Dreamy Wellness-Inspired Holidays

The global travel and hospitality industries have continued to bounce back from the pandemic which once threatened to shutter the livelihoods of millions. These days travellers are looking for more from their vacations and luxury hotels and resorts in Southeast Asia are banking on a resurgence in dreamy wellness-inspired holidays and a variety of well-being excursions.

 

From Vietnam’s east coast to the hills of northern Thailand and from Bali’s beautiful beaches to Tokyo’s imperial palace and gardens, here is a compilation of the leading hotels and resorts in the region where guests can partake in holistic treatments and blissful activities to lower blood pressure, ease tension and experience nourishing healthy dining.

 

 

Cultural Wellness In Vietnam

 

A holistic resort in Da Nang is taking well-being out of its wellness centre through a handful of curated experiences for mind, body and soul at nearby points of spiritual and cultural significance. TIA Wellness Resort, situated along Da Nang’s picturesque coastline, has drawn on its four core wellness pillars to reimagine excursions to local sites, bringing in a wellness twist.

 

These include: Breathe – a meditation practice at Linh Ung Pagoda and the towering Lady Buddha statue; Flow – a hike in the sacred Marble Mountains and Tai Chi by the tranquil caves up top; Nourish – An organic village excursion and healthy cooking class, and Create – A traditional and mindful Vietnamese calligraphy experience. Each TIA tour is priced from Bt2,2020++ (VND 1,500,000++) per person and take place daily, subject to availability.

 

For more information and reservations, call +84 (0) 236 ­– 396 – 7999 or email: reservation@tiawellnessresort.com.

 

A Balinese Water Blessing

 

 

Melukat, the water purification ceremony, is a core element of Balinese life. This ritual is for the Balinese what confession is for Catholics. For visitors it’s a chance to explore the spiritual side of the Island of the Gods with a cleansing ritual believed to wash away bad spirits and purify the body and soul.

 

Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana, guides guests through the process, assisting them with the correct attire and then performing the ceremony within the sacred temple grounds within the resort. Guests are guided through the purification ritual by a local priest and accompanied by their butler. Prices start at Bt1,500++ (IDR 650,000++) per person with a minimum booking of two persons.

 

For more information and reservations, call +62 (0) 361 – 975 – 685 or email: info@tanahgajahubud.com.

 

Dreamy Wellness-Inspired Holidays – Taking Tokyo On Foot

 

 

The five-kilometre moatside run alongside the Imperial Palace gardens has garnered a reputation as the one must-do run in Japan’s capital and while active guests at Palace Hotel Tokyo don’t need to venture far to enjoy this picturesque route, it’s always nice to have some company. Through the hotel’s limited-time “Sustainable Tokyo” package that encourages guests to engage with the city in a more eco-conscious manner, visitors can book a privately guided, two-hour jogging tour or three-hour cycling tour around the iconic Imperial Palace running route, as well as several other areas of the city.

 

Looking for a more novel way to take in Tokyo? Another option through the hotel is a private 90-minute kayaking excursion along the Sumida River, revealing Tokyo’s origins as a city borne of water.

 

For more information and reservations, call +81 (0) 332 – 115 – 211.

 

 

Forest Bathing At Banyan

 

With a bountiful and beautiful variety of flora and fauna in adjoining Khao Ngon Nak National Park, including a panoramic viewpoint offering stunning views of the surrounding islands in the Andaman Sea, Banyan Tree Krabi is the ideal jumping-off point for for a hike up Naga Mountain. Banyan Tree’s half-day Forest Bathing walking tour includes ample time for birdwatching, soothing your feet in a waterfall pool and wallowing in the tranquility and splendor of a tropical forest.

 

“Leave your phone in the villa for one morning and come with us into the forest,” said Sustainability Manager Thepsuda Loijiw.” It’s suitable for all ages, and you’ll never regret spending time with Mother Nature.” The national park is open from 5am to 2pm every day.

 

For more information and reservations, call +66 (0) 7581 ­– 1888 or email: krabi@banyantree.com.

 

 

Dreamy Wellness-Inspired Holidays – Serene Hot Springs

 

Alma resort’s new excursion, “A Day for Yourself,” offers guests a day-long combined wellness and cultural immersion. The tour, provided by local partner Zazen Travel, includes a visit to a popular wellness destination in southern Vietnam that is renowned for its healing mud bath and revitalising hot spring with Chinese herbs. The tour also includes a relaxing and invigorating massage.

 

The day continues with a visit to the famous Truong Son Handicraft Village, where guests can see – and buy, if they see something that strikes their fancy – artworks by skilled local artisans. Lunch is served at a local restaurant. The day concludes at a healthy fresh fruit shop where guests can sample exotic tropical fruits including durian, mangoes and more.

 

 

For more information and reservations, call +84 (0) 258 – 399 – 1666 or email: info@alma-resort.com.

 

Alba Wellness Retreats

 

Alba Wellness Valley by Fusion, known for its healthy dining and multi-day well-being retreats in central Vietnam, recently introduced a new “Healing Yourself Retreat,” with four-day and six-day options, encouraging guests to spend meaningful time in nature, nurturing their mind, body and soul. The retreat includes a soak in a natural hot spring and Japanese onsen baths, in addition to adventure activities such as a zipline and high-wire course.

 

 

Excursions into the surrounding forest include hiking, bicycling and a rejuvenating session of forest bathing – taking in fresh air and the wonders of nature. The package also includes mindful yoga sessions, meditation (including water meditation, walking meditation, chakra healing meditation and rainbow shower meditation) and qigong, in addition to special spa treatments.

 

For more information and reservations, call +84 (0) 234 – 355 – 6666 or email: reservation@albawellnessvalley.com.

 

Thailand’s Farm To Plate

 

Meliá Chiang Mai ushers guests onto a nearby 250-acre gourmet organic farm, to meet local farmers and learn more about sustainable farming and healthy eating. Under the hotel’s ‘360° Cuisine’ programme its kitchen works closely with SEED Sustainable Farm in San Sai District, sourcing ‘farm to plate’ organic produce that travels only a short distance before ‘plate to farm’ food waste returns to the farm as fertiliser.

 

 

To learn more about the journey their food has made, as well as who has been a part of that journey, guests are encouraged to embark on a day trip to the scenic farm that includes a picnic lunch. The Melia Farm 360 Degrees Journey is priced at Bt3,000 for two people inclusive of the farm experience, picnic lunch and round-trip transfer from Meliá Chiang Mai to the farm.

 

For more information and reservations, call +66 (0) 5209 – 0699 or email: reservation.chiangmai@melia.com.

 

 

Source: Colin Hinshelwood/ CPA Media.