2024 is all about being in your self-care and wellbeing era. Wellness seekers no longer are satisfied with the conventional spa treatments, but rather, are enticed to travel where they can embark on transformative journeys focused on the rejuvenation of both their bodies and minds. Check out some of the most unique wellness experiences offered by luxury resorts across the globe, from bee venom ceremonies to rebirth therapy sessions.
Mayan Shaman Blessing at Casa Palopó | Lake Atitlan, Guatemala (pictured)
On the shores of the majestic Lake Atitlan is Casa Palopó , a boutique hotel built upon ancient Mayan culture and practices that prioritizes the spiritual wellness of its guests year round. Guests can immerse themselves in magic and participate in a personalized blessing ceremony led by a Mayan Shaman as the orange hues illuminate the sky and reflect onto the magical lake, creating a breathtaking, unforgettable scene for all. The ceremony implements ancient Mayan practices and traditional healing components such as sugary sweets, herbs, and colorful candles. Guests set an intention, whether it be finding love, cleansing bad energy, or clarity with life's challenges, and the Shaman channels the elements of fire, air, and water to bring the intention to life. The blessing takes place outside the villa on an elevated patch of lush grass, amidst hypnotizing views of the three neighboring volcanoes and indigenous villages across the shore. Perhaps not everyone who visits the enchanting Casa Palopó goes home to find everything they wished for, but it’s safe to say that through bearing witness to one of earth’s most captivating sights, everyone returns home spellbound with a little more love for life.
Cacao Ceremony at W Punta de Mita | Riviera Nayarit, MX
W Punta de Mita, a chic bohemian resort located on Mexico’s coveted Riviera Nayarit, offers an escape for travelers looking to indulge in a mindful and spiritual wellness getaway. Celebrating the traditions of their Mayan ancestors, the resort invites its guests to take part in their Cacao Ceremony which guides participants in a journey of self-reflection and spiritual awakening involving a sacred fire, the sipping of ceremonial cacao, sound and healing frequencies, and more. Following the beachfront ceremony, guests are overcome with a sense of harmony between their emotional, mental and spiritual levels as well as a boost in their overall energy, wellbeing, and blood circulation. In addition to this ceremony, the resort offers yoga classes on the Camino Huichol - a walkway overlooking the ocean made up of more than 700,000 mosaic tiles inspired by the area’s indigenous Huichol natives. Wellness seekers can also look forward to private surfing lessons taught by local surf pros at the WAVE shop, healing sound baths at the resort’s meditation labyrinth surrounded by 100-year-old papelillo trees, and ice plunge therapy tucked away in the jungle.
Forest Bathing Journaling Walk | Barnsley Resort | Adairsville, GA
Just one-hour northwest of Atlanta lies Barnsley Resort, where nature, hospitality, and Southern comfort come together making it the perfect destination to escape, unplug, and reconnect. Spread amongst 3,000-acres of terrain, this resort-meets-playground serves as the ultimate retreat, where exploring Mother Nature and the beauty of the outdoors is highly encouraged. Spend the day hiking through miles of trails, relaxing on the 18-hole Jim Fazio golf course, enjoying a calming horseback ride, or taking a stroll to 10-Acre lake to enjoy time on the water canoeing or casting a line with catch and release fishing. In addition, the Spa at Barnsley Resort offers a unique wellness experience that invites guests to unwind and connect with their surroundings during a Forest Bathing Journaling Walk. The guided excursion takes visitors into the natural beauty of Barnsley Resort to practice a mindful connection with nature. While peacefully exploring woodland trails and fields, the resort guide offers suggestions to help create natural art inspired by the gifts of nature. A journal for recording your art, thoughts, and impressions is included to capture nature’s inspirations during this experience.
