The Rise of Wellness Travel: How Luxury Hotels Are Creating Deeper Guest Journeys

With wellness tourism on the rise, luxury hotels are redefining the guest experience—offering deeply restorative programs rooted in nature, culture, and personalization. From the lush forests of Bali to the peaks of the Swiss Alps, hoteliers and wellness experts share how they’re responding to this growing demand.

In Bali, Hotel Indigo Seminyak Beach draws on its surroundings with spa treatments set beneath a zen pool inspired by ancient subak irrigation. “The wellness trend grew during the pandemic,” says Ian Kusuma, Director of Marketing. “Travelers were reminded of the importance of slowing down and taking care of their wellbeing.”

Nearby in Ubud, Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve has launched its signature journey, Disconnect to Reconnect 2.0. “We are witnessing a shift in traveler behavior,” says Ariek Mahardika, Director of Sales and Marketing. “Guests now seek experiences that nurture mind, body, and soul. Our approach responds by curating transformative journeys that honor Bali’s natural surroundings and cultural heritage.”

Milaidhoo Maldives offers a pure expression of island slow living. Guests experience tailored wellness through over-water spa treatments, yoga on a private sandbank, and chef-curated menus. “The growing trend of wellness tourism is reshaping the industry,” says Spa Manager Tami Dewi. “Milaidhoo embraces this shift by offering personalized well-being programs that foster a deeper connection with nature and oneself.”

In South Africa’s wine country, Spier Hotel invites guests to reconnect with nature through healing botanicals grown onsite. “Wellness is a natural evolution for us—rooted in a deep respect for nature’s curative power,” shares Austen Johnston, Director of Operations. 

Safari brand Singita builds wellness into every touchpoint with its “Wholeness” philosophy. “Guests are yearning for the transformative power of nature,” says Chief Strategist Lindy Rousseau, “and for human connection through authentic, community-driven experiences.”

Segera, in Kenya’s Laikipia Plateau, takes a soulful approach to safari wellness. “These days, guests long to reconnect—with Mother Earth, and more importantly, with themselves,” says Jens Kozany, Managing Director. Treatments at Segera’s Wellness Center include herbal steam rituals and the Liquid Body Massage, which blends yoga-inspired movement with pressure point therapy, all tailored using wild botanicals from Mount Kenya.

In Johannesburg, The Saxon Hotel introduces high-tech healing with VibraCoustic Satori Beds. “Holistic travel isn’t a trend—it’s a shift in values,” says Danielle Hoffman-Snell, Assistant Spa Manager. “Today’s guests seek restoration, not just relaxation.”

Up in the Alps, Tschuggen Grand Hotel in Switzerland invites guests to embrace the cold with its Moving Mountainsprogram, which features sunrise hikes, ice bathing, and plant-based cuisine. “Wellness beyond the spa is our future,” notes CEO Leo Maissen.

In Austria’s Leogang Mountains, Forsthofgut Nature Hotel deepens its offering with the launch of waldSPA Health—a new facility combining diagnostics, therapeutic movement, nutrition, and mindfulness. “Guests are no longer just looking to escape—they want to reconnect with themselves and what truly matters,” says hotel owner Christoph Schmuck.

Perched above Lake Garda, Cape of Senses takes a sensory approach to well-being, deeply rooted in local rituals. Spa manager Jasmine Voltan notes, “Across the globe, resorts are increasingly integrating local rituals — Moroccan hammam traditions, Finnish saunas, Ayurvedic therapies, and Chinese medicine — to meet the growing desire for culturally immersive wellness. These meaningful practices not only enhance authenticity but also support cultural sustainability while delivering high-impact healing experiences.”