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Wellness retreats are an easy way to enjoy a vacation while also taking the time to focus on your well-being. Whether it be a spa break, a yoga retreat, or a luxury wellness resort, a wellness retreat allows you to take a break from the daily grind to relax and rejuvenate through travel.
While Swiss spas, Himalayan yoga classes, and Caribbean beaches may spring to mind when you hear the words “wellness vacation,” there are plenty of wellness retreats to take right here in the U.S. While a number of the best wellness resorts in the U.S. are in California and Arizona, you can visit wellness resorts in many different states, too.
Here are some of the best wellness retreats around the U.S., whether you’re in the market for a fitness detox, a rejuvenating spa weekend, or a relaxing adventure amid beautiful natural landscapes.
Some wellness resorts are all-inclusive, while some offer onsite credits for activities, spa treatments, and more. Others are priced à la carte or by the person. Make sure to take all of these factors into consideration when booking your wellness retreat in order to understand what’s included. This way, you can better estimate what the final cost will be. In the end, the most affordable option may be an all-inclusive option or a resort that offers spa and activity credits, as these can end up being pricey additions.
It’s also important to note whether or not a resort is family-friendly or adults-only. Some wellness resorts are co-ed, and others might feature women-only wellness retreats on certain dates, so make sure to look into these factors ahead of time.
And while most of these retreats aren’t members of traditional points programs, you may be able to use points to book a few or reserve via Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts, which offers perks and resort credits. A few even have their very own loyalty programs. When paying, make sure to use a credit card that offers bonus points on travel, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
Hot Tip:New to wellness retreats? Read our complete guide to wellness retreats for an introduction and see why wellness travel is trending right now.
Arizona’s vast desert landscapes make for the ideal background for a serene and peaceful wellness vacation. Here are some of the best wellness vacations to take in Arizona.
Those looking for one of the best mountain wellness retreats in the U.S. should head to Castle Hot Springs, located about an hour north of Phoenix in the Bradshaw Mountains. Castle Hot Springs is the ideal place to kick back and listen to the murmur of the flowing water or take a dip in the hot springs, a calming oasis ensconced by desert rock. The hot springs hold special mood-boosting minerals that help relax your mind and ease muscle and body aches.
Stay in the private bungalows and cabins, complete with amenities such as outdoor bathtubs and verandas with views. And for those looking to learn about harvesting crops, sniff blooming flowers, or understand more about composting, the wellness resort curates these types of experiences on the 3-acre on-site farm that can aid in stimulating your senses.
Exhausted points and miles junkies will be happy to know that relaxation doesn’t have to come at a high price. Those with a stash of World of Hyatt points can stay at Miraval Arizona, one of a few U.S. Miraval locations (others include Miraval Berkshires and Miraval Austin) where guests can soak in the peace of the stunning Sonoran Desert.
Located just north of Tucson, Miraval can be enjoyed year-round, both during summer’s heat and winter’s crisp rays of sunshine. With unique activities such as equine therapy, spiritual drumming, beekeeping, and courses on crystals, guests can stay active. Or, they can relax with treatments such as a Desert Sage Body Polish or a Sacred Sounds massage at the resort’s Life in Balance Spa.
Hot Tip:Want to earn World of Hyatt points for a dream wellness stay at Miraval? Although you can earn Hyatt points using The World of Hyatt Credit Card, one of the best ways to earn points that can transfer to the World of Hyatt program is with a credit card such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve card. And if your dream wellness resort isn’t part of a points program, you can still earn 3x Chase Ultimate Rewards points for travel purchases that you can later transfer to Hyatt or Chase’s travel partners. Miraval also has its own loyalty program — Authentic Circle — if you happen to be a frequent visitor.
Guests at Canyon Ranch work with a wellness guide to create a self-chosen journey down whatever path provides the most healing, relaxation, and benefits for them, all to the tune of sunshine and cactus at the foot of Tucson’s Santa Catalina Mountains.
Choose the activities and treatments right for you, such as rock climbing, crystal sound activation, intuitive archery, or Reiki. You can also decide between deluxe rooms and freestanding villas, depending on your travel style and group size. Canyon Ranch’s dining options are also sourced from local farms, including organic, unprocessed whole foods, grass-fed beef, and sustainably-caught seafood.
