Spa Holidays

Considered one of the most welcoming countries around the globe, Thailand translates as ‘Land of the Free’. Travellers have been flocking to this country for years to enjoy the enriching culture, spectacular landscapes, and 3219km of gorgeous coastline. Thailand has also garnered itself prestige for having some of the most incredible wellness retreats, infused with the nation’s spirituality, medicine practises and meditation, becoming a standout destination for a wellness pilgrimage.  

The art of acupuncture has been practiced for over two millennia, in which time it has built a substantial reputation as a leading alternative therapy. With the simple,  non-invasive application of delicate needles, all manner of uncomfortable or life-altering conditions can be eased. Many mental illnesses, like anxiety and depression, can be treated through acupuncture’s gentle stimulation of the nerve endings. The symptoms of physical conditions such as migraines can likewise be dramatically lessened, including muscular issues like hypertension, chronic pain and menstrual cramps.

If you are struggling with disturbed sleeping patterns or are simply unable to switch your mind off from this digitally charged world, you are not alone, with most people affected by sleeping difficulties during some period in their lifetime. Insomnia or habitual sleeplessness, can result from pressures at work or a stressful lifestyle making it important to learn how to manage your stress levels in order to overcome your poor sleeping habits.

When most people hear the words ‘spa holiday’, they automatically envisage women. However, men are becoming increasingly passionate about health and wellness, with more blokes taking well-deserved spa breaksthan ever before. With the pressures of the modern world weighing down our minds and our souls, it has never been more important to relax, unwind and rediscover the inner-strength needed to cope with life’s challenges.

The toxins and pollutants in the world around us slowly harm our bodies, making us feel lethargic and sometimes leaving us with a compromised immune system. We have all the information you need to get you started on clean and healthy living with our list of luxury spa holidays that aid in weight management and detox. Not only does the latter rid the body of harmful toxins that accumulate daily, but it also ultimately helps with your weight loss and fitness goals. In this worldwide collection, detox and weight loss are achieved through varied and tailor-made approaches. From proper nutrition and boosting your fitness to specialised spa treatments, make the most of your weight loss holiday or detox retreat whilst on a luxurious spa destination.

Rid yourself of harmful toxins and turn your lifestyle around with our best spa retreats for weight loss and detox:

When you first enter the world of skin treatments it can be as daunting as being presented with a restaurant menu printed in a foreign language. From scrubs to wraps, massages and holistic therapies, there is so much to choose from!  If you’re looking for that well-earned pampering treatment to make your skin glow, boost its appearance, texture, and health then you’ve come to the right place to help you choose the best spa treatments for your skin!

Firstly, we’d recommend identifying what you’re looking to achieve. Now this does not have to be as overly complicated as it sounds. Maybe you need some hydration, a lift, or want to bring life back to your skin. They’ll be a treatment that targets that concern – we’ve set out the benefits of some of the best treatments available on our wellness spa retreats to help you choose!

Treat yourself to a rebalancing spa break amongst the tropical forests and exquisite coastlines of Indonesia with our best wellness spa retreats in Bali. Each wellness holiday offers a unique fusion of fitness, culture and wellbeing to give you a well-rounded experience where you can experience a variety of cultural activities, rediscover your Zen through yoga practice or get an adrenaline boost in an invigorating fitness class, all while indulging in relaxing spa therapies and treatments.

Explore the incredible blue waters and magnificent mountains of the Mediterranean with a wellness spa retreat in Cyprus. The year-long sunshine provides the perfect setting for a well-earned escape from anxieties and stress, giving you a chance to put your feet up and settle into a pampered paradise. With locally grown produce, traditional Mediterranean dishes and an array of exciting international cuisines you have plenty of culinary delights to choose from, and combined with the fantastic views and luxury treatments, you’re sure to have an unforgettable spa holiday. 

Spa and Hammam have been part of Turkish culture for the past 1400 years. Some of Istanbul’s marble bath houses have been in use since the early 18^th Century. Our contemporary spa retreats may lack the impressive age of some of Turkey’s oldest bath houses but they certainly continue the ethos of their traditional practices.

Grab your soul sisters and shake up your weekend with a girls trip to a luxurious spa escape to reset, recharge and reconnect with your best friends. We’ve gathered the best short-haul healthy holiday destinations to tempt even your busiest gal-pals into a short stress busting vaycay. Boost your fitness during heart-pumping fitness classes before indulging in various spa treatments at one of our handpicked wellness getaways. Together with your best friends, experience the benefits of a wellness getaway and return home with a vibrant holiday glow and memories that will surely be one for the books!

