What do you look for in a retreat? The list of requirements from Red‘s team of writers felt exhaustive. Was it solitude? A complete medical MOT? Bathing in water so cold you couldn’t feel your toes?
We heard them all. And so, we set out to find the very best wellness breaks. We sent our writers all over the globe – from Hampshire to Thailand – in search of them. They varied wildly in nature, but the common denominator was clear: each one of our reviewers came out with a renewed sense of self. They felt physically, mentally and spiritually nurtured.
And now we present them to you. Here, the best wellness retreats for a mind, body and soul reset. We hope you love them as much as we did.
Red‘s guide to the best wellness retreats 2024
What to expect: Your pleasingly simple agenda reads something like this: a guided group swim in water so crystalline you can see your toes, a Bamford deep tissue massage with sound healing and an intimate yoga session to seal the deal on day two. After talking you through some cold water dos and don’ts, Carbis’ in-house swim coach, Sarah Walsh, guides you through every freezing moment and breath, and shares your exhilaration over tea and cake afterwards. Slow and stretchy yoga is taught beside floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views of the bay and even the sauna room has pretty portholes to gaze through. A full body massage leaves no muscle unkneaded and is finished off with a cup of herbal tea in front of a roaring fire.
Where it happens: This stylish, family-run hotel has sat proudly on Cornwall’s Atlantic coast since 1894. The beach is particularly beautiful, with its cashmere-soft and creamy white sand underfoot and a palette of cerulean blues ahead.
Who’s there: The crowd at the hotel feels easy and grown-up, with everyone you meet on good form and ready to enjoy some light alfresco wellness: think early-morning Tai Chi and gaggles of cold water swimmers.
What you’ll eat: Barbecued flat fish, smothered in chimichurri and flaking at the touch of a fork, from The Beach Club Restaurant, or find British classics with South Asian influence, including soy-spiked duck breast and fat king prawns served with airway-clearing wasabi, at Walter’s on The Beach, washed down with a kaffir lime leaf-infused Salcombe Gin cocktail.
Need to know: Bring your nearest and dearest and stay as a group in a Luxury Lodge; these have outdoor hot tubs, a back gate that’s 10 steps from the beach and a chirpy concierge arriving at 4pm daily with an aperitif and canapés.
When to go: Select weekends throughout the year. Red visited in April and felt every increment of the frigid 11 degrees, but the triumph afterwards felt all the sweeter.
What to pack: A swimsuit, warm clothes that are easy to slip on and off when chilly or damp and a Dryrobe if you have one, though the hotel provides a cosy gown if you don’t.
How Red felt: So emboldened by the dip, we did it again the very next day.” Phoebe Lee
Carbis Bay Coastal Wellbeing Retreat, from £495pp for two nights. Luxury Lodge from £840 a night.
What to expect: Whether you’re dipping a first toe into Ayurveda, fasting for five days or here for a three-week ‘cure’, this is the closest you’ll get to the real deal without a long-haul flight to India. Treatments are determined after a pulse diagnosis with resident physician Dr Vaidya Swami Nath Mishra and meals are so finely tuned that the kitchen sends out multiple dishes at every sitting. It’s this highly individualised approach that sets Engel Ayupura apart, though the aim of every programme is ultimately the same: to bring your three doshas (Pitta, Kapha and Vata) into better balance for a healthier body and more joyful frame of mind. It’s authentic stuff; no cryotherapy or hyperbaric chambers here – and no heavy exercise, either. Treatments are built on ancient practices, from Shirodhara (the sleep-inducing pouring of oil on to the forehead to Churna Potali (stamping the body with a blend of hot herbs). In between, a pared-back itinerary of yoga, meditation and massages – time stands still.
Where it happens: A breathtakingly sleek boutique hotel on the edge of the Italian Dolomites, with seven storeys of floor-to-ceiling forest views, a panoramic sauna and infinity pool. (It’s actually the new wing – connected yet separate – of a hotel that’s been here since 1860, run by a family who are passionate about Ayurveda’s transformative power.)
Who’s there: The 15-room adult-only hotel serves mainly solo travellers and while there are sometimes couples (those who detox together…), we wouldn’t recommend bringing a plus-one unless they’re fully committed to detoxing with you. Introverts rejoice, a passing smile at dinner is as rowdy as it gets and some wear badges to show they’re on silent retreat, though there’s also a table earmarked for those who prefer company.
