The very best hotel spas in the world, from the Arctic to South Pacific. Hotels with both a dedication to wellness and a spa that’s absolutely unique. These are not just spa facilities in a hotel, rather spas that make the hotel a holiday destination.
1. An Overwater Spa Hotel in the Snow – Arctic Bath
The Scandinavians make spa treatments part of their daily routine. In a wild Arctic Circle location, Arctic Bath floats on river water during summer. It’s frozen in place throughout winter.
So jump into a natural ice bath, after a toasty dip in your free-standing bath, and the all important Swedish sauna time. Oh, and look up at the aurora borealis while you’re here.
2. The Best Hotel Spa Owned By a Czech – Six Senses Kaplankaya Resort
Welcome to Six Senses Kaplankaya, in Bodrum, Turkey. Operated by the world’s leading hotel spa brand, Six Senses, owned by a Czech. In 2022 it’s been extremely popular with trend-setting Czechs.
Expect state-of-the-art spa facilities and spectacular sea views, the ethos of serenity and comfort, meditation zones and truly restorative retreat.
3. The Aman Desert Spa at Amangiri, USA
Few hotel spas are as remote as Amangiri. Surrounded by deep canyons and towering red mountains, this signature Aman spa is a haven of absolute tranquility and rejuvenation. It’s the perfect place to rest and recover after a few days in Las Vegas.
4. Family Spa Time at Schlosshotel Fiss, Austria
Great spas and family holidays don’t usually go together. Schlosshotel Fiss finds the balance, with its SHF Family Spa alongside a full range of adult-only wellness.
Schlosshotel Fiss is an adored favourite among our clients, a ski-in ski-out resort with a 5000 sqm spa and outdoor saltwater jacuzzi.
5. Mayan Rituals at Chable Yucatan
Mayan rituals dominate the spa menu of Chable Yucatan, one of the best hotels in Mexico.
Here the spa is incredibly unique as it’s located inside a cenote, which is a sinkhole filled with fresh water. We really recommend the temezcal healing ceremony.
Note that Chable Yuctan is not on the beach, it’s in a beautiful inland area where there’s a lot more space. You can combine it with Chable Maroma for a complete Riviera Maya holiday.
6. Therapeutic Waters of The Retreat at Blue Lagoon Iceland
Iceland’s mineral-rich waters are best experienced at The Retreat, a haven powered entirely by geothermal energy. There’s a lava-walled steam room, exclusive spa eatery and suites with private geothermal pools.
Blue Lagoon is Iceland’s most famous destination and the main pools become crowded. The Retreat is separate and gives you all the spa bliss, without other people. Stay here and part of the famous Blue Lagoon is private to you.
7. Tropical Wellness at JOALI BEING, Maldives
Opened in 2021, JOALI BEING is quickly becoming the world’s leading wellness retreat. Here the incredible spa facilities are only the start, on a private tropical island where the villas are larger than almost anywhere else in the Indian Ocean.
Everything is designed around the four pillars of mind, skin, microbiome and energy, everything is dedicated to your lasting wellness.
8. Safari Spa at DumaTau or Xigera in Botswana
Two new Botswana safari lodges have added world-class spa facilities to their offering. Sleep in a treehouse at Xigera Safari Lodge, go out on a game drive or boat safari, then do a spa treatment with a view over the animals.
DumaTau is on our Explorer Hot List for the most exciting new properties in 2022. They built a vast spa area in the wild, overlooking an elephant-filled river, to complement some of the best big-game safari anywhere in Africa.
What's Your Next Spa Holiday?
9. Drive to the Sanctuary Forestis in the Dolomites, Italy
A space that feels safe, spiritual, calm and separate from the world around, where stresses float away on the wind. That’s the uber-stylish, hyper-luxurious Forestis Dolomites, a sanctuary eight hours from Prague by road.
It’s nature that dominates the spa. Pure spring water, fresh mountain hour, endless hours of sunshine and the combination of Dolomites stone and wild forests. Get one of the two penthouse suites with their private rooftop pools and saunas.
10. The Subtropical Oriental Spa Garden…in Europe
Hotel Botanico combines the benefits of a volcanic setting with traditional eastern philosophy. It doesn’t look like a European spa but it’s located on the island of Tenerife.
Steeped in tranquillity, the spa in the exotic Oriental gardens is remarkable, receiving numerous awards as Europe’s best hotel spa.
11. The World’s Most Scenic Spa, the Burgenstock Resort & Alpine Spa, Switzerland
The Burgenstock is the most scenic spa hotel in the world, a place to escape to any month of the year. It’s only eight hours by road from Prague.
Jaw-dropping alpine views from an outdoor pool. A spa garden high in the Alps. Over 10,000 sqm of alpine spa and a view from just about everywhere. This spa is justifiably famous and you can access it from four different hotels at the Burgenstock Resort. We recommend either Waldhotel or the Burgenstock Hotel.
12. NIHI Sumba, a Jungle Spa in Indonesia
Away from the bustle of Bali, NIHI Sumba is an island estate bringing castaway vibes to life. The thatched villas and spa are surrounded by thick jungle and look out over the ocean.
Try their signature Spa Safari Nihioka, a full day that includes candlelit dining in a private coastal cave, treatments on a private cliffside “Bale” and a body wrap before an ocean swim.
13. A Remote Spa in the Pacific Ocean
Islands in the South Pacific are not usually strong on spas. A great exception can be found on Bora Bora in French Polynesia. Here the best choice for spa lovers is InterContinental Bora Bora Resort Thalasso Spa. It has a deep ocean spa and it’s the only Thalasso Spa in the Southern Hemisphere.
Massages come with tropical fish via glass floors, at a spa situated on its own coral reef lagoon. These are the best spa facilities in the South Pacific.
14. Six Senses Hotel Spas
Six Senses is our favourite hotel brand for both spas and sustainability. Six Senses deliver high quality amenities and products. Most impressively, they bring spa excellence to unique locations. We love Six Senses Zighy Bay in Oman for its remote desert vibes. Six Senses Laamu in the Maldives is very special for its marine conservation. However, our number one right now is Six Senses Douro Valley in Portugal.
A decidedly chilled out, peaceful kind of place, a 19th-century quinta filled with secret tunnels and gardens, with a magnificent spa in the heart of wine country.
15. Lefay Resort & Spa Lago di Garda, Italy
The Lefay is one of Europe’s finest spa and wellness destinations, a mountaintop spa paradise with just about everything. Six varied temperature saunas, a rooftop infinity pool, outdoor salt-water pools, five relaxation areas, an ice pool, whirlpool tubs, 21 treatment rooms, outdoor massage gazebos, a hammam, experienced doctors and therapists.
Also try Lefay Resort & Spa Dolomiti, which is a little closer to home and has an amazing concept of forest bathing (Shinrin-yoku). Here you can combine spa with a little skiing as well.
Your Next Spa Break
From Mauritius to the Alps, the Arctic Circle to the Caribbean, we have a handle on all the world’s best hotel spas. These 15 are only suggestions to get you started.
We personally inspect hundreds of hotels every year, so we can tell you exactly how the spa is, not just how it looks on the pictures. Ask us about your next spa holiday.
