The Future of Wellness Travel: 2026’s Standout Retreats
As wellness travel evolves, 2026 marks a decisive shift towards more intentional, outcome driven journeys. Travellers are no longer seeking wellness as an add on, but as a central reason to travel, prioritising longevity, emotional balance, restorative sleep and meaningful connection. From clinical, data led retreats and biohacking alpine renewals to spiritually grounded rituals and analogue experiences rooted in nature and heritage, the next generation of wellness travel is defined by depth, personalisation and purpose.
Reflecting this evolution, BIRD presents a curated collection of pioneering openings and transformative experiences shaping the future of wellbeing travel. As science, tradition and technology increasingly converge, these destinations respond to a growing desire not just to escape, but to return home healthier, more balanced and better equipped for modern life.
NEW OPENINGS
A NEW LANGUAGE OF HEALING
tulåh Clinical Wellness launches in Kerala in February 2026, redefining the future of clinical wellbeing
Launching in February 2026, tulåh clinical wellness is a sanctuary of healing and transformation, where ancient wisdom and modern science converge with clinical precision and world-class expertise. Drawing from Ayurveda, Vedanta, Yoga, Tibetan and Traditional Chinese Medicine, tulåh clinical wellness, harmonises tradition and innovation, weaving advanced diagnostics, regenerative therapies, and personalised, farm-to-table nutrition into journeys that restore balance to body, mind, and soul. Each guest journey is deeply customised, guided by pre-arrival genomic and microbiome testing and integrating advanced medical protocols with traditional practices, to create an eco-system of care. Guided by a philosophy of balance, tulåh clinical wellness is a global ecosystem redefining the intersection of healthcare and living, beginning with its Kerala sanctuary and extending to urban hubs and at-home programmes that carry its healing philosophy into everyday life.
A PRIVATE ISLAND AWAKENS
May 2026 sees Zannier Île de Bendor unveil the largest spa on the French Riviera
Opening 1st May 2026, Zannier Île de Bendor, one of Europe’s most highly anticipated openings, is set to debut on the private French island after five years of transformation. Rooted in four pillars – wellbeing, spa, movement and nutrition – the island’s 1200 sqm spa, set to be one of the largest spas in the region, will reflect holistic wellness blending ancient wisdom with modern healing practices. Drawing from Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture, osteopathy and naturopathy, alongside gentle lifestyle and nutritional adjustments, the wellbeing centre will guide guests on personalised wellbeing journeys that support the body’s natural healing processes. Facilities will feature: eight treatment rooms including a honeymoon massage suite with private spa, indoor and outdoor pool, hammam, cold bath, mud bath, balneotherapy, Iyashi dome, meditation, yoga and reformer Pilates studio, as well as a high-tech fitness centre, tennis court and three pickleball courts.
ALPINE RENEWAL
Lodge Park reopens following a year-long transformation, debuting Mègeve’s first biohacking spa
Maisons et Hôtels Sibuet has unveiled a thoughtfully reimagined chapter for Lodge Park, one of Megève’s most storied addresses, following a year-long transformation. At the heart of this renewal lies the debut of the Longevity Spa, the first biohacking wellness hub spa in the region, in partnership with The Recode Club. Guests can enjoy cryotherapy, hyperbaric oxygen, cryolipolysis, photobiomodulation, naturopathy consultations, Pure Altitude treatments, a 12-metre indoor pool, infrared sauna, hammam, Kneipp bath, ice room and dedicated recovery areas. New with the reopening is the Beauty Room Service, allowing guests to transform their suite into a private spa with LED masks, amenities by Pure Altitude, and in-room guided Pilates and yoga.
NEW RETREATS
A RETURN TO SIMPLICITY
eriro invites guests to rediscover analogue rituals shaped by the timeless rhythms of the Alps
Wellness travel in 2026 will focus on simplicity – stripped-back, intentional practices that restore balance and reconnect travellers with nature. eriro, a nine-suite sanctuary high in the Tyrolean Alps, embodies this. More than a hotel, it is a space designed for pause: raw yet refined interiors use stone, wood and wool to echo the surrounding landscape, while its lower-ground spa opens onto meadows and forests. Here, wellness is not about over-programming but about recalibration – bespoke treatments, personalised yoga, meditative time in nature, and nourishment through seasonal alpine cuisine.
