Top 5 New Wellness Resorts

Traveling has a new focus these days. Gone are the booze-driven parties and lazy days by the beach that defined the Spring Break vibe.

Instead, we’re seeing a collective shift toward activity-packed trips. Enter the rise of wellness travel—a booming industry now worth $651 billion globally, according to the Global Wellness Institute.

Whether it’s detoxing, rejuvenating, relaxing, or a mix of all three, travelers everywhere are booking wellness-focused experiences.

Hotels are coming on board. Many have revamped their spas, introduced new treatments, launched group classes (ranging from core strengthening to cooking), and organized wellness retreats.

But simply expanding spa menus isn’t cutting it anymore. Modern travelers want seamless immersion into wellness from check-in to check-out.

To meet this demand, new hotels and resorts are being purposefully designed with wellness at their core, going as far as tailoring room designs, food offerings, and even locations to prioritize well-being.

These properties represent the future—a chance to disconnect from daily life and discover something transformational.

Not all wellness travel is the same, and neither are wellness resorts.

They range from intense fitness-focused retreats to tranquil escapes in nature, catering to various preferences, needs, and aesthetics.

Whether you want to hike through forests, lose a few pounds, boost your fitness routine, or simply enjoy a luxurious bath, there’s something for everyone.

We’ve explored the latest wellness hotels and resorts around the world to help you find those that are truly worth booking.

Best for Fitness Enthusiasts

SIRO One Za’abeel Dubai

Traveling often disrupts fitness routines, leaving us improvising with outdated hotel gyms, bodyweight exercises in cramped rooms, or outdoor runs in less-than-ideal conditions.

SIRO One Za’abeel Dubai—focused entirely on fitness and recovery—rescues travelers from these struggles.

This cutting-edge, ultra-modern hotel is the first of its kind from a new luxury brand (with future locations planned in Montenegro, Saudi Arabia, and Mexico).

The highlight at SIRO is its massive state-of-the-art gym, occupying nearly an entire floor. It’s a fitness paradise offering everything from personal trainers (many of whom are former professional athletes) to 50 weekly classes like HIIT, boxing, yoga, and Pilates.

If you’d rather work out in privacy, their Fitness Suites come equipped with treadmills, stationary bikes, free weights, and digital classes you can project on the wall.

Recovery is just as central here as exercise. The Recovery Lab is next-level, featuring saunas, steam rooms, cold plunges, physiotherapy, modular stretch massages, and advanced treatments like cryotherapy and red-light therapy.

Even your diet can be customized through consultations with the in-house dietitian, ensuring a cohesive wellness experience.

With luxury design and unmatched amenities, SIRO doesn’t just help you maintain your fitness goals—it elevates them, making it possible to improve your routine while traveling.

Best for Nature Lovers

The Ranch Hudson Valley

The Ranch Malibu has been an iconic destination for wellness since 2010, attracting guests like Michelle Obama and Oprah with its strict weeklong program of hiking, yoga, plant-based meals, and daily massages.

This year, the Ranch expanded outside California, opening its doors to a new location in the scenic Hudson Valley, just an hour from New York City.

Set in a beautifully renovated Gilded Age mansion at the foot of the Catskill Mountains, it offers an intimate setting for up to 25 guests at a time.

Communal meals of anti-inflammatory, plant-based dishes foster connections among participants.

The structured schedule remains: early stretches, group hikes (ranging from two to four hours), lunches, exercise classes, and daily massages.

While varying in length (three- or five-night stays), the program still encourages early mornings and commitment to activity.

Despite being slightly less intense than its Malibu counterpart, Hudson Valley excels at encouraging social interaction.

Guests often begin trips feeling hesitant about group dynamics but, by the end, leave with a profound sense of connection. The setting is pristine, and the camaraderie is as rejuvenating as the physical activities.

Best for Detoxing

SHA Mexico

Part luxury resort, part wellness clinic, SHA offers one of the most comprehensive wellness experiences in the world. Originally based in Spain, the SHA brand has extended its integrative approach to North America with a stunning new beachfront property near Cancún.

SHA tailors every visit to individual health goals. After intake tests measuring everything from body composition to cognitive function, experts design a program focused on diet, treatments, and therapies.

Their services range from anti-inflammatory meals (think mostly plant-based with some seafood) to advanced procedures like IV therapy, acupuncture, and physiotherapy.

The property’s design embraces an open-air concept, blending lush greenery with modern luxury.

Guests comfortably roam in robes between spa appointments and oceanfront relaxation.

