Americans have become increasingly interested in their overall health, physical fitness and mental well-being over the past decade, never more so than right now in the midst of a global pandemic that has literally capsized our lives. Prior to the Covid-19 crisis, many of us had gym memberships, attended yoga workshops, took Pilates and Zumba classes, and enjoyed regular spa treatments. All of that came to a grinding halt months ago, forcing people to come up with creative ways to stay fit at home.
Wellness travel represents another viable option for those of you seeking respite from the constant headlines and looking for more structured guidance on how to stay healthy during such challenging times. Many of the world’s top wellness retreats and destination spas began reopening this summer, while others will open their doors again in the fall, all with carefully planned and implemented safety protocols in place. Some of the most renowned luxury spa resorts are here in the U.S., each one offering a wide selection of expertly guided programs comprised of fitness, mindfulness and nutritional classes and workshops designed to benefit your mind, body and spirit.
Feel like you are running on empty? A stay at a wellness retreat can help you reflect, renew and reenergize. Immerse yourself in self-care. Allow yourself to unplug and digitally detox. Commune with nature. Indulge in a bit of pampering with spa treatments. Learn proactive ways to manage stress, eat healthier, and reconnect with the things that give you joy and purpose.
This month’s newsletter highlights several spa resorts across the country—some within driving distance, particularly for those of you living in the Northeast or Southwest. Each destination offers a variety of all-inclusive packages comprised of lux accommodations, delicious cuisine and well-being programs. Staying healthy and fit is more important than ever.
Canyon Ranch
Lenox, Massachusetts
Refresh and restore at one of four Canyon Ranch locations in the U.S. – the Arizona flagship, California, a day spa at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas or nestled in the hills of The Berkshires in Massachusetts—with each one having its own distinctive experience. Canyon Ranch resorts are repeat winners of both Travel + Leisure’s Best Spa Award and the Condé Nast Traveler Best Destination Spa Award. Dedicated to inspiring healthy living, an all-inclusive stay at Canyon Ranch in The Berkshires is an immersive exploration of mind-body-spirit in a relaxed setting defined by casual elegance and incomparable personal service. Canyon Ranch’s all-inclusive packages for guests aged 14 and up include airport transportation, three daily meals/snacks and unlimited access to spa and fitness facilities.
Experts in medicine, exercise physiology, nutrition, spirituality and other aspects of wellness, are available to help guests strive for optimal health and well-being. Each day choose from more than 35 wellness and fitness activities including yoga, Pilates, canoeing, kayaking, standup paddle boarding, high-intensity training, hiking, archery, mountain biking, tennis, pickleball, swimming, creative arts classes, mindfulness talks and, in the winter, cross-country skiing and snowshoe yoga! Activities can be customized for individuals, couples and groups based on the length of your stay, interests and level of expertise.
Luxurious spa treatments inspired by traditional, alternative and modern therapies
will relax and renew your mind and body. Let tension and stress slip away with a signature massage, herbal wrap, sea salt scrub, an Ayurvedic treatment, Reiki experience or a seasonal facial. Or, simply unwind in one of the saunas, steam rooms and whirlpools.
Delicious yet healthy eating experiences crafted from authentic, locally sourced ingredients will delight your palate! Participate in cooking demonstrations so you can create savory meals at home. Work with a nutritionist on a personalized game plan for healthy eating that you can implement on your return home.
Miraval Berkshires
Lenox, Massachusetts
With the recent debut of its first east coast retreat sitting atop 380 protected acres in The Berkshires, Miraval Resort & Spa now has three U.S. locations, including Texas and Arizona. Creating mindful moments that matter is the core of the award-winning Miraval philosophy. An extensive offering of activities and workshops helps put you on the path to a ’life in balance’ –think of a Miraval retreat as a catalyst for change as you strive to reconnect with yourself.
Miraval’s roots as a sanctuary for people seeking to restore balance to their hectic lives began in Tucson 25 years ago and today Miraval is a leader in wellness resorts and spas. Work with well-being specialists to create and curate a customized program comprised of fitness, yoga, meditation, nutrition/culinary, golf, outdoor adventure, hiking, equine, and art sessions, lectures and workshops, coupled with reinvigorating spa treatments.
Relax and refresh at the Life in Balance Spa outfitted with quiet rooms, steam rooms, saunas, hot tubs, an indoor to outdoor spa pool, relaxation lounges and an indoor water treatment room. At the Body Mindfulness Center, utilize state-of-the-art Technogym equipment, an indoor fitness pool, movement studio and exercise classes. Yoga and meditation studios are available at The Millhouse and guests can enjoy a living labyrinth, apiaries, a Challenge Course, herb and flower gardens, archery, hatchet throwing and an equine facility with stables at Meadowview Acres & Farm.
The resort features 100 cottage-style guest rooms on a beautifully landscaped property shared by the historic Wyndhurst Manor & Club, where guests also have access to two additional restaurants, as well as an 18-hole tree-lined golf course and 10-acre driving range. Included in all retreat packages are luxurious accommodations, three healthy gourmet meals a day, nutritious fresh snacks, unlimited smoothies and specialty coffee drinks, non-alcoholic beverages, full access to daily well-being activities and amenities, shared shuttle transportation, and a nightly resort credit.
