With more people than ever opting for a wellness-based getaway when it comes to a holiday, discover seven of the best properties for a dose of feel-good rejuvenation this summer
1 Dalmacija [PLACESHOTEL] by Valamar, Croatia
Azure waters, friendly locals and breathtaking scenery aplenty. It’s no secret that Croatia has become one of the hottest destinations to visit when the UK gets a little too, well, UK. Modern and stylish, Dalmacija [PLACESHOTEL] by Valamar in Makarska is reason enough alone to grab your favourite bikini and book a flight. Located just an hour’s transfer away from Split, it’s hard not to adore this contemporary stay.
Set on the edge of the water in Makarska, a port town known (and flocked to) for its Makarska Riviera beaches, seafront promenade and nightlife, this 180-room property provides everything needed for a long weekend filled with chic surroundings, sun-kissed activities and foodie opportunities.
When it comes to wellness, there are few things better for the body than being out in the great outdoors. The hotel can arrange excursions for local white water rafting tours, which involve an exhilarating few hours of paddling down the Cetina river and getting drenched in the process.
As well as aqua excursions, the hotel is ideally located for a mountain hike – and Croatia’s scenery is simply too beautiful to spend your time solely on a sun lounger. Set time aside for an excursion to the nearby Biokovo Skywalk, a horseshoe-shaped glass platform perched 1228 metres above sea level in the beautiful Biokovo Nature Park. If you look closely enough, you might even spot the hotel’s eye-catching balconies in the distance.
How: Find out more and make a booking via emailing reservations@valamar.com or visiting valamar.com/en/hotels-makarska. Doubles start from 160 EUR per night.
2 Hotel Landmar Playa la Arena, Tenerife
Spacious, scenic and surrounded by sustenance, Hotel Landmar Playa la Arena makes the ideal choice when it comes to an all-inclusive experience that can provide exclusivity, wellness and affordability in one.
Tucked away on the west coast just south of the resorts of Los Gigantes and Puerto Santiago, this resort town feels much calmer than the Vegas-esque lights and booming action of Los Cristianos. Surrounded by majestic cliffs, Playa la Arena offers winding roads, a bustling harbour, cafes galore and plenty of sunburned tourists from across Europe and beyond.
As well as multiple pools and an on-site gym equipped with state-of-the-art equipment for cardiovascular training, a toning circuit and a free weight zone for bodybuilding, Hotel Landmar Playa la Arena is ideally located for the explorers and those who prefer exercising outside.
Pack your trainers – the steep but majestic cliffs surrounding La Playa Arena are well worth the climb, with rocky paths that can take you almost anywhere around the region (or at least, far enough to earn a second dessert at dinner time). The hotel team are only too happy to help guide you to the start point with annotated maps, so fire up your Strava and take on the trails.
How: Find out more and make a booking via landmarhotels.com. Prices start from £81 per night in a standard room (all-inclusive).
PLUS: Read The Wordrobe’s full in-depth hotel review here.
3 The Sarojin, Thailand
Head to Thailand for a package fully centered around wellness with The Sarojin and their ‘Sarojin Cares Wellness’ experience. The package begins with a 90-minute yoga and meditation class held in the resort’s idyllic tropical gardens or by the pool, with a gentle session of Vinyasa Yoga followed by restorative mindful meditation – ideal for settling in after a long flight.
Guests can then indulge in a 60-minute Thai or Aroma massage each followed by a healthy Spa Cuisine Lunch including delicious detox smoothies. The Sarojin’s award winning Pathways Spa is nestled within the resort grounds, surrounded by coconut groves, luscious greenery and the sounds of the soothing Andaman Sea making it ideal for relaxation. Finally, to enrich the soul guests can experience a traditional sunrise Spiritual Blessing of Love at a local Thai Buddhist temple. Here a monk gently pours holy water over the guests while chanting ancient mantras to cleanse the spirit.
