See full version: The best destination spas in the world, according to CN Traveler
Condé Nast Traveller has announced the winners of its annual travel awards. The awards are among the most prestigious and influential in the hospitality world and are designed to highlight Travelers’ favorite places around the globe.
CN Traveler notes that its 33rd Readers’ Choice Awards represent the first time that voters chose their top destinations when almost no one was traveling. Addressing these travelers, the authors wrote:
“So the names in this year’s edition are the ones that brought you comfort, that you still connected with long afterward, that got you through the months without travel. These are the enduring gems that can withstand the test of time and the vicissitudes of circumstances. So while it is always an honor to be on this list, in this strangest of years it is a special honor, indeed. Many readers have told us that when we emerge from this pandemic, they want to turn their attention to the classics, whether that means personal favorites or places they know have brought joy to others.”
Condé Nast Traveller has announced the winners of its annual travel awards. The awards are among the most prestigious and influential in the hospitality world and are designed to highlight Travelers’ favorite places around the globe.
CN Traveler notes that its 33rd Readers’ Choice Awards represent the first time that voters chose their top destinations when almost no one was traveling. Addressing these travelers, the authors wrote:
“So the names in this year’s edition are the ones that brought you comfort, that you still connected with long afterward, that got you through the months without travel. These are the enduring gems that can withstand the test of time and the vicissitudes of circumstances. So while it is always an honor to be on this list, in this strangest of years it is a special honor, indeed. Many readers have told us that when we emerge from this pandemic, they want to turn their attention to the classics, whether that means personal favorites or places they know have brought joy to others.”
This year’s runner-up, Ojo Santa Fe (formerly Sunrise Springs Resort and Spa) in New Mexico, is another popular option for travelers looking for a more spiritual getaway. The 52-room retreat offers healing one-on-one sessions with astrologers, hypnotherapists, crystal healers, and Aztec ceremonial leaders, in addition to medical doctors and family therapists. In their off-hours, guests can soak in the natural hot springs that encircle the property or wander the 70 acres of manicured gardens and walking trails. more
Several iconic wellness destinations, including Southern California’s Golden Door (No. 12) and the Ranch Malibu (No. 6), made it onto this year’s list. But there were plenty of newcomers, too, such as Civana Wellness Resort & Spa (No. 3). Set in the aptly named town of Carefree, Arizona, the year-old property is shaking things up with its affordable price point (rooms start at just $192 a night) and its mission to make holistic wellness experiences available to a larger number of travelers. “Great value for a girls’ getaway weekend,” wrote one respondent, who praised the fact that all classes, programs, and lectures — like group meditation, sound baths, and body-weight training — were included in the daily fee. “Serene, enchanting, and centering,” a second commented.
Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. In the destination spas category, readers rated properties on their accommodations and facilities, treatments, service, food, and overall value. [links]
Spa getaways promise a special kind of mind-body tune-up — a chance to dedicate time to unwinding, reenergizing, and communing with nature. And thanks to the proliferation of retreats in the United States, which increasingly offer customizable well-being programs tailored to guests’ individual needs, travelers don’t have to travel far to take advantage.
This year’s World’s Best Awards survey closed on March 2, just before widespread stay-at-home orders were implemented as a result of COVID-19. The results reflect our readers’ experiences before the pandemic, but we hope that this year’s honorees will inspire your trips to come — whenever they may be.
Another fairly recent debut on the list is Miraval Austin (No. 13), a 220-acre wellness haven that opened in Texas early last year. An offshoot of the brand’s flagship in Tucson, Arizona, which placed No. 9 on this year’s list, the Hill Country retreat similarly espouses an integrated approach to wellness: there are healing spa treatments (ayurvedic massages and depuffing facials), heart-pumping activities including stand-up paddleboarding on the waters of Lake Travis, and healthy meals that source ingredients from the hotel’s on-site farm. As one guest put it, “Miraval Austin is a special sanctuary for those seeking a deeper connection with themselves.” here
A popular ski resort in Switzerland, The Chedi Andermatt spa is known as one of the most spectacular in all of Europe. The highlight is its floor-to-ceiling windows that allow guests to bask in the surrounding alpine views while indulging in Asian-inspired treatments. It features a pool and sauna area, a Tibetan Relaxation Lounge as well as a 100-foot indoor pool with views of the surrounding Alpine scenery. There are also personal trainers available for individual coaching and a yoga and pilates studio. If you really want to discover a true sense of sanctuary, choose the sprawling Furka Suite – a two-story, three-bedroom abode that’s essentially a private chalet enveloped by the larger property. more
Sedona is one of the most dramatically colorful places in the country, with soaring red rocks that rise up into an almost always brilliant blue sky. Not only can you enjoy hiking and biking on the red rock trails, exploring hidden canyons and browsing art galleries, but you can take advantage of one of the finest spas in Arizona, Mii Amo. This amazing spa retreat offers a truly healing environment and a variety of soothing body treatments, mindful massages and Native American inspired therapies. You’ll stay in an adobe casita that sits alongside a stream and dine on delicious but health-conscious dishes made using seasonable produce. The picturesque landscape creates an especially breathtaking backdrop for spiritual pursuits and all types of other activities.
Canyon Ranch is a wellness resort that boasts a 100,000-square-foot spa tucked within the wooded Berkshire Mountains. It offers “R&R for the soul” at the spa, which includes cold-dip pools, inhalation rooms and saunas, and offers a number of signature treatments. Choose from indoor and outdoor activities all year round, including a multitude of daily fitness and mind-body classes, canoeing, indoor tennis, snowshoeing, guided hikes and bike rides. Delectable and nutritious Mediterranean-style cuisine is served on the outdoor terrace or inside the delightful café. The resort is centered around the palatial Bellefontaine Mansion, with lavish rooms featuring luxury Italian linens, terry cloth robes and mini-fridges. [links]
Cal-A-Vie Health Spa is a fabulous French Provencal-inspired retreat that is nestled on 200 private acres in Vista near San Diego, California. Start your stay with a morning hike through the canyons in the foothills, followed by a class in everything from Pilates and Zumba Latin Dance to aqua workouts and yoga. Or, if you prefer, you can quiet your mind by meditating in the 400-year-old chapel used for yoga. The spa offers a wide range of pampering therapies, including an oxygen facial and hot stone treatments. Golf enthusiasts can head out on the resort’s own 18-hole golf course too.