Top Luxury Retreats in 2026 for Intentional Wellbeing
February 24, 2026
Inside the World of Modern Wellness Retreats
In the past two decades, wellness travel has evolved from a niche curiosity to a global movement. Few people have witnessed—and shaped—that evolution as closely as Stella Photi, founder of Wellbeing Escapes, one of Europe’s leading specialists in transformative health and immersive wellness retreats. What began as a personal passion for holistic living has grown into a finely curated portfolio of the world’s most advanced medical spas, Ayurvedic sanctuaries, and intentional wellbeing experiences.
Stella Photi, Founder Wellbeing Escapes
Today, as luxury travellers increasingly seek depth, clarity, and long-term health optimisation, wellness retreats have become far more than spa holidays. They are intentionally crafted journeys designed to restore, rebalance, and offer measurable, lasting change.
Mark Howorth, founder of Callender Howorth, shares, “We have been noticing an increase in discussions with our clients about wellbeing. People are very busy these days and are becoming more intentional about their self-care and prioritizing how they spend their time to restore their energy. When designing interiors for our clients, they want to infuse the feeling and energy of an escape or time-out in their homes. The brief for our project in Ojai, California, is a perfect example of this. They are craving a sense of wellness across the board, from their home sanctuaries to wellness travel experiences.”
Concept design of master ensuite. Callender Howorth Project, Ojai, California.
So, for 2026, we asked Stella about the trends shaping wellness travel in 2026, the retreats setting new standards, and the practical insights travellers need when choosing an experience tailored to their wellbeing goals.
Can you share your journey into the travel wellness industry?
I founded Wellbeing Escapes over 20 years ago, when “wellness travel” wasn’t really a thing! I was personally interested in health, nutrition, and holistic therapies, and I realised there was a gap in the market for curated retreats that combined expert guidance with beautiful, restorative environments.
What began as a niche idea has grown into a specialist travel company working with some of the world’s leading medical spas, Ayurvedic retreats, and holistic sanctuaries. Throughout that journey, my focus has remained the same: helping people step out of their busy lives, reset properly, and return home feeling stronger – physically and emotionally.
What trends are you observing in the wellness travel space for 2026?
For 2026, three major themes stand out:
Longevity and preventive health
Guests are increasingly interested in diagnostics, metabolic health, hormone balance, and long-term health optimisation. Retreats are now blending medical science with holistic practices to help people improve not just how they feel today, but how they age.
SHA Wellness, Spain
Wellness & Culture
Travellers want more than a programme within four walls. They’re seeking immersive experiences that combine movement, nature, indigenous healing traditions, and cultural depth.
Privacy and personal space
Particularly among high-performing professionals, there is a growing desire for discreet, personalised experiences — such as private villas, standalone cottages, and one-to-one consultations — rather than group-focused retreats.
How have travelers’ wellness needs evolved in recent years, particularly post-pandemic?
Post-pandemic, there has been a noticeable shift from surface-level relaxation to deeper, more intentional wellbeing.
People are more aware of stress, immunity, sleep quality, and metabolic health. They want measurable results, expert-led guidance, and structured programmes rather than simply a spa break.
There is also a stronger emotional element: many clients are navigating burnout, life transitions, or a desire to redefine priorities. Wellness travel has become less of a luxury and more of an investment in long-term resilience.
What are some standout wellness retreats you recommend for 2026 and why?
A few exceptional examples:
SHA (Spain & Mexico)
A pioneer in integrative and longevity-led wellness. Combining advanced medical testing, nutrition, and cutting-edge therapies with holistic practices, it’s ideal for guests seeking measurable transformation.
Chenot Palace Weggis (Switzerland)
Highly structured and science-led, with a strong focus on detoxification and cellular health in a serene lakeside setting.
Euphoria Retreat (Greece)
A deeply holistic retreat blending Hellenic philosophy, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and emotional wellbeing in an architecturally striking space.
Euphoria Retreat, Greece
Six Senses Vana (India)
Rooted in Ayurveda and traditional therapies, yet refined and quietly luxurious. It offers profound personalisation and authenticity.
Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary (Thailand)
A timeless classic in Asian wellness, known for its lush tropical setting, restorative programmes, and integrative approach to stress, detox, and emotional balance. Kamalaya’s blend of nature, expert practitioners, and spiritual calm makes it a perennial favourite for those seeking deep renewal.
Zulal Wellness Resort (Qatar)
Inspired by Traditional Arabic & Islamic Medicine, Zulal offers a serene coastal setting with a highly personalised and structured approach to holistic wellbeing. Its blend of traditional healing philosophies and contemporary design makes it particularly appealing to those seeking privacy, discretion, and depth.
Each of these retreats combines expertise, environment, and design supporting real change.
How can travellers ensure they choose a retreat that meets their individual wellness goals?
Clarity is essential. Before booking, travellers should ask themselves:
Am I seeking relaxation, medical insight, emotional support, fitness, or a reset of habits?
Do I want structure and discipline, or something gentler?
Am I comfortable with shared spaces, or do I value privacy?
Working with a specialist who understands the differences between retreats is invaluable. Many properties may look similar aesthetically, but their philosophy, intensity, and outcomes can vary significantly. There is nothing like firsthand experience.
Can you share a memorable experience from a wellness retreat you’ve attended? What made it special?
One particularly defining experience for me was my stay at SHA in Mexico, where I undertook the Leaders Performance programme. This programme is also running in their flagship facility in Spain.
SHA Wellness, Mexico
This programme is specifically designed for entrepreneurs, executives, and high-performing professionals who are operating at a sustained level of intensity. Rather than focusing solely on relaxation, it centres on optimising cognitive performance, energy, metabolic efficiency, and long-term resilience.
Through advanced diagnostics, targeted therapies, structured fitness, and precision nutrition, I gained measurable insight into how my body functions under pressure. What made it powerful was the clarity — understanding what to adjust, what to prioritise, and how to support longevity in a demanding professional life.
The environment reinforces this philosophy: clean architectural lines, natural light, restrained materials, and a calm, disciplined aesthetic. There is nothing excessive or distracting. It creates mental space — which, for leaders and decision-makers, is often the most valuable commodity of all.
I left not simply rested, but recalibrated.
What tips would you give to someone planning their first wellness retreat?
Be honest about what you need. Choose based on your health and emotional goals, not just the destination.
Allow enough time. Five nights is often the minimum to experience meaningful change.
Prepare mentally. Reduce caffeine, improve sleep, and arrive open to the process.
Disconnect properly. The benefits multiply when you step away from constant digital stimulation.
See it as an investment. A well-chosen retreat can shift habits and mindset for months or years afterwards.
As wellness becomes increasingly interwoven with luxury travel and modern lifestyle design, retreats are offering travellers something rare: the space to pause, understand themselves more deeply, and return home transformed.
Whether through medical insight, cultural immersion, or restorative solitude, the wellness journeys of 2026 are shaping not just how we travel—but how we live.
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