The Craft of Wellbeing

At C-Hotel & Spa on the shores of Lake Como, Italy, a warm amber and yellow lighting design by Mario Nanni sets the tone for a welcoming environment. An outdoor relaxation pool and saline pool with countercurrent swimming are paired with indoor features including a thermal pool with an aeromassage system, a Turkish bath, invigorating waterfall, relaxation zone, and solarium. The spirit of detox is furthered at the in-house restaurant Materia Prima, where all (semi-)processed products are strictly off-limits and everything from bread to desserts is made fresh daily. Further east, in Vals, Italy, Silena, the soulful hotel boasts a sky-high Alpine setting with South Tyrolean culinary delights and a world of wellness accented with Southeast Asian touches. Here, rooms were designed with feng shui in mind, while the exterior artfully blends into the surrounding with an earth-colored aluminum-panel façade resembling plants of the moor. The property’s rooftop spa offers endless views, an expansive terrace, a Finnish sauna, herbal sauna, steam bath, and an indoor/outdoor pool, all of which is complemented by an extensive yoga program, qigong, and guided meditation sessions. Guests are also invited to unwind with tea ceremonies in the Haiku Chá Lounge and to borrow reading material from a curated selection of over 1,000 books in the Literature Lounge.

At Okcs Retreat Hakon före & villa 1/f in Hakone, Japan, 11 cottages are nestled amongst a lush forest, connected by a winding pathway. Relaxing in natural privacy is key here, with each accommodation featuring a personal hot spring bath and wood-burning stove. In addition, there is a communal onsen sourced directly from the nearby Owakudani chloride hot spring, which contains minerals like calcium, magnesium, and sulfate. At the onsite könoha spa, treatments include organic facials that incorporate the property’s bespoke essential oil. Also placing a strong focus on connecting guests to nature is Pedras Salgadas Spa & Nature Park. Spread across a centuries-old forest in Bornes de Aguiar, Portugal, lightweight treehouses, ground-level abodes, and the expansive Thermal Spa are exemplary of modern eco-design. Additionally, throughout the park are over eight kilometers of paths to discover, an outdoor pool, and natural hot springs.

In Peru’s Sacred Valley, Andenia features three adobe casitas set amid an awe-inspiring green oasis with views of the surrounding mountains. Guests can unplug and enjoy the surrounding gardens, streams, and waterfall, or archaeological site visits and mountain hikes. With a wabi-sabi design approach, the property’s ethos is further developed by an abundance of natural materials and locally created artworks found throughout the space. Elsewhere, Tulum’s Papaya Playa Project is a creative playground where guests can reconnect to nature while maintaining an urban spirit. Cocooned by the jungle on a pristine stretch of the Caribbean coastline, beachside yoga sessions and a cold-press juice bar are augmented by full-moon celebrations and top DJs playing sets on the weekends. Spa treatments offered in oceanfront cabins are focused on organic, natural, and local components, including coconut, honey, aloe, and Mayan clay, while a cabin in the jungle is home to a temazcal, a traditional Mayan steam bath and sweat lodge.

A number of urban hotels also double as peaceful retreats. Two standouts include Hotel St. George in Helsinki and Saudi Arabia’s House Hotel Jeddah. The former aims to bring the mind, body, heart, and soul together in harmony and balance, an ethos that shines through in rooms with features like blackout shades and monitors installed under the beds that inform guests of how they slept the night before. At the spa, St. George Care, a pool, multiple saunas, and relaxation areas, come together with treatments based on the philosophies of Omorovicza, a Hungarian skincare line inspired by the healing effects of mineral-rich waters, and Niki Newd, a pioneer of 100% natural skincare in Finland. At The House Hotel Jeddah, guests can retreat to a rooftop pool and unwind under the shade of palms. Throughout the space, a color palette of rich browns and mossy greens—paired with local art, intricate craftsmanship, and mashrabiya patterns—creates a cozy, intimate atmosphere.