A growing trend in the luxury hotel industry is the integration of design with wellness, where architecture and interiors are purposefully crafted to enhance the guest’s wellbeing experience. Some of the world’s most innovative hotels are now designing spaces that support their wellness programmes, creating environments that are as calming as the treatments themselves.
This collection, curated by WAWW editors, highlights the most impressive examples of hotels where design and wellness truly go hand in hand.
AMANPURI AND BEYOND: Wellness Retreats with the Stars
DESIGN
Aman hotels have been synonymous with understated luxury and impeccable service since their inception in 1988. Aman hotels are known for their tranquil settings and exquisite design, with an emphasis on personalised guest experiences. Amanpuri (place of peace), the flagship Aman property in Phuket, Thailand, reopened its doors in September 2023 after a comprehensive refurbishment. The resort has been meticulously updated to reflect Aman’s enduring philosophy of understated luxury while incorporating contemporary design elements. The refurbishment has revitalised Amanpuri’s iconic pavilions, pool villas, and public spaces, ensuring that the resort remains at the forefront of luxury hospitality.
WELLNESS
Aman, renowned for its unwavering commitment to wellness, is elevating its offerings to new heights in the heart of Thailand. The brand has partnered with tennis legend Maria Sharapova, a five-time Grand Slam champion and wellness advocate, to curate a series of transformative retreats. This concept of wellness retreats will be extended across various Aman properties worldwide. The first of these exclusive retreats will unfold at Amanpuri in February, home to the brand’s flagship Holistic Wellness Centre. The three-night Performance and Recovery retreat will see Maria guiding participants through a sequence of interactive experiences, activities, and insightful sessions with experts she has collaborated with throughout her two decades as an elite athlete. Additionally, Maria will integrate cutting-edge technologies she utilises in her daily routine, shaping a uniquely forward-thinking retreat. Amanpulo in the Philippines, on the other hand, offers extreme water sports retreats and the comprehensive Eat-to-Bloom programme led by Tania Balasch. Inspired by the wisdom of the indigenous Arawak community, Amanera in the Dominican Republic hosts the Anichi Healing Retreat. Grounded on the practice of mindfulness, the programme helps you on a journey of self-discovery and greater self-awareness.
Website: www.aman.com
THE RITZ-CARLTON MALDIVES, FARI ISLANDS: A Sustainable Paradise with Bamford Wellness
DESIGN
This stunning sanctuary is the first Ritz-Carlton resort in the Maldives and is fast-becoming an iconic addition to the Indian Ocean. With its architectural design by Kerry Hill studio, the relative newcomer has debuted many Maldivian firsts, including the first Bamford spa and Ambassadors of the Environment program with Jean-Michel Cousteau. Set on three private islands in the North Malé Atoll, the resort offers guests a sumptuous experience harnessing stunning views of the Indian Ocean. With 100 villas of varying configurations, its signature elliptical havens are arranged in a circular pattern for a sense of privacy and seclusion, complete with sweeping private decks and infinity pools. The resort’s interiors feature a palette of natural materials and earthy hues, with accents of wood, stone, and rattan. The furniture and fabrics are custom-made by international and Maldivian artisans, adding a touch of local craftsmanship. Designed to be minimalist and uncluttered, this allows guests to focus on the natural beauty of the Maldives. Connecting the Fari Islands, the unique Fari Marina Village is a hub of restaurants and boutiques including the resort’s Arabesque restaurant and Tum Tum food truck, stylish boutiques and a jaw-dropping installation from artist James Turrell.
WELLNESS AND SUSTAINABILITY
Resort is the first in the Maldives to partner with Bamford, offering a truly luxurious and rejuvenating spa experience. The Bamford spa features nine treatment rooms, including a spa suite with its own relaxation lounge, a salon, and a boutique. The Bamford signature journey is a two-hour treatment that combines Japanese shiatsu and Swedish massage techniques to release tension and balance the body’s energy. It also includes a face and Indian head massage to calm the mind and increase circulation, and closes with assisted yogic breathing to oxygenate and invigorate the body. Bamford uses natural products in all of its treatments and products, which are sourced from sustainable farms and suppliers. The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands is a leader in environmental initiatives including its monitoring of ocean plastics. In partnership with scientist Melissa Schiele, new drone technology monitors ocean plastics and ghost nets in the surrounding atoll. Resort teams use drone data to locate and remove debris, while long-term data collection will inform, educate, and drive change. The resort also uses solar energy, a desalination plant, and bans the use of single use plastics.
