What if we went to the other side of the world for a wellness retreat? Frankly, it would be well deserved, and it’s also the perfect season to recharge! If you don’t know where to go, Shoelifer has put together a great short list to reconnect with harmony (and pleasure).
You are probably familiar with the saying “in May, do as you please.” At the editorial office, what we really want right now is a wellness retreat. Escaping far from everything, and especially from the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, often too (too) busy, let’s be honest. In spring, the season of renewal, nature awakens just like our senses. It is the ideal time for a wellness retreat: recharging our batteries, pampering ourselves, taking time for contemplation, and reconnecting with ourselves. Moreover, on a biological level, many of us feel a certain spring fatigue. Why? Simply because we still carry the weight of winter (lack of sunlight, richer meals, etc.). The arrival of spring, even if it boosts morale, can disrupt the body, particularly sleep quality or the liver (slightly overloaded by our winter cravings).
So, to big problems, big remedies! Shoelifer took the bull by the horns and sought advice from Atlas Voyages, the luxury travel specialist agency. We have set our sights on six destinations truly conducive to a wellness retreat. These include Thailand, Bali, India, Japan, Mexico, and also – less known – Bhutan. Six countries of pure escape, where nature, self-care, and spirituality are at the heart of their respective philosophies. To make it easier for you and avoid any headaches, we have selected one establishment per destination to fully enjoy your wellness retreat. Happiness starts now!
Thailand
Kamalaya Wellness Resort – Koh Samui
Thailand is one of the world’s top wellness retreat destinations. In addition to exotic and lush nature, health and holistic care are key elements of Thai culture. The saying even goes that “wellness is Thaïness.” Thaïness is a national concept bringing together two Thai notions: sanook (pleasant, enjoyable) and mai pen rai (no worries). Yes, the editorial office is teaching you lovely things. But you haven’t seen anything yet. For a 100% successful wellness retreat, and on the precious advice of Atlas Voyages, we have chosen Kamalaya Wellness Resort, located on the island of Koh Samui (southeast of Thailand).
An ultra-luxurious and comfy resort, nestled in the tropical jungle and built around a Buddhist monk’s cave, with a mesmerizing sea view. A paradisiacal sanctuary focused on detoxification, stress management, spiritual development, and fitness.
All with an experienced and caring team: naturopaths, therapists, traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, and nutritionists. We particularly appreciate the personalized approach of the protocol and the diversity of programs. Among them, rejuvenation and vitality, burnout treatment, resilience and immunity. Or emotional harmony and hormonal rebalancing. Enough to come back every year (or more).
Bali, Indonesia
COMO Shambhala Estate
Another must-visit wellness retreat destination: the island of Bali, Indonesia, where nature reigns supreme, and spirituality is omnipresent. Bali has been experiencing a tourism boom for several years, which might scare some people off. But it is still possible to travel off the beaten path and stay authentic. This is particularly the case with the COMO Shambhala Estate resort, located in the center of the island, near Ubud (the cultural heart of Bali).
Ultra-confidential and preserved, this resort is built on the Begawan Giri mountain, in a stunning natural setting. A nine-hectare haven of peace, bordered by two rivers, with a spring, waterfalls, and aquatic gardens, focused on mental and physical prevention and regeneration.
The little extra? The possibility of staying in small independent villas. Not to mention the cuisine, inspired by Indonesian gastronomy, which is gourmet, fresh, and healthy. Spas, holistic treatments, meditations, yoga, sports and outdoor activities, the offer at this establishment is very comprehensive. Several programs caught our attention. The “Integrated Wellness Path,” based on a personalized diagnosis and designed to reset the body and mind, with a focus on our relationship with food. The “Fit to Perform,” perfect for preventing heart disease and cholesterol, and designed to optimize athletes’ performances. And finally, the “Detox to Restore,” which tackles digestive comfort, cellular regeneration, immune system strengthening, and longevity. More than a wellness retreat, a better living retreat!
Japan
Aman Kyoto
The editorial office has already talked to you about Japan during the cherry blossom season, which also takes place in spring. It is a country with millennia-old traditions, where spirituality is central. This stems from Buddhism and Shintoism, two religions that claim an intimate connection between humans, nature, and deities. Add to this cultural, artisanal, and gastronomic refinement, the cult of physical and mental strength, as well as landscapes that are both bucolic, wild, and volcanic, and you have all the ingredients for a successful wellness retreat. Our choice fell on the Aman Kyoto resort, located in the city of the same name.
