The 6 Best Wellness Retreats for a Healthy Vacation

Caroline Morse Teel is the Managing Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Follow her on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline.

Caroline joined Boston-based SmarterTravel in 2011 after living in Ireland, London, and Manhattan. She's traveled to all seven continents, jumped out of planes, and bungeed off bridges in the pursuit of a good story. She loves exploring off-the-beaten path destinations, anything outdoorsy, and all things adventure.

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The best wellness retreats promise to restore the mind and body through exercise, healthy eating, and meditation. Whether you’re seeking a digital detox, a fitness-focused getaway, or a holistic healing experience, these retreats offer a haven for those yearning to reset and recharge.

Pack your bags, leave stress behind, and embark on a journey towards your best self at the world’s best wellness retreats.

Mountain Trek Health Reset Retreat, British Columbia, Canada

The Mountain Trek Health Reset Retreat combines a strenuous boot camp, a relaxing wellness retreat, and a pampering spa oasis into an unforgettable vacation. Set in British Columbia’s lush forest wilderness, a key part of the week-long program involves hiking in the surrounding nature for three or more hours daily.

In addition to the heart-pumping cardio hikes, participants can go on mind-calming forest bathing walks to help relax and reset their minds. The fitness journey continues in the kitchen, as you’ll be served meals designed to sustain your energy level and improve gut health.

The Mindful Journey, Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows, Arizona

Poolside bungalows at The Mindful Journey, Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows — Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows

Build your own wellness retreat at the Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows, one of the most luxurious resorts in Arizona. Guests participating in The Mindful Journey, a self-guided, three-day retreat, will customize their experience to suit their personal goals. Start by meeting with a spa concierge to design your itinerary, choosing from options focused on art, nature, fitness, or community.

The package includes access to the on-site spa, a reserved spa cabana, an experience guide, and daily gifts (like a light therapy device and plush robe).

The Ranch Hudson Valley, New York

The Ranch’s original location in Malibu, California, is famous for attracting celebrities seeking a healthier lifestyle. The fitness-focused resort is expanding to the East Coast in April 2024 with the opening of its Hudson Valley, New York location.

Guests are encouraged to follow a 30-day pre-arrival program before their stay, which will help prepare them for the intensive itinerary at The Ranch. The active daily schedules involve morning hikes, a nap, afternoon strength classes, and restorative yoga, but there’s plenty of pampering, including a daily massage.

The Ranch serves communal meals that are vegan, gluten-free, and without processed sugars or sweeteners to help you reset your diet to something more nourishing.

BodyHoliday, St. Lucia

Whether you want to get the whole family in on a wellness retreat or have your own solo vacation, there’s an option at BodyHoliday in St. Lucia. This all-inclusive resort has themed months, like September Solos or WellFit Tribes, with special activities, experiences, and celebrity guests.

No matter when you visit, your stay will include a daily one-hour therapeutic treatment, meditation, Tai Chi, and yoga classes, and all food and drink.

Sleep Well Retreat, Carillon Miami Wellness Resort, Florida

If your New Year’s resolution is to sleep better, sign up for Carillon’s Sleep Well Retreat, designed to reset your circadian rhythm. The 4-night program includes accommodation in a one-bedroom apartment outfitted with a Bryte Balance Smart Bed (which uses advanced technology to maximize sleep quality), a 50-minute Pro Sleep Body Treatment, a copy of Sleep for Success! Everything You Must Know About Sleep But Are Too Tired to Ask, access to a meditation pod, and more.

ReNew Retreat, Hilton Head Health, South Carolina

A vacation is a great cure for stress, but the calm effects don’t always linger for long once you touch down back home. What if you could walk away from your next trip better equipped to handle everyday struggles? That’s the premise behind Hilton Head Health’s ReNew Retreat, a holistic wellness experience designed to help you manage stress and make self-care part of your everyday life.

The retreat starts with a “life balance” assessment to set goals and design an itinerary for your stay. Fitness classes, a cooking demonstration, a custom massage, and healthy meals and snacks are also included in the program.

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