Wellness Experiences to Travel For in 2024

A range of curated wellness experiences are offered around the world, with ways to relax, rejuvenate, and reset in the new year - from equine therapy and oceanside cabanas to cacao ceremonies and constellation-inspired programs.

• Alisal Ranch (Solvang, CA) - (pictured) Tucked in the golden hills of California’s Santa Ynez Valley—just 36 miles northeast of Santa Barbara—sits the legendary Alisal Ranch. Surrounded by mountains, meandering across 10,500 sweeping acres, this historic, family-owned property is celebrated for its luxury Western hospitality, and offers an array of activities, from horseback riding, golf, pickleball, and archery to fishing, kayaking on a private lake, mountain biking, and hiking. Next year, Alisal Ranch invites guests and visitors to kick off the new year with its inaugural Wellness Weekend, held January 5-7, 2024. The multi-day itinerary includes activities and experiences curated to promoter relaxation, unwinding, and resetting after the holidays, with offerings ranging from yoga, meditation, sound bath, cooking demonstration, and guided mindful hiking, with a-la-carte options available at an additional cost, like essential oil class and equine therapy. As home to more than 100 horses, Alisal Ranch’s equine therapy allows guests to work directly with the animals and explore the human-horse connection. It encourages guests to learn about oneself, using the horse for feedback as a guide to exploring relational patterns, experimenting with different ways to ask for support, set boundaries, as well as give or receive affection and attention.

• The Cape, a Thompson Hotel (Los Cabos, Mexico) - Start the new year off on the right foot with ultimate relaxation and rejuvenation at The Cape, a Thompson Hotel, through the Wellness at The Cape package. Guests who book will receive two complimentary fitness classes - choosing from Glutes & Abs, Vinyasa Flow yoga, Circuit Training, Boot Camp, and more - all taking place at Glimpse, an open-air rooftop space with stunning views of Cabo’s famed El Arco and the Sea of Cortez. In addition, the package includes a $100 nightly resort credit and 10% discount off any treatment at Currents Spa, from facials to massages (including al fresco treatments in open-air, oceanside cabanas). The intimate, seven treatment room spa, with refreshing natural air current flowing throughout, is softly lit with dark charcoal gray walls and minimal art to minimize extraneous stimuli so that guests may focus on relaxation and the natural sights, sounds, and scents of the desert-meets-the-sea landscape. Whether wellness to you means breaking a sweat or unwinding by the sea, The Cape provides an incredible escape to kick off 2024.

• Habitas AlUla (AlUla, Saudi Arabia) - Thuraya Wellness - The sustainable, experience-led resort, rests within an ancient oasis in the desert canyons of the Ashar Valley. With 96 rooms, a yoga deck, wellness center, restaurant and swimming pool, this modular-built hotel’s Thuraya Wellness program, named after a star constellation, widely used by Bedouins to navigate, uses traditional Middle Eastern techniques and ancestral practices to welcome complete relaxation and rejuvenation. The spa is nestled in the Ashar Valley, with sweeping views of massive ancient rock formations. Within the spa space, guests can enjoy a peaceful lounge area with an alchemy bar, spa treatment rooms, a fitness center, an outdoor wellness agora, and a yoga studio. Focused on strengthening our inner connections, the modular hotel’s holistic healing practices, therapies, and rituals have been used for centuries to awaken focus on both our physical and energetic bodies. Offerings include Lomi Lomi, Neurodynamics, a Cacao Ceremony, among others. Full spa and wellness offerings can be found here.

• VEA Newport Beach (Newport Beach, CA) - The chic new luxury hotel property in the heart of Newport Beach invites guests to ease back into the work week at the top of 2024 with their Weekday Getaway Spa Treatments at the two-story SPA VEA. Complete with 14 treatment rooms, an indoor steam room, whirlpool, cold water foot revival and dry sauna, and its own private cabanas and spa pool, SPA VEA is offering a Weekday Getaway 50 Minute Well-Being Massage ($175) and a Weekday Getaway 50 Minute Revitalizing Facial ($175), with select add-ons available such as the “Unwind” hair mask or the “Revive” CBD balm to complement the treatment. Guests can also enjoy VEA’s Dry January drink menu at their all-day restaurant and lounge VIEW, featuring mocktail versions of classics like a margarita, mai tai, amaretto sour, espresso martini, and more.

• Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows (Scottsdale, AZ) - Experience a transformative journey with The Mindful Journey, a self guided three day retreat at Andaz Scottsdale Resort and Bungalows, hosted by the property’s Palo Verde Spa & Apothecary. This three-day program combines art, nature, fitness, and community for a deeper self-discovery. Guests create a personalized retreat itinerary with a spa concierge, enjoying a complimentary daily meal from Weft & Warp Art Bar + Kitchen or Turquoise Pool Bar & Grille. The package includes access to Palo Verde Spa, a $150 spa credit, a reserved spa cabana with a Wellbeing Upgrade, daily spa gifts, and an experience guide. Plus, access Andaz Scottsdale's saltwater pools and wellness programs.

• Turtle Bay Resort (Kahuku, HI) - As part of a major transformation of the Oahu destination, Turtle Bay Resort unveiled its renovated Nalu Spa in 2023. Designed by revered designer Dianna Wong, the new Nalu Spa center incorporates minimalist design and natural materials, encapsulating the Turtle Bay experience as a whole. Set on 1,300 pristine oceanfront acres, Turtle Bay Resort immerses visitors in its stunning landscape, nestled alongside five miles of coastline with secluded sandy beaches, a working farm, and world-famous surf breaks. Nalu Spa unveiled a fully redesigned indoor + outdoor oceanfront oasis and a fresh menu of treatments that include all-natural ingredients sourced from the property’s very-own 480-acre farm, showcasing the Hawaii’s healing treasures rooted in Aloha ʻĀina, a love of and nurturing care for the land.

• Rosewood Baha Mar (Nassau, Bahamas) - A beautiful oceanfront destination located on the pristine white sands of Cable Beach, Rosewood Baha Mar offers guests a refined, tropical escape. For those looking to relax and rejuvenate, Rosewood’s Sense Spa is a sanctuary that honors the traditional healing practices of Bahamian culture through the Lost Remedies treatments and allows guests to enjoy moments of peace and tranquility. The spa offers an extensive range of indulgent therapies and services that blend science, wellness and beauty. The Arawak Body-Balance treatment of the “Lost Remedies” is inspired by traditional healing remedies utilizing indigenous plants. These remedies strengthen the immune system, improve lower body circulation, and purify the body of toxins. Guests can also stay active, and take part in a flamingo yoga class, so they can practice their flamingo pose and breathing techniques with the ultimate yoga experts – the Baha Mar Ambassador Flamingos.