Wellness-driven travel has never been so popular! In recent years, the demand for true wellness retreats has been growing, with a focus on both the mental and physical aspects. Contemporary concerns about longevity and renewal are driving increased interest in topics such as detox, rejuvenation, mental health and energization, and all of this is highlighted by the various options and amenities provided by the best hotels around the world. Check out five accommodations that prioritize health and relaxation below:
Bvlgari Rome
Rome, Italy
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Housed in a 1930s building overlooking Piazza Augusto Imperatore and just steps from Via del Corso, the Bvlgari hotel extols Italian elegance. The 110 rooms and suites explore palettes inspired by Ancient Rome, with a highlight being the 300-square-meter Bvlgari Suite, with furniture designed by Milanese architect Antonio Citterio and a bathtub carved from a single block of Corchia marble. The 1,500-square-meter spa is reminiscent of the famous Baths of Caracalla, the second largest bath complex in the Roman Empire, and features an indoor pool and eight treatment rooms. Chef Niko Romito, who heads the chain’s gastronomy, presents reinterpretations of iconic recipes at the intimate Il Ristorante. Il Caffè, meanwhile, serves a traditional Roman lunch in an open-air setting under monumental porticos. On the rooftop, the privileged La Terrazza offers guests refined cocktails and views of the Eternal City.
Equinox Hotel New York
New York, United States
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In the epicenter of Manhattan, this sumptuous hotel has rooms and suites meticulously designed to provide complete rest, with total soundproofing, blackout blinds and natural fiber mattresses. The perfect sleep experience also includes relaxation-inducing food and beverages on the Sleep Well menu; innovative wellness treatments at the Sleep Spa; and immersive experiences from The Art + Science of Sleep program, aimed at improving breathing, heart rate and intestinal health. The spa area also houses a spinning studio, a gym with a personal trainer and an Olympic-size saltwater pool. The two outdoor pools impress with their views of the Hudson River and the landmark The Vessel. For those looking for a break in the silence, the Electric Lemon restaurant, on the 24th floor, reminds guests that, yes, the city outside is pulsating intensely.
Rituals
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Surrounded by the mountains of the Atlantic Forest, in the village of Penedo (Rio de Janeiro), Rituaali offers a minimum four-night immersion to detoxify and rebalance the body and mind. The health and wellness programs, led by a health coach and multidisciplinary teams, integrate principles of lifestyle medicine (SEM) with natural practices. The restaurant, for example, uses ingredients harvested from the organic garden and serves dishes based on cereals, fruits, nuts, whole-grain artisanal breads and vegetable proteins. Comfortable chalets or apartments with views of the gardens welcome guests. The spa center has a heated pool, saunas, jacuzzi and more than 15 rooms for treatments and massages focusing on hydrotherapy, phytotherapy, geotherapy and aromatherapy. Finally, the sports facilities include a gym, semi-Olympic pool, hiking trails and tennis, beach tennis and pickleball courts.
Gora Kadan
Hakone, Japan
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The philosophy of Japanese hospitality can be perfectly translated by the expression omotenashi, which means “caring with all your heart.” This principle is the basis of Gora Kadan, a retreat located in a former summer villa of the imperial family built in the early 20th century in the city of Gora, amid the mountains of Hakone. The suites combine oriental and cosmopolitan design lines and welcome guests with outdoor hot spring baths. At the Kaiseki and Sushi Kadan restaurants, Japanese cuisine reveals its authenticity through seasonal menus, with fresh ingredients and subtle flavors that follow the rhythm of the seasons. The Kadan Spa, in turn, offers treatments such as shiatsu and meridian therapy, a technique that stimulates the body’s energy points through heat. The wellness center also has a gym, heated pool, exclusive family room and the traditional “rock bath,” a type of stone sauna that emits infrared rays.
Atlantis The Royal
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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With nearly two kilometers of private beachfront, Atlantis The Royal in Dubai awakens the senses. Suites soar 43 stories and are decorated with personalized Hermès amenities. They also have large terraces with swimming pools. At the Awaken spa, holistic and medical-technology therapies promote balance and renewal, such as the Golden Cloud Hammam ritual, which includes a body scrub with crushed 24-karat gold. Also noteworthy is the Aeon clinic, which specializes in regenerative medicine and longevity treatments. The gastronomy is represented in 17 restaurants and bars, including the Michelin-starred Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, inspired by medieval British cuisine, and the Japanese Nobu Dubai, by legendary chef Nobu Matsuhisa. The relaxed Nobu by the Beach is located in front of the pool, visually connected to the sea.