FIND CLARITY AND BALANCE UNDER THE MOON
Restore balance with Kamalaya’s new lunar aligned Sacred Renewal programme
As nature led healing surges in popularity, lunar wellness is emerging as one of the most sought after pathways for clarity, renewal and emotional balance. Responding to this global movement, Kamalaya Koh Samui introduces Sacred Renewal, a programme that aligns personal transformation with the waxing moon, a phase traditionally associated with growth and rising energy. Guided by the five elements of earth, water, fire, air and ether, guests spend the first 14 days of the lunar cycle immersed in mindful movement, breathwork, meditation and reflective rituals. Rooted in ancient philosophy and enriched with modern insight, Sacred Renewal nurtures inner awareness, cultivates resilience and clarity, and offers a structured, intentional path to sustainable wellbeing in harmony with nature.
BURNOUT RECOVERY RETREATS
Estelle Manor partners with Kamalaya for its second Eynsham Baths Retreat
According to Forbes’ 2025 Workplace Wellbeing Report, nearly 66% of professionals worldwide report burnout symptoms, driving demand for retreats that restore emotional, mental and physical resilience. As travellers increasingly seek immersive, therapeutic experiences that counter chronic stress, the wellness world is witnessing a marked rise in programmes dedicated to deep replenishment and nervous-system healing.
Returning for its second year, Estelle Manor will be partnering with award-winning holistic sanctuary, Kamalaya Koh Samui, to host the second Eynsham Baths Retreat, designed to restore balance and cultivate lasting resilience from within. Set against the tranquil backdrop of the Oxfordshire countryside, guests will stay at Estelle Manor and experience a thoughtfully curated programme designed to restore balance and wellbeing, co-curated by Kamalaya’s award-winning experts and Estelle Manor’s Master in Residence and wellness specialists. Guests will enjoy Chakra Meditation, Pranayama breathwork, and Chanting, along with nourishing meals co-created with Kamalaya, three nights’ accommodation at Estelle Manor, and two 90-minute signature treatments, creating a space for personal renewal and transformation.
TRAVELLING FOR ZZZ’s
Six Senses Con Dao helps guests rediscover the cornerstone of wellness: restorative sleep.
As “sleep tourism” continues to rise in 2026, Six Senses Con Dao offers a newly launched 3–7 day Sleep Programme, designed to enhance sleep quality and establish healthier routines. Housed within the resort’s 162,000 sq ft Jungle Wellness Village, the programme is guided by a dedicated ‘Sleep Doctor’ and includes consultations, sleep tracking and tailored plans combining yoga nidra, meditation, breathwork, nutrition guidance and low-intensity training. Treatments such as Shirodhara help calm the nervous system, while world-class yoga sessions are led by Himalayan expert Sandeep Uniyal. Evenings end in one of 50 private pool villas, lulled to sleep by the rhythm of the ocean.
NURTURING HERITAGE
Reschio evokes ancient rituals of comfort and care in its Roman Bathhouse
On its 3,855-acre Umbrian estate, Reschio brings ancestral bathing traditions to life with the Mother’s Care Ritual, performed in ancient vaulted wine cellars. This two-hour experience evokes a mother’s nurturing touch: dry brushing stimulates circulation and lymphatic flow, while seasonal plants and wildflowers infuse the bath. The body is gently washed with cotton and hemp, swathed in linen, then massaged with hand-foraged essential oils beside a roaring fireplace. The Bathhouse also offers a tepidarium carved into an ancient cave and a cleansing steam room, completing this deeply restorative journey.
COASTAL RENEWAL
Three Mile Beach redefine beachside wellness with new retreat
For winter 2025, Three Mile Beach has introduced a three-night ‘Renewal Retreat’ to restore body and mind through Cornwall’s elemental landscape. Guests receive a wellness hamper with produce from Trevaskis Farm and InLight Beauty products, followed by a guided coastal foraging walk. The retreat includes a private yoga session and a treatment at the newly opened Relax treatment room. The signature Long Quiet massage uses slow, rhythmic movements to calm the nervous system, drawing energy from the sea air.
