The Spa at La Sultana in Marrakesh, Morocco. Courtesy of La Sultana.
Planning your next vacation? Take a holistic approach to your health and opt to travel to far-flung spas that offer complete serenity for your mind, body, and soul. From inner city sanctuaries to locations surrounded by tropical jungle, these are the spots to book now.
The Royal Treatment
The Lanesborough Club & Spa, London
The Lanesborough Club & Spa, London. Courtesy of The Lanesborough.
Only members or hotel guests can enjoy the captivating space of The Lanesborough Club & Spa. A stone’s throw away from Buckingham Palace, this iconic property draws upon the best of British heritage. Among leather armchairs and crackling fireplaces, sleek hallways lead to treatment rooms. The vibe: art gallery meets gentlemen’s club. Eastern and Western practices are fused with a focus on natural healing therapies. Not just a spa, it offers a private restaurant, a gym, and a beauty area dubbed the “Painting Room” for touch-ups. Celebrity colorist Daniel Galvin Jr, known for his pioneering organic beauty work, is on hand with his team, as is facialist Anastasia Achilleos. Her Anastasia Achilleos Method of Excellence helps align the central nervous system and release hardened connective tissues in order to achieve younger-looking skin immediately. The treatment is performed on a warm water mat, which allows the therapist to work on the neck, shoulders, back, and stomach. Lanesboroughclubandspa.com
The Island Getaway
Bill & Coo Suites & Lounge Spa, Mykonos
Bill & Coo Suites & Lounge Spa, Mykonos. Courtesy of Bill & Coo.
Minimalism makes way for an inspiring view at Bill & Coo. Looking out across the Aegean Sea, and a step away from the crowds of Mykonos, it is a relaxing hideaway. Two spa suites that each welcome up to eight guests feature dual treatment beds, a Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, shower, and separate living space. The spa offers hi-tech products from family-owned Swiss skincare brand Valmont, which utilizes the regenerative power of macromolecules to help combat aging. Meet with wellness therapists at the boutique hotel to tailor a deep-tissue massage and indulge in a fresh tuna tartare dinner by the pool while soaking in the azure horizon. Bill-coo-hotel.com
The City Escape
The Spa at Palazzo Versace, Dubai
The Spa at Palazzo Versace, Dubai. Courtesy of Palazzo Versace.
Palazzo Versace Dubai is exactly as you would imagine – every bit as glamorous as Donatella herself. Iconic prints dazzle in an eclectic array throughout the property, with sketches of leggy models lining the corridors. Located within the west wing, the 1 000 sqm spa is an indulgent display of mosaics that merge seamlessly into white birch walls. Mother-of-pearl details and marble floors add to the decadence. Offering seven treatment rooms with a spa suite, the world-class facilities harness the art of lighting to set the mood. Deep turquoise resonates from the Jacuzzi, while the steam rooms dazzle with a multitude of twinkling lights that stream from the ceilings. Enjoy a 24kt gold dust massage, which beautifies and stimulates the skin to help reduce the appearance of sun damage and aging. Palazzoversace.ae
The A-List Retreat
North Island Spa, Seychelles
North Island Spa, Seychelles. Courtesy of North Island.
Only 11 villas grace the pristine beaches of North Island in the Seychelles – it may be the closest you will get to your own private island. The setting itself, surrounded by lush greenery, is enough to induce relaxation. The spa uses natural ingredients sourced from the island, with a focus on bespoke treatments. On arrival, guests are greeted with a barefoot ritual, which symbolically washes the dust of past travels from your feet as an introduction to island life. From there, a therapist creates a unique spa experience with rejuvenating facials and healing massages. Of note, the Thalgo Polynesia Journey. It starts with a body exfoliation with coconut, sea salt, and vanilla, before a pebble foot bath and scalp massage. For the final touch, Mahana techniques are combined with pouches of warm sand for a full body massage. North-island.com
The Hidden Gem
La Sultana Spa, Marrakech
La Sultana Spa, Marrakech. Courtesy of La Sultana.
Marrakech’s treasures are hidden behind unassuming doors. Nestled in the heart of the Medina, La Sultana offers the most intimate of deluxe properties in the city. Truly authentic to its heritage – from the rooms to the spa – it transports guests to another time. A maze of corridors leads to courtyards, each its own paradise. Trees are laden with fruit, a lap pool is surrounded by hanging bougainvillea, and a single fountain trickles, the drips rhythmically echoing throughout the building. The spa is small in size – as if you’re stepping onto a movie set – but big in character. The fire-heated space is lined with treatment rooms, where therapists work with local ingredients like argan, orange blossom, prickly pear, and rose oil and draw upon techniques passed down from generations. The spa’s special showers spray every part of your body simultaneously, so after an exfoliating black soap all-over scrub, you benefit from the healing power of water. Lasultanahotels.com
The Mountain Refuge
The Sacred River Spa, Bali
The Sacred River Spa, Bali. Courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan.
Heal your mind, body, and soul in the lush highlands of Bali. Embrace the luxury and hospitality of a Four Seasons resort, while immersing yourself in the spiritual practices and rituals of the country’s heritage. Traditional healers assess guests’ emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual state. Dependent on the connection they make, an energy-healing session can take guests to new levels of well-being. Other experiences on offer include delving into the Balinese philosophy of “Panca Maya Kosa” (“five layers of being”) and chakra ceremonies. Yoga also plays an integral role in the overall experience and a visit to the Dharma Shanti Yoga Bale is a must. The structure, which is surrounded by jungle foliage, is inspired by a lotus petal and is an ideal spot to practice meditation. Fourseasons.com/sayan/spa
The Arabian Adventure
Anantara Spa, Oman
Anantara Spa, Oman. Courtesy of Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort
Timeless Arabian treatments await those who venture to the Saiq Plateau on Oman’s Green Mountain. It is the highest-situated resort in the Middle East and offers unparalleled views of the canyon below. While the Anantara brand celebrates a Thai heritage, this spa concentrates on Arabian rituals, including the hammam. The country’s pomegranates offer anti-aging antioxidants, while Damask roses, which have been cultivated for centuries in Al Jabal Al Akhdar, hydrate the skin. Try the heated volcanic stone and frankincense cure to relax the body and calm the mind. Jabal-akhdar.anantara.com
The Spiritual Sanctuary
Aman Spa, Utah
Aman Spa, Utah. Courtesy of Amangiri.
Located in the heart of the Grand Circle, the scenery that surrounds Amangiri includes the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park, and Monument Valley. Sleek and contemporary, the resort blends seamlessly into its desert surroundings. The spa draws upon the healing traditions of the Native American Navajo people, who believe in a natural order and that all forms of life are connected. By respecting the elements of earth, wind, fire, and water, Aman Spa creates a balanced space for treatments. Top of these is the smudging ritual – after burning white sage, the smoke is fanned across the body. Guests are encouraged to reach a spiritual level where all negative energy is cleared to allow for healing. Aman.com/resorts/Amangiri
The Oriental Oasis
The Oriental Spa, Bangkok
The Oriental Spa, Bangkok. Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental.
A century-old teakwood house offers a secret oasis from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok. The Oriental Spa, a short boat ride from the Mandarin Oriental hotel across the Chao Phraya river, draws upon the ancient culture of Thailand. Treatments take place on traditional floor mattresses surrounded by golden teak and luxurious Thai silks. The Oriental Organic Journey is a particular highlight, working from head-to-toe with coconut, jasmine rice, and green bean. The art of Ayurveda is also drawn upon, with therapists tailoring cures to guests’ physical and spiritual well-being. Mandarinoriental.com
What you need to know about the Middle East’s first wellness retreat
