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Unlock longevity: Personalized wellness retreats in dream destinations

Prioritize self-care in these five exclusive destinations that emphasize personalized well-being.

By Tanvi Chheda | January 2, 2025

As a new year begins, travelers are seeking customized wellness experiences more than ever. From Mexico and Japan to Sardinia and beyond, these five standout resorts offer not only fantastic accommodations, dining and experiences, but also have a dedicated focus on well-being and fitness, because ultimately, living well starts with physical and mental health.

Tulum, Mexico

Where the jungle meets the coast in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Tulum boasts powdery beaches, ancient Mayan ruins, crystalline cenotes and a chic bohemian vibe that’s been drawing discerning travelers for decades. Soak up the sun in a tranquil and elegant atmosphere at Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya. Clear your mind as you lounge by one of the five pools, admire the Mexican-inspired design elements, then delight your tastebuds with dinner at Autor, the resort’s Michelin-recommended restaurant. The wellness offerings at Conrad Spa Tulum are also noteworthy, with each treatment starting with a Mexican purification ceremony and guided meditation. Try an exfoliating cacao-mole body wrap or the 100-minute Itzamna Journey, which uses nopal and agave to detoxify and rejuvenate the body.

Maui, Hawaii

Home to incredible surf, cascading waterfalls, the world-famous Haleakalā volcano and plentiful farm-to-table fare, Maui needs little introduction. Make your home base Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, a 40-acre (16-hectare) paradise. Featuring the largest private art collection in Hawaii, spacious rooms and suites with private lanais and incredible options for restorative tranquility at recently renovated Kilolani Spa at Grand Wailea, there’s so much to take in at this resort. Personalize your wellness journey through the Kilolani Spa’s extensive menu of treatments and rituals or try sound bathing or hydrotherapy to enhance your transformation. Treat yourself at one of the on-site restaurants and bars for a meal that also infuses local traditions and fresh ingredients. For some added fun, the concierge can arrange a number of exclusive experiences, including a private guided outrigger canoe tour or a scuba diving excursion.

Kyoto, Japan

Once the capital of Japan, Kyoto features hundreds of gardens, palaces, Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines to explore. Just beyond the city center, ROKU KYOTO, LXR Hotels & Resorts sits in foothills of the Takagamine mountains, along the Tenjin River, with a meticulously manicured garden full of maple and cherry trees. The tranquil oasis is ideal for soaking in the sprawling outdoor onsen pool, fed by nearby hot spring waters, or for participating in a traditional tea ceremony at the on-site Tea House. Along with relaxing in the mineral-rich thermal onsen, book one of ROKU SPA’s specialty services for a more personalized wellness experience. Get centered with the balancing elements massage or feel invigorated with a customized inspirational massage that is tailored to suit your individual physical and mental needs.

Sardinia, Italy

An enchanting, rugged coastline stretches more than 1,000 miles (1,609 km) around the island of Sardinia in southern Italy. Inland from the crystal-clear waters, sandy beaches and enigmatic grottos are Bronze Age archaeological ruins such as Su Nuraxi di Barumini. Experience it all from the comforts of Conrad Chia Laguna Sardinia, which overlooks Chia Bay, with its juniper-covered dunes and birds galore. The contemporary rooms will tempt you to stay in and relax with their outdoor patios or balconies, but you’ll also want to dedicate time for luxuriating in the ocean-view hydrotherapy pools at Conrad Spa. Rooted in Mediterranean wellness traditions, the spa’s pre- and post-sun body treatments are not to be missed either. Explore your surroundings with an exclusive experience aligned with your personal interests. Passionate about sensational food and stunning views? Enjoy a private jeep tour of the coast, stopping to meet a local cheesemaker and sample Sardinian cheeses.

Bali, Indonesia

The most popular island in Indonesia, Bali is renowned for its gorgeous landscape and white-sand beaches as well as its ancient pagoda-style Hindu temples and flavorful cuisine. Access all this and more from Conrad Bali, a heavenly beachfront resort situated along the stunning Nusa Dua coast in southern Bali. Rest well in one of the pool suites featuring a private outdoor garden and plunge pool. From sunrise yoga, forest bathing and sound healing sessions to a traditional Balinese lulur scrub and circuit training, the holistic self-care possibilities are endless through the resort’s comprehensive and personalized JIWA WELLNESS offerings. Come dinner, book a table at chic Suku, one of the resort’s five exquisite dining options, and savor authentic Indonesian dishes such as gado gado (Indonesian salad with peanut sauce) and nasi goreng (fried rice) while watching Balinese dancers perform.

Tanvi Chheda

Formerly an assistant editor at Travel + Leisure, Los Angeles-based Tanvi Chheda has been freelancing for 15 years now. She writes mostly about lifestyle and travel, which often spills into arts & culture, food, design and more. With two young children, family travel is also a passion of hers. Given her South Asian heritage, she writes about India quite frequently as well (she was born in India and speaks three Indian languages). When not traveling or writing, she enjoys reading, cooking and spending time outdoors. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, AFAR, Virtuoso Life Four Seasons magazine, Qantas, Inspirato, Invited, Pasadena magazine, OLTRE and Ciao Bambino, among others.

Headshot of author Tanvi Chheda

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