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© This article was first published in Apr 2020 – World Travel Magazine.

Touring the Angkor temples incurs a lot of walking and climbing, and you will be glad to have a traditional Khmer massage beforehand. Good for loosening the muscles, it was used to reinvigorate monks after prolonged periods of meditation. Akin to traditional Thai massage (oil-free) but with longer, smoother strokes and less stretching, this massage forms a component in the third path to enlightenment, focusing on energy healing.

PhumBaitang (zannierhotels.com) is one of Siem Reap’s most celebrated boutique resorts with an equally impressive spa menu. Designed in the essence of Angkor Wat, the aptly named Spa Temple pays homage to the body, mind and soul.

“There is only one truly sacred personal temple in this universe, the body. It houses your mind, spirit and intelligence …”, the spa declares in its extensive menu. Equipped with a sauna and hammam, it proffers a good number of ancient Khmer treatments, such as the Angkor Temples Ritual for tired limbs. It is curated from a traditional healing ritual for rice farmers where hand-crushed spice would be applied on their legs after a long day of standing in the water tending to the paddy fields.

There are a slew of holistic therapies from around Asia, from the Tibetan KuNye massage to Tantra and Taoism massage for lower back pain and martial arts fitness sessions called wing chun which helps develop focus and confidence.

When overworked muscles take their toll, it’s time to summon some shamanic help. For centuries, the Hmong hill people have sought healing from their shamans who use warm herbal compress to ease muscle tension, stimulate blood circulation and help in detoxification. Thankfully, the ancient ritual is available at SoSpa by Sofitel Angkor (sofitel-angkor-phokeethra.com). Its therapists trained in this ancient wisdom would steam the herbal poultice filled with eucalyptus, cinnamon, yanang, ginger and Borneo camphor (up to an optimum temperature to extract the benefits from the herbs) and apply it on targeted areas of the body.

This treatment is suited for today’s urban warriors who require pre/post workout conditioning or those seeking relief from jet lag, mental and physical fatigue, muscle soreness and low energy.

When feeling positively uplifted from doing good, there is no shortage of philanthropic opportunities in Siem Reap. Among them is Shinta Mani Angkor (shintamani.com), which offers massage treatments by blind therapists.

“Shinta Mani Spa by Khmer Tonics works with blind villagers in the local community, training them to international standards to become qualified massage therapists”, says general manager Kenan Moumin. “For each massage by a blind therapist, we will donate 50 per cent of the proceeds of the treatment to the therapist to help them provide for their families.”

Currently, two blind male therapists trained in Shinta Mani’s signature oil massage offer traditional Khmer and foot massages. Prices range from US$35 to US$60, plus applicable government tax and service charge.

Need a quick energising boost that’s also mind-calming? The traditional J’Pong herbal steam therapy, used to clear the airway and boost blood circulation, is especially suited for those with sinusitis. Angkoria spa at Borei Angkor (boreiangkor.com) is famed for this stress-relieving and rejuvenating herbal steam infused with a blend of natural herbs. For added revitalisation, spend some time at the hot and cold jacuzzi room.

Meanwhile, Amansara (aman.com) has dedicated its signature spa therapy to women. Aman Spa’s Apsara ritual begins with a full-body scrub which features a hydrating and exfoliating blend of local herbs, followed by an energising aromatherapy clay wrap, traditional Khmer mask for toning and rice compress to relax the stomach, culminating in a mini facial. Each spa suite is lavished with a relaxation area, private steam bath and shower.

Its holistic therapies take mindfulness outdoors as much as possible in such sessions as forest bathing while one of Angkor’s master monks leads a walking meditation in the forest to reduce stress and enhance mindfulness amidst nature and the environment to seek serenity.

There is also a movement studio offering activities inspired by Khmer culture, with Apsara dance classes to aerial yoga and kickboxing.

The elegant resort reflects the masterpiece of 1960s New Khmer architecture commissioned by the late King Norodom Sihanouk for his guests.

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© This article was first published in Dec-Jan 2020 edition of World Travel Magazine.

In Amanemu, April springs into new versions of bathing—one of which involves less water and more oxygen. This is forest bathing, Shinrin-yoku, a practical concept where crowds meander through dense forests and soak in the natural light and the freshly brewed air exhaled by the trees. The journey begins at Kumano Kodo, starring five pilgrimage routes that meet at the centre of the Kii Mountains. The four-night retreat is then capped off with another Japanese tradition, a dip into the mineral hot springs. Water becomes the highlight in the 2000 square metre spa where the body submerges into an explosion of calmness, appropriately, in Aman’s first hot spring resort.