If you want to give Canyon Ranch a try, but Arizona isn’t quite the right fit, the brand has other locations in Massachusetts, Las Vegas, and California, and will soon open a location in Austin, Texas.
Massive redwoods, inviting vineyards, and miles upon miles of beachy shoreline — California has it all. A destination with so much immersive nature and year-round pleasant weather, it’s the ideal spot for a wellness vacation. Here are some of the best wellness retreats in California.
Part of the Auberge Resorts Collection, this Napa Valley retreat welcomes the whole family. Choose from curated packages like the 4-day Detox and Retox, couples-oriented stays that offer private evening spa time, wine-tasting, and wellness classes, and the 6-day Ultimate Summer Vacation, which includes family-friendly activities such as olive-oil tastings, picnics, pizza-making workshops, painting workshops, hikes, and spa time. Basically, this retreat encompasses the beauty of its natural surroundings with activities that people love to do (who doesn’t want to make their own pizza or have a picnic?).
Solage Resort and Spa‘s idyllic, mountain, arboreous, and vineyard surroundings will instantly put you at ease. Meanwhile, installations such as an inviting pool, fire pits, bocce ball courts, and craft wine bar make for the ultimate break, especially for those that don’t want just a spa and yoga wellness experience.
Was your New Year’s resolution to be healthier? If you’re in the market for a fitness-forward, plant-based culinary escape, The Ranch Malibu, set on a 200-acre property in the Santa Monica Mountains, offers retreats of 6 nights or more that provide a chance to improve well-being through cuisine, exercise, and outdoor activities. The itinerary is rigid, including hiking, fitness classes, and 5:30 a.m. wakeups, but don’t worry — naptime and free time are built into the schedule, too.
Stay in one of 21 charming cottages, wander the organic garden, or test out treatments such as cryotherapy or cholesterol testings at this health-based retreat. Note that this particular retreat is for those that need a real break from the outer world — there aren’t any TVs or cell phone service, and Wi-Fi is limited to offer guests the ultimate digital detox reset. Note that there are other locations — The Ranch Italy at Palazzo Fiuggi, The Ranch Vail at The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch (a pop-up location), and The Ranch Hudson Valley (coming in 2024).
Golden Door offers the ultimate wellness escape, featuring 80 different wellness classes, 30 miles of nearby hiking trails, and farm-to-table cuisine. For anyone looking for the best women’s retreats and the best men’s retreats, the booking calendar is separated into 3 sections: men’s weeks, women’s weeks, and co-ed weeks, so you can thoughtfully curate your stay. Although this luxury spa retreat inspires a particular style of Asian zen, it’s actually located stateside, between Los Angeles and San Diego, sprawled over a 600-acre estate featuring hills, citrus groves, meadows, and trails.
Guests can indulge in daily massage treatments, learn fencing, or exercise with water tabata and warrior flow yoga — there are plenty of fitness options to fit any retreat-goers needs. And rooms all come with patios, many of which overlook Japanese gardens or koi ponds.
This particular getaway deems itself a “European-style spa and wellness retreat,” and we’re inclined to agree. Guests will feel as if they’re holidaying in the south of France, thanks to the property’s manicured gardens dotted with statues and dribbling fountains as well as its lavender fields, vineyards, and chateaux-inspired architecture.
Cal-a-Vie Health Spa focuses on the 5 pillars of health and wellness: fitness, mind-body connection, nutrition, relaxation, and reflection. Curate your stay (3, 4, or 7 nights) to include spa treatments, nutrition, exercise, mindfulness, and beyond, thanks to daily activities that include things such as star-gazing, yoga, meal-planning, tennis, golf, wine tasting, and more.
North Carolina and South Carolina have it all: mountains, coastal beaches, forests, and national parks. These states are also popular for wellness travel, featuring coveted destinations like Hilton Head, the Outer Banks, and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Here are some of the best wellness retreats in North Carolina and South Carolina.