The historical capital of the country is full of Buddhist temples and imperial palaces. Aman Kyoto is nestled in a forest, where you can hear the wind whisper and the birds sing. The resort, both minimalist and luxurious, is inspired by ryokan, a high-end traditional Japanese inn. On-site, you relax in an onsen spa (hot spring) and succumb to kaiseki cuisine (zen, colorful, and tasty). You can also do yoga, mindfulness meditation, shiatsu (wonderful for fluid circulation), and acupuncture. You also discover moxibustion, a technique of stimulating acupuncture points with heat. It is said to work wonders on the mind, muscle tone, and fight against aging. The bonus? A range of treatments with the Aman Advanced Facial skincare line, made from rice bran and indigo, to lift the face. A wellness retreat that will particularly appeal to anti-aging technique enthusiasts.
Bhutan
Aman Bhutan
Did you know that Bhutan is the only country in the world to have implemented a Gross National Happiness indicator? In this country, personal fulfillment is more important than material enrichment. And that’s why it’s perfect for a wellness retreat. Located in the Himalayas, between India and China, Bhutan is a mountainous and authentic country, where happiness is a true art of living. An ideal anti-stress destination, you take the time to breathe, marvel at everything (and nothing), and live in inner peace and harmony with nature. The inhabitants are particularly smiling and warm. According to us, it is the ideal place for people going through a rough patch, a heartbreak, or an emotional shock.
To fully enjoy your wellness retreat, choose Amankora Bhutan. This “resort” consists of five lodges, scattered in different regions of Bhutan. Amankora Paro, in the Paro Valley, near the Taktsang Monastery, offers a spectacular view of the mountains and the ruins of an ancient fortress. Amankora Thimphu, located in the capital and nestled in a pine forest, provides access to the city’s historical and cultural sites. Amankora Punakha, based in the subtropical Punakha Valley, surrounded by terraced rice fields and orchards, is next to a famous Buddhist monastery. Amankora Gangtey, with its panoramic view of the glacial Phobjikha Valley, hosts thousands of black-necked cranes. And finally, Amankora Bumthang, is located in the spiritual heart of Bhutan.
Whichever lodge you choose for your wellness retreat, you will experience total immersion in Bhutanese culture. And you will stay in architectural gems steeped in history and with a mystical, even magical aura.
Without compromising on comfort. On-site, you experience slow life.
And above all, you pamper yourself: morning yoga, Himalayan plant treatments, hot stone baths, apple cider tasting at sunset. Yes, Bhutanese people are bon vivants! The must-try activity? Flag and forest therapy, a meditative and sensory walk in nature, hyper transformative.
India
The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur
India often feels like an existential, philosophical, and spiritual shock. Many travelers who have been there come back with a transformed worldview and a fierce desire to return. Indians are also wellness masters (Ayurveda, yoga), both mentally and physically.
Besides having a cuisine to die for and hospitality establishments more luxurious and opulent than the others. It is THE must-visit destination for a wellness retreat. The editorial office’s choice fell on The Oberoi Udaivilas resort, overlooking the artificial Pichola Lake, near the city of Udaipur in Rajasthan. In a setting worthy of the most beautiful Indian palaces, you enjoy a thermal cure – the specialty of this establishment – and endless massages. Everything is focused on body wellness, beauty, and mobility. Our favorite is the “Himalayan Singing Bowls,” a therapy that involves placing bowls on energy points of the body and creating sound vibrations. Surprising but very effective for relaxation. Here, you don’t think, and you let yourself be. A wellness retreat that is cool and 100% relaxing.
Mexico, Maya Riviera
Hôtel Esencia
Last but not least of our top wellness retreat destinations is the Maya Riviera, Mexico, bordered by the Caribbean Sea. Here, we chose Hôtel Esencia, which was originally the vacation home of an Italian countess. A prestigious establishment, both traditional and contemporary, located in Akumal, on one of the most beautiful beaches of the Maya Riviera. It is certainly a highly Instagrammable place. But the Maya Riviera (like Mexico in general) is considered a spiritual land, steeped in Mayan mysticism.
Therefore, it is a privileged destination for a wellness retreat. At Hôtel Esencia, the therapeutic journey is called “Le Rituel Maya.” You stay in an all-white room, designed according to Mayan geometric shapes and proportions. A sacred architecture that leads to mental calmness. The restaurant has a vegan menu, rich in nutrients and antioxidants, and offers the possibility of fasting. The highlight of this wellness retreat? The authentic traditional Mayan sweat lodge ceremony called Temazcal, considered an ancestral ritual, made to clean the body and soul. Guided by a healer who will take care of you before, during, and after the ceremony. The ideal setting to awaken one’s spirituality.
Finally, know that wellness retreats allow for better management of daily life, learning to let go, sleeping better, and overcoming difficult times. You emerge rebalanced, with a better knowledge of yourself, and much more energized. Good journey!