Website: www.ritzcarlton.com
ALILA HINU BAY: A Luxurious Eco-Escape in Oman
DESIGN
Alila Hinu Bay, a luxurious boutique resort designed by Qatari architect Ibrahim Jaidah, seamlessly blends contemporary design with traditional Omani architecture. Nestled amidst breathtaking mountain landscapes and pristine sea life in Salalah, Oman, the resort invites guests to reconnect with nature in the most extraordinary ways. The resort’s design incorporates falaj water features and a grand archway corridor, reflecting the local cultural heritage while adhering to eco-friendly and sustainable practices. The 112 spacious rooms and pool villas exude chic minimalism, offering unparalleled quality and crafted artisanal living.
WELLNESS
Wellness takes centre stage at Alila Hinu Bay, with a focus on fresh, local produce and a variety of daily activities like hiking, yoga, and meditation. The Spa Alila is a retreat inspired by local culture. It offers a signature 150-minute ‘Timeless Frankincense Signature Escape’ treatment, incorporating Salalah Pure Luban oils and traditional ceremonial methods. Alila Hinu Bay offers a range of adventurous and cultural expeditions, ensuring that luxury and adventure go hand in hand. Guests can embark on tailored diving trips to explore Oman’s nutrient-rich waters and encounter spectacular marine.
Website: www.alilahotels.com
ZULAL WELLNESS RESORT BY CHIVA-SOM: Wisdom of the Ancients
DESIGN
Perched on the northern coast of Qatar, Zulal is a unique collaboration between Chiva-Som and Msheireb Properties. The resort seamlessly weaves into its coastal desert setting, creating harmony and tranquillity. Divided into family-friendly and adult-only sections, Zulal embodies the idea that true luxury is about nurturing wellbeing. The use of natural materials creates a warm and inviting atmosphere, both luxurious and sustainable.
WELLNESS AND ADVENTURE
Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som is the world’s first contemporary showcase of Traditional Arabic & Islamic Medicine (TAIM) infused with evidence-based wellness practices. The resort offers varied treatments, from TAIM-inspired ones to hydrotherapy, spa treatments, fitness classes, and nutrition programmes. It’s the world’s first wellness-focused family resort, providing a variety of fitness activities and nutrition programs to help guests achieve their health and wellness goals.
Website: www.chivasom.com
KISAWA SANCTUARY MOZAMBIQUE: Eco-Luxury and Ayurvedic Wellness
DESIGN
Kisawa Sanctuary, a 300-hectare sanctuary of forest, beach, and sand dunes on the southern tip of Benguerra Island, Mozambique, is the ultimate luxury sanctuary. Kisawa’s architectural design is inspired by the island’s traditional circular village houses and thatched community buildings. The buildings are made from natural materials, such as wood, bamboo, and thatch, and blend seamlessly into the surrounding landscape. The guest villas are located on the beachfront and in the sand dunes, with private decks and infinity pools.
WELLNESS AND SUSTAINABILITY
The Natural Wellness Centre at the heart of Kisawa is a formative space dedicated to wellbeing. It specialises in integrative holistic healing, offering a range of wellness modalities that include Ayurveda, meditation, yoga, energy healing, sound healing, TCM, acupressure, fitness, and nutrition with the intention to achieve wellbeing through unity of mind, body, and soul. Following personalised wellness consultations, guests can indulge in comprehensive, multi-day tailored programmes in close collaboration with the property’s Ayurvedic wellness physician. Daily treatments include Hatha yoga, traditional coconut oil massage, Himalayan singing bowl healing, and guided meditation.
Additionally, the Bazaruto archipelago hosts Kisawa’s sister property and research platform, the Bazaruto Centre for Scientific Studies (BCSS), the first permanent ocean observatory focused on multi-ecosystem time series research in Africa. The “Resort to Research” initiative is a symbiotic partnership with one straightforward purpose: hospitality contributing directly to marine science and conservation.
Website: www.kisawasanctuary.com
ATLANTIS THE ROYAL: Your One-Stop Shop for Luxury and Wellness
DESIGN
Atlantis The Royal, a new landmark in Dubai, promises to redefine the future of luxury hospitality with its stunning design, innovative technology, and holistic wellness offerings. Designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF), Atlantis The Royal is a visual spectacle challenging the definition of modern architecture. Its angular, stacked structures pay homage to Roman aqueducts, while its multi directional aspect references Islamic architecture. Situated at the end of Palm Island, it offers breathtaking views and direct beach access, with rooms, suites, and penthouses designed for absolute comfort and opulence.
WELLNESS
Atlantis The Royal’s commitment to guest wellbeing is evident in every aspect of its design and offerings. With cutting-edge wellness facilities, spa treatments, and poolside experiences, guests are invited to indulge in holistic relaxation. AWAKEN, the wellness centre, offers a fusion of ancient healing traditions and modern technology, featuring a fitness centre, pools, a meditation pavilion, and a Turkish bath. The spa’s core treatments are 100 per cent vegan and cruelty-free, with therapists certified in spatial medicine.The AWAKEN Elements Retreat is a signature ritual that is available as part of a spa treatment experience.
