wellness retreats around the world

June 4th, 2009

Sometimes we require more to feel healthy than a 40-minute workout, especially one that was squeezed in after the office and before a cocktail.

These wellness retreats aim to give us what we need to feel like our best selves, whether it’s a boost or a true paradigm shift.  None of them are simply ‘spa packages.’ All are hosted by beautiful resorts, from Mexico to the Caribbean, France to Switzerland, and Bhutan to Bali.

Summertime Yoga Retreats – Rosewood Mayakobá, Mexico

Where: Fly to Cancún and drive 40 minutes down the Riviera Maya to the 1,700-acre enclave of Mayakobá.

When: Four long weekends this summer: June 18-21; July 16-29; August 20-24; September 27-30.

Details: Morning and evening yoga classes, led by TJ Jackson, who has also studied Ayurvedic medicine in India, in the Sense spa.  The spa is on its own private island within the resort.  Includes accommodation, daily breakfast, a spa treatment, a session in the Temazcal, a Neo-Vedic Astrology reading, and a tour of a mystic Mayan temple inside a cenote.

This One’s For You If: You want to deepen your practice, refresh your senses, and have plenty of time between downward dogs to sit by the pool.

Cost: Nightly rates are $650 for single occupancy and $850 for double occupancy.  Includes tax and service charges.

More details here, and call 888-ROSEWOOD to book

 

Stress Management Programs – COMO Shambhala Retreat, Parrot Cay, Turks & Caicos

Where: Fly to Providenciales in Turks & Caicos and boat over to the 1,000-acre private island of Parrot Cay.

When: Three, five, and seven-night programs, available whenever you are.

Details: A pre-arrival consultation and on-site guides tailor a program, using spa treatments, yoga, and other disciplines, to counteract all that stress has wrought: instability, fatigue and disrupted sleep cycles.  Consultation, treatments, and classes, as well as all meals and airport transfers are included.

This One’s For You If: You will give up control (just this once) to experts who will help pry the Blackberry away, slough off a few layers of stress, empty out your mind, rebuild balance, and make sure you’re sun-kissed on the flight home.

Cost: Rates start from $2,862 per package for single occupancy.  Includes tax and service charges.

More details here, and call 649 946 7788 to book

 

Six-Day Spa Program – La Réserve Ramatuelle, South of France

Where: A just-opened hotel in the Mediterranean hills, just outside of Saint-Tropez.

When: Six nights, anytime between now and November, when the hotel closes for the winter.

Details: The all-inclusive program includes a consultation with the on-site ‘spa doctor,’ a complete physical examination, and a personal nutritional plan.  While they do take a body mass index (yikes), this one’s also high on the pleasure index: guests receive a minimum of four spa treatments daily.  And no less a brand than La Mer supplies the products.

This One’s For You If: You want to be slathered in Crème de la Mer as your waist is whittled – this is how French women don’t get fat.

Cost: Price upon request.

More details here, and call +33 4 94 44 94 44 to book

 

Signature Experience – Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa, Switzerland

Where: A grande dame resort in the middle of the Bernese Alps of Switzerland.

When: Five nights, whenever you’re ready.

Details: The Signature Experience helps you take full advantage of the 60,000-square foot wellness wing, which includes just about anything you can dream up – light therapy saunas, a loveable Tai Chi master, an outdoor saltwater Jacuzzi.  The program includes ESPA treatments galore, such as a two-hour joint-release massage and an advanced firming facial, as well as daily breakfast, daily dinner at the renowned restaurants (with spa menus, naturally), and accommodations in the modern, meditative spa suites.

This One’s For You If: You find mountains therapeutic and want to see what Old School hospitality is really about – this hotel defines it.  You’d also like the option of staying in a bathrobe for five days straight.

Cost: 3575 CHF (about $3,340) for single occupancy, and 7150 CHF (about $6,675) for double occupancy (rates based on the Junior Bel Air Suite).  Includes VAT taxes.

More details here, and call +41 33 828 28 28 to book

 

On Top of the World Yoga Retreat with Judy Krupp – Uma Paro, Bhutan

Where: A luxe hotel in Paro Valley in the happiness-obsessed, Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan.

When: July 12-18 (six nights).

Details: Led by Judy Krupp, who founded The Yoga Room in Sydney, Australia, there will be 21 hours of instruction, with active asana in the mornings and restorative poses, pranayama, and meditation in the afternoon.  Includes accommodation, daily breakfast and lunch, welcome and farewell dinners, cultural excursions (including Tiger’s Nest monastery), a 90-minute traditional Bhutanese hot stone bath and massage, and round-trip airport transfers.  Uma Paro can take care of visas and travel details for you.

This One’s For You If: You want to explore the Himalayas as well as your own inner landscape.  Or you want to quit smoking – cigarettes are verboten in Bhutan.

Cost: Program rates start at $4,668 for single occupancy and $7,056 for double occupancy.  Includes tax and service charges.

More details here, and call 975 8 271597 to book

 

 

Insight Yoga Retreat – COMO Shambhala Estate, Bali

Where: A sublimely beautiful, holistic retreat in the hills outside of Ubud (and an hour’s drive from Denpasar, Bali’s international airport).

When: December 10-16 (six nights).

Details: Led by California-based Sarah Powers, who has taught yoga for over 20 years, guests will have five hours of yoga instruction in the Yin and Yang practices per day.  Includes accommodation, daily breakfast and brunch on yoga days (December 11-15), welcome and farewell dinners, the services of a personal assistant, and return airport transfer.

This One’s For You If: You don’t want to sound like a cliché, but Eat, Pray, Love really did strike a chord with you.

Cost: Program rates start at $3,515 for single occupancy.  Includes tax and service charges.

**The COMO Shambhala Estate offers the option of staying at nearby Uma Ubud (single occupancy starting at $3,135, car transfers included) and participating in the retreat as a non-resident ($1,210 daily yoga classes only).

More details here, and call 62 361 978 888 to book

 

The Peninsula Spa by ESPA, New York

Where: A wellness aerie at the top of The Peninsula New York (just off Fifth Avenue, a few blocks down from Central Park).

When: How about today?

Details: The new ESPA spa offers weekday specials, which include treatments as well as full use of the exercise facilities, pool, sun terrace, sauna, steam room, and Asian Tea Lounge.  The “Weekday Spa Experience” includes a 60-minute intensive facial, a 60-minute holistic massage, and a spa lunch; the “Weekday Spa Ceremony” is simply two hours of deep tissue massaging.  Where else in New York can you get a facial after you swim, sun, and steam in 24-karat gold? Just bring your newspaper and bikini.

This One’s For You If: You can’t fathom taking a real vacation, but can justify playing hooky for the sake of your well-being.

Cost: The “Experience” is $420 and the “Ceremony” is $400.

More details here, and call 212 903 3910 to book

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