Spa lovers should head straight to the Omni Grove Park Inn, nestled atop Sunset Mountain. The subterranean spa boasts more than 20 different water features within its 43,000-square-foot facility, including contrast pools, saunas, steam rooms, waterfall pools, and inhalation rooms. Besides offering all the traditional massage, facial, and beauty treatments, the spa also has special therapeutic wellness pods. These offer an immersive relaxation experience complete with infrared heat, gemstone and vibrational therapy, aromatherapy, and more to induce healing.
Rooms and suites include Serta mattresses and custom duvets for maximum comfort and rest, as well as beautiful views of the Blue Ridge mountains. Golfers are also in luck here, as the property features a Donald Ross–designed golf course, too.
Hot Tip:Omni Grove is part of the Select Guest loyalty program which allows you to earn and redeem points for stays.
Skyterra Wellness Retreat is all about resetting your habits, diet, and lifestyle. The retreat offers more than 80 different types of classes, as well as spa time and nutrition assistance to not just have a wellness break, but revamp and better your lifestyle once you leave, too. With focuses on things such as stress management, mindfulness, fitness, recreation, weight loss, nutrition, and self-care, the retreat has a minimum stay of 1 week, so guests can really take advantage of building new habits.
A sample day here includes morning mindfulness and a healthy breakfast, followed by a fitness or yoga class. After a wholesome lunch, you may take a hike along the onsite waterfall or through the Pisgah Forest, or attend a therapy session. Evening fun includes things such as campfire chats, yoga nidra, line dancing, and community dinners.
Jump-start new fitness habits or renew your body and mind at Hilton Head Health, which has a variety of wellness programs and weight-loss programs. The onsite Indigo Spa offers treatments and services such as essential omega fresh berry massages, slimming rituals, and cardamom or amber-infused lymphatic drainage treatments.
Plenty of aerobic, yoga, and other fitness classes are offered each day, and room options range from modern and comfortable king rooms at the onsite Sweetgrass Inn to private villas, some of which have up to 3 bedrooms, ideal for groups of friends (note that this resort caters to adults 18 and up).
Upstate New York’s wooded and verdant landscapes in the Hudson Valley and the Catskills make a wellness retreat ideal in any season, whether it’s cozying up and journaling beside a peaceful fireplace in winter or exploring the great outdoors in summer. Here are some of the best wellness retreats in New York.
This all-inclusive health resort sits on more than 1,300 acres of nature in the Catskills. The YO1 Longevity & Health Resort offers programs such as restorative retreats, ayurvedic-inspired stays, and specific mental and physical health-focused programs that include pain management, diabetes management, and anxiety management. Guests interested in all methods of wellness and healing will find the right program for them, choosing between activities such as yoga sessions in 8 different styles of yoga and munching on healthy, vegetarian cuisine.
Guestrooms feature plush, pillowtop king beds with views of the pristine lake, which means retiring to sleep or relax is a peaceful escape. The YO1 spa is the spot to immerse yourself in nature and find healing, offering treatments such as acupuncture, mud therapy, and warm oil massages
For a quirky, vintage take on wellness, skip a Brooklyn day spa and instead head to The Barns at Troutbeck in New York’s Hudson Valley. This wellness resort is perfect for millennials that want to enjoy a little healing but also take a kitschy, upstate New York weekend away. Troutbeck itself is the resort; The Barns are the new, onsite barns that house minimalist-design fitness and yoga studios. Daily activities such as yoga and sound baths are offered in the barn, as are spa treatment rooms and saunas.
When it comes to accommodation, colorful rooms include funky details such as Frette linens and Bluetooth-enabled Tivoli audio radios. The grounds and beyond offer fishing, hiking, and rafting, and guests can also relax at the inviting pool (it gives off those quintessential upstate NY summer camp vibes) or utilize the tennis courts. During winter stays, guests can enjoy activities such as skiing in the nearby Mohawk and Catamount Mountains.
Hot Tip:Local to NYC? Consider joining The Barns for a year-round membership to this wellness resort.
Say aloha to a healthier and happier lifestyle after a stay at these top wellness resorts in Hawaii.
This Maui-based education and retreat center dates back to 1910, offering activities such as traditional yoga and meditation as well as more unique healing therapies such as metaphysical studies, horticulture, dance/movement therapies, and even bodywork and massages.