Website: www.atlantis.com
MAXX ROYAL BODRUM: Your Private Peninsula Paradise
DESIGN
Maxx Royal Bodrum, scheduled to open in 2024, comprises 22 villas, each designed to offer guests exceptional views of lush pine forests and the Aegean Sea from their private balconies. A special landscape project incorporated trees and shrubs from nurseries in Turkey, Italy, and Spain, carefully selected to complement Bodrum’s natural vegetation. The architecture of the villas is inspired by traditional Bodrum houses, featuring whitewashed walls, stone accents, and wooden shutters. Maxx Royal Bodrum is committed to an environmentally conscious construction process and is dedicated to meeting LEED Gold standards.
WELLNESS
Maxx Royal offers a selection of wellness programs, like the 3-day Tranquillity Stress Reduction and Relaxation Program – a retreat that includes treatments, yoga and meditation sessions, designed for a sense of peace and well-being. The Prana Flow programme combines breathwork, mantra chanting, and sound resonance to invigorate vitality and foster release. The 3-day Holistic Weight Management retreat features personalised programs packed with diverse yoga styles, fitness plans, and bespoke meals. Alchemy: The Art of Rewire is a tailored program guided by biohacking principles and offering guidance in navigating challenges such as stress, anxiety, autism, ADHD, and similar neurodivergent conditions.
Website:www.maxxroyal.com
SIX SENSES LA SAGESSE: Experience the Best of Grenada
DESIGN
Six Senses La Sagesse, a new luxury resort in Grenada, is situated on a headland overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Set to open in early 2024, the resort is meticulously designed to harmonise with the natural surroundings. Villas and suites, constructed from local materials, embody traditional Caribbean architecture. These accommodations, crafted from stone, wood, and bamboo, feature classic Caribbean elements such as verandas, louvred windows, and high-pitched roofs. The resort’s landscaping mirrors the island’s natural beauty, adorned with native plants and flowers. Swimming pools and water features seamlessly integrate with the environment. Six Senses La Sagesse embraces sustainability, incorporating features like solar energy, a rainwater harvesting system, and a zero-waste policy. The resort prioritises local sourcing of food from farmers and fishermen; it is a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) non-profit organisation.
WELLNESS
The standout wellness offering includes integrated programmers focusing on sleep, movement, yoga, and longevity. The spa, overlooking the lagoon, combines local community knowledge and indigenous plants with high tech and high-touch therapies for a personalised wellness journey. Six Senses Spa designed as a traditional fishing village, offering signature therapies and Caribbean treatments. Key features include Longevity Center with a “green” beauty bar, Kneipp therapy pool, multi-purpose fitness facilities, sunset and aerial yoga, and even biohacking services.
Website: www.sixsenses.com
SHA WELLNESS, MEXICO, ISLA MUJERES: Wellness Revolution
DESIGN
SHA Mexico is a new wellness resort located just north of the Riviera Maya on the Caribbean coast. The new luxury hotel-clinic (Latin America”s f irst for SHA), was designed by the Mexican architectural firm Sordo Madaleno and interior architect Alejandro Escudero, who drew inspiration from the natural beauty of the surrounding area. Opening its doors in January 2024, it boasts approximately half a kilometre of white sandy beach and crystal clear waters, a cenote, and the largest coral reef in the northern hemisphere, lying close to its shoreline. The buildings are made of local stone and wood, designed to maximise natural light and ventilation. The landscape architects created lush gardens that surround the resort, integrating it seamlessly into the surroundings. With its neutral palette of colours and natural textures of marble, Mexican ceramics, wicker, and native fabrics, the interior design is uncluttered and inviting.The resort also features solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems.
WELLNESS
For wellness enthusiasts, SHA Wellness has long been synonymous with a gateway to a vibrant and revitalised life. At SHA Wellness Mexico, they proudly declare the initiation of a lifestyle revolution. Here, wellness treatments are a dynamic fusion of cutting-edge science and natural therapies, all aimed at activating the body’s innate regulatory power. Therapists offer guidance on breaking free from habits that hold you back, helping you rediscover your best self.
The SHA Healthy Living Academy makes embracing long-term health a breeze with engaging workshops, lively cooking classes, and activities like meditation and yoga. SHA specialists provide guidance on healthy ageing, administer pioneering treatments in regenerative, revitalising, and aesthetic medicine. For those seeking more, delve into the science of fitness and activities designed to stimulate cognitive prowess.
Website: www.shawellness.com
Edited by Elena Leo
