Wellness travel is on the rise, and hotels are responding with innovative water-therapy experiences that rejuvenate body and mind. From natural thermal caves and Japanese onsen to Egyptian brine baths, mineral-rich mud treatments, and hydrothermal experiences that replicate being in the rainforest, water-based wellness is elevating the guest experience in astonishing ways. Whether you seek relaxation, recovery, or a soul-soothing escape, these hotels deliver the comfort and reliability of a stay at a hotel participating in Marriott Bonvoy paired with transformative water wellness traditions from around the globe.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Grotta Giusti Thermal Spa Resort Tuscany, Autograph Collection in Tuscany, Italy
In Tuscany, the tradition of soaking in warm, inviting waters dates back to the ancient Etruscans, who were no strangers to indulgence. They are thought to have practiced massages here using aromatic oils, as well as body treatments involving herbs and mud. The thermal waters here may also have been used for rituals.
At Grotta Giusti Thermal Spa Resort Tuscany, Autograph Collection, located halfway between Florence and Pisa, present-day spa enthusiasts will find the biggest natural thermal cave in Europe, where they can experience a detoxifying steam bath in a natural limestone setting. Here, thermal waters flow directly from the hydrothermal aquifer of Montalbano, naturally warm and enriched with healing minerals. An underground thermal lake is the ideal place to learn innovative ways to float. Guests who are dive-certified can even venture into the underground passages accompanied by an experienced guide. The Meditarium thermal circuit, which is complimentary for resort guests, rounds off the experience with a relaxing thermal pool, Roman baths, a sauna, ice fountain, and multisensory showers.
Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort and Mineral Springs, a Member of Design Hotels in California, U.S.
Known for its underground geothermal springs and volcanic soil, Calistoga is home to a legendary wellness destination that’s been in operation since 1952. Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort and Mineral Springs, a Member of Design Hotels, was founded by Dr. Jon “The Doc” Wilkinson, whose alternative-medicine therapies quickly drew in A-list celebrities and travelers.
An on-site underground hot spring supplies waters loaded with magnesium, zinc, and calcium to three mineral pools, the spa baths, and the steam room. Equipped with four mud baths, the spa offers guests the opportunity to relax and detoxify with a six-step process that uses mineral-rich mud to exfoliate and cleanse the skin, promote circulation, and soothe inflammation.
Sheraton Maoming Hot Spring Resort in Guangdong, China
Set amid lush gardens, Sheraton Maoming Hot Spring Resort is located in an ancient hot spring resort in southern China with a history dating back 1,400 years. The hotel offers both mountain-view and courtyard-view rooms and suites, most of which come equipped with private hot spring dipping pools on their terraces for guests to relax in an intimate setting.
The spa’s architecture is inspired by local traditions and offers a variety of hot spring pools with different mineral compositions, hydrotherapy suites, and wellness programs. Guests can move between hot and cold pools, unwind with water-jet massages, and join guided relaxation sessions.
Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Valle Sagrado in Urubamba, Peru
Nestled in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Valle Sagrado offers one of the most sophisticated ways to explore Machu Picchu and the Urubamba region’s Inca culture. Your journey starts at a private train station, where luxurious 1920s-style carriages will whisk you away in style. Be sure to grab a cocktail in the Observation Bar Car, where you can take in the stunning vistas from the oversized windows.
As for its water offerings, guests can relax after a long day of adventures at Kallpa Spa, which comes equipped with a heated indoor pool with lush, panoramic views; hydromassage pools; Vichy showers; and water-massage beds. Spa treatments are inspired by local traditions and incorporate soothing, locally sourced ingredients.
The St. Regis Mardavall Mallorca Resort in Mallorca, Spain
Set against the backdrop of the Tramuntana Mountains, The St. Regis Mardavall Mallorca Resort is the ideal place for a wellness retreat. Its three-tiered Cascade Pool is undoubtedly the resort’s centerpiece, but you may find yourself spending your time at the 50,591-square-foot Arabella Spa, one of the largest on this Balearic island.
Blending Western and Eastern healing traditions, the spa offers a wide array of treatments in its 11 treatment rooms, from cocoon facials and lymphatic drainage to hot stone massages. Boost your blood circulation and skin tone with a stint in an Egyptian brine bath, a pool filled with natural salt water. The hotel’s unique water-therapy offerings also include a hydropool, an ice cave, and jet showers.
The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert in UAE
There’s no better way to unplug from city life than heading to the serenity of the desert — especially if you choose to stay in a luxurious setting. One bucket-list-worthy resort oasis in the UAE offers water-therapy amenities designed to restore your sense of balance.
The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert is home to The Ritz-Carlton Spa, where each of the 16 water-therapy stations is designed for deep relaxation with treatments inspired by local Bedouin healing traditions. In the one-of-a-kind Rainforest Experience, guests can book a private hydrothermal therapy journey through the 16 stations in a sequence that includes cooling off in an ice igloo — you can even book a private or women-only session.
The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko in Nikko, Japan
Japanese onsen culture dates back more than 2,000 years and is still revered to this day. Visitors head to these geothermally heated hot springs for their many therapeutic benefits. Set within Nikko National Park near waterfalls and a lake, The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko is home to the luxury brand’s first on-site onsen hot-spring facility.
Guests can relax in the healing geothermal waters of Nikko Yumoto Onsen while contemplating the beauty of the natural setting, either in the shared pool or from the seclusion of an outdoor private onsen. After a restorative soak, unwind even more with a massage incorporating local ingredients. The cypress wood sauna awaits to complete the experience. Note that traditional onsen etiquette applies, meaning there are generally no bathing suits allowed here. The Nikko Yumoto Onsen is a relatively rare spot that welcomes guests with tattoos, as well as children when accompanied by an adult.
Pine Cliffs Hotel, a Luxury Collection Resort, Algarve in Albufeira, Portugal
In the Algarve region, spa and wellness experiences can come in the form of wellness hotel packages. At Pine Cliffs Hotel, a Luxury Collection Resort, Algarve, guests can book a holistic retreat that combines nutritional guidance, wellness workshops, and restorative treatments. The aim is to allow you to return to your regular life utterly refreshed.
The luxe Serenity Thermal Oasis is at the heart of the resort’s comprehensive wellness program. With 13 treatment rooms, including a hammam, the spa often feels like a world unto itself. The steam room, Kneipp therapy pool, hydrotherapy pool, herbal sauna, Himalayan salt sauna, ice fountain, experience showers, and outdoor Jacuzzi were all meticulously designed to take your wellness experience to a new level.
Related Articles