Whether you’re aiming for stress relief, weight loss, or enhanced longevity, SHA provides a highly personalized and results-driven experience.

Wellness Travel for Every Preference

Wellness travel has become as customizable as it is essential. From a gym-focused escape in Dubai to serene hikes in Hudson Valley or a science-backed detox in Cancún, these resorts exemplify how wellness can be seamlessly integrated into travel.

Whether you’re looking to recharge, connect with nature, or reach peak fitness, there’s a wellness escape waiting to elevate your next trip.

Best for Old-world Charm

Hôtel Royal Evian

Perched on the banks of Lake Geneva at the base of the Alps, Hôtel Royal opened its doors in 1909 and quickly became a favorite getaway for European royalty, industry magnates, and renowned figures.

Known for the therapeutic properties of the waters in Évian-les-Bains—often prescribed for health and relaxation—it could be considered one of the earliest wellness resorts, merging health benefits with leisure.

Today, while Evian water is readily available in stores worldwide, Hôtel Royal holds on to its original appeal as a premier wellness destination.

Over the years, this five-star hotel has undergone extensive renovations that beautifully blend modern luxury with its historic charm.

From its grand rooms and impressive communal spaces to its cozy dining venues, Hôtel Royal exudes a timeless elegance that speaks to its heritage.

A key highlight is the state-of-the-art Evian spa, completely revamped in 2024, where guests can indulge in the unique experience of bathing in Evian water.

The spa features massive indoor and outdoor pools, a hydrotherapy circuit, heated pools, saunas, hammams, cold plunges, and even a "snow room" where frozen Evian flakes gently fall from the ceiling to provide a refreshing post-sauna experience.

The second floor is dedicated to treatment rooms offering a range of massages, facials, and other rejuvenating rituals—all while enjoying stunning views of Lake Geneva.

Set on a hillside overlooking the lake, Hôtel Royal is more than just a hotel—it offers a true resort experience.

The property is surrounded by hiking trails, and guests can partake in seasonal activities like golf or skiing.

However, the real draw remains its spa, one of the largest in any hotel, centered around its range of pools.

The spa takes inspiration from Europe’s bathing traditions while incorporating modern trends like contrast therapy with temperature-controlled spaces.

Whether you spend hours alternating between hot and cold in the pools or opt for a signature treatment like the exceptional three-hour Le Précieux ritual—which includes a private steam session, massage, facial, and luxurious bath—the experience is unforgettable.

Best for Day-trippers

Murrieta Hot Springs Resort

Bathing in healing waters has long been one of the most accessible and ancient forms of wellness, and Murrieta Hot Springs Resort in California showcases its enduring appeal.

The site’s geothermal hot springs, rich in minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium, were historically used by Native Americans for their therapeutic effects.

Since its inception in 1902 as a wellness retreat, Murrieta Hot Springs has drawn visitors seeking relaxation and relief from ailments like rheumatism.

After decades as a private Bible college closed to the public, the resort has once again opened its doors as a modern wellness destination.

The property, which blends rustic California architecture with Spanish-inspired design, retains its old-school charm while offering new amenities.

Alongside its 20+ natural mineral pools, visitors can now enjoy a revamped spa, a cutting-edge gym, a farm-to-table restaurant, and freshly renovated accommodations in the former college buildings.

The heart of the resort is the network of pools, varying in size and temperature, which continue to attract wellness seekers.

To modernize the experience, the resort has introduced innovative wellness programs like aqua yoga, in-water sound baths, guided plunges, and contrast circuits—all centered around water.

The newly designed spa includes an indoor hydrotherapy area with saunas and steam rooms, along with treatments like massages and scrubs aimed at enhancing water-based wellness.

Fitness enthusiasts can head to the large gym, where circuit-based HIIT workouts designed by trainer Brad Davidson are a highlight.

For easy recovery post-workout, cold plunges are conveniently located nearby—turning the experience into a comprehensive "wellness water park" suitable for people of all ages.

For those staying overnight, the accommodations—set in former Bible-college dorms or rustic cabin-like structures—carry a charming, no-frills vibe that complements the resort’s nostalgic aesthetic.

Overnight visitors gain almost round-the-clock access to the pools, a definite perk given that the resort’s main areas can become crowded during peak hours.

Day passes are also available, granting visitors access to the pools and several amenities, though some extras, like fitness classes, may require an additional fee.

This makes Murrieta Hot Springs Resort an excellent option for both overnight stays and quick trips for those seeking a rejuvenating day of wellness.

Source: esquire

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