Revive body and soul at these health-focused resorts
1. Alila Manggis, Bali
This elegant resort, which features traditional alang alang (thatched roofs) juxtaposed with walls of cool white stone, recently opened a new beachfront wellness centre this February.
Named Surya, which means “sun” in Sanskrit, this yoga- focused retreat offers a monthly six-day programme that includes a mix of restorative and Hatha yoga, meditation and Tai Chi alongside therapeutic spa treatments. For an additional fee, guests can engage the services of a Balian healer, who uses specific herbs to complement his massages.
Guests can also sample a nutritious menu designed by resort chef Wayan Sandiasa, featuring dishes like a spicy jackfruit rendang and the Indonesian health tonic, jamu. Customised programmes are also available.
Get there: Fly to Denpasar on SilkAir or Singapore Airlines. It’s a 90-minute drive to the resort
2. Amatara Wellness Resort, Phuket
Located on Cape Panwa on the southeastern tip of Phuket, this is the island’s first wellness-focused luxury resort. The spa facilities here include ocean-view treatment rooms, a beach-facing yoga pavilion and a hammam (Turkish bath), which features a combination of Thai and Turkish treatments. These include a salt relaxation room, where you unwind in a salt cave amid a fine mist of pure salt; and mud therapy, with your choice of a mineral-rich mud from Hungary or a Moroccan clay.
You can pop in for just a day-long retreat but there are also three-, five- and seven-night packages. The programme focuses on functional health, with activities such as yoga, meditation and wellness talks.
Get there: Fly to Phuket on SilkAir. It’s a 45-minute drive to the resort
3. Niraamaya Retreats Backwaters & Beyond, Kumarakom, Kerala
Located on the green shores of Lake Vembanad, Niraamaya (which means “wellness” in Sanskrit) is sprawled across 3.2 hectares of calming spaces. The lake-facing villas sport gently sloping roofs, while coir hammocks and wooden swings dot the serene gardens.
With a focus on Ayurvedic treatments, the resort offers a range of short-term programmes (3 to 5 days), which include therapies and consultations with the resident Ayurvedic physician, and longer courses (7 to 21 days), which involve cleansing treatments, herbal remedies and mindfulness practices. – written by Reem Khokhar
Get there: Fly to Kochi on SilkAir. It’s a two-hour drive to the property
SEE ALSO: Take a break: 5 wellness retreats to try
This article was originally published in the May 2019 issue of Silkwinds magazine