What you’ll eat: A buffet-style breakfast features three types of porridge with a plethora of nuts and seeds (plus bone broth for the brave), but beyond that, meals vary from guest to guest. Ayurvedic herb consommé and asparagus, nettle cream soup, aubergine parmigiana… food is mostly vegetarian, packed with colour and taste and designed to be easily digestible; portions are conservative rather than minuscule and you’re encouraged to ask for more if still hungry.
Need to know: Don’t be fooled by the air of calm. Even a massage can put you through your paces, thanks to your therapist’s laser-like precision for homing in on tender pressure points. While the process can feel challenging at times, it’s worth it for the air of Zen you’ll achieve by the end of your stay.
When to go: Explore the local hiking trails from spring through autumn or hunker down when it’s snowy out – the Dolomites wear every season beautifully.
What to pack: A smart/casual outfit for dinner is as smart as it gets, and comfort is key. Loose palazzo trousers, soft pyjamas and cosy knits are a suitcase must, plus swimwear and workout gear for meditation and gentle yoga.
How Red felt: Lighter, brighter and so much calmer.” Jodie Dunworth
Programmes start with the Approaching Ayurveda two-day programme, from around £550pp plus room rate. Rasayana five-day Fountain Of Youth starts from £1,185pp plus room rate. Double rooms from around £195pp a night. SkyAlps operates twice-weekly flights from London Gatwick to Bolzano, starting from around £156 each way (skyalps.com).
What to expect: Whether you book a bespoke programme with one of the resident coaches or sign up for the academies hosted over the season by a roster of former pros, such as one-time world number eight Karel Novacek or US Open semi-finalist Joachim Johansson, Verdura’s tennis offering is tailored to your exact ability. Technique is king, from baseline power to serve-and-volley precision, but you can also request match experience, too. And for aprés-court, head to the fabulous 4,000sq m Irene Forte spa for the detoxifying thermal pools and Be Forte sports massage.
Where it happens: Vast and elegant Verdura, on the southern coast of Sicily, just over an hour from Palermo, which boasts the number one golf course in Italy, alongside around 200 rooms and suites, plus 20 hillside villas. On more than 200 hectares, the resort is best traversed via grab-and-go bikes – the tennis club is a kilometre from the main building.
Who’s there: Expect an affluent, tennis-loving clientele who are here for leisure, alongside the more serious retreat attendees – Roger Federer and his family were rumoured to be staying in July. In the school holidays the resort runs academies in everything from basketball to soccer, and Thai boxing to triathlon training, making it an ideal destination for super-active families.
What you’ll eat: You can choose from four different offerings, including fresh seafood restaurant Amare and rustic Liolà, an old-school trattoria serving up arancini and crispy-based pizza. A sushi restaurant opened this summer and Zagara by the pool is Italian fine dining.
Need to know: Alongside the six tennis courts you’ll find padel – with its own instructor.
When to go: The Verdura Tennis Club is open March to November, so if you don’t manage to co-ordinate your visit with an academy, you can still book lessons privately or as part of a group. Tennis lessons run all summer, with eight academies with former pros. Academies with Paul Haarhuis, the Dutch former world number one doubles player and Novacek are slated for September and October, respectively.
What to pack: Your tennis kit, naturally, but the clay courts play havoc with white trainers, so leave your best pair at home. Don’t forget your showstopping swimwear, too, as Missoni has a beach club here with signature sunloungers and straw parasols.
How Red felt: Not exactly Wimbledon-ready, but definitely edging closer. A lesson with Novacek, who was calm, considered and extraordinarily precise, gave us tools to take home, and the in-house pros provided some healthy and fun competition. Free padel classes were another unexpected chance to fine-tune our racket skills and cycling everywhere gave us more excuses to indulge in the Sicilian cuisine. We count it as a win on and off the court.” Sarah Tomczak
Rooms from around £340pp a night on a B&B basis. Tennis lessons with in-house coaches, from around £80 an hour; academy with tennis pros, from around £145 an hour; three-day coaching scheme, from around £425.
