TOP RESORTS FOR THE BEST HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE
Whether its all-encompassing retreat for your wellbeing, or a spectacular stargazing experience, these resorts will help you feel better after your stay.
BEACHFRONT ESCAPE
Situated along the picturesque coastline of Da Nang, Vietnam, TIA Wellness Resort beckons those seeking complete rejuvenation amid natural beauty. Here, guests get to embrace a holistic wellness experience – from personalised retreat programmes to wellness-inclusive stays along with spa treatments.
The resort’s spa, nestled within tropical gardens, boasts 22 treatment rooms, complemented by a pool, indoor and outdoor yoga spaces, a new ice bath, and relaxation areas. A list of daily activities await, including breathwork, yoga, Tai Chi, and creativity classes.
Meanwhile, wellness-focused menus showcase nourishing plant-based cuisine. The resort also offers Vietnam’s first and only fully organic and biodynamic wine list. After your delicious meal, head back to your private villa or take a dip in your private plunge pool.
For those seeking a deeper wellness journey, the resort presents the “Body & Mind Cleanse” retreat package. This combines raw food cuisine, detox therapies, and holistic wellbeing practices, from sound healing to private yoga sessions. The four-night or seven-night offering draws from different healing modalities so guests can detox and potentially improve mental health by simply letting go.
A key element of the new package is intermittent fasting to improve digestive health and overall wellbeing. When the eight-hour fast is broken, guests follow a plant-based raw food meal plan, designed to fuel vitality and nourish the body.
While the schedule varies each day, with new practices and treatments, a typical day on the programme starts with a private yoga lesson at 7am. This is followed by a treatment in the wellness centre, such as a lymphatic detox session, bamboo rollout treatment, or heart stone therapy. A private breathwork session rounds off the morning before an 11am breakfast of a smoothie bowl.
There’s an optional creativity workshop that starts at 3pm, which takes an artistic approach to self-healing; followed by the detox hydrotherapy circuit or sound healing therapy. At 5.30pm there’s an opportunity for a 30-minute Tai Chi session before a 6pm two-course raw dinner. The day ends with a treatment of the guest’s choice, ranging from facials to massages.
SEEKING SOLACE
One of Indonesia’s hidden gems, Cempedak Island is a secluded private island accessible via private speed boat. Luxury on Cempedak means space and time to truly disconnect. With an exclusive adults-only policy, the island welcomes a maximum of 40 guests to stay in the stunning hand-crafted bamboo villas. Known for its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, the island integrates locally sourced sustainable materials, preserving its natural allure.
Mark your calendars for 18 to 21 October 2024, as Cempedak Island presents its inaugural ‘Island Wellness Retreat’, a transformative journey of self-discovery and rejuvenation. Hosted by seasoned wellness professionals, this exclusive retreat offers a mix of relaxation and celebration amid the island’s natural beauty.
Over four days and three nights, participants will immerse themselves in a holistic escape from daily stresses infused with the energy of a beach festival. Guided by two experts, attendees can look forward to a variety of transformative experiences, including guided meditation, ice bathing, breathwork sessions, sound healing, yoga and the powerful practice of EFT tapping. The retreat will begin with a beach fire ceremony on the first evening, and conclude with celebrations at the bar on the final night.
Leading this programme are wellness experts: Mae Kwan, founder of MASE Lifestyle, a Singapore-based wellness consultancy, advocates for aligning mind, body, and space to attain personal balance. Co-leading the retreat is David Jacob, an ice bath and breathwork facilitator, and Tamsin Bradshaw, a transformation coach who will be leading the opening fire ceremony.
This makes the perfect escape for any couples, friends or solo travellers who want to reconnect with themselves and the outdoors, as well as meet other like-minded individuals.
CELESTIAL RETREAT
For something a little different, discover a calm oasis in Doha’s Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som. The hotel is touted as the first and largest immersive wellness destination in the Middle East and pioneer of Traditional Arabic and Islamic Medicine (TAIM). Drawing on the region’s rich history of astronomy research and taking advantage of the reduced light pollution surrounding the destination, the resort is now offering stargazing as part of its extensive activities programme.
Situated on Qatar’s northern tip, away from Doha’s bright lights, this place makes an ideal location for celestial viewing. Guests can marvel at the ever-changing lunar phases, moon craters, and the rings of Jupiter and Saturn. Constellations like Orion’s Belt and the ethereal Pleiades (known as the Seven Sisters) grace the night sky too. Rarer celestial phenomena may be visible at different times of the year, subject to favourable weather conditions.
Under the expert guidance of the resort’s dedicated night sky specialist, Naim Saad, guests can delve into the astral realm above the Arabian Gulf. He will explain how constellations change throughout seasons and impart intriguing facts on celestial bodies. From equinoxes to meteor showers and solstices, each session promises awe-inspiring encounters.
Stargazing allows you to contemplate the vastness of the universe, gain perspective on your daily lives, and deepen your connection with nature. These special sessions are crafted for you to spend meaningful time (alone or with your partner) to take in the mesmerising sights. They also elevate mindfulness and experiences of discovery as a group. For those seeking deeper understanding, the resort’s House of Wisdom offers access to enriching resources of the Planetarium library.
As the first wellness resort in the world to blend the holistic wisdom of Traditional Arabic Islamic Medicine (TAIM) and the health expertise established by Thai brand Chiva-Som International, Zulal Wellness Resort aims to inspire positive and sustainable lifestyle changes. There are two ways to achieving wellness goals: the adults-only Zulal Serenity; and Zulal Discovery, designed for families to connect and embark on a wellness journey together.
