India
Ayurvedic programmes in Kerala, with a doctor's consultation, daily treatments and a diet set for you.
Rest that works: Ayurveda in Kerala, hot springs in Japan and alpine air, planned around what you want to come back with
Wellness: Wellness and spa
Wellness and spa, planned properly
Wellness means different things to different people. For some it is a week of massage and early nights. For others it is a structured programme of Ayurveda, yoga or fitness with a clear goal. We start by asking what you want to feel like when you get home.
The place matters as much as the treatment. The traditions are rooted in particular countries: Ayurveda in Kerala and Sri Lanka, Thai massage in Thailand, onsen bathing in Japan, and the hammam in Morocco.
What this means with us
It means choosing between a retreat with a programme and a good hotel with a strong spa. Retreats plan your day for you, from consultations to meals, and suit people who want a reset. Hotels let you mix treatments with walks, swims and long dinners.
It also means being realistic about time. A proper Ayurvedic programme needs at least a week, often two, while a few nights in a Japanese ryokan or an alpine spa hotel can refresh you in a long weekend.
Where it works best
Our shortlist, and the reason each one earns its place.
Sri Lanka
Ayurveda retreats on the south and west coasts, often paired with tea-country walks in the hills.
Bali
Yoga in the rice fields around Ubud, Balinese massage, and a blessing at the spring-fed pools of Tirta Empul.
Thailand
Traditional Thai massage and long-standing health retreats in Hua Hin and on Koh Samui.
Japan
Onsen bathing in hot-spring towns such as Hakone and Kinosaki, with a night or two in a traditional ryokan.
Austria
Alpine medical spas in the Tyrol, with fasting and detox programmes and mountain walks between sessions.
Switzerland
Lakeside and mountain spa hotels above Lake Lucerne and in the Engadine, with clear air and gentle hikes.
Morocco
Hammam rituals in Marrakech riads, and quiet stays in the Atlas Mountains or at Agafay in the desert.
Iceland
Geothermal lagoons, from the Blue Lagoon near Reykjavík to quieter pools in the north.
Wellness and spa journeys
Sample routes to start from. Every one can be changed.
Bali: five nights of retreat above Ubud, five by the sea
Five nights at a wellness retreat in the Ayung River valley with a programme of yoga, treatments and healthy food, then five nights on the quiet east coast, where terraced suites look over the Lombok Strait.
Mauritius south and east coasts: nine nights of rest
Five nights on the quiet south coast at Bel Ombre, with spa days and walks in the hills, then four nights on the east coast at Trou d'Eau Douce, where the lagoon is calm and a kids club takes the children for the morning.
St Lucia: five nights below the Pitons, five on the north coast
Five nights on the forested hills above Soufrière, looking straight at the Pitons, then five at a spa resort on the calmer north coast. Rainforest walks, a sulphur spring mud bath and a boat day between the two.
Places to stay that suit it
Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai
Private-pool suites inside the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, with Arabian oryx and gazelle on the dunes around you.
Amandari
The original Ubud retreat, built like a Balinese village on the lip of the Ayung River Gorge and still woven into the life of Kedewatan.
Amanemu
Hot spring suites and villas above Ago Bay in Ise-Shima National Park, close to the Ise Grand Shrine.
Amilla Maldives
A big, independently run Baa Atoll island with roomy pool villas, family residences and a relaxed, unfussy style that suits all ages.
Beniya Mukayu
A 16-room ryokan in the Yamashiro Onsen hot spring town, where every room has its own open-air bath facing the garden.
Borgo Santo Pietro
A 22-room villa hotel on a 300-acre organic farm in southern Tuscany, where the sheep, kitchen gardens and vineyards feed two restaurants.
Questions about wellness and spa
What is the difference between a wellness retreat and a spa hotel?
A retreat gives you a structured programme, often with a consultation, set meals and a daily schedule of treatments and activities. It suits people who want a reset and are happy to follow a plan. A spa hotel lets you choose treatments as you like, alongside a normal holiday. Many people combine the two, with a few days of programme followed by a beach.
How long should an Ayurvedic programme be?
Most practitioners recommend at least a week, and many programmes in Kerala and Sri Lanka run for 14 or 21 days. Shorter stays are relaxing, but the full effect of a classical programme takes time. If you only have a week, a gentler rejuvenation programme is a better fit than a full detox. Speak to your GP first if you have a medical condition.
Can I go on a wellness trip alone?
Yes, and many people do. Retreats are some of the easiest places to travel solo, with communal meals, group classes and staff who look after you well. Some places also offer single rooms without a large supplement. We can suggest retreats with a friendly, relaxed atmosphere.
Plan your wellness and spa
Tell us who is travelling and roughly when. A specialist will reply with places that fit and a price.