The 5 Most Luxurious Wellness Retreats To Book In 2026, According To Experts

As the calendar takes a turn, many find themselves thinking about their New Year's resolutions and reflecting on habits they would like to change or goals they would like to meet. Yet these resolutions can be challenging to keep going with the daily demands of modernity. With the craze of the 2025 holidays fresh in memory and the resolutions of the new year ripe for the picking, a luxury wellness retreat might emerge as an ideal reset button. These retreats are more than just pampering; they can deliver long-term benefits like reduced stress, intention setting, sharper focus, and hopefully a renewed sense of energy lingering long after checking out.

The appeal of these retreats is growing, and wellness tourism is booming. In fact, it is meant to hit nearly $1 trillion globally by the end of the decade. Instead of choosing the quick fixes or short beach vacations, people are choosing immersive experiences that blend relaxation and personal growth. Luxury retreats offer tailored programs, some drawing from ancient practices like Ayuveda, cutting-edge technology for biohacking, or environments fully crafted for total rejuvenation. Think waking up to sunrise yoga on the beach overlooking brilliantly hued waters, followed by nutrient-packed meals sourced locally, ending with therapies that soothe the mind, body, and soul. 

With so many options, pinpointing the most luxurious can feel overwhelming, which is why we've curated this list of five fabulous luxury wellness retreats for 2026. Drawing from insights in known travel publications and blogger endorsements, and sifting through expert recommendations from sources and specialized wellness blogs, cross-referencing with guest feedback and reviews to highlight places where visitors consistently report transformative and wonderful stays. The resorts are COMO Parrot Cay, Civana Wellness Resort and Spa, Arctic Bath Hotel, Six Senses Fort Barwara, and BodyHoliday.

Found on a private island in the Turks and Caicos archipelago, COMO Parrot Cay spans over 1,000 acres of pristine land surrounded by 4 miles of one of the best beaches in the world. Those seeking a secluded haven where turquoise waters meet endless oceanic skylines are magnetized to this incredible resort in the Caribbean. The holistic approach of the resort blends with a barefoot-in-the-sand energy and top-notch amenities to create an opulent retreat. Their full-board packaging option brings COMO Parrot Cay to luxury status, which covers gourmet dining, airport transfers, and a slew of water sports and wellness pursuits. Accommodations range from private beach houses to expansive residences that all come with private pools and direct access to the waves crashing on the shore.

The resort is known for its seclusion, five-star service, and holistic wellness philosophy, seamlessly capturing the essence of the Caribbean in a tranquil and refined way. Visitors will have access to a full-range spa, a yoga pavilion, a Pilates studio, and a jacuzzi garden. There are many daily wellness programs and activities on offer, and holistic therapies available such as massage, acupressure, detoxifying treatments, facials, Ayurveda therapy, and more. This award-winning beautiful private island allows visitors a true escape from the normal business of life. 

Visitors have described it as an unparalleled paradise, and one Google reviewer called it "nothing short of extraordinary—the truly perfect escape," highlighting the seamless service and serene vibe. It's recommended by reputable publications like Forbes Travel Guide, and the retreat's high ratings across Google and Tripadvisor echo this sentiment.

Found in the foothills of the Sonoran Desert near the aptly named town of Carefree, Arizona, lies Civana Wellness Resort and Spa. This desert oasis offers a very personalized renewal retreat. This award-winning destination spa captures luxury through a setup that allows guests to craft their own paths to well-being without feeling confined by a specific structure.

Guests have access to more than 5,000 square feet of space for fitness, yoga, meditation, and nearby hiking and biking in the desert. Health and well-being are everything at Civana, with an offering of over 100 fitness, personal growth, and spiritual classes available to guests through group or private classes. In addition to the movement, guests can engage in hydrotherapy, hot and cold pools, and spa treatments such as facials, massages, energy healing, scrubs, and wraps. Choose from king spa rooms with private balconies or suites that offer multiple bathrooms and a larger living space.

As the winner of many awards and accolades, experts, visitors, and travel bloggers give Civana Wellness Resort and Spa high praise. They note that it is a great luxury resort for those who desire to choose their own journey with a focus on intention setting, journaling, and manifestation. The New York Times named it one of the top six destinations for a Dry January escape, highlighting Civana's alcohol-free "Mindful Mixology" class. The perfect retreat for better habits in the New Year? It just might be.

