Last updated July 3, 2024
Nowadays it’s not about simply going to a wellness center. It’s more about the unique experiences that a wellness retreat can offer—the amalgamation of different approaches, techniques and medical achievements.
Jump to:
- The Retreat Hotel Blue Lagoon — Iceland
- SHA Wellness Clinic — Spain
- Six Senses Douro Valley — Portugal
- Vilalara Thalassa Resort — Portugal
- Aman Le Melezin — France
- Preidlhof Luxury DolceVita Resort — Italy
- Euphoria Retreat — Greece
- The Arrigo Programme — UK
- Bio-Hotel Stanglwirt — Austria
- Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa — Germany
- Lanserhof Tegernsee — Germany
- Chenot Palace Weggis — Switzerland
- Clinique La Prairie — Switzerland
- Waldhotel Health & Medical Excellence — Switzerland
- Six Senses Kaplankaya — Turkey
And Europe really has it all. PSA for our North American-based wellness travelers: it is well worth crossing the pond. As for our Europe-based wellness travelers: it’s just a plane ride away.
Here are 15 unique wellness retreats in Europe.
1. The Retreat Hotel Blue Lagoon — Iceland
The Retreat Hotel uses geothermal waters, which are naturally hot. The special thing about this unique wellness retreat is its in-water massages, but the one treatment you must certainly try is the Blue Lagoon Ritual.
2. SHA Wellness Clinic — Spain
This unique wellness retreat in the charming seaside town of Alicante combines healthy nutrition with well-being. There are numerous treatments to choose from—and they can be tailored to your specific needs and personal health and wellness goals in mind.
3. Six Senses Douro Valley — Portugal
Set in a nineteenth-century manor, Six Senses Douro Valley fuses modern and old in a unique way. This wellness retreat also has its own winery and there are rooftop and vineyard rooms. You can enjoy wine tasting, as well as different relaxing spa activities.
4. Vilalara Thalassa Resort — Portugal
The sea gardens at Vilalara Thalassa Resort are enough to relax you completely but to further improve your experience there are various therapies—such as thalassotherapy—tailored to your specific needs.
5. Aman Le Melezin — France
This is a very unique wellness retreat in Europe for active people. On one hand, there are plenty of activities to do—mainly skiing in the Alps—and on the other hand, you can enjoy spa and wellness treatments après-ski that completely relax your muscles.
6. Preidlhof Luxury DolceVita Resort — Italy
Priedlhof caters to adults only, so you can relax in peace. This wellness retreat features a six-floor sauna, as well as two spas. There are many unique experiences here, but the one you don’t want to miss is the “chocolate experience.“
7. Euphoria Retreat — Greece
This unique wellness retreat takes a holistic approach to the human body, mixing Chinese and Greek philosophies. Euphoria is set in Sparta, a historic site in Greece, so it is the perfect combination of history, relaxation and rejuvenation.
8. The Arrigo Programme — UK
Arguably the most famous wellness retreat in the United Kingdom is the Arrigo Programme. Unlike other retreats, Fiona Arrigo, psychotherapist and life coach, knows that it is not about five-star hotels, but about connecting with yourself, recharging and getting away.
9. Bio-Hotel Stanglwirt — Austria
One of the hidden gems of unique wellness retreats in Europe is Bio-Hotel Stanglwirt in Austria. The picturesque hotel allows you to enjoy the beautiful scenery and fresh Alpine air. One of the best activities is tohike to the nearby Schwarzsee lake and soak in a hot bath afterward.
10. Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa — Germany
It is no wonder this hotel has been around for 150 years. It is set near Baden-Baden’s thermal baths and springs and also offers medical treatments. There is also a two-Michelin-star restaurant on the grounds and for complete enjoyment, terraces overlooking the banks of the river Oos.
11. Lanserhof Tegernsee — Germany
Lanserhof Tegernsee prides itself on being the modern wellness retreat in Europe and it is certainly so. Depending on your needs, guests can choose from 12 adjustable therapies—including sleep, nutrition, stress management, etc.
12. Chenot Palace Weggis — Switzerland
Set on the banks of Lake Lucerne, this unique wellness retreat offers a holistic approach combined with state-of-the-art medical achievements. Added bonus: there is an underground tunnel connecting the hotel with the open water which you can swim in.
13. Clinique La Prairie — Switzerland
This unique wellness retreat was established in 1931 and it combines cutting-edge technology and therapies with more than 90 years of experience. There are four main treatments to choose from: longevity, well-being, beauty and medical, but they can also be customized.
14. Waldhotel Health & Medical Excellence — Switzerland
This Swiss wellness retreat and spa resort combines modern medical concepts with a holistic approach to your well-being. There are many medical treatments being offered—including rehabilitation, therapeutic and diagnostic services.
15. Six Senses Kaplankaya — Turkey
This unique wellness retreat in Turkey can transport you into another dimension. Apart from choosing from an assortment of nine different treatments this spa offers, you can also enjoy the gorgeous scenery of the turquoise Aegean Sea.
Choosing a perfect wellness retreat, in Europe especially, can be overwhelming because there are so many options. But keep in mind that the most important thing is that the treatments offered at a wellness retreat should suit your needs.
About the author: Nina Petrov is a content marketing specialist, passionate about health and wellness. She starts the day scrolling her digest on new trends while sipping a cup of coffee with milk and sugar.
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