What to expect: Rigorous detoxes have their time and place but what SHA does so well is kick-start a healthier way of living you can easily continue at home. The Rebalance & Energise programme aims to reset the body at a cellular level, by rebalancing digestion, energy levels and cognitive functions, but also has an emphasis on emotional wellbeing and an openness to adjust the plan according to your wants and needs. A meeting with your agenda planner and a raft of fact-finding tests come first, before a programme is devised to treat imbalances holding you back from living your happiest, healthiest life. Some of the alternative therapies feel especially brilliant for this, such as acupuncture with the knowledgeable and reassuring Miguel, who releases energy blockages causing ailments such as migraines or sluggish digestion.
Where it happens: This is a second site for the wellness clinic, which originates in Spain. Perched on the coast of the Riviera Maya, the building itself is a marvel. Designed by local architects and housing no less than 100 treatment rooms, this long, rippling structure (inspired by the shape of a DNA strand) has ocean views to one side and green fields of mangroves on the other.
Who’s there: Although popular with locals, expect to mingle with Americans who have the advantage of short-haul flights and Europeans who’ve tagged one of the shorter programmes on to the end of a Mexican holiday.
What you’ll eat: Food is a highlight; it’s colourful, interesting, varied and fresh. It’s also plant-based, save some organic and sustainable fish here and there, and if weight loss is a goal, calories will be limited, but you won’t be shamed for asking for a bigger portion. Don’t miss the complimentary cooking classes with the French-born and utterly charming chef Lixi.
Need to know: You might feel a tad hungry at times, or struggle with sugar withdrawal, but the treatments help to counteract any lows.
When to go: How hot do you like it? Red visited in early June, when temperatures hit an impressive 32°C; rainy season runs from late August to October (tropical monsoons aren’t a daily occurrence, but are a little more likely).
What to pack: A good book. There’s plenty of free time, but the cost of additional activities such as reformer Pilates and high-tech facials can soon add up.
How Red felt: We came away with a renewed spring in our step, and a surprisingly good recipe for vegan mayonnaise.” Jennifer George
SHA Wellness Clinic Mexico starts from around £4,560pp, inclusive of four-day Rebalance & Energise programme, SHA Nutrition plan and in-room accommodation in an Oceanfront Deluxe room.
What to expect: Fasting is the bedrock of the Lanserhof Concept, to encourage detoxification of the body in the name of gut health, longevity and stress resilience. Guests follow a customised version of a mainly plant-based diet, take Epsom salts daily to – ahem – clear out the digestive system and are instructed to chew, chew, chew each mouthful 30ish times. A dedicated physician monitors progress throughout your stay, working with an above-and-beyond expert team to deliver a tailor-made schedule of cutting-edge diagnostics in conjunction with traditional and holistic therapies: blood and urine tests, bioimpedance measurements and treatments that run the gamut from hypoxic training to hay wraps and reflexology.
Where it happens: This sanctuary is the newest outpost of the pioneering medi-spa group; a handsome, Christoph Ingenhoven-designed building with the biggest thatched roof in Europe, on a North Frisian island known as ‘the Hamptons of Germany’. Think 25 miles of beaches, marram grass-covered dunes and the reassuringly luxurious trimmings of a five-star spa.
Who’s there: The OG quiet luxury set, spanning all ages and agendas. Some seek relief for specific ailments, others are there for a cardio health check or a healing reset. Plenty come solo.
What you’ll eat: Not a lot, but you’ll be surprised by how easy it is to adapt. Should you go hardcore, as Red did, taking only broth and herbal tea for the first three days, you’ll find a plate of broccoli tastes shockingly good when you hit solids once more.
Need to know: There may be tears; just go with it, and consider cutting down on sugar/caffeine/alcohol before you go, to lessen the effects of withdrawal. Screen time is gently discouraged but there is wi-fi and a TV in your room.
When to go: Could there be anywhere better for a January health kick? Probably not. But there’s a reason Germans flock to Sylt in the summer; a cycle ride along the coastline, on one of the hotel’s e-bikes, is worth the trip alone.
What to pack: Again, not a lot. Robes and Birkenstocks (a nice touch, these are provided in lieu of slippers) are the unofficial dress code, and the vibe is discreetly chic rather than flashy (see the on-site boutique selling Bottega Veneta Sardine bags and Brunello Cucinelli cashmere).
