The World’s Top Restorative Retreats

SANCTUARY ON CAMELBACK MOUNTAIN RESORT AND SPA – SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA USA
Location, location, location! The Sanctuary Resort’s views over Praying Monk Rock and the surrounding desert creates a remote, Zen-like environment perfect for relaxation and renewal. Although more resort than wellness retreat, it boasts farm-fresh cuisine and plenty of yin and yang activities from yoga to tennis, including a lap pool and access to nature walks and hiking trails. Depending on your needs, choose from an array of “special packages” such as Spa Harmony, Sanctuary Escape and Satori Wellness, or sign up for the Satori Meditation Retreat that runs from October 4 to October 7. sanctuaryoncamelback.com

CANYON RANCH – LENOX, MASSACHUSETTS USA
One of four destinations available from the renowned Canyon Ranch wellness brand, the health haven in New England’s Berkshire Hills is an elegant and luxurious escape providing personalized transformative programs for a range of health and wellness goals. Whether you need a full-body overhaul, advice on preventative health, an injection of intense activity and adventure or just some quiet downtime, the extensive spa facilities and 40-plus classes and activities will satisfy even the hardest to impress. Besides the familiar standards — spa treatments, touch therapies, yoga and meditation — the intrepid can opt for tarot card readings, astrology, portrait drawing and mandala making. If you’re up for more action and want to connect with nature, take advantage of the seasonal outdoor activities that include kayaking in summer and snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in winter. canyonranch.com

KARKLOOF SAFARI SPA – PIETERMARITZBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
Situated within a scenic game reserve in the Kwa-Zulu Natal region (think dramatic cliffs and lush valleys) the Karkloof Safari Spa combines a wellness retreat with African sunsets, big skies and, of course, wildlife. The all-inclusive property offers unlimited access to the hydrotherapy facilities and endless spa treatments. There’s also plenty of time to explore the surrounding area to encounter the wildlife, which includes rhinos, giraffes, zebras, hippos and birdlife. The nutritious organic meals complement the wellness packages (detox and weight management) offered and the Thai therapists in the spa work with an intoxicating list of exotic and natural ingredients for the ultimate in relaxation. karkloofsafarispa.com

SLOW SPA SANCTUARY – MONTFERRI, SPAIN
Slow down a hectic lifestyle with a stay at this boutique eco-style hotel that lives by the Slow Living ethos. With only seven rooms, expect personalized service and maximum time in the tranquility zone. The Slow Food restaurant serves organic meals made with seasonal and local produce including what’s available from the kitchen garden. The standout feature of the Sanctuary is the equine therapy. Guests are encouraged to spend time in the “natural paddock” where horses roam free, and indulge in the Slow Movement concept. Forming a connection with the horses is said to create calming and soothing effects, and when you couple that with a few massage treatments, you may never want to leave. slowspasanctuary.com

GRAIL SPRINGS HOLISTIC RETREAT AND SPA – BANCROFT, ONTARIO, CANADA
A stay at Grail Springs will not only recharge the senses but the nutrient-rich meals, mind-chilling yoga, Qi Gong and meditation classes will leave you feeling completely rested and revived. Located in the Mineral Capital of Canada, the surrounding forests are filled with walking trails, a sacred labyrinth, meditation gardens and a spring-fed lake, all adding to the calming effect of the place. The retreat provides two signature programs, either the Body Detox Cleanse or Energy Regeneration; however, guests are encouraged to build a custom program to suit their needs. The Spa Therapy menu has an extensive and unique selection of healing therapies and has all the stress-releasing body treatments you’d expect at a spa. grailsprings.com

LA CLAIRIÈRE BIO AND SPA HOTEL – ALSACE, FRANCE
La Clairière Bio and Spa Hotel inspires deep sleep and a disconnection from the stresses of modern day living. The hotel leans towards eco-friendly practices wherever possible, and the restaurant holds an ECOCERT organic certification, so expect healthy, super-fresh and tasty meals prepared with minimal sugar and salt. The wellness programs are geared towards relaxation and de-stressing by way of forest walks, Qi Gong, yoga, meditation and holistic spa treatments. The spa, which looks out over the forest, is the focal point of the resort and includes steam baths, a range of saunas, cold-water plunge pools, Jacuzzis and a couple of swimming pools. Your stay can be as active as you like — there are mountain bikes for hire — or you can just do whatever it takes to recharge the batteries.
la-clairiere.com

THE FARM AT SAN BENITO – THE PHILIPPINES
It’s little wonder this wellness sanctuary on a coconut plantation has the Oil of Life Tour on the activities schedule. Actually, each villa is provided with a constant supply of virgin coconut oil, and the spa products, treatments and restaurant menu lean heavily towards the elixir. The five-star health retreat is a far cry from manic Manila, and caters a multi-layered selection of experiences for frazzled folk who need to de-stress and detox, and for those who simply want to indulge in fresh air, luxury spa treatments and nutritious vegan food at the onsite restaurant Alive! The menu features predominantly raw cuisine made from ingredients harvested from the organic garden. The Farm delivers all this and more, including a gorgeous natural setting of exquisite tropical gardens where you can downward dog to the sounds of waterfalls and birdlife. thefarmatsanbenito.com

