If you’re like most Americans, you work a lot. It’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind of paying bills and buying groceries and forget about taking some “me” time.
When was your last vacation? Are you someone who prefers an adventurous vacation, like hiking the Grand Canyon? Or, perhaps you like to kick your feet up and bask in the glory of not having anything to do.
If you’re the latter, you probably love the idea of visiting one of the best spas in the world. It’s something every relaxation junkie has to cross off their bucket list, right?
If this sounds like you, keep reading to learn more about the five best destination spas in the world.
1. Schloss Elmau, Bavaria, Germany
Southern Germany is known for its temperate climate and rolling hills. Schloss Elmau sits at one end of the Elmau valley. It’s surrounded by gigantic, rocky mountains, bright purple thistles, and the greenest pastures you’ll ever set your sights on.
It’s also a hop, skip, and a jump from the Austrian border. That makes this spa the perfect choice for someone who wants to combine adventure and relaxation in their European vacation.
Innsbruck, the closest Austrian city, is renowned for its winter sports. Make sure to go in March–that’s said to be the best time for skiing in this winter wonderland of a country.
Schloss Elmau is known for its holistic approach to spa and healing treatments. You won’t find any synthetic ingredients here. The spa director is trained in traditional Chinese medicine. That means you can expect Eastern-influenced methodologies that focus a lot on the five senses.
Schloss Elmau is also family friendly. This is a huge plus when you consider how impossible it’d be to find a babysitter for an international vacation!
2. L’Albereta, Franciacorta, Italy
If your main goal is to spend time detoxing at the most beautiful spa in the world, look no further than L’Albereta in Italy.
It’s surrounded by picture-perfect landscaping, healthy vineyards, and buildings so covered in ivy you can hardly see out the windows. It’s one of the most picturesque places in the world to get your relaxation on.
Detoxing is the name of the game at L’Albereta. They offer a slew of treatments focused on cleansing the body, like lymph-draining massages and deep mud wraps. They also focus on Chinese medicine, with jet baths that focus on cleansing energy along meridian lines in the body.
The color scheme of the spa is warm, natural, and organic, allowing you to feel one with nature for the ultimate wellness experience. Pro tip: ditch the cell phone before you come.
3. Sha Wellness Clinic, Spain
The Sha Wellness Clinic focuses on finding the perfect balance between mental and physical health. Their 360-degree method recognizes the relationship between the two and aims to provide treatments that champion both equally.
Their treatment organization is different than most spas, too. Instead of offering a menu of services, they’ve divided their services into different programs, like anti-stress, recovery, and fitness.
The anti-stress program, for instance, includes a variety of clinical appointments to assess what the body needs. Once the general examination is done, the program is personalized for you with specific diet and beverages provided. The anti-stress program even includes an oxygen bar session!
4. Viva Mayr, Altaussee, Austria
Viva Mayr is situated along the edge of a large clear lake, surrounded by pine trees and mountainous terrain. At first glance, you might think that Paul Bunyon somehow grew very sophisticated and built this natural wooden spa for his mom on Mother’s Day.
The design is simple, sophisticated, and focuses on bringing natural elements indoors. The dining room, for instance, features no color, but rather delightful light pine paired with crisp white tablecloths. You’ll see men and women of all ages on the campus flaunting bathrobes and freshly scrubbed faces.
Viva Mayr is unique in that its program is designed with a main purpose in mind: to bring the body back to an alkaline state. Since cancer cells thrive in acidic bodily environments, maintaining alkalinity in the body is essential for keeping disease at bay. At Viva Mayr, you’ll be put on a specific, low-acid diet for the duration of your stay to ensure the program’s success.
How successful is the program, you ask? Well, it can lower blood pressure in as little as a week. It can also reverse type two diabetes.
Pretty successful, if you ask us.
5. Le Saint Geran, Mauritius
Looking for some true serenity? Want to get away from anything even resembling a city? Then Le Saint Geran is for you.
Mauritius is a little island off the coast of Madagascar, featuring white sand and authentic palm huts. It’s also home to the most turquoise water you’ll ever lay your eyes on. Seriously, the place looks Photoshopped.
This is one of the rare spas that offer chakra-balancing treatments called ESPA. The resort also owns its own yacht. Imagine a massage on the yacht deck, with nothing in sight for miles but the vast ocean, and all the stresses of home thousands of miles away.
What’s special about Le Saint Geran is their treatments are specifically geared toward certain types of spa guests. They have treatment programs distinctly designed for men, for example. They also have one for expecting mothers who need specific and gentle care during spa treatments.
Final Thoughts on the Best Spas in the World
Face it: you need a vacation.
Instead of spending your hard-earned dough on another trip to Disneyland, why not invest in a trip that will rejuvenate you? Pockets full of plastic trinkets and bellies full of chicken fingers aren’t the best way to de-stress, after all.
While actually visiting one of the best spas in the world can seem out of reach, remember that you can choose what you save your money for. If you want an experience that will benefit you more in the long haul, visiting one of these top spas is the ticket.