How Red felt: Lighter, not just physically (colonics and broth will have that effect) but mentally. It’s a true privilege to spend a week listening and attending to your body’s needs. Laura Antonia Jordan
Seven-eight nights Lanserhof Cure Classic Plus, excluding accommodation, from around £2,445pp. Accommodation from around £635pp a night.
What to expect: At Soul & Surf, the affable team understand that surfing is a journey of mind and body, and aim to meet you wherever you are – beginner, dabbler or seasoned wave-rider – before propelling you further. Days start at 7am and end as late as you want them to; it’s a busy schedule, but there’s plenty of time between the water-based bustle to book in for a massage or grab a drink at the bar. Optional lessons on ocean literacy and blue health (the benefits of being on or near the water) take place in the afternoon, followed by outdoor yoga sessions and a communal meal on the terrace.
Where it happens: A farmhouse on Portugal’s wild Atlantic coast, a short drive from Praia da Arrifana, the beautiful cliff-backed beach where lessons take place. Rooms (or bell tents) are comfortable, unfussy and perfectly in keeping with a low-key and easy vibe.
Who’s there: An intergenerational group of the unpretentious kind. Some come with partners and friends, but if you’re flying solo you’ll find friendly faces – Red did.
What you’ll eat: They call it ‘sunshine food’ and it’s delicious, with dishes including carob banana bread and granola for breakfast, wooden boards of wood-fired pizza and gloriously colourful salads made using local produce.
Need to know: The cohort is split into ability levels and coaches are entirely unflappable (especially when you’re flapping), so beginners have nothing to worry about. Learning how to fall and get back up again is all part of the process, and on the mat, uninhibited yoga instructors Ines and Becca encourage you to tell discomfort from pain, and to know when to let up and when to push on. It’s a magical combination.
When to go: Retreats run year-round, though prime time for surfing here is from late September to April. Surfing newbie? Try June to August, when the water is warmer, the waves smaller and evenings feel balmier.
What to pack: Water-resistant sunscreen, mosquito repellent and a warm jacket for late-night round tables.
How Red felt: Fully connected, far less uncoordinated and wholly recharged.” Chloe Woodland
From around £465pp for an all-inclusive three-night retreat.
What to expect: If self-love sounds too Gen Z for words, consider Aleenta’s self-love retreat as a gentle gateway into becoming more mindful of your own needs, via meditation, breathwork, sound therapy and massage. Two wellness assessment forms, completed in advance of your trip, form the backbone of your programme by pinpointing the chakras that require most work. Findings are staggeringly accurate and inform everything from your morning juice to the oils used in your spa treatments. Stretches and breathwork are personalised to suit different bodies and lifestyles, too, and learnings are gentle: for some, letting go of the guilt around prioritising themselves over others can feel like a huge step; others come to realise that eating well and moving their bodies are ways to respect their mental and physical wellbeing.
Where it happens: A wellness-oriented five-star boutique hotel 25 minutes north of Phuket, extending out on to the picture-perfect Natai Beach.
Who’s there: Aleenta’s signature retreats can be tailored to suit groups and couples, but this programme was devised to promote the benefits of ‘positive solitude’.
What you’ll eat: Food is colourful, flavoursome and fresh, featuring seasonal ingredients from the island: spirulina from a local farm, hand-crafted organic tofu and Phuket pineapple. An extensive juice menu and daily kombucha are part of the wellness experience and while food is healthy, desserts (try the raw chocolate tart) aren’t a no-go.
Need to know: Travelling alone needn’t feel lonely. Staff know your name, and your schedule allows enough time to enjoy your own company but not so much that you feel adrift.
When to go: Retreats run all year but visiting out of season, between May and October, makes for a more intimate experience, with no competing for poolside daybeds (though there’s greater chance of rain and the water’s too choppy for sea swimming).
What to pack: Insect repellent (the hotel has its own, but we’d suggest something more potent) plus a cover-up outfit for a visit to a local temple and plenty of underwear; the humidity turns even a gentle promenade along the beach into a sweaty affair, so you’ll find yourself changing often.
How Red felt: Empowered – if a tad bruised by the optional Thai boxing lessons – and three years younger, as shown by body-composition analysis on arrival and exit.” Becci Vallis
Mind Balance & Self-Love retreat, from £363pp a night for three, five or seven nights in a Grand Deluxe Pool Villa.
