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An earlier version of this article previously appeared on spas+beyond.
Ananda in the Himalayas, India
Up on a mountain top overlooking the sacred Ganges and Rishikesh, spending time in Ananda feels like coming home, albeit with a hint of Indian maharajah aristocracy. Nurturing staff, beautiful grounds and spectacular food keep you happy between Ayurvedic treatments, yoga classes and Vedanta discussions.
spas+beyond tip
Try their 6-night Yogic Detox retreat of one-on-one yoga, meditation, cleansing rituals, spa treatments, Vedanta classes and more.
Chiva-Som, Hua Hin, Thailand
Asia’s pioneer retreat, Chiva-Som still has what it takes; some of the best visiting wellness gurus, spa treatments, yoga, dishes that have you begging for the recipe and quality beachside downtime. Their revamped retreat menu includes The Art of Detox, Eternal Youth Retreat and Inner Peace.
spas+beyond tip
Try their 3/5/7/10/14-night Optimal Performance Retreat for intense fitness including kinesthetic assessment, hypoxic training and radial shock wave therapy.
Como Shambhala Estate, Bali, Indonesia
Spectacular villas provide the base for retreats that focus on cleansing, fitness, stress management and more. Wake up to the mists rising up from the river below, punctuate the day with healthy juices and cuisine, and add culture via a water temple purification, rice field trek or canang sari (Balinese offerings) lesson.
spas+beyond tip
Try their 3 to 8-night Oriental Medicine retreat which includes acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutritional therapy, Qi Gong and meditation.
Fivelements, Puri Ahimsa, Bali, Indonesia
Fivelements epitomises all things Balinese, from ingredients for their incredible Vegan raw living food cuisine and wellbeing treatments, to the architecture and materials and sacred arts activities. Don’t miss the spectacular Agni Hotra fire purification invoking blessings for health and happiness, or a yoga class in their spellbindingly majestic mandala.
spas+beyond tip
Try their 7-day 6-night Bliss Yoga Retreat which includes Bhakti yoga classes, sound healing, wellness rituals, talks and meditation plus a local orphanage visit.
Gaia Retreat, Byron Bay, Australia
Olivia Newton-John’s 25-acre retreat is renowned for its friendly staff, organic treatments, visiting healers, yoga instructors and hilltop location a glide away from Byron Bay. Spend time relaxing in Gaia Day Spa, refueling with spa cuisine and communing with nature and the spiritual world from Samira Lookout.
spas+beyond tip
Try the 3-day 2-night couples retreat love the One You’re With which includes meals and a bottle of bubbly, yoga, activities, treatment and more.
Gwinganna, Queensland, Australia
Gwinganna retreaters arrive and leave at the same time, communal socializing, exercise, eating and sharing, all part of the experience. Come for their early morning hikes and intuitive healers, all part of your retreat, whether Optimum Wellbeing, The Power of Connection or Optimal Qi.
spas+beyond tip
Try their 4-night ‘Triple S’ sleep, sugar, stress retreat, which helps to break the cycle of insomnia, stress and comfort food eating.
Kamalaya, Koh Samui, Thailand
A secret garden of a retreat, villas flank a stream as it winds down the hill to the pool and beach. Food, treatments and visiting gurus all jigsaw wellness learning into your stay, with morning yoga and healthy breakfasts, evening sunsets and tranquil dinners. Retreats span detox and weight control, yoga and de-stressing.
spas+beyond tip
Try the Relax & Renew retreat (3, 5, 7, 9 or 14 nights), which includes a wellness consultation and bio-impedance analysis, treatments, activities and meals.
Mesa Stila Resort, Java, Indonesia
Deep in the forests of Java, Mesa Stila’s old Javanese buildings are dotted around a coffee plantation estate, with plenty of luxury thrown in. The wellness journey begins with a labyrinth walk to set your intention and continues with hammam treatments, spa therapies, pool time and plenty of culture too.
spas+beyond tip
Try the 3-day 2-night Metamorphosis retreat by David Arenson ND, with themes including Heal your life, Freedom, Love yourself and Elevation.
The Farm at San Benito, Lipa, Philippines
Part destination spa, part medical facility, at The Farm start with a live blood analysis, then embark on days of colonics, yoga, spa time, pool lounging and meditation while being fed incredible raw cuisine. Check your blood again before you leave to see the difference.
spas+beyond tip
Try the 5-day 4-night Detox Cleanse, which includes meals and nutritional supps, consultations, colon hydrotherapy, treatments and more.
spas+beyond is Asia’s newest wellbeing platform filled with news and updates in the region’s wellness world and was created by two of Asia’s most in-the-know wellness writers.
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