During summer this year, Amantaka in Laos and Amanoi in Vietnam presents a six-night Keksel Retreat, kek, meaning, obstacles; and sel, purification. Led by Tibetan Bon Buddhist Monk Geshe Chapur Rinpoche, this wellness journey promises spiritual harmony, starting with an hour-long calming, breathing exercises at sunrise, a 90-minute grounding massage, two daily 90-minute training sessions and meditative chanting in the evening. This retreat may very well havea lifelong positive impact on one’s emotional and mental wellbeing.

The white-sand secluded beach of Amanpuri in Phuket takes centre stage to a heart-pumping cadence of fitness in nature all year round. Alfresco yoga is an immersion into breaking usual stances and getting into revelatory stretches. Aqua aerobics sound more fun, especially when it involves a refreshing dip into the pool.

A wonder of many faces, the decadent moon becomes the wellness guide at Amanera’s Healing Through Lunar Forces. Local therapists knowledgeable of the age-old Taíno wisdom leads the curious to a silent marriage with nature. In the morning, stir awake into the beauty of sunrise yoga; in the mid-day, explore the diverse backdrop of the Dominican Republic through boat trips and jungle hikes. Lured by the lunar cycle, the three-to-five-night program pays tribute to the metamorphosis of the moon, from the energetic waxing moon to the enlightening full moon.If one achieves an epiphany, perhaps, even for just a few moments, gravity will cease to have its spell. www.aman.com

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© This article was first published online in Jan 2020 – World Travel Magazine.

Prescribing Nature ‘put down the Prozac and pick up your walking shoes’

It’s incredible how the body responds to seven days of rigorous hikes, no coffee or alcohol, plant-based vegan cuisine and daily nourishing yoga and massages. Aro-ha in New Zealand is a stunning sustainable health retreat that covers all bases when it comes to current wellness trends including digital detox, slow travel and ‘nature as your prescription’. In my opinion, Aro-ha is the gold standard of a nature-centric vacation –  results were so good that I’ve checked in here twice for a much-needed reset. Another favourite is Australia’s Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat where you stay in eco-cabins in the bush and surrender to several days of daily hikes, spa, workshops and pesticide-free organic food, no coffee and alcohol. Groups are big here so the atmosphere can feel very lively (social interaction is now regarded as one of the key contributors to longevity); that said, there’s plenty of space for downtime and the healing sessions I did here were profound. With limited wifi and so much incredible nature at both of these destinations, the last thing you’ll like doing is checking your emails. Pollution (indoor and outdoor) is now recognised as one of the top killers in the world – taking regular lung-cleansing holiday is one of the best things you can do for your health.

Wellness Takes on Over-tourism ‘choose a destination where sustainability is at the heart of your experience’

Excessive growth of visitors not only destroys the environment, damaging beaches and infrastructure, but can also negatively impact the lives of the local people. Choosing to stay at resorts and hotels that protect the local environment, people, culture and have a strong sustainability program in place, is really the only way forward now. Make sure you put Shinta Mani Wild Cambodia on your radar for an adventurous conscious getaway that will also improve your mental and emotional wellbeing. Hotel designer Bill Bensley actually identified the 800 acres of unprotected forest and it was purchased to save it from logging, mining and poaching, It feels so magical to sleep in luxury tents surrounded by wilderness. The Indiana Jones safari-inspired vibe during the day including zip line, jungle jeep exploring, river cruises and more. Feast on locally foraged food and reconnect with nature through educational adventures led by the resident Botanist or join Wildlife Alliance rangers on anti-poaching patrol missions.

Extreme Bathing ‘an antidote to our modern lives’

While the use of hot and cold bathing is as old as spa itself, ‘extreme bathing’ is a fast growing trend around the globe and with good reason. For a day retreat, I highly recommend the new ‘Fire and Ice Ritual’ at Peninsula Hot Springs in Melbourne Australia where you journey between hot saunas, sub-zero Ice caves, a deep Freeze Chamber, cold plunge pools and geothermal hot springs. ‘The combination of extreme heat and extreme cold help ‘reset’ the body back to homeostasis,’ says Charles David, co-founder of Peninsula Hot Springs. ‘Extreme bathing increases circulation and brings the mind and body to a heightened sense of being present and alive.’

Another recommendation is The Istana Bali opening in October that will be one of the first dedicated ‘extreme bathing’ destinations in the world. The luxury cliffside retreat features whole body cryotherapy chambers, hyperbaric chambers, infrared saunas, sensory deprivation tanks, yoga, meditation and more. World-renowned Prof. Marc Cohen is also leading Extreme Bathing retreats around the world including Komune Resort Bali and Maruia Hot Springs New Zealand.

