In Their Own Words
We think that mindfulness and spirituality will become an even more integral part of travel going forward. Certainly we all could use some after the corona-coaster we have witnessed! Here's a list of some wonderful options from our friends at Hidden Doorways!
By Allison Reiber DiLiegro, Courtesy Hidden Doorway
Editor's Note:
Travel is tricky but not impossible. You need a trusted advisor to guide you along the way.
As we welcome the new year and heal from the challenges of 2020, it is a time to reawaken our senses and embark on a wellness journey. Whether you’re looking to embark on a far-flung wellness journey or stay close to home, we have a suggestion for your 2021 travel calendar. We represent a range of fabulous wellness destinations, from holistic wilderness retreats in stunning settings to state-of-the-art health centers, all with wide open spaces and soul-soothing scenery. And if you aren’t prepared to travel just yet, we can help bring a little spa bliss into your home.
Here are a few of our favorite wellness retreats for 2021.
The Retreat in Costa Rica
Atenas, Costa Rica
Opened in 2019, The Retreat in Costa Rica is an award-winning wellness destination on a high-vibrational crystal mountain surrounded by rainforest. From its perch among the trees, the Pacific Ocean glitters in the distance. The Retreat is the brainchild of Diana Stobo, acclaimed author, celebrity chef, and wellness coach. At her “Heaven on Earth,” guests are invited to eat healthy, delicious food, move their bodies, and surround themselves in harmony. The place to start is the 8,000-square-foot Vida Mia Healing Center and Spa, run by an Ayurvedic doctor who designs custom wellness programs, like emotional healing, detox (Diana’s signature treatment), and a fitness reboot.
Treatment to try: The seven-night Ayurvedic Balancing program is a guided journey towards your true self. Using your dosha – your Ayurvedic body type – as a guide, the doctor designs a personalized treatment plan with meditation, yoga, oil treatments, spirit and energy rejuvenation, and muscular body release.
Kasiiya Papagayo
Papagayo Peninsula, Costa Rica
Set on Costa Rica’s Papagayo Peninsula, Kasiiya is a jungle hideaway with seven eco-friendly suites on 123 acres of lush forest and pristine private beach. Kasiiya means “find your pace” in Swahili, and that’s the invitation. With the help of a dedicated team member, guests will design a program that serves their body, mind, and soul. Days may include private yoga classes overlooking the sea, wellness discovery with the in-house healer, or a movement class in the “Jungle Gym.” Joyful play is also encouraged, like snorkeling off a private beach, trekking to find Howler monkeys, or surfing on a nearby break.
Treatment to try: At Kasiiya, every wellness program is individually designed to suit your desires. The on-site healer will encourage you to reconnect with nature – and in doing so, reconnect with yourself – using local rituals and healing practices.
Silversands Grenada
Grand Anse Beach, Grenada
Set on the spectacular Grande Anse Beach (named the best beach in the world by Condé Nast Traveller in 2019), Silversands Grenada combines an extensive wellness program with white sand Caribbean idyll. Operated by world-renowned spa experts, ESPA, the spa offers expert facials, massages, and scrubs in a space with a sauna, ice cave, hammam, experiential shower, a peaceful spa pool, and a fully-equipped gym. To get moving, join a complimentary fitness class, like beach boxing, Ashtanga yoga, Vinyasa yoga, core workout, and more. Of course, spending the day on the beach with your book is another option. Silversands believes in a holistic approach, after all.
Treatment to try: For the ultimate spa indulgence, there’s the Absolute Spa Ritual. This treatment includes a body scrub and wrap, a hot stone back massage, a mini-facial, a head massage, and a glass of fresh juice. Consider yourself pampered.
