The best spas in the world

There is nothing quite like leaving the chaos of the outside world behind to spend a week relaxing at a spa in paradise.

From the jungle to the Colorado Plateau, to a private island in the Pacific Ocean to the Bavarian alps, these 7 luxurious, award winning spas are some of the best the world has to offer. They offer innovative, holistic approaches to healing the body, mind, and spirit, with leading experts in the field to educate and inspire guests far beyond the walls of the retreat.

1. The Spa at Xigera Safari Lodge

Location: Okavango Delta, Botswana

The Spa at Xigera Safari Lodge is hidden deep in the Okavango Delta, offering beautiful views of the flood plains, forest, and close encounters with local wildlife. It is an award winning experience, having won the ‘Best Safari Spa in Africa’ at the Les Nouvelles Esthetiques Spa Awards in 2022.

As the spa is situated in the middle of the wilderness, Xigera Safari Lodge are committed to making all facial and body treatments non-toxic to the environment and 100% natural. There is a swimming pool, beautiful relaxation deck, and a fitness centre for guests to unwind after a long day of sight-seeing.

2. Aman Spa at Amangiri

Location: Antelope Canyon, Utah

Aman Spa at Amangiri offers panoramic desert views of the Colorado Plateau, with a heated swimming pool built into the landscape.

The spa draws inspiration from the holistic healing traditions of the Navajo, with guests able to access the steam room, plunge pool, sauna, and flotation pavilion. There is a Pilates and yoga studio alongside the rich spa experience, with the option to exercise outside on the rock formations.

3. Schloss Elmau Spa Hotel

Location: Krün, Germany

Hidden in the Bavarian Alps, Schloss Elmau Spa Hotel overlooks the stunning views of the Alpine landscape and its rivers, skyline, and mountains.

There are six individual luxurious spas inside the castle, three which are family friendly, and seven restaurants. All six swimming pools are sustainably heated, alongside the saltwater and infinity pools, Japanese onsen, saunas, and steam baths. Visitors have an endless choice of state of the art spa treatments, which are influenced by the practice of traditional Chinese medicine, and there is a fitness centre and pilates studio. Schloss Elmau also offers visitors the opportunity to nurture their mind, the hotel spa having a concert hall and three libraries.

4. THE WELL at Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection

Location: Pérez Zeledón, Costa Rica

Surrounded by the Talamanca Mountains, The Well at Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection is hidden deep in the Costa Rica jungle.

Inspired by Mother Earth, The Well specialises in an East-meets-West healing, holistic approach. There are eight treatment rooms where herbal soaks, natural clay treatments, heated stone beds, and equine therapies are available, alongside celestial readings, stargazing, meditation, and hikes. The luxury hotel includes a thermal suite, hydrotherapy tub, natural river bath, swimming pool, steam room, and saunas, with daily mindful movement classes.

5. COMO Shambhala Estate

Location: Ubud, Bali

Situated near the cultural capital of Bali, COMO Shambhala Estate is known for its highly regarded team of experts who use Eastern and Western practices to achieve balance and wellness. The luxury hotel incorporates traditional Indonesian architecture into its design, and is known as the most stunning hotel in the country.

Specialists offer guests a variety of mind, body, and spiritually healing treatments including hydrotherapy, adrenal massage, blessings, and chakra healing. There is a sauna, infinity pool, and steam room. Guests have the opportunity to go on local cultural tours like rice field walks, hikes around the Estate, and can engage in yoga, meditation, and Pilates classes.

6. COMO Laucala Island

Location: Laucala Island, Fiji

COMO Laucala Island is built on a private island in Fiji, with extraordinary views of the turquoise Pacific Ocean, volcanic mountains, and rainforest.

The spa treatments are inspired by the mineral rich landscape of the island, making use of its stones, flowers, herbs, fruit, and soil. There are two treatment villas and two wet treatment villas, a yoga pavilion, fitness centre, and infinity pool.

7. JOALI Being

Location: Raa Atoll, Maldives

Situated on its own secluded private island in the Maldives, white beaches and a crystal-clear ocean is the backdrop for JOALI Being.

A combination of ancient, holistic knowledge with modern science is brought into every treatment at the spa. There are a variety of immersive wellbeing experiences for guests to explore, including steam rooms, saunas, ice fountains, hydrotherapy pools, and a herbology centre, yoga pavilion, and open air meditation deck.