What makes these 6 spas the best wellness destinations in the world?
Worldwide Health & Wellness Destination of the Year is one of the highest accolades in the World Spa & Wellness Awards. The six amazing properties on the shortlist all impressed our judges with their innovative business models, outstanding service and dedication to improving the wellbeing of every guest. Here’s a little more about what makes them so special.
Clinique La Prairie Spa & Wellness Center, Clarens, Switzerland
Clinique La Prairie takes a holistic approach to medical wellbeing, using a combination of medical expertise, internationally trained therapists and traditional and alternative philosophies.
The spa and wellness centre aims to encourage guests to become architects of their own vitality through programmes built on its pillars of longevity: medical care, nutrition, movement and wellbeing, which work together to promote energy production and cellular growth.
Clinique La Prairie prides itself on its full state-of-the-art medical centre, with over 50 doctors of varied specialities, as well as a six-room medical aesthetics centre and two aesthetic doctors, with one specialising in aesthetics for men.
Clinique La Prairie has appeared in articles in Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire and Town and Country, and uses five different PR agencies across to market and advertise the wellness centre.
Como Shambhala, Como Shambhala Estate, Bali, Indonesia
Como Shambhala advocates proactive wellness, combining modern science with ancient healing. The estate aims to help individuals find a sense of peace through the continuous process of learning and rebalancing.
As a retreat for change, Como Shambhala provides a 360-degree experience tailored to individuals’ needs, offering lifestyle and healing programmes for mind, body and spirit.
Guests are encouraged to come alone, engaging at their own pace and on their own terms. Como Shambhala encourages a sense of community between single guests through activities and dining experiences that bring them together.
Como Shambhala continues to evolve by introducing new modalities; for example, Balinese Chakra Healing, for guests to enjoy new traditional healing, and cultural experiences. It has also introduced evening wellness talks on topics such as gut health and managing stress naturally.
Euphoria Spa, Euphoria Retreat, Sparta, Greece
At the heart of Euphoria Spa’s philosophy is the “Euphoria Methodos”, an approach built on the blending of ancient Hellenic and Chinese philosophies and practices and a belief that individuals have the ability to become their own healer.
Euphoria’s location is also fundamental to the healing process, incorporating the energy of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mystras, the Mediterranean mountains and the landscaped grounds, to create an environment of serenity.
The spa is built into the mountains, and has four levels, each representing a distinct passage in the transformational journey of the guest.
On leaving, guests receive support on how to incorporate what they have learnt into daily life. They are encouraged to see life as a transformation and joyous process.
Fivelements Retreat Bali, Indonesia
Fivelements Retreat Bali is inspired by the Balinese concept Panca Mahabhuta, representing the vedic five elements: ether, air, fire, water and earth. Each has its own character and celestial element, and together their internal and external forces attune to one’s authenticity and true potential.
The retreat is dedicated to what its founders call love in action, which is a vision of learning to love and respect life, and encourages guests to nurture harmony though spiritual practices, the environment, and one another. This creates a balanced way of living that is directly influenced by the Balinese people and their culture
Completed in 2019, a professional culinary training kitchen is an additional facility, expanding Fivelements’s Cuisine for Life retreats. The space hosts renowned plant-based chefs, programmes and encourages guests to continue Fivelements wellness principles at home.
Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa, Koh Samui, Thailand
The Kamalaya resort centres around a cave previously used for centuries by Buddhist monks as a meditative retreat, creating a healing energy that envelops the resort.
Kamalaya's approach to wellness draws from ancient Asian healing traditions such as traditional Chinese medicine and ayurveda, alongside holistic western approaches such as naturopathy and homeopathy and current medical research.
Guests can also address their emotional and mental wellbeing with the team of meditation and life enhancement mentors.
The original vision for Kamalaya blossomed from founders John and Karina Stewart’s lifelong curiosity and passion for wellness. John lived the life of a yogi monk in the Himalayas in India for 17 years and his wife Karina is a master of traditional Chinese medicine, who was brought up with Asian influences of meditation, yoga and natural healing.
Lefay Spa, Lefay Resort & Spa Lago di Garda, Lombardy, Italy
Lefay Spa has curated is own innovative wellness method that combines classic Chinese Medicine and Western scientific research.
Through its programmes, this method aims to restore complete psychophysical wellbeing, and tackles obstacles such as incorrect posture, excess weight, premature ageing, sleep disorders and body purification.
Each programme is created following an interview with a doctor, energy treatments, hydrotherapy, physical and rebalancing activities, personalised phytotherapy and spa treatments.
Lefay Spa also has a commitment to sustainability and the philosophy that personal wellness should never overlook environmental wellness. It has been certified as the first organic and ecological Spa in Italy by Ecocert.