The Phang Nga Elephant Park is a small and unique family-run eco-park, which dedicates its efforts to providing the highest quality of care to its rescued herd of Asian elephants. The Elephant Mahout Experience within the package includes a morning of learning and fun at the sanctuary, where guests are taught how to hand-feed, bathe and tend to the majestic giants. Not only is the experience educational, providing the opportunity for guests to learn new skills and get closer to nature, but the funds raised from such excursions are key to the park’s existence and in turn provide the resources needed for vital programmes to promote sustainability and animal welfare in the community.
To end their stay, guests have the option to join one of the resort’s regular ‘Sarojin Cares’ volunteer days – a truly rewarding way to complete a wellness break. A regular excursion in the initiative, aimed to help rebuild the natural environment in Khao Lak, is a trip to the Mangrove Forest Planting Project in Baan Nam Kem set up by local fishermen following the 2004 tsunami. Here, guests can help plant new trees and restore the mangrove ecosystem which was damaged by the disaster.
How: From THB 66,908 (approx. £1,555) two guests can enjoy 7-nights in a Garden Residence, a 90-minute yoga and meditation class, a 60-minute Thai or Aroma massage complete with Spa Cuisine Lunch, a sunrise Spiritual Blessing of Loveat a local Thai temple and an Elephant Mahout Experience at the Phang Nga Elephant Park. The package is valid for stays until 31 Oct 2023. Book via sarojin.com
4 The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands
If you’re a lover of all things holistic, mark your diary for this upcoming residency. The Ritz-Carlton Spa at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands will be presenting a week of love, light and intentions this June 2nd to 5th, with renowned crystal whisperer, energy healer and best-selling author, Emma Lucy Knowles, as part of the resort’s stellar Master of Crafts and Craftsmanship Calendar.
As the Strawberry Moon rises – the last full moon of spring and the first of summer, Knowles will host a Healing Crystals Masterclass, a guided walk through the House of Crystals hosted at the Ritz-Carlton Estate, a Moonstruck Energy Dinner – featuring an exquisite six course menu inspired by the colours and energy aura of healing crystals served under the full moon, and A Voyage of Intentions Sunset Cruise where guests will be able to set intentions at sea.
The author of three international best-selling books, Emma is the most sought-after healer in the UK, as well as the go-to expert on crystals. Emma’s first book ‘The Power of Crystal Healing’, now an international best-seller and translated into 10 languages, led her to multiple broadcast appearances in the UK and regular residencies at the Bamford Wellness Spa in the Cotswolds. Emma has collaborated with some of the UK’s most influential wellness brands and is celebrated by media and celebrities across the globe.
Dive deep into the world of crystals at Emma’s Healing Crystals Masterclass curated exclusively for novices. Discover the myriad of crystals and how to harness the power of energies within your being to align with the right crystals for healing. Be guided by Emma and curate your own collection of crystals to harmonise and heal your body, mind and spirit. Step into Emma’s House of Crystals hosted at The Ritz-Carlton Estate – a 16,000 sqft private beach residence, for a room-by-room guide to using crystals for your home – a deeply personal space that is a reflection of our personality, interests and our energy. One thing’s crystal clear – you’re bound to enjoy this paradise experience.
How: For more information, click here or visit ritzcarlton.com/Maldives.
5 Patmos Aktis Suites & Spa, Greece
Having just opened for the summer season, Patmos Aktis Suites & Spa is inviting guests to bask in spiritual solace and serene seclusion and experience Greece at its most authentic. Perfectly positioned to explore one of the Dodecanese’s most unspoilt islands, the resort boasts a prime location in Grikos Bay, evoking a sense of peace and tranquillity with exclusivity seekers and urban escapists flocking to the bay’s crystal-clear waters to recharge in the most picturesque of settings this summer. What’s more, it’s also home to the only 5-star wellness centre in Patmos.
A haven for cultured explorers, Patmos Aktis is a secluded, contemporary retreat inspired by the island’s authentic heritage and rich history. Its 56 spacious rooms and elegant suites effortlessly provide a sanctuary to switch off from the outside world, whilst the resort’s exterior pays homage to the island’s charming villages through its Cycladic design and whitewashed walls.
Anasa Spa provides a bespoke approach to wellbeing with an exceptional range of treatments offered by award-winning holistic skincare brand “Ila” to rejuvenate the body and mind. The cosmopolitan Greek haven also boasts two waterfront restaurants which serve gastronomic creations ranging from traditional Greek recipes to contemporary international dishes in a tranquil setting overlooking the island’s famed sunsets.