Lumeria Maui has 24 guestrooms that offer either garden, courtyard, or ocean views, and guests can either book private sessions or sign up for group classes based on a schedule, offering everything from soul journey mediations and ukelele lessons to clarity breathwork and crystal bowl meditations.
Spa treatments, as well as cuisine and classes (note that aforementioned ukelele), are inspired by the local land — think lomi lomi Hawaiian massages and crystal Reiki. Meanwhile, The Wooden Crate restaurant serves food from the onsite garden; guava, avocado, mango, and papaya are among the 200 different plant species grown on the property.
This adults-only wellness resort is located on the tranquil island of Lanai. With luminous, airy guestrooms and suites that feature the best of indoor/outdoor living — think peaceful garden views and calming fireplaces — guests can experience the best of Hawaiian living and Japanese-inspired wellness. Each of the spa’s treatment rooms is 1,000 square feet, complete with an infrared sauna, steam, indoor and outdoor shower, massage tables, plunge pools, lounge area, and private ofuro bathtub, making the spa experience private and luxurious, no matter which treatment you choose.
Guests can stay at the Sensei on a nightly basis or work with a sensei guide to create a retreat tailored to their exact needs, such as 5-night health programs and move, nourish, and rest itineraries. The hotel also caters to honeymooners or couples looking for a wellness-focused romantic retreat.
It’s true that California, Hawaii, and Arizona are ideal destinations for wellness retreats. Their year-round warm weather and unique landscapes make the wellness dream of relaxing in beautiful natural surroundings into a reality with a number of luxurious retreat offerings. Destinations like New York and the Carolinas are also popular destinations for wellness travel.
However, you aren’t limited to these particular states when it comes to wellness resorts. There are some other incredible wellness retreats located throughout all areas of the U.S. — here are some of the best.
Set amid a vast desert landscape of canyons and gorges, Amangiri is ideal for wellness travelers that want rejuvenation in the form of secluded wilderness. Guests can choose to stay in suites, villas, or tented pavilions, all of which are designed to blend in with the natural desert landscape (some even feature private pools). Artists, musicians, and writers may also glean creative inspiration by immersing themselves in this unique natural and mystical environment.
The 25,000-square-foot Aman Spa focuses on the healing traditions of the Navajo, including movement journeys such as yoga and hózhó beauty and wellness treatments inspired by the elements: water, earth, fire, and air.
But guests can also find healing by exploring the incredible surroundings. The resort arranges bespoke and curated outdoor experiences, such as canyoneering, helicopter, bike, boat, and horseback experiences throughout nearby locations such as the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, and Zion National Park.
Hot Tip:Amangiri is part of the American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts program, which offers benefits such as early check-in (when available), a room upgrade (when available), daily breakfast, a property credit, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a 4 p.m. guaranteed checkout.
This adults-only destination spa resort is a sanctuary for the senses set amid the tranquil Poconos. The Lodge at Woodloch offers distinct rooms and suites that feature amenities such as rosemary mint bath amenities (the spa experience starts in your guestroom!), robes and slippers, marble showers, and views that overlook the resort’s private lake or garden waterfall. Guests can also use complimentary walking sticks and umbrellas to explore the resort’s 500+ forested acres.
For the ultimate rejuvenation, head to the spa, which boasts unique features such as a snow room, a Tyrolean bucket shower, a Himalayan salt sauna, and float therapies, as well as a number of treatments, including the resort’s specialty, Rosemary Awakening. This is a luxurious body wrap and massage that uses the healing properties of rosemary, mint, shea butter, and lemongrass. And for anyone looking for a truly farm-to-table culinary experience, the resort features its own vegetable garden, orchard, composting operation, mushroom logs, high tunnels, and apiary.
Hot Tip:If you’re reading Upgraded Points, you’re probably a big fan of loyalty programs. The Lodge at Woodloch has its own loyalty program, Lodge Moments, where guests can earn loyalty credits towards incidentals and discounts. Make sure to sign up when booking.
You don’t have to hit the beach to enjoy water-inspired wellness. Lake Austin Spa Resort is an adults-only spa resort set on the peaceful shores of Lake Austin, just as its name suggests. The Texas Hill Country wellness retreat features 40 bright and airy rooms, some of which feature hot tubs and others that have charming lake views.
