As the year draws to a close, we’re seeking out rest and respite on all fronts. Some might find solace in spending it with their loved ones—over the festive season with Christmas cheer and boisterous gatherings. Some might take advantage of the peak wintry season to hit up the powdery slopes. Or perhaps others might wander off in search of a restorative and transformative journey. Beyond the season of gifting, the lull period in which we’re afforded away from the shackles of work and incessant deadlines, is an optimal season of healing and recalibration that can be best spent at a wellness getaway. The best part is, we won’t have to travel too far; there’s plenty to peruse when it comes to wellness getaways around Asia.
At Chiva-Som in Hua Hin, Thailand, you’re entrusted to the disciplined hands of therapists, nutritionists, doctors and the like. Everything is planned to the tee, according to your personal needs and health diagnosis. And if you’re keen to truly be removed from urban life, seek out Six Senses in Vana. In good company of the Himalayas, a week spent adhering to a bespoke health and wellness plan will undoubtedly spark a change—whether physically or mentally. For something a little closer to home? The Spa Village in Pangkor Laut in Malaysia is renowned for good reason.
Below, see Vogue Singapore’s shortlist to the best wellness getaways in Asia.
1 / 7
Revivo Wellness in Bali
At Revivo, mindfulness leads the way in all that you do. Whether you’re snacking on an almond or mid-salute to the sun in a yoga class, the mantra at this wellness retreat always reminds one to ponder and contemplate the state of being. More importantly, to be present, amidst this spa hotel’s beautiful grounds. Its retreat options range from Emotional Balance and Mind Training to Anti-Aging and Longevity—all programs are tailored to be sustainable and steer a mindset shift rather than physical transformations.
2 / 7
The Spa at Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An
Away from the bustle of its city life, escape to The Spa at Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai that’s located on Vietnam’s central coastline. Heavily influenced by Vietnamese mindfulness teachings and inspired by Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hnah, the retreat is shrouded within a koi-filled lagoon, eliciting an instant connection with nature and a sense of calm. Expect to choose from a range of treatments and practices that focus on attaining stability and zen.
3 / 7
Amanemu Ise-Shima Japan
There’s a reason why this property is hard to locate but past this minor inconvenience, lies a serene respite on the eastern edge of Mie Prefecture in Ise-Shima National Park. At Amanemu, a sequestered retreat that boasts great access to mineral-rich waters, bask in the Onsens here to reap a slew of healthy benefits—from bettering skni health and boosting blood circulation. Beyond the spa’s sprawling outdoor pools, every guest room also comes with a private hot spring bath.
4 / 7
Soneva Soul at Soneva Fushi Maldives
At this barefoot spa in Soneva Fushi Maldives, inhibitions and burdens are left at the door. Set on Kunfunadhoo Island in Baa Atoll, the luxurious sanctuary offers ancient treatments with modern innovations. Programs are tailored according to the spa’s four pillars: Foundation, Sleep, Detox and Time Rewind. One can opt for Traditional Chinese Medicine or other forms of therapies, based on their preferences. All of this, coupled with the backdrop of pristine white sand and crystal blue waters, is yet another reminder for more trips out to a tropical paradise.
5 / 7
Chiva-Som at Hua Hin, Thailand
Life at Chiva-Som runs on a clock. Each guest’s first stop is a consultation with a health and wellness advisor. This session, which is reminiscent of a visit to your doctor’s office, involves a rundown of all the services the resort offers, a blood pressure check and an in-depth questionnaire about your health status, lifestyle and overall goals. Then, your advisor will draw up a custom plan for your stay, planned in great detail and incorporating all six of Chiva-Som’s trademark wellness modalities: spa, fitness, physiotherapy, holistic health, nutrition and aesthetic beauty. In your timetable, each hour of your day is well-utilised with few breaks in between. In some sense, the resort feels like an academy of wellness.
6 / 7
Pangkor Laut, Malaysia
A personalised treatment is par for the course when you find yourself in Pangkor Laut’s Spa Village. The full comprehensive range of treatments run the gamut from Lapis-Lapis, a Malay herbal wrap to a Chinese herbal facial, or if you will, a full Ayurvedic treatment—that’s prescribed after a detailed consultation with the in-house Ayurvedic doctor. There’s a unique bath house that awaits you at the start of the experience, where the sanctuary allows one to recalibrate via the medium of water as the cacophony of sounds trickling soothe you just before the massage. Speaking of which: deft hands featuring potent remedies that improve blood circulation and open the body’s sensory channels, massaged into every crevice.
7 / 7
Six Senses Vana, Dehradun
A dot of vermilion powder on the forehead and a red string fastened around your wrist kickstarts your journey here at Six Senses Vana. And if their plush linen kurta pajamas are anything to go by, you’re in for a luxurious wellness journey. At their breathtaking spa, a bespoke health and wellness plan is designed and prepared in advance for you. Then, a scenic commute through the Himalayas to a lush and dense Sal forest, just outside Dehradun. While you’re required to stay for at least a week, something tells us a month-long respite here will be the most transformative.
