A new year brings with it new adventures and challenges. And you’ll need to be in good stead to face whatever lies ahead. Whether you’re looking for pampering treatments and therapies or state-of-the-art diagnostic modalities to kickstart your restorative wellness journey, start 2025 in good physical and mental health with these six wellness retreats.
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RAKxa Wellness
Nestled along the Chao Praya River and located in Bangkok’s “green lung”, the lush RAKxa Wellness is an oasis of calm. It’s also become the region’s hottest destination for health, revitalisation and wellness. Here, you’ll find different wellness programmes of various lengths of stay (three to 14 nights, with options to extend) to suit your various needs—from Detox and Destress to Gut & Immunity Support, Weight Management and Hormonal Balance.
At RAKxa, there are three treatment facilities—RAKxa Jai, RAKxa Gaya and the VitaLife Scientific Wellness Clinic. RAKxa Jai features holistic treatments using traditional Asian practices, such as Ayurveda, Chinese and Thai, RAKxa Gaya is the resort’s gym and VitaLife offers the latest tech-based devices that focus on anti-ageing, from phototherapy to hyperbaric therapy as well as aesthetic treatments.
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The newest offering, the Aesthetics programme, is something that speaks to the hearts of many who are looking to combine both holistic therapies and aesthetics to achieve a better and healthier you, from the inside-out. Every itinerary is personalised to your individual needs and concerns, so it’s no surprise if you and your partner enrol in the same programme but end up with entirely different schedules.
In partnership with world-renowned Bumrungrad Hospital, the Aesthetic programme also includes credits, which you can use during your stay, on aesthetic treatments, including Botox, fillers, non-invasive facial lifting, body firming and fat freezing procedures.
The strength of RAKxa Wellness is that the doctors and consultants from the different disciplines work in unison to ensure that the various activities and even meals planned during your stay complement one another to deliver the best results. This also means that treatments can be adjusted and changed according to this communal information shared.
For instance, a lymphatic drainage massage after Coolsculpting (a fat freezing treatment) can help improve circulation, which in turn encourages the elimination of fat cells and enhance results, while a photo light therapy after a Botox or filler session can boost healing and aid in skin rejuvenation. The result: You leave feeling rebalanced, re-energised and rejuvenated at the end of your stay.
RAKxa Wellness is located at 28/8 Moo 9 Bangnamphung Sub District, Phra Pradaeng District, Samut Prakan, Thailand, Tel: +66 2055-3100.
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Layan Life by Anantara
If you love the beach life, check into Layan Life by Anantara, situated next to Anantara Layan Phuket Resort. Offering bespoke programmes that go from three to 10 days, it focuses on a “Whole of Life” approach immersed in the healing elements of nature (earth, water, wind, and fire) while combining cutting-edge technology with traditional Thai Medicine.
Each programme is created in tandem with specialist medical doctors and Thai medical practitioners to help you achieve a holistic approach to wellbeing, addressing your concerns, from weight management, fitness and anti-ageing.
This is achieved through Layan Life’s “Life Method” that features four pillars of healing: Longevity Medicine that incorporates diagnostics and treatments for rejuvenation; Traditional Thai Medicine Food with its food, herbs and spiritual healing; Complementary Medicine that utilises holistic therapies and experiences; and Lifestyle Medicine that centres around practices such as sleep and stress management to promote a healthy lifestyle.
Anantara Layan Phuket Resort is located at 168 Moo 6, Layan Beach Soi 4 Cherngtalay, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand, Tel: +66 76-317-200.
The Standard Huruhalvi Maldives
Who says you can’t combine your island dreams with a wellness escape? You can make that a reality at The Standard, Maldives. An oasis of tranquillity just a short seaplane ride from Malé, the resort features 115 villas—both overwater and beachfront—designed to elevate your relaxing escape.
Designed to maximise your vacay time by simultaneously restoring energy levels and revitalising the skin, choose from a Five- or Seven-Day Wellness Retreat to reset your body, mind and soul. The former combines a carefully curated combination of activities and treatments, such as sunrise yoga paired with sound healing massage and guided meditation with candle massage, while the latter expands those yoga class options, featuring hatha and aqua yoga and incorporates beauty treatments like a crystal rose facial to prolong your post-holiday glow.
Between treatment sessions, you can immerse yourself in the island’s natural beauty by snorkelling in the protected house reef.
The Standard Huruhalvi Maldives is located at Huruvalhi Island, Maldives, Tel: +960-658-5555.
Banyan Tree Lang Co
For those seeking for a relaxing getaway with an added wellness twist, a stay at Banyan Tree Lang Co’s Wellbeing Pool Villa is the answer. Not only is each villa designed to enhance your rest during your stay, but it is also equipped with wellbeing amenities, such as yoga practice mat, exercise stretch band, sleep-enhancing lights and sound therapy bowl.
What’s more? Nestled along the coast of Central Vietnam, Banyan Tree Lang Co is perfectly positioned near several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the historic capital of Hue, the enchanting town of Hoi An, and the ancient relics of My Son Sanctuary.
Besides indulging in relaxing spa treatments, you can also complement your stay with excursions to these sites for a cultural experience. A holistic holiday that stimulates the mind while rejuvenating the body in a different sense.
Banyan Tree Lang Co is located at Commune, Cu Du Village, Phú Lộc, Thừa Thiên Huế 530000, Vietnam, Tel: +84 234-3695-888.
COMO Shambhala Estate
Combining modern science with ancient practices, the COMO Shambhala Estate at Ubud, Bali, offers a range of holistic healing programmes, ranging from three to 10 nights, to align the mind, body and spirit.
There’s "Detox To Restore" that transforms gut health and mental wellbeing, "Fit To Perform" to refine your fitness goals and optimise athletic performance, "Nourish To Glow" to recalibrate your eating habits, and "Integrated Wellness Path", the resort’s most detailed programme for a complete body and mind reset.
The centre’s diagnostic process that incorporates a body composition analysis scan and wellness lifestyle consultations with the residential Chinese medicine or Ayurvedic consultants ensures that your chosen programme is perfectly tailored to your needs as well.
In addition to healthy, nutrition-optimised meals, each programme includes a range of activities to help you achieve your desired health goals, including yoga and Pilates sessions, microbiome facials and massage therapies and even daily guided meditation or breath work to boost mental clarity.
COMO Shambhala Estate is located at Banjar Begawan, Desa, Melinggih Kelod, Kec. Payangan, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia, Tel: +62-361-978-888.
The Sira, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa
Rooted in Javanese and Sasak culture, the spa treatments at The Sira, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa in Lombok, Indonesia, offer a perfect blend of indulgence and heritage. Drawing inspiration from centuries-old remedies, the spa crafts bespoke treatments for guests, utilising rare aromatic oils and herbs native to the island alongside renowned international products.
Whether you opt for a facial or a deep tissue massage, relaxation and rejuvenation are guaranteed. Meanwhile, fitness enthusiasts can make the most of the state-of-the-art equipment in the 24-hour fitness centre – ideal for burning off those post-lunch and dinner calories.
The Sira, a Luxury Collection Resort is located at J4P2+G96, Sigar Penjalin, Tanjung, North Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara 83352, Indonesia, Tel: +62 370 7525555.