Rebirth Janzu Therapy Session | Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa | Puerto Vallarta, MX
Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa offers the perfect place to relax and forget all your worries. Featuring the destination’s largest infinity pool and activities centered around water like the hotel’s snorkeling, swimming and kayaking excursions nearby, seasonal whale watching and a sea turtle release program, your mind will be calmed by your surroundings. The ocean's sounds offer complete serenity, and overall significantly heightens positive vibes. For the ultimate healing by water, guests of the resort can experience water-focused treatments inspired by ancient traditions of the Huichol culture at Ohtli Spa, also the biggest spa in the area. Treatments like the Rebirth Janzu Therapy Sessionare performed in a pool of warm water, and are focused on meditation and relaxation. A therapist will guide you through a series of rhythmic water movements (swaying you from side to side in the water) that relax your mind, muscle tissue and joints, allowing you to gradually drift into a meditative state. All treatments at the spa end in the hotel’s hot and cold plunges, said to help stimulate and invigorate the senses.
A Trio of Vino-Infused Spa Treatments | The Meritage Resort & Spa | Napa Valley, CA
Among the sprawling vineyards and rolling golden hills of California’s iconic wine country lies The Meritage Resort & Spa. Visitors are invited to explore all the sun-drenched Napa Valley has to offer, from its sunrise hot air balloon rides and luxury shopping to scenic Napa Valley Wine Train and unique culinary experiences. At the resort, guests will find on-site tasting rooms, a private vineyard, elevated dining options, cooking classes, a locally sourced artisanal market, relaxing pools, and the award-winning Spa Terra. Nested in a 22,000-square-foot Napa Estate Cave, Spa Terra goers will be surrounded by stunning copper and stone water walls to ease them into complete tranquility. Here, visitors will be delighted to find that the Napa Valley vino doesn’t stop when leaving the tasting rooms with a trio of wine-infused treatments – Vinosculpt Massage, Vinorefined Body Treatment, Vino Radiance Facial – all of which utilize the antioxidant-rich properties of grapes and conclude with a glass of the resort’s house-made Trinitas wine.
Bee Venom Ceremony at La Valise Tulum | Tulum, Mexico
A chic hideaway in one of Mexico’s hottest (and most easily accessible) destinations, La Valise Tulum features a new spa edged with lush jungle and local treatments like a Bee Venom Ceremony. It begins with a sound bowl healing session to relax and stimulate facial muscles, followed by a meditation where a bee venom and plant-based mask is delicately painted onto to the face to stimulate collagen production, giving the skin a firmer, fresher, and younger appearance. It essentially replaces the effects of botox and hyaluronic acid, but is non-invasive as nothing is injected. Afterwards, there is a burning of palo santo — a traditional, ancient Mayan remedy for healing inflammation, pain and stress.
The Bee Venom is anaphylactic and temporarily relaxes facial muscles. Its lifting effect on the skin is gentler and more long-lasting than injectables. By breaking down cell membranes and improving circulation, it stimulates the growth of elastin, which can create firmer and smoother facial lines. It also fills and tightens the skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Bee Venom is applied with an ASFT technique, which avoids injections as we prepare an active solution at the time of application.
The process is 100% and cultivated cruelty-free through a sustainable process that ensures the protection of the local bees.
Mayan Ceremonial Wellness in Cancun | Mexico
There’s nothing better than a retreat to the mystical, sparkling blue Mexican-Caribbean to hit restart and heal your mind and body. The Yucatan peninsula, home to the luxurious JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa, is still influenced by Mayan culture and tradition. The resort lures those in seek of a serene escape with its 35,000 square foot Mayan-inspired JW Spa, state-of-the-art fitness center, and Health Bar, as well as guided meditations, sound healing, and ritual massages…but the most authentic experience that blends Mexican culture with wellness is a visit to a cenote. These natural sinkholes filled with water were historically revered by the Mayans as sacred spiritual sites. In addition to any “mystical” properties, cenotes are filled with minerals that have therapeutic and detoxifying effects on the body that offer tangible health benefits. JW Marriott Cancun offers a variety of private and group cenote tours, including anything from snorkeling in the underground rivers to a peaceful lunch in the jungle.
