Your Mental Health Will Thank You: These 7 Wellness Getaways Are a Total Reset
Take a break from the hustle and let wellness tourism heal your mind, body, and soul.
By Lim Yian Lu,
Life can feel like an endless loop of deadlines, lectures, and doomscrolling. If your brain’s fried and your body’s running on kopi and bubble tea, it’s time for a reset. Wellness tourism is your excuse to pause, recharge, and treat yourself – think yoga by the sea, spa days, meditation retreats, nature escapes, and full-on digital detoxes.
What is wellness tourism?
In short, wellness tourism is travelling with the main goal of feeling better physically, mentally, and emotionally. Instead of holidays that leave you needing more days off to recover, you’re choosing trips that restore balance and boost your energy.
Why wellness tourism is trending
Self-care isn’t just a hashtag anymore; it’s a lifestyle. We’re more upfront about mental health and want getaways that heal, not just entertain. After years of pandemic stress and economic uncertainty, people are craving slower mornings, nature escapes, and real recharge moments. Plus, wellness experiences like tea rituals and hot springs are totally Instagram-worthy, so you can flex your self-care journey online.
Here are a few wellness getaways in Asia that hit all the right notes for a Gen-Z traveler looking to escape the daily grind.
Best destinations to experience wellness tourism
1. Bali, Indonesia – Best for holistic vibes
Bali’s Ubud region offers lush rice terraces, jungle retreats, and authentic Balinese spa therapies. Daily yoga and meditation classes, combined with organic, locally sourced meals, create the perfect environment to recharge your mind, body, and soul, leaving you refreshed and reconnected with yourself in a tropical paradise.
Where to stay:
Fivelements Retreat Bali – An award-winning eco-wellness sanctuary by the Ayung River, famous for its healing rituals, plant-based cuisine, and yoga pavilions.
COMO Shambhala Estate – A luxury wellness resort set amidst lush jungle with personalised wellness programmes including yoga and Ayurvedic treatments.
2. Chiang Mai, Thailand – Best for meditation and mindfulness
Chiang Mai is home to serene temples, meditation retreats, and traditional Thai herbal massage experiences. Quiet streets, spiritual workshops, and local wellness practices make it an ideal destination for slowing down, reflecting, and finding inner calm while immersing yourself in rich Northern Thai culture.
Where to stay:
The Pavana Chiang Mai Resort – Known for meditation, yoga, and detox programmes with serene surroundings in the Mae Rim Valley.
Pa Pae Meditation Retreat – Nestled in the mountains north of Chiang Mai, this retreat is run by monks and offers guided meditation, mindfulness practice, and simple living in nature.
3. Kyoto, Japan – Best for mindful culture
Kyoto blends tranquillity and tradition with Zen temples, peaceful gardens, and ceremonial tea experiences. The city’s serene streets encourage mindful wandering, while meditation sessions and cultural immersion help you cultivate patience, focus, and calm. It’s perfect for those seeking both inner peace and authentic Japanese experiences.
Where to stay:
Hoshinoya Kyoto – A riverside retreat blending ryokan traditions and tea ceremonies with zen hospitality and guided walks through bamboo groves.
Suiran, a Luxury Collection Hotel – Located in Arashiyama, offering traditional tea ceremonies, zen gardens, and onsen-style baths.
4. Siem Reap, Cambodia – Best for spa and detox
Beyond Angkor Wat’s iconic temples, Siem Reap has luxury wellness resorts offering spa treatments, yoga programs, and nutrition-focused detox experiences. Combining comfort and relaxation, the city is perfect for those looking to reset their energy levels, pamper themselves, and enjoy holistic wellness in a culturally rich environment.
Where to stay:
Navutu Dreams Resort & Wellness Retreat – Cambodia’s only dedicated resort and wellness retreat with two yoga shalas, a serene atmosphere, and a variety of vegan, vegetarian, and health-oriented dining options.
La Résidence D’Angkor, A Belmond Hotel – One of the first luxury hotels to open in Siem Reap with traditionally-designed suites, Khmer-inspired spa therapies and holistic wellness experiences like yoga. Reopening in Q4 2025.
5. Kerala, India – Best for Ayurvedic healing
Kerala’s tropical landscape and Ayurvedic retreats offer herbal therapies, customised wellness programmes, and beachside yoga. Ancient wellness practices paired with serene surroundings help you restore balance, reduce stress, and rejuvenate both mind and body.
Where to stay:
Somatheeram Ayurveda Village – World’s first ayurvedic hospital with a resort ambience offering traditional Ayurvedic treatments, Panchakarma detox programmes, yoga, and meditation.
Niraamaya Retreats Surya Samudra – A cliffside retreat with panoramic views of the Arabian Sea that blends luxury with traditional Ayurveda. The resort features the award-winning Niraamaya Spa with authentic Ayurvedic treatments, yoga, meditation, and an ocean-facing pool.
6. Hokkaido, Japan – Best for nature therapy
Hokkaido’s snowy landscapes, hot springs, and forest trails provide the ultimate natural therapy. You can soak in onsen baths, hike scenic trails, and enjoy quiet winter retreats that refresh the mind, rejuvenate the body, and allow for peaceful reflection away from urban chaos.
Where to stay:
Lake Shikotsu Tsuruga Resort Spa Mizu No Uta – A water-inspired resort hotel on the shores of Lake Shikotsu. It features soothing hot spring baths, fine dining using local organic produce and the natural wonders of the Lake Shikotsu area.
Hoshino Resorts KAI Poroto – Located by Lake Poroto in Shiraoi, this ryokan draws on Ainu culture and nature therapy. It features indoor and outdoor hot spring baths with panoramic lake views.
7. Siargao, Philippines – Best for active self-care
Siargao is perfect for wellness that combines movement and fun. Surfing, paddleboarding, and beach yoga sessions are complemented by eco-conscious resorts and tropical scenery, making it an energising escape. It’s ideal for those who want to recharge physically while connecting with nature and embracing an active lifestyle.
Where to stay:
Nay Palad Hideaway – A barefoot luxury all-inclusive resort offering surfing, island-hopping, yoga, and spa therapies.
Soultribe Beach Retreat – A surf and yoga lodge with beachside cabanas and jungle loft villas, offering yoga, massage and outdoor activities like stand-up paddleboarding and island hopping.
Wellness tourism is a glow-up for your mind, body, and soul. Whether you’re meditating in the mountains, soaking in hot springs, or stretching by the sea, you’ll come home lighter, calmer, and more you.