat in the restaurant.

Don’t cram your schedule too full of treatments, though. You will want to enjoy some of the additional activities, including sunrise hikes in the mountains and whitewater rafting on the Ganges. Visit anandaspa.com.

Kamalaya Koh Samui

‘‘Spa food’’ means different things to different people. Some are up for a total dietary reset, starting the day with wheatgrass shots and embracing clean cuisine. Others see no reason to give up their favourite indulgences.

Thailand’s Kamalaya Koh Samui caters to both groups, offering everything from chicken tikka masala and chocolate mousse to mung bean risotto – and the latter is as delicious as the former.

It is just one of the reasons that this retreat has repeatedly been voted the best in the world.

The outstanding therapists, offering Eastern and Western treatments, and the elegant lodgings, are two more reasons to treat yourself to a stay, whether you opt for a package or stick with a la carte treatments. Visit kamalaya.com.

Sensei Lanai

Prepare yourself for some surprises at Sensei Lanai, a Four Seasons Resort, starting with the location.

Unlike most Hawaiian hideaways, Sensei Lanai is inland, with rooms looking out across glorious gardens rather than offering ocean views.

Your personal sensei steers you through your stay, checking in daily to ensure you achieve your goals and to recommend additional activities.

Founder Larry Ellison, a Silicon Valley billionaire, has fine-tuned every aspect of the experience, and the indulgent treatment hales have their own infra-red saunas and gardens. Visit fourseasons.com.

Sterrekopje Healing Farm

If you dream of finally getting a good night’s sleep, head to the Franschhoek Valley east of Cape Town, South Africa, where it is all about rest, recovery and rejuvenation.

With just 11 rooms on a 50ha regenerative farm, Sterrekopje focuses on connecting with nature and rediscovering the delights of sleeping soundly.

Check-in is accompanied by a foot-washing ritual. From there, it is all about natural experiences: think yoga on a floating jetty and a wild swim. Treatments range from breathwork and reiki to communal drumming circles and moonlit meditations.

The organic food is, of course, farm fresh, and the rooms – with antique four-poster beds and quirky bathtubs, including one made from a wine barrel – help you shift down a gear. Visit sterrekopje.com.

Como Shambhala Estate

The three most important elements in the enduring success of Bali’s Como Shambhala Estate would have to be location, location, location.

On the banks of the Ayung River overlooking a sacred valley, the property has a decidedly spiritual vibe, enhanced by regular visits from the Hindu priests who bless the estate’s healing pool.

Just arriving there is enough to help dissolve some of the tension stored in your shoulders,

although a morning spent sitting by one of the natural rock pools will push things along nicely.

If you are up for some serious stress-busting, staff will put together a personal treatment plan that could include everything from meditation to acupuncture, and massages to chakra balancing. Visit sterrekopje.com.

SHA Wellness Clinic

At SHA Wellness Clinic in Costa Blanca, Spain, it is results that matter. Whichever programme you choose – options include stress management, antitobacco and sleep recovery – the aim is to make a lasting difference to your life.

Treatments blend Eastern and Western approaches with some cutting-edge technology: SHA may be the only spa to have an in-house neurologist, whose transcranial direct current stimulation is designed to help address conditions such as depression, addiction and insomnia.

Another thing that sets SHA apart from many is that it welcomes younger guests: family-friendly villas are among the accommodation options. Visit shawellnessclinic.com.

Chiva-Som

Like many of its famous guests (the roster includes Kate Moss, Elizabeth Hurley and Madonna), ChivaSom doesn’t look its age.

The Hua Hin, Thailand, hideaway will celebrate its 30th birthday in 2025, but thanks to a recent renovation it is looking as good as ever.

And while the roster of treatments and experiences keeps growing – Chiva-Som has one of the most expansive offerings around – the secret to its success remains the same.

Chiva-Som was one of the first properties to prove that spa food can be delicious, and its customised menus remain as appealing as ever. Even the kilojoule-controlled weight management menu includes tempting options such as pumpkin veloute´ and massaman curry. Visit chivasom.com.

Six Senses Ibiza

There are now more than 20 properties in the Six Senses empire, from Asia to Israel, but perhaps this wellness brand’s most remarkable retreat is on Spain’s party island of Ibiza.

Set amid olive trees on a spectacular clifftop in the north of the island, a stay at Six Senses Ibiza starts with a shamanic smoke cleansing.

Alongside the extensive array of treatments you would expect from Six Senses, this family-friendly Ibiza property has its own organic farm, where the produce served in the restaurant is grown.

Other highlights include sustainability workshops and The Cave (yes, it is an actual cave), which features two bars and live music performances. Visit sixsenses.com.