When it comes to finding a world-class spa, we can be spoiled for choice. Here are some of the best spas from around the globe.
1. Villa Stephanie, Baden Baden, Germany
If relaxing in a mansion that was once home to a German duchess sounds appealing to you, Villa Stephanie at Brenners Park-Hotel should be at the top of your spa to-do list. The Villa is adjacent to the Black Forest, and the River Oos runs right through the hotel’s garden, providing a soothing ambiance. There is a bar, a golf course, a restaurant, a sauna, a pool, and more.
Villa Stephanie is a modern medical spa offering a holistic approach to wellness. Your medical, emotional, detox, fitness, and beauty needs are seen to by qualified professionals. To ensure a good night’s sleep, the bedrooms allow you to press a button to become digitally disconnected, thereby eliminating electronic smog and allowing you to focus on recharging your batteries.
Brenners Park-Hotel, Baden Baden, where you’ll find Villa Stephanie. Wikimedia Commons
2. Grand Resort, Bad Ragaz, Switzerland
Nestled between the Swiss Alps and the Rhine River, the Grand Resort is a great destination for those looking to tend to their health and wellness. The resort’s three hotels are fed de-stressing thermal waters from a gorge and share access to both health and wellness spas, a golf course, a medical clinic, and several pools and restaurants. Each hotel offers rooms for every budget and has its own style. Whether you desire a Mediterranean, traditional, or ultra-luxurious room, the Grand Resort has you covered. If you’re looking to take in the scenery with a relaxing road trip, Porsches and Harley Davidson motorcycles are provided to guests for free!
3. COMO Shambhala Estate, Bali, Indonesia
Set in a jungle river valley, the COMO Shambhala Estate affords guests both Ayurvedic and holistic treatments, complete with acupuncture, massage, and hydrotherapy. This place goes a long way toward showing the world that not all of the premier destination spas are found in Europe.
Upon first arriving at the estate, you meet with a doctor who will tailor treatments to you individual needs. You even get your very own personal assistant who makes sure you get the most out of your time at the COMO Shambhala. Another draw is the Glow restaurant. The open kitchen allows the curious among us to watch as their meals are prepared. Be sure to sample the delicious detoxifying juices.
The spa has nine treatment rooms and offers massage, acupuncture, reflexology, and more. There are yoga and pilates lessons, a climbing wall, and tennis courts as well.
4. Lake Austin Spa Resort, Texas, United States
Just 30 minutes from downtown Austin, the Lake Austin Spa Resort offers something no other North American spa can: a lakefront setting. The 40 guest rooms are side by side facing Lake Austin, and have their own patios, complete with chairs and a tables. Naturally, the lake is a huge part of the appeal of the resort, as patrons can kayak, paddle board, and hydro-bike. (All the necessary equipment is available at the resort’s dock.) There are also fitness and yoga classes aplenty, and both an indoor and outdoor pool. There are over 100 spa treatments here: various massages, facials, body treatments. Executive chef Stephane Beaucamp prepares fresh dishes with vegetables plucked from the resort’s garden that are both healthy and satisfying.
5. Yaan Wellness, Tulum, Mexico
Dr. Bobby Klein, one of the first people to practice acupuncture in the United States, designed Yaan Wellness with the hope of allowing visitors to reach higher states of awareness. Spirituality plays a big role Yaan, and Klein offers one-on-one counseling to strengthen your connection to your spiritual side. Massage, ancient Mayan healing techniques, and baths with herbs and flowers from the resort’s rooftop garden are just some of the key features found at Yaan. You can even practice yoga in the jungle canopy, with classes offered at all skill levels in the treetop yoga shala. The modern-yet-rustic design of the grounds gives a sense of timelessness, and you can choose between ocean-front rooms or the more affordable Bedouin tents. The resort is the perfect combination of modern spa treatments and traditional Mayan practices.
6. Kamalaya, Koh Samui, Thailand
It’d be hard not to relax after spending a few days among the lotus ponds, waterfalls, and scenic hillsides of Thailand. It’s no wonder then that Koh Samui was chosen as the location for Kamalaya, a holistic spa that helps visitors achieve emotional balance. One of the first things you’ll do at Kamalaya is meet with a life enhancement mentor who will see to it that your spiritual, emotional, and physical needs are properly tended to. There’s an assortment of treatment options, including massage therapy, acupuncture, yoga, meditation rooms, and more. With 15 different room categories to choose from, there is something to satisfy every taste and budget. Kamalaya strives to promote lifelong healthy eating habits andthey share several healthy cooking recipes on their website.
For relaxation, health, wellness, and spiritual enhancement, these spas are among the world’s best. Check them out for an unforgettable, and healthful, adventure. Be well!