The Lodge at Woodloch
Hawley, Pennsylvania
The Lodge at Woodloch is one of the top 10 winners in the category Best Wellness Retreat / Resort in USA Today ‘s 10 Best 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards and one of the Top 15 Domestic Destination Spas in Travel + Leisure’s 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards.
Located just two miles from the main Woodloch Pines Family Resort, The Lodge offers its guests ages 16+ the serenity to disconnect while exploring the wooded grounds, walking the Lotus Labyrinth, biking the scenic trails, and participating in a combination of creative arts, gardening, cooking, fitness and wellness classes.
The Lodge invites you to rediscover the joy of working out and experiencing a wide array of outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, standup paddle boarding, archery, fishing and adventure sports. Let your mind, body and spirit be awakened and transformed with a reinvigorating spa treatment. Release your stress with a yoga, meditation or Sound Therapy class. All packages include lux accommodations, three meals a day, speakers, workshops and access to an indoor pool, Hydromassage WaterWalls, indoor and outdoor whirlpools, steam rooms, saunas, and a state-of-the-art Cardio Weight Studio.
Guests have full access to the Woodloch Pines Family Resort and its amenities including an 18-hole championship golf course set amongst picturesque meadows, wetlands and forests; four tennis courts; numerous seasonal lakeside activities, as well as indoor pools and hot tubs.
Enjoy cooking demonstrations to learn how to plan seasonal menus in the state-of-the-art chef’s kitchen. Dine on delicious gourmet meals at TREE Restaurant and Bar, uniquely elevated amongst the treetops, to catch shimmering lake views. Reserve chef-curated garden dinners for an upcharge. Explore nearby Blackmore Farm and Orchard, which provides a large selection of the resort’s vegetables and herbs, or the on-property honeybee haven.
Mii amo
Sedona, Arizona
In Sedona, Arizona, ‘Let Nature Nurture Your Soul’ at the exclusive award-winning destination spa, Mii amo. Tucked within the red-rock ledges of Boyton Canyon, Mii amo occupies over 70 acres of stunning natural terrain. This is a very intimate wellness experience as there are just 16 casitas shaded by cottonwood trees, each with a private balcony or patio, whirlpool and beehive fireplace.
Mii amo is defined by its connection to Mother Earth, inviting guests to participate in a holistic journey of intent and self-discovery. Transformative healing experiences consist of curated cuisine, spa services, and unique soul soothing and energy-focused activities. Voted #1 Destination Spa in the U.S. by Travel + Leisure in 2019 and inclusion in Departures 2020 Legend Awards for Best Wellness Experiences in the World, Mii amo welcomes guests ages 16 and older to embark on all-inclusive 3, 4 or 7-night packages to finding inner peace. All packages include a welcome reception and the opportunity to meet with your personal concierge, daily credit for spa services and treatments, all-inclusive dining at Mii amo Cafe and Juice Bar, access to all fitness facilities, scheduled classes, lectures and resort activities. Guests also enjoy a Mii amo robe, tote bag, water bottle and thoughtful turndown amenities.
Recharge, renew, rejuvenate with world-acclaimed therapists who will introduce you to a collection of bodywork practices and Native American-inspired therapies. Tranquility is found within native traditions interwoven with signature spa treatments, self-centering meditation and healing rituals. For those seeking more active endeavors there are plentiful outdoor activities including some of the most sought-after hiking trails in the Southwest. Art enthusiasts will enjoy various painting and photography classes, as well as a meditative art workshop. The Chef’s Garden is open to those interested in a deeper dive into the innovative and acclaimed Mii amo’s cuisine.
Golden Door
San Marcos, California
Golden Door, reopening on September 6, is one of most celebrated destination spas in the world, renowned for its premier wellness, fitness and weight loss programs. The grounds of this Asian-inspired resort, located in the hills of Southern California, feature beautiful zen gardens, a bamboo forest and Japanese-style accommodations.
Transform your mind, body and spirit with an all-inclusive experience encompassing more than 80 fitness, mindfulness and self-improvement classes; meals, snacks, cooking classes and nutrition seminars; daily massages and spa treatments; consultations with a personal trainer; private training sessions; airport transfers; and a personalized take-home well-being plan. The restorative power of the outdoors is an integral component of the Golden Door philosophy—there is an extensive selection of hiking activities on the 600-acre property, as well as an emphasis on organic and locally grown food, much of it sourced from Golden Door’s bio-intensive farm, citrus groves and gardens.
With only forty single occupancy rooms, guests enjoy the ultimate in personalized service, albeit at a price. Guests are even supplied with warm-ups, shorts, T-shirts, robe, sandals, a sun hat and fanny pack, with clothing laundered daily. Enjoy unlimited access to seven state of the art gyms, two swimming pools, a Watsu water therapy pool, two labyrinths, a lighted tennis court and a bathhouse with jacuzzi, steam room, sauna, and multiple skincare and body care treatment rooms. For those intent on squeezing a round of golf in, Golden Door does have an exclusive partnership with Pauma Valley Country Club for the use of its Robert Trent Jones course, surrounded by mountains as well as avocado and citrus groves.