Wellness Sabbaticals ‘vacations to rediscover the truth in yourself’

One of the latest trends identified by the Global Wellness Institute is where more people are choosing to take month-long vacations to rediscover themselves, and purpose. One of the best in the world for a wellness sabbatical right now is VANA in India. This luxury five-star ashram retreat is positioned as a ‘refuge for all beings’ and recommended when you feel depleted and can no longer ignore that niggling feeling that you may be on the ‘wrong’ path in life. The minimum stay is five-nights and their highly-personalised programs consisting of traditional medicines, meditation, yoga and other proven Eastern medicine disciplines are centered around an ethos to teach one how to ‘live’ again. Give your being over to their expert team, shed layers, and be nurtured back to a state of inspired wholeness.

Nutrition Gets Very Personalised – the era of one-size fits all is well and truly over!

Bali is leading the way with this wellness trend and one of my favourites is Oneworld Ayurveda, a boutique retreat offering 7-28 day Panchkarma detox programs that are one of the most results-oriented cleanses you’ll ever try. All your meals, treatments and therapies are prescribed personally by the physician so no two programs are ever the same. The spa here is outstanding and unlike most Ayurvedic retreats, you receive not one but two incredible treatments here per day. You can also choose to do your Panchakarma in silence and meals can be taken on your verandah – it really is an amazing place to escape the world.

Revivo Resorts is another retreat in Bali offering year-round wellness programs in elegant surrounds. They recently introduced preventative genetic testing as an add-on to their retreats – you are sent the test prior to your arrival which analyses how your body metabolises carbs, fats, and protein as well as understands predispositions for weight-gain, caffeine sensitivity and lactose intolerance. A REVĪVŌ Wellness Coach then creates a tailored program with a nutrition and lifestyle plan specifically to you – delivering better results than your average retreat program would.

Another destination very much on trend is SANGHA Retreat by OCTAVE Institute. Situated in Suzhou, a beautiful area outside of Shanghai, the luxury lakeside retreat is rumoured to be a next-level wellness destination for mind, body – and consciousness. You receive a customised wellness program with prescribed meals based on evaluations by the team of physicians, physiotherapists and nutritionists. Plus they are delving deeper with a team of high-calibre advisors to guide you in spiritual growth and personal transformation. With a healing sound dome, the best in spa, hydrotherapy and fitness, as well as stunning minimalist accommodation, everything is geared to help you achieve optimal wellbeing.

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© This article was first published in Oct-Nov 2019 edition of World Travel Magazine.

Another great solo traveller favourite is Absolute Sanctuary on Koh Samui island. There, many females are attracted by the vast offering of Pilates reformer classes that will have you chiselled and toned by the end of your retreat. But there’s also great emphasis on self-reflection with daily meditations, supplemented with healthy food that uses natural and organic ingredients.
Just a short 30-minute car ride away is the luxe and uber popular Kamalaya. With a very hands-on approach, it guides its guests (males and females, but predominantly solo travellers) through its wellness programmes with regular consultations and catch-ups with a dedicated person such as the nutritionist, meditation teacher and so on. Choose from their vast array of programmes, including Detox, Stress & Burnout, Yoga, Emotional Balance, Ideal Weight, Optimal Fitness and Sleep Enhancement (which we highly recommend). Kamalaya founder, Karina Stewart, is now also offering timely group retreats. The next one will take place from August 24 to September 1.

And even though solo retreats have become hugely desired over the last decade, there’s also a new movement for group retreats, where attendees gather with like-minded people and overcome physical and mental hurdles together as a community. Retreat organizer, Chosen Experiences, has made it their focus point and main attraction to get retreat-goers out of their comfort zone (think cliff jumping and waterfall abseiling) which will enable them to experience breakthroughs in their personal lives too. Targeting type A personalities who are normally isolated in their management roles, these attendees find refuge in this group setting and are stimulated by great conversation and community spirit. Chosen Experiences runs regular week-long programmes in Bali, but also offers Living with Impact retreats around the world.
Over the last five years wellness has become such an intrinsic part of our daily lives, that our vacations have also become more demanding, in that we want to upkeep our daily workout routine and our healthy diets. And even though most of us would love to escape on a wellness retreat, chances are that we have family and work commitments that won’t allow us to simply get away from it all. But nonetheless, this shouldn’t keep us from experiencing wellness travel, as most hotels are now responding to our needs and are incorporating wellness within their normal hotel offerings. So you can still vacay with your family but also enjoy shorter wellness retreat tasters. Furthermore, hotels are also responding to special dietary requirements, so you can continue to enjoy your almond milk cappuccino, avocado toast and Impossible Burgers while on holiday.
Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas (which was also voted most Instagrammable hotel by numerous publications) offers wellness programmes even though it is predominantly a family hotel. Making it the perfect holiday spot for parents and kids, it offers something for everyone, activities above and below the sea, including a range of three-day Recovery and five-day Wellbeing programmes, as well as three- to seven-day Ayurvedic Retreats. Furthermore, Anantara Kihavah also boasts the Maldives only medi-spa, allowing beauty aficionados to be pampered in between dive and snorkel sessions. This place allows you to get away from your day-to-day chores without having to give up your favourite wellness and fitness activities.