THE COMO SHAMBHALA ESTATE – UBUD, BALI
Walking through the gates of COMO Shambhala Estate, 15 minutes’ drive from Ubud, you quickly realize that the property certainly lives up to its Sanskrit name, “peace.” The spectacular location in the lush jungle high above the Ayung River adds to the retreat’s serenity, and the mossy paths that weave through the property lead to individual meditation nooks that are well-placed throughout the estate. If you can tear yourself away from your residence and infinity pool, indulge in a range of decadent signature spa treatments, which can be taken in the hidden treatment rooms that almost float above the valley. Activities range from gentle yoga, stretch, Pilates and meditation classes to more energetic activities like biking or jungle-gym circuits. Resident experts include an Ayurvedic doctor, nutritionist and yoga teacher and, of course, there’s the organic Indonesian cuisine. Choose from six holistic wellness programs: Cleanse, Stress Management, Ayurvedic, Rejuvenation, Oriental Medicine or Be Active, which are designed for three, five or seven-night stays. comoshambhala.com

KAMALAYA WELLNESS SANCTUARY AND HOLISTIC SPA RESORT – KOH SAMUI, THAILAND
Tucked away from the party crowds, Kamalaya provides an alternative beach holiday for those who want more than Tiger beer and Pad Thai, but don’t want to compromise on the white sand beach and luxury villa. Built in and around boulders on a cliff, the property has 14 temples and the Monks’ Cave, which has been used by Buddhist monks for meditation for centuries. This sacred space welcomes guests for quiet contemplation and meditation, and is one of the highlights of a stay here. Kamalaya’s beachside location and access to two resort pools and several open-style dining options combines a tropical island beach break with a nourishing experience for the mind and body. Wellness programs offer solutions for detoxing, yoga, stress and burnout, fitness and weight control, and the team of naturopaths can create a personalized program incorporating any of the holistic medicine, spa and healing therapies available. kamalaya.com

ARO HA – SOUTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND
Nestled in the Southern Alps just 40 minutes’ drive from bustling Queenstown, Aro Ha impresses not only with its sub-alpine location but also with its eco credentials. The luxury Zen-inspired eco units are made from and fitted out with all manner of sustainable and ecologically friendly gear, and the retreat prides itself on a permaculture-based self-sufficiency. Providing guests with Paleo-friendly, gluten-free, dairy-free and enzymatically-active vegetarian cuisine, there’s plenty of time to practice mindfulness, get physical and enjoy a daily massage. Although the activities may be more physical than some might like, the mind and body is sure to be invigorated. Retreats vary from four to six nights, and offer a results-driven program using nature, nutrition, mindfulness, yoga and functional movement to improve health. With a backdrop of snowy peaks and expansive views of Lake Wakatipu, Aro Ha promises a spirit-lifting wellness experience and emphasizes the importance of the connection with our bodies, the environment and our headspace. aro-ha.com

VANA MALSI ESTATE – DEHRADUN, INDIA
The tranquility at Vana Malsi Estate is palpable. Surrounded by nearby sal forest reserves and the foothills of the Himalayas in the north, it’s the ideal setting for a peaceful and renewing break. This is the place to become immersed in India’s traditional healing techniques of Ayurvedic medicine. Although it’s not all about Ayurveda — the retreat also brings together sowa rigpa (Tibetan healing), yoga, natural therapies, spa treatments, meditation and fitness, which form the basis of each personalized program. The cuisine is a blend of local and international, and includes vegetarian and vegan offerings made from seasonal local produce and grains ground in the estate’s own stone mill. If you start to feel stir-crazy, the resort conducts weekly hikes and guests can visit the Jabarkhet Nature Reserve. vanaretreats.com

MAYA TULUM RETREAT AND SPA – TULUM, MEXICO
A stunning beachside location on the Yucatan Peninsula, Maya Tulum provides an ideal getaway for guests to slow down a notch or two and reconnect with nature by feeling the silky sand between the toes and swimming in the balmy sea. The resort spills out onto powder-white sand that melts into crystal clear water – it really is paradise, and possibly one of the most stunning beaches in the world. Yoga features heavily on the activities schedule, and although it’s not solely a “yoga retreat,” with the extensive range of class styles available (Restorative, Vinyasa, Hatha, Anusara and Kundalini) you’re sure to find something to suit. Healthy meals are a combination of vegetarian and seafood dishes and the extensive bodywork spa menu includes Mayan specialty treatments. There’s also a Temazcal (sweat lodge) that’s used for ceremonies to cleanse the mind, body and spirit. An affordable spa destination, Maya Tulum also hosts regular group yoga, meditation and stand-up paddleboard retreats, including yoga teacher training by well-known master trainers. rrresorts.com/maya_tulum