How: Rates start from £107 per night. The quickest way to get to Patmos from the UK is to fly to Kos and then board a ferry direct to the island. To book and for more information, visit patmosaktis.gr.
6 Gleneagles Hotel x OTO, Scotland
If you’re a fan of CBD, it’s time to book your next weekend getaway – and this one doesn’t involve leaving the UK. Luxury CBD brand, OTO, has announced Gleneagles Hotel as the very first five-star hotel in Scotland to offer its immersive CBD spa experiences. Beginning as a three-month residency, running from May until July 2023, the partnership will introduce OTO’s signature massages, alongside a restorative facial and new ‘CBD Glow Therapy’.
A soothing haven from everyday stresses, the Spa at Gleneagles, Perthshire, provides the perfect backdrop for the brand’s range of CBD massages – designed to either re-energise, rejuvenate or balance, depending on individual needs. Offered as 50-minute and 80-minute options, the massage delivers the optimum dose of CBD, alongside the use of hand-crafted bamboo, sound therapy and the art of crystal, that work to deliver both psychological and physical effects.
The signature restorative facial rebalances tired, stressed skin and reduces inflammation. Ingredients such as Helichrysum flower and baobab oil offer a powerful antioxidant and hydrating combination. This treatment is supported by clear quartz crystal, sculpting bamboo massage and geothermal activity to encourage skin cell regeneration. Guests can also add to their facial experience with the brand’s new ‘CBD Glow Therapy’, delivered with a Golden Ampoule enhancement.
A world of wellness, the Spa at Gleneagles features 20 treatment rooms, two indoor pools, an outdoor thermal pool and a state-of-the-art gym, all nestled within over 850 acres of Glorious Playground. With a number of spaces for relaxation, restoration and rejuvenation, the Spa is a truly indulgent haven.
How: Prices start from £145 for treatments, to book call 01764 290 027 or email playground.planners@gleneagles.com.
7 Velaa Private Island, Maldives
Velaa Private Island, one of the Maldives’ most exclusive island destinations, is launching an exciting new Wellbeing Village concept in June 2023, asserting itself as one of the leading wellness destinations in the Indian Ocean. Ideal for a holiday featuring everything anyone could need to detox and destress, The Village will includes a new spa and health facility, detox restaurant and tranquil yoga pavilion in the lush interior of the island.
Eveylaa Wellbeing is a new full-service health and wellness facility combining ancient eastern practices with western techniques, focusing on the three core pillars of Medical, Osteopathy and Ayurveda. Medical treatments include blood analyses, food intolerance profiles and IV therapy; Osteo treatments include four hands massage and floating pod experiences; and Ayurveda treatments focus on traditional healing using Shirodhara stands, steam boxes and an extensive list of treatments.
World-class doctors, osteopaths and therapists will be in residence, including Dr Peeyush, a foremost Ayurvedic Doctor from Kerala, one of the leading destinations for Ayurvedic medicine in the world. Osteopath Dr Sergey brings decades of experience in Osteopathy, having undertaken more than 400,000 procedures throughout his career.
Complementing treatments, Faiy is Velaa Private Island’s new dining outpost, serving elevated wellness-focused cuisine. Dishes are healthy, light and colourful, offering clean, unprocessed and whole foods that are as close to their natural states as possible, such as Marinated Avocado with Maldivian Yellow Fin Tuna and Beetroot Tartar and Freshwater Prawns with Green Mango, Thai Basil and Pink Grapefruit. Meaning ‘leaf’ in local Dhivehi, Faiy is surrounded by lush tropical greenery, providing a tranquil setting for enjoying expertly prepared, nourishing cuisine.
Completing the Wellbeing Village, the Velaa Serenity Pavilion offers yoga and meditation sessions in a harmonious location overlooking the island’s pristine golf course. Group and private sessions are available, including Sound Healing, Reformer Pilates and Guided Meditation, with a calendar of visiting wellness practitioners throughout the year.
How: For more information, visit velaaprivateisland.com.