But what good are all these retreats, if we return home to our hectic lives without actually being able to implement some of the tools or activities we’ve picked up during our getaway? Luckily, wellness is moving into cities with more and more centres offering integrated wellness. Fivelements for example, which pioneered spiritual wellness and plant-based living with Fivelements Retreat Bali on the island of the Gods, has now launched its first Fivelements Habitat in Hong Kong, offering a well-rounded support system, complete with sound baths, yoga, Pillates, tea ceremonies, healing sessions, bodywork and plant-based cuisine, for stressed-out urbanites, as well as retreat-goers who are returning from a blissed-out holiday and are now seeking that focus and newfound enthusiasm for life in an urban setting. Fivelements Habitats has plans to come to a city near you, so watch this space. By Vivienne Tang, Founder of Destination Deluxe

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© This article was first published in Aug-Sept 2019 edition of World Travel Magazine.

The spa area includes a series of other thermal pools with wellness classes held throughout the week that include aqua-yoga and swim classes for children. The full-service spa—with massage treatments and body rituals like their famous milk-herbal pouch massage that deeply hydrates the skin after a long soak in the mineral waters—sits directly below but the spa’s ultimate wellness offering: a heated rooftop infinity pool that overlooks the entire city of Zurich.

Deeper into the Alps, visitors can uncover the healing benefits of pure air and alpine adventures at The Cambrian, a Design Hotel, in the village of Adelboden. This recently renovated luxury hotel specialises in outdoor wellness, with guided hiking trips during the summer and spring (complimentary for all guests) and all-levels of ski packages in the winter.

The hotel’s 750m² spa also offers seasonal treatments, like the popular springtime blackberry body wrap that harnesses the antioxidant rich properties of wild Swiss blackberries to purify and relax the body. The spa’s year-round locally-made Alpienne honey body scrub with mountain salt crystals has also long been a guest favourite for its rejuvenating effects on the skin.

Wellness within the hotel’s walls extends far beyond treatments though, as the spa also includes a heated indoor pool, a fitness centre, a Finnish sauna with steam bath and rain shower, and a heated outdoor thermal pool that allows guests the chance to soak in mineral-rich thermal water while immersing themselves in the fresh alpine air among a stunning backdrop of soaring mountains.

Set among the Alps of Eastern Switzerland, The Grand Resort Bad Ragaz is frequently regarded as the ultimate wellness destination in Switzerland, where gleaming white walls create a temple-like atmosphere for this holy grail of thermal baths. This Leading Hotels of the World property’s wellness tradition dates back more than 150 years, with a first-class spa (which employs a full-time “hugger” who wraps guests in a heated towel upon exiting the thermal baths), an elaborate outdoor sauna circuit with special programming from the current world champion sauna infusion masters, a world-renown medical center, thermal baths that include a family spa and a series of thermal waters at varying temperatures, complimentary e-bike rentals, and the Clinique La Prairie (The Grand Hotel Bad Ragaz is the only hotel in the world where guests can purchase these luxurious Swiss beauty products onsite).

The medical centre on site is often used by elite athletes and visitors looking for long-term wellness results, where a team of highly-qualified medical doctors are onsite to attend to everything from nutrition counselling and physical therapy to dermatology and dentistry. The Spa Suites within the Grand Hotel Quellenhof offer the ultimate wellness retreat, where each room is fed entirely by the locally sourced thermal water from the Tamina Gorge and include 24/7 personal butler service.

Switzerland’s focus on wellness goes beyond providing temporary respite from stressful routines; it provides an opportunity for self-rediscovery. www.myswitzerland.com

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© This article was first published in June-July 2019 edition of World Travel Magazine.