SANGHA Retreat
Suzhou, China
On the shores of the serene Yangcheng Lake peninsula, a 1.5-hour drive from Shanghai, SANGHA Retreat is a state-of-the-art wellness facility where ancient Chinese wisdom and Western science blend. The result is a collection of truly transformative wellness programs designed to enact lifelong change. The heart of the property is the AT ONE healing spa, a 65,000-square-foot oasis offering a vast range of treatments, as well as a watsu pool and 12-step hydrothermal circuit. In partnership with the spa is the AT ONE Clinic, which offers personalized, holistic healing modalities aimed to address the six habits of life: eating, breathing, sleeping, movement, thinking, and awareness. In addition to the mind and body work, there are delicious, healthful meals designed by a Michelin-starred chef.
Treatment to try: The Chinese Wisdom treatment calls upon Traditional Chinese Medicine – with pulse points, Chi concepts, and more – to diagnose your current state of wellness. Baseline set, a team of practitioners designs a treatment plan that uses acupuncture, Chinese cupping, Tai Chi, and more to harmonize your energies, reduce stress, and unblock pathways.
Andronis Concept Wellness Resort
Santorini, Greece
Set on sparkling Santorini, Andronis Concept is a wellness retreat surrounded by stunning Cycladic scenery. As Andronis Concept explains, it’s more than just scenery – the energy of Santorini Island is powerful. The Kallos Spa channels that energy by using local herbs and oils in their treatments and encouraging guests to connect with the environment. There is hiking in the local hills and outdoor yoga classes at sunset. In the spa, there are massages, facials, therapeutic relaxation programs, and guided meditations. The Throubi Restaurant also has its roots in the island, serving nutritious dishes made with fresh ingredients grown in the property’s own garden. The 28 suites and villas have their own balconies and infinity pools, if paddling in your private pool, watching the sunset over the Aegean sounds like your idea of wellness.
Treatment to try: Whichever path you pursue – whether it’s a destressing program, a detox, or a series of pampering massages – be sure to start with the onsite doctor’s hair profiling test, which creates a holistic wellness profile using just a piece of your hair. This profile is the basis for building a wellness program that includes nutritional recommendations, lifestyle advice, and body treatments.
Six Senses Bhutan
Bhutan: Thimphu, Punakha, Paro, Gangtey and Bumthang
Six Senses Bhutan is a collection of five soulful lodges scattered across the Kingdom. Each has its own spa that honors one pillar of Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness philosophy. (Famously, the country prioritizes this measure over GDP.) As you make your way through the country with Six Senses, you’ll encounter a rich array of regionally-inspired treatments, like a Bhutanese hot stone bath, singing bowl meditation, body scrubs with Bhutanese herbs, Swedana treatments, and more. Just as essential are the mindfulness practices that color a stay in Bhutan: breakfast with novice monks, hiking to monasteries, or a pilgrimage to the Bumthang valley’s most important temples.
Treatment to try: An essential Bhutanese experience is the traditional hot stone bath, called Dotsho. Mineral-rich river stones are heated for hours and gradually added to the water of a traditional stone bath to encourage purification. To continue detoxifying and destressing, follow with a deeply relaxing Marma massage, which uses firm, flowing motions to smooth out tension.
Reconnect with Six Senses
Worldwide
If you can’t set off on a wellness getaway just yet, try bringing some of the healing knowledge of Six Senses to your own home. Throughout the pandemic, Six Senses has been sharing teachings from their incredible roster of wellness practitioners around the world. In their Host Talks series, they showcase conversations on essential wellness topics, like sleep and movement efficiency. There’s more to learn from their stories, where you can find a recipe for detoxifying juice, a lesson on mixing your own essential oils, yoga classes, and more.
Treatment to try: It sounds like you deserve a soothing bath ritual. Here, you can find the recipe to whip up Six Senses Director Tammy Dent’s purifying body scrub, luscious bath oil, and bath tea bags. Light some candles, close your eyes, and reconnect to where you are. Or, if you’re really missing travel, let your mind take you on a preview of your next destination.
Editor's Note:
Whether you're ready to travel or just ready to plan, we're here to guide you.