There are few better ways to relax and forget about your cares than vacationing at an all-inclusive resort, but some are better at relieving stress than others – in fact, are just about guaranteed to melt every last bit of it away.
Six Senses Zighy Bay, Oman
Six Senses Zighy Bay is located on the Northern Peninsula of Oman and offers one of the most unforgettable arrival options on the planet. We can’t think of any other place in the world where you can actually paraglide to check in, can you? But it’s definitely not all about thrilling sports, is more focused on the ultimate in relaxation. With mountains on one side and beautiful beaches on the other, it’s hard to find a grander setting. To make things even more stress-free, each luxurious villa comes not only with its own swimming pool but with its own butler to ensure your every need is catered for. Equally as alluring are the variety of detox, de-stress, fitness and adventure program options.
Hermitage Bay, Antigua
One of the best all-inclusive resorts in the world, Hermitage Bay on the island of Antigua offers the ultimate in barefoot luxury as a five-star resort that has transformed the way many of us view all-inclusive. Its luxury cottages are tucked into 16 acres of beautiful tropical gardens, fronted by magnificent white, powdery sands. What better way to relieve stress than to toast to colorful sunsets with only the finest true Champagne from your very own private infinity plunge pool? And that’s after you’ve taken advantage of one of the Garden Spa treatments influenced by ancient Eastern concepts of chakra. Gourmet fare focused around locally sourced ingredients infused into Jamaican, Chinese and Indian dishes, is served at a multi-tiered restaurant overlooking the water, and the all-inclusive plan includes three meals a day, an afternoon snack, premium-brand drinks, house wines and French Champagne, along with a host of activities like snorkeling, kayaking, and windsurfing along with yoga, Pilates, and meditation classes.
Ananda In The Himalayas, India
High above the Ganges in the Himalayan foothills, Ananda offers the ultimate relaxation retreat on a 100-acre estate with sweeping vistas of the Ganges River and the temple villages of Haridwar and Rishikesh. Renowned for its Ayurvedic healing programs, yoga and meditation, daily Vedanta (philosophy) classes, wellness packages and spa, the property attracts an eclectic mix of clientele, ranging from serious meditation practitioners to jet-setters seeking comfort and tranquility. One-on-one guided meditation sessions are tailored to each individual’s needs, incorporating things like yogic breathing or Buddhist teachings. Sessions can be held outside or indoors, and range from an hour to an entire afternoon. In addition to meditation and yoga pavilions that are spread throughout gardens and the former maharajah’s palace, there is a 21,000-square-foot-spa, a tea lounge, and an antique billiards room. Rooms, suites, and villages are rather lavish, with colors that echo the natural surroundings along with balconies that provide spectacular mountain views.
Spice Island Beach Resort, Grenada
Spice Island Beach Resort is a romantic couples resort in the Caribbean surrounded by gorgeous tropical gardens and has often been recognized as one of the world’s top holiday destinations. It provides an exceptional home-away-from-home experience, in elegant beachfront suites set on pristine sands at the edge of calm, swimmable waters. Suites feature whirlpool tubs with sea views as well as expansive patios with private gardens. A double hammock offers the perfect place for enjoying those glorious Caribbean sunsets. Dine on dishes
Sonora Resort, Canada
Sonora Resort is a luxury wilderness resort and eco-travel destination. It is a jewel in some of Canada’s most alluring, unspoiled environments, combining the insular solitude with the beauty of the North. It sits on a tranquil, private island off the British Columbia coast. A true haven of sustainable tourism, it features ultra-luxe rooms, the Island Current Spa, miles and miles of untouched forests and coastlines to explore, for a true getaway from a hectic modern lifestyle. Look forward to five-star facilities and unparalleled service as well as the chance to view grizzly bears, kayak among orca whales, go fly-fishing or take a wilderness tour. All fine dining meals, most drinks, and all resort facilities, including stocked fly-fishing ponds, saunas, and tennis courts, are included.
Salinas do Maragogi All Inclusive Resort, Brazil
One of Brazil’s highest-rated properties, Salinas do Maragogi offers the quintessential tropical all-inclusive vacation in a sprawling resort with a long list of activities. Look forward to water sports, like snorkeling and diving among coral reefs and tropical fish as well as zip-line adventures, archery, kayaking, and biking. There are multiple bars and restaurants, an outdoor pool, three tennis courts, a volleyball court and a football field, while the Spa Vida Mar offers the ultimate in R&R, with body scrubs, massage, aromatherapy, wraps, manicures, and pedicures. If you’re looking for lively nightlife action, there are entertainment venues featuring everything from live music and comedy shows to beach parties with DJs.
Gaia Retreat & Spa, Australia
Subtropical Byron Bay is home to this award-winning retreat and spa that was founded in part by singer Olivia Newton-John. It offers rejuvenation, surrounded by rolling hills, lush forest, and luxury villas. The guest rooms are located in bungalows set in the subtropical forests, and all provide views of the dazzling Pacific, coming together for an incredibly healing space. There are packages aimed to revive and renew, refresh or restore, or if you have a specific goal in mind, you can add programs focused on weight loss, detox, fitness or yoga. The resort features some of the finest healers, therapists, and fitness experts in all of Australia who offers everything from hypnotherapy and meditation to sound healing and acupuncture, along with a plentiful side of spa indulgence and organic cuisine.
Stillpoint Lodge, Alaska
Stillpoint Lodge is a secluded wilderness lodge located in Halibut Cove at the edge of Kachemak Bay Park in Alaska. It offers guided meditations and yoga, as well as a labyrinth for walking meditations complemented by the spectacular scenery, designed to allow guests to reconnect with nature. It also features a poustinia, or silent meditation space, complete with a pillowed floor and subtle lighting for serenity and stillness, available 24 hours a day. Visitors have the chance to see wildlife like bears, whales, sea otters and seals as well as to dine on meals featuring local ingredients, including from the property’s organic garden, like fresh-caught oysters, mussels, salmon, and halibut. Hiking and paddling among icebergs are popular activities.
Canyon Ranch Wellness Resort, Arizona
Canyon Ranch Resort is a top resort in Arizona, located near the Santa Catalina Mountains in north Tucson. It is considered the gold standard of relaxing detox retreats. The all-inclusive experience offers the ultimate in luxury and rejuvenation, that makes it popular with the rich and famous. Guest enjoy tranquil grounds, the best in nutritious delicious cuisine, and a massive, 80,000-square-foot spa complex offering treatments that are designed to take your cares away while making you feel renewed from the inside out. Enjoy meditation, therapy sessions with psychotherapists and yoga professionals as well as a host of fun fitness activities like rock climbing and a ropes course. There are also daily informational lectures and a menu packed with healthy, low-calorie foods, for those that are looking to kickstart a healthier lifestyle.