Top wellness retreats for stress and burnout
Wellness holidays for real rejuvenation
Text: Hoi Han L
The busy pace of Singapore living is nothing new. In research released by health company Cigna in 2019, nearly 92 per cent of Singaporeans surveyed were stressed and burned out from work, far exceeding the global average of 84 per cent. No wonder then, that travelling around Asia and escaping to one of the myriad luxury wellness retreats in the region is a popular pastime.
For many of us, this current unprecedented time is not helping our stress levels. Travel is off the cards and working from home is doing nothing for our rising blood pressure either. Being constantly on call, with little differentiation between day and night, and using our ironing board as a desk is detrimental to our physical health, too (not to mention the state of our clothes). We’ve got neck back aches from poor posture, and our eyesight has surely taken a hit from all the screen time.
Thankfully — when times change and it is safe to travel once more — there will be whole host of recuperative wellness retreats nearby waiting for the weary, strung out and seriously crumbled with open arms.
Image source: Kamalaya Koh Samui
1. Kamalaya Koh Samui Wellness Sanctuary and Holistic Spa | Starts at SGD 2,140 for three nights
The island of Koh Samui has long been favoured by Buddhist monks as a sanctuary for a spiritual retreat. Sitting atop a forested granite hill, Kamalaya Koh Samui Wellness Sanctuary and Holistic Spa overlooks a palm-filled valley and the pristine Koh Samui coastline. Unlike a conventional Thai-villa, this recuperative space is designed along the lines of modern tropical minimalism to induce feelings of expansiveness, peace and comfort.
Kamalaya Koh Samui Wellness Sanctuary and Holistic Spa is a haven for health thanks to the wide range of wellness facilities. These include a fitness centre, two herbal steam caverns, plunge pools, an elixir bar and a yoga pavilion. Their beautifully decorated pool area is inspired by the traditional ritual bathing areas of Nepal and India. Surrounded by flowering lotus ponds, waterfalls, stone steps, and a meditating Buddha, the resort’s pool area is the epitome of zen and the perfect place to reconnect with yourself — and nature. The Monk's Cave ia a dream for quiet contemplation and deep meditation.
A well-rounded wellness programme menu has also been formulated to cater to your needs. Whether you need help with managing stress, detoxing, improving sleep, or are looking for emotional recalibration, Kamalaya Koh Samui Wellness Sanctuary and Holistic Spa has got you covered. For a more personalised wellness experience, the resort has a team of international professionals who can tailor a rejuvenating and holistic health itinerary just for you.
Image source: COMO Shambhala
Apart from sunny beaches, acái bowls and cosmopolitan cocktails, Bali is renowned for its gold-standard wellness retreats. Of the many on offer, COMO Shambhala Estate stands out with its extensive wellness offerings and spiritual sophistication.
The estate features a deeply comprehensive wellness menu comprising endless body therapies. Taksu massage, the Traditional Balinese Body Wrap, and Sundãri and Guinot facial procedures work to detoxify and revitalise. Their hydrotherapy massage uses high-pressure jets to heal your battered body and soul. For greater tension release, their alkaline-based heated Vitality Pool is chlorine-free and mineral rich thanks to The Source, a sacred spring revered by locals for its restorative properties.
Condensed menus specially curated to the needs of men and children are also offered, with aims of promoting healthier minds and bodies, as well as positive overall wellbeing. Targeted wellness programmes are similarly available, depending on your desired area of focus.
You’ll also find a fitness centre, a 25-metre swimming pool and separate male and female sauna and steam rooms. Yoga and Pilates instructors and local guides also provide the option of meditating to the sounds of the rustling jungle. Want something more invigorating? Try white-water rafting along the rumbling Ayung River.
Image source: Vana
3. Vana | Starts at SGD 463 per night
Situated in the Himalayas of North India, Vana offers a completely different world within its walls. Translated to mean “forest”, Vana’s luxurious rooms are coloured with neutral undertones and furnished with eco-friendly bamboo flooring, FSC certified wood, as well as certified organic linen.
Enjoy yoga practices under the guidance of skilful yoga practitioners, fitness trainings focused on functionality and agility, and contemporary treatments such as reflexology, physiotherapy and raag therapy targeted at improving internal organ health. What is inimitable to Vana however, is its offerings of the rare Panchakarma, a thorough five-fold cleansing therapy guaranteed to purge your system of toxins, as well as healing practices grounded in Sowa Rigpa, the age-old Tibetan medical system.
Additionally, food lovers will be thrilled to learn that cuisine occupies a very big part of life at Vana. Everything on the menu is prepared fresh in the kitchens using organic and naturally grown produce, and vegetarian and vegan choices are offered as well. Classes on nutrition and healthy cooking also take place if you’re looking to learn a new skill, or to create the holiday vibe when back home.
Vana is definitely the place to visit if you’re searching for an avenue to purge negativity and fatigue, or are simply looking to achieve better clarity of mind. Step through their doors and you begin a journey towards balance and inner peace. Prices start from INR 25,000 per night for a single room. Read our full review here.
Image source: The Farm
3. The Farm | Starts at SGD 427 for two per night
The Farm at San Benito is an eco-luxury holistic medical wellness resort located in Lipa, Batangas, south of Manila. Nestled within a lush, 48-hectares jungle enclave, this leading medical wellness destination promises majestic mountainous views and up-lifting fresh air.
Boasting an extensive variety of wellness programmes conducted by licensed and competent professionals, rest assured that there will be one that best suits your needs. We’re fans of the cellular health programme, designed using principles of Swiss-German Biological Medicine.
The Farm houses also an internationally acclaimed restaurant providing quality and nutrient-dense vegan cuisine. Spa massages, body wraps, and hydrotherapy treatments are available to help rid your body of any aches or pain. Coupled with complementary activities like yoga, power walking, and HIIT, you’re guaranteed to leave rejuvenated from the inside out.
