In recent years, more and more people have begun to re-examine their health, and the trend of health preservation has gradually become younger. Against this background, health tourism has become more mature. Many hotels and resorts have also been deeply involved in this, combining local traditions with modern technology to help people improve their physical fitness and relieve their inner emotions. They are not only a safe haven, but more like a supply station, like a warm embrace in winter, allowing people to revitalize themselves and move towards the next spring in a better state.
Echo in the Valley – Saudi Arabia
AlUla is located in the northwest of Saudi Arabia. This thousand-year-old city is surrounded by canyons and sandstones. Its numerous cultural relics tell of splendor and loneliness. The AlUla Art Festival held in recent years has brought the works of world-renowned artists to the depths of the desert.
Habitas, a wild luxury hotel brand from Mexico, has focused its attention here and created Habitas Alula, a resort with the theme of art therapy.
The 96 villas, which were strictly printed in modular 3D, extend across the canyon like the veins of branches and leaves, like new shoots growing in the desolate wilderness. The many colorful spherical installations scattered not far away are like blooming flowers.
The room is based on earthy yellow, with cotton and linen carpets and pillows, making it feel more like home. At the end of the valley is an open-air swimming pool, which is a deep blue, forming a sharp contrast with the surrounding rock walls, full of luxury.
Upon arrival, the beats of the dabka drum and nomadic rabab will ring in your ears. The staff will put on a bracelet symbolizing the villagers for the guests and welcome them into a meditation room. Wearing a white robe, breathing in and out, through the lingering light smoke, thousands of years of light and shadow flashed before your eyes in a trance. The resort hopes that people will experience everything here in an immersive way with an aboriginal mentality.
Music, as a universal language, can transcend borders and cultures and bring the same emotions to people. In a private concert under the cliff, local artists will present traditional music performances, singing and dancing under the starlight, and worries will be blown away at this moment.
The Ancient Balance – Qatar
When talking about health and wellness hotel brands, Chiva-Som is a name that cannot be avoided. This resort founded in Hua Hin is a wellness resort favored by many international celebrities and Hollywood stars. Its mission is to create a healthy body for guests through more than 200 treatment experiences and provide a complete and comfortable lifestyle.
Zulal means pure natural water in Arabic. The geometric light yellow buildings are built along the Persian Gulf, and they are staggered and orderly. From a distance, they look like the confluence of sand and sea.
The entire area is divided into two parts, one for adults and the other for families. Children’s health will also be given full attention here, and the Nature Kinder project focuses on helping young children express and explore better.
In addition to delivering the world’s most advanced health concepts, the resort also deeply integrates traditional Arabic and Islamic medicine, an ancient doctrine that originated from the “Canon of Medicine” written by Ibn Sina in 1025. This polymath believed that each person’s physique is determined by natural body fluids, which have four states: wet, dry, hot and cold. Efficient metabolism can only be achieved when the body fluids are in a balanced state.
The retreat encourages guests to let go of the stress of life and explore their own infinite potential to embark on a more harmonious and fulfilling journey. First, they cleanse their past selves and exfoliate their bodies using Arabian herbs, aromatic essential oils and charcoal.
36.5℃ Fountain of Youth-Switzerland
Bad Ragaz is a famous hot spring resort in the Alps. The Grand Resort Bad Ragaz enjoys this unique resource and is famous for bathing and spa. It has now developed into a luxury resort of “hot springs + modern comprehensive medical care”, including two hotels, hot spring baths, spa centers, medical and health centers, etc.
As early as the 13th century, monks in the monastery discovered that there was a spring gushing out in the nearby Tamina Gorge. The water temperature was comparable to human body temperature, around 36.5°C. It was rich in special mineral components and was believed to promote metabolism and blood circulation, improve heart function, and relieve rheumatism and nervous system diseases.
Today, the hot spring water here has been introduced into the resort. The Roman-style baths have high domes and marble columns. The environment is magnificent and elegant, giving people a sense of dignity.
The historic Helena Hot Spring, modern sports hot spring, family hot spring and garden pool overlooking the Alps allow guests to fully experience its magic. In addition, there are saunas and SPA massages with various functions.
There are more than 30 doctors and experts stationed in the resort, with more than a dozen departments covering orthopedics, vascular medicine, pulmonology, mental health, dentistry, neurology, sleep medicine, etc., which can take care of the whole body from top to bottom and from inside to outside.
After years of research in the field of preventive medicine and nutritional medicine, the resort has launched a wellness program that emphasizes both fun and health – NEWYOU Method, which will be tailored to different guests and cover a variety of packages.
It aims to remind people that it is never too late to make real changes, help guests exercise consciously, re-understand food, find harmony and balance, feel the power of nature, maintain inner vitality and outer image, and form sustainable healthy behaviors.
Sea Retreat-Maldives
Looking down from a high place, Bodufushi Island is surrounded by coral reefs, and the long and short trailing beaches are very dreamy. Joali Being chose to live here with the concept of weightlessness, aiming to reconnect people with their surroundings by getting rid of all unnecessary excess elements, creating an immersive healing island that integrates with nature.
After arriving by seaplane, you’ll first pass through Gate Zero at the pier. Inspired by Turkish rituals, this butterfly-like building symbolizes letting go of the ego.
The private health consultant will customize a personalized health plan for each guest around the four core dimensions of mind, skin, energy and microbiome, covering strength, exercise, digestion, sleep, immunity, hormone balance, weight management, mental health, etc. At the same time, the daily menu and wine list are also carefully planned by nutritionists.
The island’s AREKA Health and Wellness Center integrates diagnosis and treatment, fun courses, recovery treatments and other services, creating a healthy and happy life experience.
When you enter the AKTAR Herbal Center, the island’s experts will specially blend effective teas, body lotions, shampoos and massage oils to match the guests’ physical and mental states, and teach the secrets behind the herbs.
The design of the KAASH spa hall is inspired by coconuts. The purification of Russian banyan wood, the invigoration of aromatherapy sauna, and the comfort of water dance will bring different effects. You can also try novel spa experiences in the floating hall and Himalayan crystal salt bath.
The outdoor meditation platform, yoga hall and other water thinking facilities are collectively called Ocean Sala here, which means a soothing place, making the accessible ocean also a part of the healing.