Desert Bathing in Aruba
Forget forest bathing - it's time to desert bathe. The Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino has taken forest bathing (yawn), and put a fun twist on the concept, introducing Aruba to the game with its natural backdrop of the desert. This wellness experience allows travelers to slow down and become immersed in the natural environment, helping them to clear their minds while boosting mood and immunity. The experience consists of a private roundtrip transfer to either the historic Alto Vista Chapel - surrounded by cacti and a tranquil peace labyrinth - or Arikok National park, as well as yoga mats and a picnic basket including healthy snacks and beverages. Here, travelers can find zen while enjoying their favorite meditation or yoga podcast, or simply bask in the sun and serenity to disconnect and unplug. Following the toes-in-the-(desert)-sand experience, guests can keep the wellness theme going back at the resort, as the experience also includes locally sourced Aruba Aloe products to replenish sun-kissed skin. The add-on experience costs $350 and is exclusive to resort guests. An overnight package is also available and includes a spa experience. For more information or to book, visit here and use the code ‘ZJL.’
Put a Spin on Wellness | Sea Sycle at W Fort Lauderdale
Putting a spin on traditional wellness, W Fort Lauderdale invites guests to experience the chic luxury and pampering only the dazzling seaside destination can offer. With an all-around approach to wellbeing, W Fort Lauderdale offers guests a varied list of ways to unwind; from hitting the reset button at the AWAY Spa to uninterrupted serenity at the hotel’s chic rooftop pool. But for those looking for a unique way to shift gears, W Fort Lauderdale has partnered with GVO, inviting guests to pedal past the mundane with newly-launched Sea Sycle classes. Set up overlooking the sparkling Atlantic in the hotel’s Living Room Terrace, the instructor-led sessions offer a cutting-edge approach to spinning. Offering a full Sound Off experience with specialized headphones, the workout is complemented by a robust recovery routine complete with leg and knee massagers as well as massage guns for targeted treatment. Offering evening hip hop and sunrise rides every week, each session offers a heart-pumping warm-up to wind-down experience. Open to all guests, the hotel offers a select amount of reserved seats per session. Whatever your style, W Fort Lauderdale invites you to do wellness your way.
Calm in Cabo | Corazón Cabo Resort & Spa
The newest luxury resort in Cabo, Corazón Cabo Resort & Spa, has a lot going on for wellness enthusiasts. The chic resort recently debuted Aqua Yoga as a new 'golden hour' activity guests can welcome the day with at the break of dawn, atop a paddle-board overlooking the famous Cabo Arch from the city's highest rooftop. Participants can perfect their pose at the infinity pool while simultaneously enjoying views of endless shades of blue and practicing their balance on the water. After a mindful session at the pool, guests are welcome to book a relaxing treatment at Corazón's own world class on-property spa, or go for a swim at the resort's private beach. The property is also offering a new 'Cleanse Your Chakras' package which provides guests alignment and energetic cleansing with copal, a back massage, reflexology and more. Start your 2024 on the right foot with a uniquely Cabo holistic wellness experience at Corazón. To book, visit: https://www.corazoncabo.com/.
Get Zen in the AM | Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort | Kauai, HI
There is no better place to appreciate the beauty of nature and focus on wellness than on the eastern coast of Kauai at the Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort. This resort combines stunning natural beauty, luxurious accommodations, and endless activities to offer guests the ultimate wellness vacation. For those who like to start their day off on a peaceful, meditative note, the resort now offers an exciting and unique new Sunrise Experience Menu which features a “Morning Light” package including a yoga mat, fresh juice, and an Acai Bowl to help guests recharge and get ready for the day ahead! To really balance your chakras while on vacation, the resort also offers morning yoga classes right on the beach, available to guests three times weekly from 7-8 AM. There is no better way to get zen than with the natural background music of ocean waves and peaceful birds chirping bright and early. After yoga, keep the wellness adventures going with a bike ride along the stunning coconut coast (with beautiful beach cruisers, available in the resort fee) or with an invigorating hike to one of the resort’s neighboring waterfalls. Experience your dream tropical getaway only at the Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort. For more information, please visit sheratonkapaa.com.
