We are taking wellness international with new and exciting treatment and retreat launches at destinations across Asia. These launches include personalized aqua training for fitness and recovery, a slow living retreat, a curated sound therapy journey and more.
1. Draft Your Own Health Regime at Banyan Tree’s Wellbeing Sanctuary
Eco-friendly hotel brand Banyan Tree has now introduced a unique Wellbeing Sanctuary option for guests, allowing them to achieve their own health, nutrition and fitness goals. In Thailand, two beachfront resorts, Banyan Tree Samui and Banyan Tree Krabi, offer the additional benefit of consultation with an Ayurvedic expert and yoga instructor ahead of their stay. In addition to the resorts’ spas, much of the holistic itinerary allows for time for meditation and reflection at the guest’s private tranquil villa.
2. Rejuvenating Aqua Training in Tokyo
Evian SPA TOKYO has launched a journey of wellness designed to offer in-water fitness through gentle resistance and stretching — delivering the benefits of a lower gravity setting — followed by a personalized, rejuvenating body treatment. The privately guided “Aqua Move Experience” begins with a briefing with a trainer, followed by a 10-minute warm-up poolside before entering the water. Each session can be customized to each guest’s desired level of fitness. It can include light cardio paired with gentle stretching to promote mobility among seniors or more intense cardio paired with fat-burning exercises for those seeking a more vigorous aqua workout. At its conclusion, guests have the opportunity to relax with a brief soak in the hot tub before segueing to their choice of a 60 or 90 minute personalized body massage.
3. Mui Ne Resort Unveils Beach Spa
The Anam Mui Ne, an Indochine-era inspired resort in Vietnam has expanded its spa and wellness offerings with the launch of its “Beach Spa” specializing in express treatments. Equipped with two massage beds, Beach Spa offers 15 minute and 30 minute head treatments, a 30 minute aloe-vera aftersun treatment, 30 minute back treatment, 30 minute head, neck and shoulder treatment, 30 minute foot treatment and a 40 minute organic facial treatment.
Related: Emerging Trend: Men's Wellness Travel Destinations
4. Phuket Resort Promotes Movement For the Mind
Trisara is helping guests move towards a healthier mindset by debuting an innovative slow-living retreat in Thailand. The five day WiseMotion Retreat, led by renowned neuroscientist, Dr. Hanna Poikonen, will occur between 24th and 28th November 2024, and is designed to enhance brain health and well-being through a unique combination of improvisation, scientific knowledge and interactive discussions. Participants on the retreat will benefit from exercises and scientific knowledge designed to balance emotional well-being, calm the nervous system and improve cognitive function. The program includes daily movement meditation sessions, WiseMotion masterclasses, and opportunities for creative movement and inspirational discussion.
5. Wash Away Negativity With a Sacred Balinese Practice
Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana, is tapping into the sacredness of its grounds with a Purification Ceremony experience on-site. The water-based ritual, a tradition on the island that helps people wash away what no longer serves them. The 60 minute ceremony is performed by a Hindu priest who begins by chanting ancient Sanskrit mantras. Prayers take place, offerings are made and incense and water are used to cleanse throughout the ritual. The water purifies in multiple ways - being poured, drunk, and dappled - but guests are not fully immersed (although a change of clothes is required).
6. Rituals and Rhythms in Cambodia
Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Siem Reap and Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh have introduced unique new wellness offerings that put a sense of place at their very heart. “Rituals and Rhythms,” part of Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor’s new “Curated Journeys” program, begins with a sacred monk’s blessing, followed by authentic Tibetan sound therapy and a rhythmic massage. The spa session concludes with nourishing gastronomic delights.
7. Chiang Mai Hotel’s Signature Spa Treatment Embraces Sustainability
Featuring seven treatment rooms designed in an underwater theme and a Thai herbal sauna and steam, Melia Chiang Mai’s YHI Spa offers a “360° Spa Signature Treatment” with a focus on protecting the environment. The 150 minute journey comprises 30 minutes of yoga and meditation, a 30 minute herbal blended steam, a 90 minute aromatic massage with Thai herbal compress balls, and a 360° cuisine set menu created via a cooking process to minimize food waste and reduce greenhouse emissions, using fresh ingredients grown in collaboration with nearby sustainable organic gourmet farm Ori9in.
8. Cruise Line Offers Spa Treatments
Ambassador Cruise offers an array of treatments at its onboard spa. Based on Sothys Paris products, the menu features 60 minute and 90 minute deep tissue massages, holistic massages, acupressure massages, Vietnamese massages, Thai massages and Tibetan warm stone massages. A 90 minute “Sensory Spa Journey” entails various massage techniques followed by a “Sweet and Sour” scrub. The menu also includes a 60 minute body scrub with sugar and salt, 60 minute intensive care skin treatment, and 30 minute and 60 minute head, neck and shoulders treatment for spa-goers who are keen on scalp massages.