While wellness is a lifelong pursuit, August’s National Wellness Month offers a timely lens to explore how global destinations are redefining what well-being means today.
With the global wellness economy projected to reach $9 trillion by 2028 and wellness tourism already topping $900 billion in 2024, today’s travellers are seeking experiences that restore, reconnect, and inspire.
This isn’t just spa time—it’s soul time. From forest bathing and ancient healing rituals to architecture that calms the mind, these destinations invite deeper connection through nature, cultural immersion, and holistic rejuvenation.
Ananda in the Himalayas, India
Trend: Sleep Wellness & Mindfulness
A haven of stillness high in the Himalayan foothills, Ananda fuses ancient Indian wisdom with modern healing to restore emotional and physical balance. In today’s age of overstimulation, disrupted sleep, and chronic stress, Ananda leads the way with its pioneering Sleep Enhancement Programme—a personalised blend of Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and emotional healing. Guests are prescribed dosha-specific diets and therapies like Shirodhara, Abhyanga, and Yoga Nidra to calm the nervous system and boost immunity.
Mindfulness is equally integral here. The Dhyana Meditation Programme, rooted in classical Raja Yoga, helps guests shift from sensory overload to deeper inner stillness and expanded consciousness.
With over 15 targeted wellness programmes—from hormonal and menstrual health to active ageing and detox—Ananda offers something for every stage of life. Their new Diabetes Management Programme is a holistic game-changer for metabolic health. Now celebrating 25 years, Ananda remains a world-leading wellness retreat where healing meets heritage, and guests are guided gently back to themselves.
www.anandaspa.com
Hotel Belmar, Costa Rica
Trend: Forest Bathing & Regenerative Travel
Perched in the cloud-kissed forests of Monteverde, Hotel Belmar invites guests into nature’s quiet magic through its SAVIA Forest Immersion programme. From birdwatching at dawn to sensory night hikes, each guided experience is designed to soothe the nervous system, deepen breath, and awaken the senses.
This is more than eco-tourism—it’s regenerative hospitality. Hotel Belmar is carbon neutral, plastic-free, and powered by a biodigester system. Guests can sip herbal teas from the organic farm, soak in spring-fed ponds, or relax in rooms designed with natural textiles and forest-inspired interiors.
Here, wellness begins with Earth connection. Every detail—from composting to reforestation—echoes the belief that true well-being is rooted in how we care for our planet, our bodies, and our minds.
www.hotelbelmar.net
Naya Traveler
Trend: Indigenous Wellness & Intentional Unplugging
In a hyper-connected world, Naya Traveler invites a radical act of self-care: presence. Their bespoke journeys are intentionally designed to unplug from digital noise and reconnect with the sacred—be it through journaling in the Andes, meditating in a Moroccan riad, or stargazing under South American skies.
Each itinerary is shaped in partnership with local wellness specialists and healers, offering rituals like Navajo earth ceremonies, Peruvian cacao healing, or Moroccan hammams. These experiences are immersive, culturally respectful, and emotionally resonant.
For Naya, travel isn’t just movement—it’s medicine. Through storytelling, ritual, and reflection, guests return home not just refreshed, but realigned.
www.nayatraveler.com
Calabash Cove Resort and Spa, Saint Lucia
Trend: Blue Wellness & Plant-Based Cuisine
With just 26 rooms and panoramic views of the Caribbean, Calabash Cove is a hidden gem championing blue wellness—the healing power of water. Research shows that proximity to water lowers stress and boosts mood, and here, the sea is always within reach. Guests can swim, snorkel, kayak or simply float the day away.
At Ti Spa, sea-inspired treatments like the Caribbean Sea Salt Scrub are performed in open-air settings, letting ocean sounds deepen relaxation. Meanwhile, Windsong Restaurant serves a dedicated vegan and vegetarian menu using locally sourced ingredients and global inspiration.
This adults-only sanctuary blends sea, spa, and plant-based nourishment into an experience of pure coastal serenity.
www.calabashcove.com
Imperial Hotel, Kyoto (Opening Spring 2026)
Trend: Architectural Wellness & Heritage Design
Wellness begins with space—and Kyoto’s forthcoming Imperial Hotel proves it. Opening in the former Yasaka Kaikan Theatre, this restored cultural landmark blends seismic preservation with mindful interior design to offer an atmosphere of quiet reflection.
Designed by Tomoyuki Sakakida of the New Material Research Laboratory, interiors feature Tokoname terracotta tiles, light meant to evoke memory, and soundscapes inspired by the building’s theatrical roots. With just 55 rooms and immersive cultural programming, the hotel embodies the harmony between design, heritage, and introspection.
Here, wellness is architectural—a sensory experience of stillness, story, and space that fosters clarity and connection in the heart of Gion.
www.imperialhotel.co.jp/en/kyoto
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