SPIRIT OF THE EARTH
In today’s overstimulated world, Cap Karoso’s week-long Shamanic Healing Journey connects guests with Sumba’s deeply spiritual Marapu religion
At eco-resort Cap Karoso in Sumba, the week-long Shamanic Healing Journey blends spa treatments, movement, meditation and cultural immersion, offering insight into sacred medicinal plants and culminating in an intimate encounter with a local shaman. Amidst a world grappling with disconnection from each other and digital overload, Cap Karoso’s Shamanic Healing Journey reconnects guests to earth’s rhythms to restore balance and self-understanding. Cap Karoso ensures authenticity of the experience by limiting participation to two couples or three individuals per month to avoid overexposure of local healers and shamans. This trend reflects a broader shift toward immersive, transformational, and spiritually grounded wellness experiences that fuse ancient practices with modern travel.
RITUAL-LED WELLNESS: THE AYURVEDIC REVIVAL
Kayaam House blends centuries-old Ayurvedic practices with tailored care
As global interest in natural wellness grows, the Ayurvedic market is projected to reach $76.91 billion by 2030, according to Grand View Research. Kayaam House, a boutique retreat in Sri Lanka’s southern coast, offers bespoke wellness journeys rooted in centuries-old Ayurvedic practices. Each stay begins with a consultation with an expert practitioner who designs a personalised programme. Guests enjoy yoga, therapeutic massages, herbal treatments, warm oil therapies and dosha specific cuisine sourced locally. With just nine rooms, a beach facing yoga shala, an infinity pool and spa, the retreat offers an intimate setting for mindful restoration.
THE CULTURE OF WELLBEING
At Nirjhara in Bali, centuries-old healing traditions meet modern mindfulness, reflecting 2026’s growing desire for authentic, transformative wellness
Set in Bali’s southwest Kedungu, Nirjhara offers an authentic bridge between modern wellness and ancient Balinese spirituality. The Retreat spa features sound healing, reiki and reflexology, alongside off-property blessings led by local spiritual leaders. A signature journey leads guests to Sebatu’s holy springs for meditation, cleansing and a water purification ceremony beneath twin waterfalls. In 2026, Phase Two will introduce new spa cabins, Ayurvedic treatments, a sauna and cold plunge pool, adults-only pool, private villas and a new Indonesian restaurant.
LONGEVITY WELLNESS IN THE MOUNTAINS
Le Grand Bellevue provides a slice of wellness in the chocolate box village of Gstaad
According to the McKinsey Health Institute, globally, the demand for products and services to support longevity continues to grow, with up to 60% of consumers across markets reporting that healthy aging is a “very important” priority. Located in the heart of Gstaad village, Le Grand Bellevue is home to Le Grand Spa, an impressive 32,000 sq ft. sanctuary with 17 unique wellness zones. In 2025, Le Grand Spa became the first in the region to introduce infrared light therapy panels by Luminous Labs and KINI wearable devices, supporting female longevity through non-invasive light technology. Alongside caviar facials, Jivamukti yoga and mindfulness hikes, the property offers a year-round alpine retreat focused on healthy ageing and vitality.
BEAUTY RITUALS IN THE CITY
The Beauty House at Pulitzer Amsterdam is a micro-wellness haven to destress in the city
According to Skyscanner’s 2026 Travel Trends, 27% of UK travellers want to experience local beauty culture, and 21% say that they’re influenced by TikTok and social media, emphasising how, in 2026, beauty rituals will shape how and where we travel. For those looking for a reboot after diving into Amsterdam’s lively energy, The Beauty House, Pulitzer Amsterdam’s micro-wellness space that opened in 2024, offers a moment of curated calm. Led by Creative Director Jacu Strauss,Ross J. Barr’s coveted plant-based wellness patches lie at the heart. Whether woven into a bespoke treatment or discreetly tucked inside each in-room minibar, the patches work through targeted pressure points to promote relaxation, balance hormones, and ease stress. The menu also features treatments by local brands, Bloomeffects and Keune, as well as 111SKIN and Chāmpo.