Golden Door pledges 100% of its net profits to philanthropic causes that benefit children, believing that we all have a shared responsibility in making the world a more humane and peaceful place for all.
Lake Austin Spa Resort
Austin, Texas
‘Where Wellness Meets the Water’ you will find a true oasis only a 30-minute water taxi ride from the heart of Austin, Texas. An industry favorite that continues to rank in Condé Nast and Travel & Leisure’s Top Ten Spas in North America year after year, Lake Austin Spa Resort recently reopened after an extensive two-year renovation.
Known for its highly professional and gracious staff, the Lake Austin Spa is an intimate retreat comprised of just forty rooms, lending to its tranquil atmosphere and superior service levels. It is a premier retreat where guests can rest and rejuvenate the minute they step onto the gorgeous property, a soothing lake-front sanctuary surrounded by lush gardens set within the Hill Country. The accommodations, featuring either private canopied porches or walled gardens, are thoughtfully designed with a touch of sophistication and warmth.
The Lake House Spa offers innovative treatments integrated with traditional ancient healings. Guests often comment on the beauty and the serenity provided by the exquisite Blue Room. There is a full calendar of fitness and wellness programming that includes unique mind and spiritual well-being therapies geared toward helping individuals find inner peace and balance. There is even a Pampered Pets program!
A focus on health-conscious, farm-to-table cuisine is a fundamental component of this inclusive experience. Flavorful French-influenced dishes are introduced daily by the acclaimed Executive Chef Stéphane Beaucamp.
Lake Austin Spa Resort is the perfect escape, a true Texas gem geared to rest, renewal and reinvention.
The Ranch Malibu
Santa Monica, California
Travel & Leisure named The Ranch Malibu the World’s Best Spa in the U.S. in 2020.
Tucked inside the Santa Monica mountains, The Ranch Malibu, an exclusive resort known for its award-winning health and wellness program, spans over 200 acres of Southern California. The Ranch curates a well-being plan for each guest that will positively transform your overall health. The A-List staff includes renowned health and science educators, therapists and chefs, all working together to provide a nurturing and supportive environment.
The immersive program, based on The Ranch’s philosophy that a connected mind, body and soul leads to a lifetime of good health and longevity, works to balance your mental, physical and spiritual well-being. What sets The Ranch at Malibu apart from other five-star spa resorts is its deep-seeded commitment to the environment—it focuses on individual health practices and how they correlate to the earth’s preservation. Guests stay in private cottages beautifully decorated with reclaimed wood floors, limestone bathrooms and linen-covered bedding. Each morning guests are warmly awakened to the soothing sound of Tibetan chimes. The plant-based culinary menu draws inspiration from around the world, with the majority of ingredients sourced from The Ranch’s onsite certified organic garden.
There are daily morning hikes; restorative yoga, massages and naps in the afternoon; and in the evenings there are elective nutrition talks and cooking demonstrations. Those interested in visiting are encouraged to begin an at-home journey to better prepare for The Ranch experience.
COMO Parrot Cay
Turks and Caicos
Overlooking the crystal-clear turquoise waters of Turks and Caicos sits one of the most exclusive award-winning properties in the Caribbean. COMO Parrot Cay, reopening on October 1, is set on its own private island just 35 minutes by boat from the main island of Providenciales. This breathtaking destination is featured in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2020 Gold List of The Best Hotels and Resorts in the World, as well as Fodor Travel’s 100 Most Incredible Hotels in the World. With 1,000 acres of unspoiled acres and a mile-long beach, Parrot Cay provides tranquil surroundings and unparalleled scenery. Exuding the ultimate in luxury, this elegant bohemian retreat boasts a chic and understated modern design. The resort’s open and clean layout affords guests an immersive private island experience. Stylish suites are spacious, filled with natural light and made from 80 different species of wood; villas and houses have their own private pools.
Guests are encouraged to seek the benefits of ‘Wellness by COMO Shambhala,’ a holistic lifestyle approach at the property’s extensive retreat facilities. Lux amenities include an outdoor Jacuzzi garden, a Pilates studio, yoga pavilion, double massage rooms, Japanese baths, male and female steam rooms and sauna, spa infinity-edge pool and sundeck, all overlooking the North Caicos Channel and the surrounding wetlands. Indulge in Asian-inspired treatments like Ayurveda, reflexology and aromatherapy.
For those interested in exploring the island and the majestic blue waters that surround it, there are a plethora of land and sea activities for both adults and children to enjoy. Complimentary bikes can be used to cycle through the island’s tropical forest and banana plantations. There are both paddle boarding and kayak safaris, eco-friendly snorkeling tours, and for more adventurous types, a first-in-class diving program that serves those wanting to witness the beauty and experience the wonder of Turks and Caicos’ world acclaimed coral reefs.
Finally, after a day at play, guests can look forward to an artistic culinary experience at the retreat’s three exceptional restaurants featuring international and local fare or arrange for a memorable private candlelit dinner on the beach or the deck of your villa.