Arctic Bath Hotel is in Sweden's vast and northernmost arctic region called Lapland. It's about 12 hours north by car from Stockholm in the land of wild nature and unique polar phenomena like the midnight sun and the aurora borealis. This seasonal resort is a spring of wellness, especially for those who like the cold. It brings the surrounding nature indoors with its incredibly unique wooden architectural designs. It offers six floating cabins along the shoreline of the Lule River or spacious suites amongst birch trees with expansive windows to engage with nature. It's a full immersion into the wonderful natural area of Sweden's Lapland. 

Arctic Bath offers an indulgent spa complete with myriad nourishing experiences, far, far away from any crowds, and deeply intimate with nature, offering a sanctuary to reset in. Guests get to dip into the time-honored tradition of Swedish sauna and cold plunging, which is known for its detoxifying and relaxing effects. In addition, spa treatments like facials, massages, yoga, meditation, and Ayurvedic therapies are available, but the highlight is definitely the Swedish sauna culture.

Arctic Bath Hotel has earned a Michelin Key as an outstanding hotel and the only one to do so in Sweden. With a nearly perfect score on Small Luxury Hotels, reviewers rave about the experience, and visitors highlight how peaceful this private retreat is. For those drawn to winter, wellness, and Swedish culture, this luxurious retreat offers a unique chance to embrace nature's embrace, especially as a European winter getaway. 

Found in Rajasthan, India, Six Senses Fort Barwara transforms a 14th-century fortress, once built to fend off invaders and keep the royalty safe, into a modern wellness haven. This walled-off compound is complete with two temples and palaces, and guests can feel like nobility while embracing the stunning lake and temple views. Luxury is imbued through the thoughtful alterations from the old fortress into a modern wellness retreat. It is complete with contemporary Rajasthani flair, with suites featuring elegant artwork and incredible landscaping. 

Fort Barwara piggybacks on the Six Senses brand found internationally and is recognized for pioneering luxurious and sustainable wellness programs amongst their resorts. Their programs include daily fitness classes, group activities, and comprehensive spa offerings. The on-site dining combines local Rajasthani and pan-Indian cuisines with slight international twists across the three restaurants within the resort. If adventure beckons beyond the safety of the compound, the heritage walks and tiger safaris in the Ranthambore National Park provide novelty. 

This fortress's rebirth as a wellness resort made it a two-Michelin Key experience, and it's recognized as a top hotel in India by many travel and resort experts, including Andrew Harper's Hotels of the Year list in 2025. Guests appreciate the brilliant architecture and many ways to unwind, from rituals to nature immersions. If you're seeking a royal treatment infused with cultural depth, this luxury wellness retreat is for you.

Found on the pristine shores of St. Lucia overlooking the Caribbean Sea is BodyHoliday, a luxury resort framed by tropical gardens that delivers an all-inclusive wellness experience that has been pioneering wellness tourism and retreats since 1988. This upscale resort counters life's pressures with a personalized combination of relaxation, movement, and self-discovery. Its accommodations range from lavish rooms to private villas, all within a lush and tropical paradise.

The retreat's motto, "Give us your body for a week and we'll give you back your mind," speaks to those searching for an experience that provides many options for detoxifying through movement, a common theme for many New Year's resolutions. The all-inclusive perks include daily spa treatments, endless classes like scuba diving, sailing, and yoga, personal training, adventure sports, and opportunities to explore the area. The facilities boast an authentic Ayurvedic temple, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a dance studio, a pool, a skin clinic, and quiet nooks for reset. A dedicated on-site team helps tailor each guest experience so they can come away feeling like they have peace of mind.

If you're after a trip to one of St. Lucia's most exclusive resorts and a reset that combines indulgence with action, BodyHoliday inspires lasting change through its holistic, movement-based, and guest-focused approach. Voted as St. Lucia's Best Wellness Retreat by the World Spa Awards, it also receives consistently high praise from visitors on Google and Tripadvisor. 

To assemble the list of top luxury wellness retreats for 2026, we reviewed recommendations from several travel publications and read firsthand accounts in blogs focused on luxury escapes. Key sources included recent roundups of the world's best wellness retreats, Forbes articles on immersive wellness retreats, and entries from travel bloggers highlighting trends and standout locations. Retreats were prioritized for the number of mentions, innovation, guest satisfaction, and alignment with rising demands for transformational experiences. Visitor feedback on Tripadvisor, Google, and the Michelin guide was used to gauge real-world impressions.