Guests can enjoy daily hikes, boat rides, yoga, meditation, and fitness classes, cocktail and culinary workshops, lake activities, 2 outdoor pools and 1 indoor pool, relaxation areas, guest speakers and entertainment programs, and the LakeHouse Spa. Or, sign up for one of the resort’s wellness programs such as the Wellness on the Water Getaway, which focuses on water activities such as boat cruises and paddle clinics, complete with a complimentary water-resistant backpack.
For those that want a more opulent take on wellness, consider the Carillon Miami Wellness Resort. It has some seriously luxe and innovative amenities such as Michelin-star restaurants, ocean-view rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, prism light pods, vitality tubs, mediation pods, cryotherapy, and vibroacoustic, electromagnetic, and infrared sound healing. For a more traditional wellness experience, opt for fitness and yoga classes or classic massage and facial treatments.
The center makes it easy for you to create your very own personalized wellness getaway. Start by selecting your main health concerns — things such as anti-aging, dehydration and hangover, hormonal imbalance, mental health, arthritis, trauma, weight loss, anxiety, and many others. The resort will then design a custom wellness program just for you.
Those in the market for a mental wellness retreat can search (and hopefully find) zen at the Crestone Mountain Zen Center, which offers guests accommodation in the form of yurts, tents, pine huts, cabins, and more traditional guestrooms in the San Luis Valley. The retreat center follows Buddhist philosophies and aims to offer a transformational space for inner awakening through stillness and nonduality.
The center organizes specific retreats you can join, some best for meditation beginners and others ideal for advanced practitioners. Looking to ease in? A typical beginner’s retreat has some aspects of a silent retreat but also includes chanting, a work period, walks, and a dharma talk over a 2- to 4-day period.
This award-winning destination spa retreat is located in the Wisconsin Dells amid an 80-acre pine forest. Sundara Inn & Spa offers modern suites and villas with amenities such as hot tubs, fireplaces, terraces, and woodland views. Check out the resort’s wellness calendar to see when the daily yoga, breathwork, and meditation classes are, as well as culinary and mixology workshops, guided hikes, boat cruises, and skincare demonstrations.
Besides the fitness center, pools, and spa, the resort features amenities such as a woodland retreat room, complete with rocking chairs that overlook the pine forest, a silent room, and a patio with 6 fire pits. And do note that 2 of the 3 outdoor pools are heated. This means you can even dip in on snowy days, which is ideal for anyone looking for a cozy winter wellness retreat.
Whether you’re seeking a women’s-only wellness retreat, a fitness-inspired summer getaway, or a family-friendly adventure that boosts everyone’s health, there’s a resort on this list for you, from the East Coast to the West Coast and everywhere in between.
When choosing a wellness retreat, it’s important to consider your travel style and needs, goals, budget, and group size. Factor in what you’re hoping to get out of the retreat, whether it be weight loss, mental clarity, a digital detox, spa relaxation, or otherwise.
But one thing is clear. You won’t regret taking the time to focus on your well-being and create a memorable travel experience by taking a wellness retreat.
The information regarding The World of Hyatt Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
People go on wellness retreats to relax and rejuvenate, focus on their well-being, and improve their mental and physical health. Some wellness retreats are spa-focused, others are for fitness, and some are for meditation —- there’s a wellness retreat for everyone out there.
Getting the most out of a wellness retreat often depends on your own personal goals and expectations. However, the more present you can be during your retreat, the more you’ll benefit from it. You may want to consider disconnecting from digital devices so you can fully immerse yourself in the wellness experience.
In most cases, a vacation is when you leave your home and travel elsewhere. A vacation can be a traditional hotel stay, hanging out at grandma’s house for a weekend, or visiting friends. In contrast, a retreat is when you travel to benefit your well-being or visit a special space that’s dedicated to helping you relax and rejuvenate.
It’s not required to tip at a yoga retreat. But, depending on your location and package, you may want to tip $10 to $20 per day. However, this isn’t mandatory; it’s optional.
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Lori is an intrepid traveler who loves creating itineraries that exude “luxe on a budget.” She’s written for CNN, NBC, The Infatuation, and more, and loves to muse about points-fueled trips to Sri Lanka, Sicily, and Myanmar.
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