Forestis is located among the ski slopes and hiking trails of the Dolime Mountains.
Photo: Courtesy of Forestis.
7 Can’t-Miss Wellness Retreats To Add to Your 2025 Itinerary
These serene locations are offering guests everything from green juice detoxes to spiritual cleanses and all that's in between
Wellness retreats are having a huge moment. In fact, the global wellness retreat market is projected to reach $363.9 billion by 2032. And while wellness is a broad term, it’s likely all would welcome a respite from the stress of the daily grind. Whether you’re craving a rigorous “new year, new you” detox program, a clinical science-backed approach, or a spiritual cleansing to rebalance your chakras and reconnect with Mother Earth, we’ve got just what the doctor ordered with these 5-star options.
Below are Galerie’s picks for seven of the best global wellness retreats to add to your 2025 travel itinerary:
We Care Spa. Photo: Courtesy of We Care
We Care is located in the middle of the desert. Photo: Courtesy of We Care
1. We Care Spa | Desert Hot Springs, CA
Located 110 miles east of Los Angeles in the middle of the desert is the We Care health spa, beloved by a bevy of A-list celebrities. Whether looking to completely overhaul your diet, or just need a New Year’s reset, head to Desert Hot Springs and check into We Care’s rigorous detox program. Choose from a three-day tune up, six-day retreat, or eight-day renewal. Each program revolves around an all liquid diet (green drinks, hot broths, and water) and yes, visitors have to abstain from caffeine, too. Daily schedules are packed with classes like reiki, sound and crystal healing, and shamanic blessings. Also on the agenda are colonics, digestive massages, magnesium and thermal mud wraps, lemongrass scrubs, and downtime spent by the pool or in the infrared sauna.
Joali Being is the first dedicated wellness retreat in the Maldives. Photo: Courtesy of Joali Being
Joali Being. Photo: Courtesy of Joali Being
2. JOALI BEING | Maldives
JOALI BEING is the first dedicated wellness retreat in the Maldives and it does not disappoint. The experiential destination, with its bone-white beaches and crystal clear lagoons, is centered on four pillars: mind, microbiome, skin, and energy. The resort’s tailored immersion programs range from five nights to three weeks with the goal of relieving oneself of regular habits. Upon arrival at one of 68 thatched roof ocean villas, guests are met by a personal butler or jadugar (translating to “magician” in the local language). Harvard-trained integrative medicine expert Gerry Bodeker spearheaded the low calorie, health-forward Mediterranean to Middle Eastern meal program that perfectly complements holistic activities like the Discovery Sound Path, an al fresco trail tucked in among the pandanus trees. Don’t skip the spa’s hydrotherapy pools and expansive salt room.
Sensei Lanai. Photo: Courtesy of Sensei Lanai
3. Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort | Hawaii
Located on one of Hawaii’s quieter islands, Sensei Lanai is a bit off the beaten path and miles inland from the region’s legendary beaches. There aren’t any touristy vibes here; envision a remote forest enclave with stunning views of red clay mountains, mist, and lush pines. That was the idea when Silicon Valley billionaire Larry Ellison partnered with doctor and biomedical researcher David Agus to completely rebuild the property. Once guests arrive they’re greeted by their personal Sensei Guide who leads them though a customized wellness itinerary. The just launched Rest & Recovery five-night program analyzes personalized data like key biomarkers—including sleep quality, heart rate variability, blood pressure, and heart rate recovery—to create a tailored plan to improve sleep and reduce stress. Also part of the package is two 90-minute spa treatments in stunning 1,000-square-foot hale, plus clean and delicious food from the on-property Nobu.
Guest suite at Forestis. Photo: Courtesy of Forestis
4. Forestis | Italy
Perched at an altitude of nearly 6,000 feet at among the ski slopes and hiking trails of the Dolomite Mountains of Italy is Forestis, a secluded alpine retreat. About an hour from the Austrian border, guests are invited to soak in sunny days and crisp mountain air. Originally founded over 100 years ago as a tuberculosis sanatorium due to the naturally perfect setting that envelopes the property, the hotel continues to be rooted in the healing simplicity of nature. Breathtaking views of the Odle peaks can be seen from the floor-to-ceiling sliding windows of each room complete with calming interiors that consist of lush, off-white-colored fabrics and Dolomite stone bathrooms. Celtic rituals like the 110-minute Tree Circle Ceremony, where guests choose an energy balancing treatment based on their choice of a tree species, line the spa menu. Fun fact: Forestis also has the highest rooftop bar in the world, the perfect place to enjoy a nightcap.
5. House of Aïa | Mexico
House of Aïa, a luxury vegan wellness resort nestled in the jungle-like destination of Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, is unique in that it features elevated plant-based menus led by resident chef Charly Garcia. Foodies will swoon over international restaurant concepts like the Italian-inspired Mar de Olivo, Mexican-forward LEK and Asian-centered Ume. They technically do offer off-menu fish and meat options, but the vegan offerings are so creative and delicious, even meat eaters won’t flinch. The hotel’s “Architects of Life” program features 20-plus rotating classes, ceremonies, and rituals based on ancient Mexican philosophies. It’s a choose your own adventure type of place, but standouts include the Awakening Ritual, where guests chant, dance, and harness the energy of the four elements, and the soul reading circle with a local healer. The Atlantis Spa is where ancient wisdom meets modern healing with a cenote in the waiting area and treatments that take place in cozy, forest-facing bungalows.
Blue Lagoon Retreat. Photo: Courtesy of Blue Lagoon Retreat
6. Blue Lagoon Retreat | Iceland
The Blue Lagoon, with its mineral-rich waters and otherworldly-like ambiance, is one of Iceland’s most popular attractions welcoming almost one million tourists visit each year. While the Lagoon at large is open to the public, the Blue Lagoon Retreat, situated on south-western corner of Iceland, is a bit more exclusive. The property offers its own (read: much quieter) private lagoon in addition to a jaw-dropping 60-suite hotel complete with Michelin-starred dining. From the lobby to the rooms, the slick interiors pay homage to the location with minimalist monochromatic design details. Get down and dirty with the “Blue Lagoon Ritual” chamber where you can slather yourself in various different muds made from the geothermal seawater, or try a signature in-water massage. For the adventure seekers, helicopter tours of the Reykjanes Peninsula, volcano tours, snowmobiling, and snorkeling at the subaquatic hot springs at Kleifarvatn lake are also available.
Pritkin Longevity Center. Photo: Courtesy of Pritkin Longevity Center
7. Pritikin Longevity Center | Miami
The Pritikin Longevity Center outside downtown Miami, offers a clinical, physician-led approach for those looking to manage weight-related issues and rewire how they think and act toward food. In fact, Pritikin’s mission is bold: to eradicate disease while training people for everyday life. But not to worry, the immersive retreat takes place in a lavish estate setting that offers all the accommodations of a luxury hotel. The one- and two-week programs are most popular and it’s not uncommon for clients to be working remotely on site. The lifestyle program includes a robust itinerary full of classes, lectures with an emphasis on real life takeaways like healthy cooking skills, and learning how to dine out. In your spare time there’s golf, tennis, the pool, and of course spa treatments of your choice.
Cover: Forestis is located among the ski slopes and hiking trails of the Dolime Mountains.
Photo: Courtesy of Forestis.
