Last updated August 18, 2023
Once upon a time, you had to travel far and wide to get in your wellness fix while on vacation. Nowadays, some of the best wellness-focused hotels can be found smack-dab in the heart of a city. And in the form of an urban retreat.
That’s right, city hotels are stepping up their game and finally making wellness a priority. While a fitness center and a smoothie bar were once flavor du jour, today’s city slickers want more when it comes to self-discovery, health and healing.
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These modern urban sanctuaries not only offer guests a much-needed respite from the noise, pollution and stress of city life, but they also offer guests state-of-the-art facilities, transformative experiences, medical services, invigorating therapies and treatments, as well as cutting-edge nutritional programs.
Below, we share five urban retreats that transport guests away from the cacophony of the city and into a serene environment where they can focus on their well-being, even if only for a weekend.
Five Noteworthy Urban Retreats Around the World
Don’t think twice! Check into one of these five urban retreats and check out a better you.
1. Le Monastère des Augustines — Québec City, Canada
Le Monastère des Augustines in Old Québec is a 17th-century monastery-turned-hotel that offers guests a unique urban retreat experience. This sanctuary of heritage, culture and wellness honors the Augustinian Sisters’ mission to care for body and soul with contemporary wellness programming that focuses on balancing physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health.
Guests can enjoy personalized treatments and relaxation sessions, exercise and mindfulness classes, guided walks and mindful eating with an emphasis on local and organic ingredients. With a museum exhibition and cultural center dedicated to the Augustinian Sisters, Le Monastère provides guests of all faiths with a space for reflection, transformation and self-discovery.
2. Marquis Reforma — Mexico City, Mexico
Marquis Reforma Hotel & Spa in Mexico City is an urban retreat that combines chic contemporary style with warm, intuitive service. The hotel features one of the best spas in Latin America, offering holistic treatments, massages, hydrotherapy tubs, sensation showers and sauna.
Guests can also dine at one of three exquisite restaurants featuring Mexican, Spanish, Italian and Argentinian cuisine. The hotel’s central location allows guests to easily explore Mexico City. Marquis Reforma Hotel & Spa is a sanctuary that inspires the senses and restores balance to the body, mind and spirit.
3. Seventy Barcelona — Barcelona, Spain
Seventy Barcelona, located in the Gràcia neighborhood of Barcelona, is a boutique hotel that blends the warmth of a Mediterranean guest house with the vibrancy of a multifunctional space. The hotel’s lively aesthetics, sophisticated decor, attention to detail and great food provide an authentic experience of the city’s essence.
Seventy Spa offers relaxation and rejuvenation with 100% natural, vegan products and amenities such as a pool with hydromassage, dry sauna, steam bath and cardiovascular fitness room. The hotel’s rooftop terrace is the perfect place to soak up the sunset or build a Mediterranean-style tan. Seventy Barcelona is the perfect urban retreat for visitors to the city of Barcelona.
4. Equinox Hotel — New York City, New York
Equinox Hotel is an outstanding urban retreat designed to offer an all-encompassing approach to fitness and well-being. The hotel combines thoughtful elements to provide a world of endless possibilities where guests can move, eat, sleep, work and live in a new way.
Equinox features a membership-based co-working community space, spa and fitness club that offers a range of rejuvenating treatments, including massages, cryotherapy and infrared sauna. The hotel also boasts an expansive flagship Equinox Fitness Club, which offers access to personal training, private Pilates sessions and group fitness classes.
Guests can also challenge themselves with the Equinox Vessel Run or take a SoulCycle session. The Equinox Hotel is a true urban oasis that offers personalized services and signature programming for an unparalleled fitness experience.
5. Acqualina Resort & Spa — Miami, Florida
Acqualina Resort & Spa is an exquisite beachfront retreat located in Sunny Isles Beach, Miami. The resort boasts three oceanfront swimming pools, three restaurants and a luxurious spa, offering a range of treatments and wellness services. The opulent room design is inspired by the ocean and beach, providing guests with stunning Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal views.
Acqualina Spa provides guests with state-of-the-art treatment rooms, relaxation lounges and an outdoor terrace retreat. Guests can also enjoy water sports and alfresco dining on the resort’s beautiful grounds.
Four Benefits of an Urban Retreat
According to the Global Wellness Summit, cities are getting a “wellness re-think” and an urban break is ever more attractive for a city stay. Here are four reasons why an urban retreat is good for your soul.
1. Stress Reduction
An urban retreat offers an escape from the daily grind. It provides a space where guests can unwind, relax and recharge their batteries. The peaceful atmosphere can help to lower stress levels and promote mental clarity.
2. Convenience
One of the primary advantages of an urban retreat is its accessibility. An urban retreat is located within the city limits, making it an ideal option for busy individuals who cannot afford the time or expense to travel to remote destinations for relaxation.
3. Connection With Nature
An urban retreat often incorporates natural elements, such as green spaces, water features and natural light, which have been shown to have positive effects on mood and overall well-being.
4. Community Building
Many an urban retreat offers group activities, workshops and events that foster a sense of community and connection among guests.
As the trend of an urban retreat continues to gain popularity, we can expect to see even more creative and inspiring examples emerge in city-based hotels worldwide.
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