What to expect: We could tell you, but the real magic of this four-day process lies in giving yourself over to be ‘held’ by a close-knit team of mind and body specialists who keep invisible tabs on every guest and refine your personalised programme as you go. Heckfield’s wellbeing curator, Emma, has developed a flexible itinerary based on a pre-retreat Zoom with in-house psychologist Amy (yes, you’re going to go deep) but your daily programme is revealed to you only the night before. You’ll have little inkling of the constant comms unfolding behind the scenes, either. All you’ll know is that you are always in the right place at the right time, even without a watch (phones are put away each morning), and the continuity of care means you don’t have to explain yourself to every therapist you meet. It takes a special skill to build an environment this healing, and while the treatments themselves (sauna rituals, naturopathy, kinesiology…) are best in class, it’s the planning, expertise and empathy that make this retreat feel like fast-tracked therapy.
Where it happens: A Georgian house hotel and standalone spa – The Bothy – so enveloping that anyone with the luck to visit is misty-eyed at the memory.
Who’s there: Typically women between the ages of 35 and 70 who’ve reached some kind of crossroads. Your group of four comes together at touchstone moments: a tea ceremony to start; sharing lunch to finish and communal downloading in-between.
What you’ll eat: A Bothy lunch of miso soup, beetroot dip and crackers sounds virtuous but tastes heavenly, and bread comes with a heft of Heckfield’s famously good butter. For the rest, you’re eating from the hotel menus of mostly locally grown produce, which is overseen by culinary director Skye Gyngell and is a huge draw for anyone staying here.
Need to know: Everyone working on the retreat has experienced Amy Steadman’s enormously powerful outdoor Positive Psychology session, so when they bring you in for a ‘family’ hug afterwards, they know exactly how you’re feeling.
When to go: Retreats run regularly and Heckfield is beautiful all-year-round.
What to pack: Stretchy clothes for gentle yoga, warm ones for outdoor rambling (though there are Hunter boots and jackets for all to use), swimwear for the pool and sauna, and something smartish, but not stiff, for dinner.
How Red felt: Transformed. Grateful. Blown away.” Alexandra Friend
Reconnect takes place from Sunday to Wednesday with a three-night stay, from £6,855 based on single occupancy. All meals and refreshments
are included.
What to expect: Having spent her childhood holidays in Ibiza, founder Lizi Taylor is passionate about the culture, energy and natural beauty of the White Isle and it shows. Los Retiros retreats – more holiday than bootcamp – showcase Taylor’s love of Spanish slow living as muchas the benefits of Pilates, with twice-daily sessions bookended by excursions, workshops and a heavy dose of downtime. There’s a guided hike to natural pools, a ceramics class with a local potter (Red came away with three slightly misshapen bowls) plus farming workshops and cooking classes using local organic produce.
Where it happens: In and around the comfort of a farm-turned-hotel named Aguamadera, with a focus on eco-tourism. The aesthetic is Insta-friendly, with a vibe that feels rustic but rich. Linen fabrics flutter over whitewashed walls, while cushioned nooks are perfect for whiling away the afternoons.
Who’s there: Retreats are currently female-only, to encourage women to reconnect with others but also with themselves. Expect high-fliers needing to clear brain fog, new mothers taking their first chunk of proper me-time and regulars on their second or third Los Retiros trips.
What you’ll eat: Produce from the gardens is entirely cooked over fire. The retreat is plant-based but the hotel kitchen is not, and Taylor isn’t strict about you flexing the rules, so we highly recommend a side of wood-fired mussels with your vegan supper.
Need to know: Taylor encourages a group connection, but while activities and mealtimes are spent together, you’re welcome to opt out or excuse yourself early.
When to go: Two retreats a year take place in April and October. Although the Balearic weather is never entirely predictable, this should mean sunny days (perfect for outdoor Pilates) and breezy evenings.
What to pack: An open mind, some workout gear, trainers for hiking and swimwear for a dip. If you’re taking part in the ceramics workshop, probably don’t wear white – that spinning terracotta clay takes no prisoners.
How Red felt: After four days that are more about resetting your mind than reshaping your body, we left Los Retiros feeling recalibrated on every level.” Jennifer George
Restore II Ibiza Retreat, from around £1,522pp, including accommodation.
This article originally appeared in the September 2024 issue of Red magazine.
