Sometimes life gets so crazy, I feel like just booking myself into a luxury spa hotel for a long weekend and not coming back out until I absolutely have to get back to work.

The more I’ve been thinking about it lately, the more attractive the idea of turning my next vacation into an unforgettable wellness weekend appeals. One that will see me return home with glowing skin, relaxed and rejuvenated. I probably won’t be able to afford the very best wellness hotels anytime soon, but there’s nothing wrong with dreaming, right?

Here’s a list of the luxury spa hotels of my dreams. Have you been lucky enough to experience one of them?

Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo

Granted, most people don’t exactly go to Tokyo for a quiet, relaxing holiday experience. This crazy city has so much to offer, it would be a waste to spend the entirety of your vacation soaking away in a luxurious hot tub when so much is going on outside. So, for this particular wellness trip I suggest mixing it up.

Spend your days exploring the busy streets of Tokyo. Then, at night, you can take advantage of all the perks the Shangri-La Hotel has to offer – if you can say no to karaoke, that is. Lay back in a hot bubble bath in your very own room and drink in the fantastic view of the Imperial Palace. Sipping a glass of Champagne wouldn’t go amiss in this luxury scenario.

The spacious, tastefully designed rooms will make you feel at home while encompassing you in Tokyo’s twinkling city lights. Walking through the Shangri La’s elegant halls, bar and restaurant areas, you’ll feel as though you’re the protagonist of a fancy perfume ad.

La Maison Arabe Hotel, Marrakech

I don’t think I would ever want to leave this romantic luxury spa hotel in Marrakech! With its warmly lit private patio, homey rooms and a spa and wellness centre fit for kings and queens, the La Maison Arabe Hotel in Marrakech takes your wildest dreams and then tops them.

The hotel’s beautiful gardens, traditional hammams, heated pools and massage rooms offer endless pampering opportunities. After spending the day filling your shopping bag at Marrakech’s colourful markets, you’ll be only too happy to take full advantage of the spa.

La Maison Arabe is especially interesting for amateur chefs and foodies. If you’re looking to take the flavours of Morocco home with you, we recommend signing up for the hotel’s cooking workshops. You can expect a fun and flavourful afternoon taught by a traditional dada (Moroccan cook).

Hotel Tirol, Ischgl

Mixing the warm natural tones of wood and stone, the rooms at Hotel Tirol offer a fusion of traditional Austria with a modern touch. The Ischgl ski resort is one of the largest in the Alps and borders with Switzerland. This is a true winter paradise for all skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts. Little surprise, then, that its serene setting has attracted many a celebrity, from Bob Dylan to Rihanna.

After familiarizing yourself with all the seductive features the Hotel Tirol invites you to delight in, your interest for trudging around in the snow soon dwindles. The stylish spa exudes a sense of calm and luxury you will want to immerse yourself in for hours. Once you manage to peel yourself out of the heated pool, a stop at the hotel restaurant is highly recommended. Prepared by chef Manfred Aloys, these regional ingredients and carefully presented gourmet creations will round off your perfect wellness weekend.

Anthea Hotel, Tinos

This curious hotel on the Greek island of Tinos doesn’t actually feel like a hotel at all. It’s more like your own private villa, which you happen to be sharing with other guests.

Architecturally unique and spherically inviting, the Anthea Hotel offers the perfect setting to disconnect. White washed walls and decorative accents throughout the house envelope guests in authentic, Greek Mediterranean flair. Combine this with the spa facilities and open-air Jacuzzi, and you have the perfect wellness weekend. Full body relaxation is pretty much guaranteed.

The hotel is family and even pet friendly and, although it is shielded from the everyday grind you wanted to escape in the first place, the port with all its bars and restaurants is just 2km away. Overlooking the lovingly kept gardens or the Aegean Sea, each room has its own original charm.

Fonab Castle Hotel, Pitlochry

Nestled in the Scottish Highlands, the Fonab Castle Hotel is a romantic hideaway that will make you forget the world. Wake up to a scenic view of lush green fields and let the rustling leaves lull you to sleep. Complement long hikes and afternoons reading in the sun with evenings in the Jacuzzi, treating your tired limbs.

On sunny days you can choose to wake up to a lovely breakfast on the terrace overlooking the loch. This hotel isn’t just one of the best spa hotels, it’s great for travel bloggers and photographers too. The hotel’s unusual wallpaper and the breathtaking Scottish landscape will have you bubbling with great ideas!

For more ideas for your next wellness escape, try these Bali yoga retreats. It’s never been simpler to eat, pray and love yourself…

The 5 best luxury spa hotels

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22 COMMENTS

  1. I would love to stay at a Spa Hotel, I think I completely deserve it… I’m going to Morocco soon so I’ll have to check out La Maison Arabe. Thanks for sharing!

  2. Spa hotels are amazing, I stayed in one when I was in Thailand and it was the best experience ever. I would love to go to the one in Tokyo you recommended, the Japanese know how to do everything right.

  3. Every place looks so luxurious! When we travel we try and find places that’s not a big chain. I would love to be able to stay in one of these places.

  4. Ahhh!!! I miss a nice full body massage and need one now! I’ve been to a couple of resorts that provide spa services! One was in India when I had the Ayurvedic spa when warm oil pouring steadily over my forehead for half an hour! I was in heaven!!!!

  5. Spas are my favourite and if I cam combine a spa with staying somewhere even better! There is nothing like a good massage and a hot tub after exploring all day! I will try and check these out on my travels.

  6. Sheila and I are backpackers. Which means, we don’t usually have enough money to stay in luxury hotels and spas like these. However, we wouldn’t say no if given the opportunity to wallow in luxury. Hehehe!

  7. The Shangri La hotel in Tokyo sounds amazing with a view of the Imperial Palace! La Maison Arabe Hotel looks stunning, I had a sneak peak on your link! I love the Moroccan style and can imagine how pampered you would be in the spa.

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