Janet Brice reveals hidden gems for city spa days and rural spa breaks, from the urban jungles of New York and London to a royal retreat in Africa and a secluded hideaway on Ian Fleming’s favourite Jamaican island…
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In the ever-evolving quest for ultimate restoration, the traditional spa day has undergone a metamorphosis. No longer confined to a few hours of quiet contemplation, today’s premier wellness retreats are immersive, multi-sensory odysseys designed to recalibrate the soul.
From subterranean, fire-lit sanctuaries in London to mist-shrouded hillside pavilions in the Seychelles, these destinations represent the pinnacle of the spa traveller lifestyle — where ancient healing traditions meet cutting-edge design.
Editor’s Picks
- Best all-rounder: ESPA Life at Corinthia, London
- Best for couples: Anantara Maia Seychelles Villas
- Best for seclusion: COMO Shambhala Estate, Bali
- Best historic glamour: Monastero Santa Rosa, Amalfi Coast
- Best city detox: Shangri-La Hotel, Paris
1. Royal Malewane, Kruger National Park, South Africa
The Vibe: The “Big Cat’s Whiskers” of Safari Spas.
Smart, sophisticated, and thrilling. While the flagship lodge undergoes a grand 2026 refresh, the “Waters of Royal Malewane” experience remains the pinnacle of bush wellness.
Editor’s Note
The flagship lodge reopens mid-June 2026. Spas at Waterside and The Farmstead remain open.
Insider Tip: Request the “Bush Bath” ritual at sunset. Soaking in traditional African herbs while watching elephants gather at the watering hole is a must.
Address: Avoca Road, Hoedspruit, 1380, South Africa
Closest Airport: Hoedspruit (HDS)
2. Shangri-La Hotel, Paris, France
The Vibe: Imperial Grandeur meets Eastern Zen.
Housed in the former palace of Prince Roland Bonaparte, CHI, The Spa features a 17-metre pool bathed in natural light—a rare Parisian luxury.
Insider Tip: Visit the newly launched ‘Skin Studio’ Innerskin for a high-tech “Parisian Glow” before a night out in the 16th Arrondissement.
Address: 10 Avenue d’Iéna, 75116 Paris, France
Closest Airport: Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
3. FieldSpa at GoldenEye, Jamaica
The Vibe: Bohemian Lagoon Living.
To reach your treatment room, you can kayak across the lagoon. This is a masterclass in Caribbean soul and barefoot luxury.
Insider Tip: Ask for “Mel the Turtle Man.” After your treatment, you can assist with turtle releases—a deeply grounding way to reconnect with nature.
Address: Oracabessa, St Mary, Jamaica
Closest Airport: Ian Fleming International (OCJ)
4. ESPA Life at Corinthia, London
The Vibe: Futuristic Subterranean Luxury.
Spanning four floors, this is London’s wellness “cathedral.” It features a glass-walled amphitheatre sauna and fireside sleep pods.
Insider Tip: Book the “Restorative Wellness” suite. It uses SleepHub technology to reset your circadian rhythms—essential for curing jet lag.
Address: Whitehall Place, London SW1A 2BD, UK
Closest Airport: London Heathrow (LHR)
5. Banyan Tree Seychelles
The Vibe: Robinson Crusoe Indulgence.
Open-air pavilions tucked into the rainforest canopy. The architecture mimics colonial plantation style, blending seamlessly with the wild beauty of Mahe.
Insider Tip: Book the “Intendance Pool Villa” for the most private bird’s-eye view of the canopy and direct beach access via a secret path.
Address: Anse Intendance, Mahe Island, Seychelles
Closest Airport: Seychelles International (SEZ)
6. COMO Shambhala Estate, Bali
The Vibe: The Gold Standard of Spiritual Wellness.
A “Retreat for Change” featuring sacred water gardens fed by local springs. The Residences are designed around the five elements.
Insider Tip: Don’t skip the “Estate Walk” down to the hidden water garden in the jungle where you can swim in the sacred river springs in solitude.
Address: Banjar Begawan, Payangan, Gianyar 80571, Bali
Closest Airport: Ngurah Rai International (DPS)
7. Monastero Santa Rosa, Italy
The Vibe: Cloistered Calm on the Cliffside.
A former 17th-century monastery perched on a cliffside. The spa utilizes original vaulted ceilings and Officina Santa Maria Novella unguents.
Insider Tip: Ditch the heels—this is steeply stepped terrain. Post-spa, head to the terrace for the signature limoncello “Monastero Martini.”
Address: Via Roma 2, 84010 Conca dei Marini, Italy
Closest Airport: Naples International (NAP)
8. Six Senses Zighy Bay, Oman
The Vibe: Indigenous Barefoot Luxury.
Nestled between the Hajar Mountains and a private beach. The architecture resembles a traditional Omani village.
Insider Tip: For the ultimate entrance, choose to paraglide into the resort from the mountains. Your wellness journey begins 1,000 feet in the air.
Address: Dibba-Musandam PC 800, Oman
Closest Airport: Dubai International (DXB)
9. Rome Cavalieri, Italy
The Vibe: The Dolce Vita Reset.
A grand complex featuring Roman-style mosaics and a glass-domed pool. It is a portal to old-world Italian opulence.
Insider Tip: Join the “Al Aperto” yoga sessions held under the Roman pines—it offers the best 360-degree view of the Eternal City while you find your center.
Address: Via Alberto Cadlolo 101, 00136 Rome, Italy
Closest Airport: Rome Fiumicino (FCO)
10. Badrutt’s Palace, Switzerland
The Vibe: Alpine Grandeur and High-Altitude Healing.
Accessible via an underground rock tunnel, the infinity pool looks directly onto the Engadin Valley. It is a masterclass in ‘quiet luxury’.
Insider Tip: Visit during the winter “Blue Hour” (twilight). Swimming in the outdoor pool while snow falls over Lake St. Moritz is a surreal ritual.
Address: Via Serlas 27, 7500 St. Moritz, Switzerland
Closest Airport: Zurich (ZRH)
11. Aman Spa at The Connaught, London
The Vibe: A Minimalist Mayfair Sanctuary.
Tucked beneath Mayfair, this is a portal to Eastern tranquility. Using dark woods and honed granite, it offers a rare sense of profound silence.
Insider Tip: Book the three-hour “Grounding Journey.” It’s the gold standard for city dwellers, combining a Tibetan Ku Nye massage with amethyst body polish.
Address: Carlos Place, Mayfair, London W1K 2AL, UK
Closest Airport: London Heathrow (LHR)
The 2026 Checklist
What to Pack for a World-Class Spa Break
To move seamlessly from transit to tranquility, ensure your carry-on reflects the current standard of high-performance recovery and “quiet luxury.”
- Bio-Hacking Tech: Pack your Oura Ring or Whoop strap to track how specific rituals impact your HRV and sleep cycles.
- Sustainable Luxury Swimwear: Opt for clean-lined pieces from Hunza G or Oceanus that transition effortlessly to poolside dining.
- The Silk Suite: High-end sleep hygiene is essential post-facial. A Slip silk eye mask ensures skin stays hydrated and calm.
- Mineral-Based Protection: Protect newly-treated skin with high-performance SPF 50+. SkinCeuticals provides the sheer barrier required for tropical pavilions.
Editor’s Final Word: While most palaces provide bespoke robes, bringing your own cashmere socks adds that final, necessary layer of personal comfort.