Blending into the serene landscape, Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou At West Lake inhales the breath-taking grace of its lake location as if it existed centuries ago. Its architecture captures the age-old Jiang Nan spirit—an elaborate showcase of pagoda-style pavilions capped off with solemn black tiled roofs, ornate doors and pillared terraces. This elegant resort evokes an East Meets West feel; inside its quaint, traditional structure is an infinity pool lodged in the regal courtyard, embellished with lush gardens and stately walkways. At night, glowing lanterns whimsically light up the hotel, its soft glow reflected on the waters.

The Spa is a palatial home of healing with an intimate showcase of treatment rooms, private steam rooms and sunken tubs. Keeping up with its harmonious bond with nature, The Spa has opened its doors for unconventional healing approaches, with special sessions scheduled all throughout the year. This September, it brings in the art of Shaolin, the oldest and most famous style of the Chinese Kung Fu. Originating in Hennan more than a millennia ago, the locals believe that all martial arts are derived from Shaolin, making it one of the pillars of training.

This special event is led by Shi Xing Mi, a Kung Fu expert who bears many years of training under his belt. His expertise, of course, began at a young age —starting out in this discipline when he was 13, and Zen when he was 18. Shi shares his profound knowledge by leading daily sessions religiously. As the sun rises, he begins the morning with meditation, awakening the body. Energy by intensive physical training comes next. By afternoon, he proposes yoga and stretching to flex the body in ways that would surprise most. As the sun slowly sets, Shi invites the practice of mindfulness mixed with Tong Zi Gong by the lake.

In the previous month, The Spa hosted a cupping ritual led by Rashdy Ahmad, known as “The Healing Hand,” whose lineage boasts of traditional healing experts, from his medicinal father to his midwife mother. The unique treatments centre on resetting the body while nourishing it with holistic comfort. After Shi Xing Mi’s physical and spiritual rejuvenation, the resort shall welcome Sheila Partrat’s Kundalini Yoga, set to begin on October 8. www.fourseasons.com

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© This article was first published online in August 2019 – World Travel Magazine.

For the best-of-the-best spa and wellness offerings, we recommend TermesMarins Monte-Carlo, Le Spa Métropole by Givenchy, Cinq Mondes Spa, Odéon Spa Sisley, Fairmont Spa, Monte-Carlo Beach Spa and Spa Port Palace.

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© This article was first published in Dec-Jan 2019 edition of World Travel Magazine.

To celebrate the restaurant’s reopening, renowned chef Keisuke Matsushima served up his renowned French-Japanese fusion food – with a wellness twist – at the Emerald Room.

Whether you’re headed to the acclaimed resort looking to seek out your inner calm, or simply to get away for a weekend, you’re sure to find an oasis of relaxation in ChivaSom

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© This article was first published in Dec-Jan 2019 edition of World Travel Magazine.

Even if you don’t know the first thing about modern wellness, Escapada does a fantastic job of simplifying things for their guests. Trips start with a thorough consultation with guests, after which the entire Escapada team – from a wide range of different medicinal disciplines – will come together to tailor-make a trip that’s beneficial for you.

“We wish to invite people to look at their holidays through a different lens, and start a conversation that matters,” says Escapada co-founder Maeve O’Sullivan. “We may know what is good for us, but struggle with the daily application of a healthy lifestyle.”

“Health is not just the absence of disease, but a feeling of wholeness, balance and resilience.”

The team behind Escapada is made up of numerous specialists from different medicinal fields: O’Sullivan herself is a trained nurse, while her co-founder Emilia Herting possesses a Masters in herbal medicine. Other members of their team include an Ayurvedic therapist, nutritional coaches, and certified pharmacists and yoga instructors, ensuring that guests truly get a comprehensive experience.

Escapada owns three retreats around the world: the brand’s flagship retreat in the gorgeous Sea Set Cases in Mallorca, is a 500-year-old estate that’s been lovingly redeveloped into a luxurious wellness oasis while maintaining its historic charm. Nearby, guests can find quaint villages and quiet beaches.

Escapada also operates two other retreats: one set in the verdant hills of Kerry, Ireland, and another in a dream-like manor located in the lush countryside of Lauenburg, Germany. The two locations were chosen to pay homage to Maeve and Emilia’s home countries – a testament to their love of travel, and their desire to bring their concept of wellness close to home.

Wellness isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution – Escapada comes up with tailored packages for their guests

With a maximum of 12 guests per retreat, each location maintains its feel of exclusivity and serenity: especially since they are all surrounded by luscious, natural landscapes far from the beat of the city.

Vacations are often precious spaces of time for people to restore themselves and regain some much needed focus – and though it may seem daunting to get started, retreats like Escapada are a fantastic way to kickstart any wellness journey.

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© This article was first published online in Feb 2019 – World Travel Magazine.