As we leave behind the year of man’s best friend, early February signals the start of the new lunar year of the pig. Chinese New Year is a time to cherish family, friends and loved ones, but it is also a time to hail new beginnings and fresh starts—what better way to do this than to retreat from the stresses of daily life? Luckily, this year the holidays fall in favour of office workers, and just two days of your annual leave allowance will leave you with nine days of holiday to spend. If you’re looking to escape the fireworks and use the time for some quiet reflection, a yoga retreat provides the perfect balance for mind, body and soul. These are our top picks for restorative retreat experiences in under a week, plus a few for those with more time to spare.
Ananda in the Himalayas
Nestled high in the Himalayan foothills in northern India, Ananda is a boutique resort and spa that offers its guests a tranquil escape from city life. Set on the 100-acre Maharaja Palace Estate, Ananda in the Himalayas overlooks the spiritual town of Rishikesh, it draws on ancient philosophies for its yoga retreats. Five-night packages are inclusive of three personalised yoga sessions, one Reiki treatment, an aromatherapy massage, a personalised Ayurvedic or wellness consultation, nourishing spa cuisine throughout your stay, and your choice of luxury accommodation with valley or garden views. Guests also have access to the wide range of scheduled wellness and fitness sessions taking place throughout their stay.
Contact bookings@compareretreats.com to book your luxury wellness retreat
Nihi Sumba
This tropical island paradise lies on the remote Indonesian island of Sumba, in the country’s eastern reaches. The award-winning property offers a five-night Yoga Experience retreat, led by the resort’s in-house wellness director, Mary Tilson. Retreat packages are inclusive of accommodation and all meals during your stay, a daily restock of your mini bar, scheduled day trips and excursions around the island, and access to the resort’s scheduled fitness and wellness sessions, including yoga, Pilates, and meditation, which take place at the outdoor pavilion.
Chiva-Som
Chiva-Som is an award-winning wellness resort that offers a wide range of programmes to guests, ranging from yoga to detox and weight loss retreats. Its five-night Yoga for Life retreat is specifically designed to help guests realign body and mind, helping them to return to their daily lives with a calmer, more balanced approach. Retreats are inclusive of accommodation and an initial health consultation on arrival, as well as physical and skin analyses, up to eight fitness and wellness sessions per day, and unlimited access to the sauna, jacuzzi and steam room.
Atmantan Wellness
This luxury wellness facility is located in Mulshi, near the cities of Pune and Mumbai. Combining traditional Indian healing philosophies with a contemporary approach to luxury and hospitality, Atmantan Wellness guides its guests through a number of wellness journeys. Its five-night Journey Through Yoga programme is inclusive of an individual wellness consultation, body composition analysis, posture and alignment assessment, daily massages, a breathing workshop, two private yoga sessions and a private meditation session. Retreats are also inclusive of accommodation and wellness cuisine throughout your stay.
Contact bookings@compareretreats.com to book your luxury wellness retreat
Amatara Wellness Resort
On the island of Phuket, Amatara is a holiday resort that places wellness at the very centre of its ethos. Its five-night yoga retreats are immersive experiences that are suitable for all experience levels, from beginner to advanced. Combining daily asanas with meditation, breath work and yogic philosophy, retreats are inclusive of accommodation and all meals, a personalised wellness consultation on arrival and departure, a traditional Hammam experience, three private yoga sessions, multiple messages, and access to the resort’s scheduled daily fitness activities.
Sen Wellness Sanctuary
Sen Wellness Sanctuary is a boutique resort located on Sri Lanka’s southern coast that offers restorative retreats rooted in Ayurvedic philosophies. Its five-night Be in the Flow, Let Go package is inclusive of accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout your stay, daily Ayurvedic treatments as prescribed during your personalised Ayurvedic assessment, daily yoga practice and two meditation sessions each week, led by a Buddhist monk. Packages are also inclusive of one acupuncture session and a variety of herbal medicines and remedies to support your wellness journey.
Contact bookings@compareretreats.com to book your luxury wellness retreat
Shreyas Retreat
This luxury ashram in India’s Bangalore state offers an integrative approach to yoga, focusing on both the physical and mental elements of the practice. The retreat’s seven-night yoga packages are inclusive of accommodation in luxury cottages and tented cottages, a wellness consultation on arrival, nourishing vegetarian cuisine, twice daily yoga practices, daily chanting and sound meditation sessions, and five personalised yoga classes per room. Retreats are also inclusive of two personalised pranayama sessions, an introduction to naturopathy, and three rejuvenating massages per guest.
Elounda SA Hotels and Resorts
If you’ve got time on your hands, venturing further afield opens up a whole host of other restorative retreat options. Elounda SA Hotels and Resorts on the Grecian island of Crete is one such option. Its seven-night Discover Yoga programme is inclusive of three personalised, hour-long yoga sessions, one guided meditation, two signature massages, one Reiki session, and a 90-minute hot stone massage, among other treatments. Packages are inclusive of accommodation in your choice of the Porto Elounda or Elounda Mare resorts.
Contact bookings@compareretreats.com to book your luxury wellness retreat
Lumeria Maui
On the peaceful Hawaiian island of Maui, Lumeria is a relaxing wellness resort that offers guests a safe space to focus on what matters most to them. Its seven-night yoga retreats are inclusive of accommodation, breakfast, and access to all scheduled fitness and wellness activities taking place throughout your stay. Days begin with sunrise meditation followed by ashtanga vinyasa yoga and restorative yoga practice, while yin yoga sessions signal an end to the day’s activities.