Elli Soumaki

Elli has over twenty-five years of experience in the field of spa, fitness and wellness. She is Spa Director at the Six Senses Spa, at Porto Elounda Golf & Spa Resort. An integral role as the wellness facilities are a central part of this retreat’s ethos and allure. Holding this position since 2004, Elli also currently works as the getaway’s Area Director since 2011. She graduated from the University of Physical Education and Science in Athens and achieved a Masters in Sports Management from the University of Louisville, Kentucky. Elli has been a member of the Greek national swimming team and always actively promoted the goodwill and spirit of the Olympic games. A true believer that our health and the overall state of wellbeing can be enhanced via exercise, movement, nutrition, and holistic treatments, to fulfil your mind, body, and spirit.

Susan d'Arcy

Susan d'Arcy has been writing for the Sunday Times for over 20 years, about luxurious spas and travel. As a spa expert she enjoys sharing her tips and insights about the best therapists, spas and treatments, on her very informative, yet entertaining blog, Spa Confidential.

In the wonderful world of luxury travel and tourism you come across some interesting holidays that combine seemingly disparate niches to form holidays of questionable appeal. However, the overlap between golfing and spa holidays certainly doesn’t fit into this category, combining all the benefits of a golfing retreat and a spa retreat allows a respite for you to indulge yourself and relax in between long sessions honing your skills on the course making you a more formidable golfing opponent ready to give your golfing buddies a run for their money.

If this sounds appealing to you, you’re in luck because there are some many luxury resorts in the world that fit the description perfectly, let us walk you through a few of our top spa and sports retreats picks for golfers. 

Detox retreat is a broad term: it covers everything from a medically supervised cleanse of alcohol to a juice fast on a Thai beach. To give a brief definition, a detox retreat is any getaway where your diet and physical health is aided by resident professionals. The breadth of possibilities with this type of healthy holiday makes it tricky to pick a programme that is a perfect fit for you needs. Raw food diets could be great for losing a few kilos but maybe you would prefer a more holistic detox. Perhaps you’re not excited with the prospect of a spa detox but would love one where you get to practice yoga. At Health and Fitness Travel, the wellness holiday specialists, we’ve compiled a study of the best detox retreats into an ultimate guide. So, whether you need to quit smoking or you want to cleanse your colon, we’ve put together the ultimate guide to detox retreats to help you make an informed decision on the right retreat for you.

From the gushing waterfalls of St Lucia to the crystal-clear waters in the Maldives, life’s too short not to explore the most sublime wonders of the world. Experience the ultimate in rest and relaxation with our beach spa holidays in the most stunning islands where you can escape the hassles of daily life. Surround yourself in lush foliage and pristine waters as you unwind with luxury spa treatments and holistic therapies. With our bespoke touch, you can also choose from a range of health and fitness activities, from group workouts, personalised fitness training, and water sports. Ideal for a couple’s wellness getaway, our paradise island wellness retreats are also excellent for solo travellers, groups, and families and can be tailor-made for anyone looking for some heaven-on-earth holiday experience.

For those looking for the ultimate luxury spa experience, destination spas are the leaders in their field. These wellness experts promote a healthy and active lifestyle, at all-inclusive resorts in stunning surroundings from Spain to Thailand. Well-being comes from within, and at these destination spas nutritious cuisine is combined with fitness activities and personalised therapies to help you to reach your wellness goals. From Ayurvedic spa treatments, to traditional Chinese medicine and expert run medical spas, find everything to satisfy your spa holiday needs at the world’s best destination spas.

There are so many spa therapies to be explored,originating from unique practices in countries across the world. Some treatments target specific areas of the body, while others offer full-body or psychological release. A combination of traditional, tailored, and pioneering treatmentsare now becoming available in spas across the continents, merging eastern and western practices for enhanced wellbeing. Keep reading to discover the top 10 complimentary spa therapies and whichspa holidays and retreats you can experience them on!

Christmas and New Years are a season onto themselves, filled with the best aspects of life that make you feel like maybe you are magic. While we’re terribly fond of our little island, let’s face it, December and January don’t exactly showcase Britain at its finest, so why not make the most of this magical season with a charming winter sun holiday escape?

If you are searching for the best of the very best in luxury wellness spa resorts, look no further. Feel your imagination whisk you away to an opulent oasis of health and well-being, as we dive in to our top 10 most expensive and luxury wellness spa resorts which make up our Ultimate Collection.

If your four-legged friend accompanies you at every stage of your life, why not bring them on holiday too? Dogs are a source of happiness and joy in our lives and can now also be catered for by many hotels and resorts. There is nothing better than walking your dog through the woods or by the beach, exploring the area together and feeling the fresh breeze that blows in your face.