For a fitness-focused stay, Equinox Hotel in Hudson Yards is hard to beat. It’s directly connected to the Equinox flagship, so the level of training is exceptional. What sets it apart is the recovery. Think cryotherapy, infrared saunas, cold plunges and sleep-optimised rooms with full blackout, soundproofing and temperature regulation. It’s designed so that every detail supports performance – you leave feeling stronger, not like you’ve taken time off.
I also rate Othership in New York. It completely reframes what a wellness experience can look like. Sessions are built around guided breathwork, ice baths and large-format saunas, but delivered with music, lighting and a real sense of pace. It feels far closer to a boutique fitness class than a spa, which makes it more engaging and less intimidating. You’re guided throughout, moving between heat, cold and breath in a way that feels structured yet accessible. I always leave feeling clear-headed and energised.
For something more clinical, I’d fly to RAKxa in Bangkok. Set on Bang Krachao – often referred to as Bangkok’s ‘green lung’ – it feels completely removed from the city. It’s a fully integrative medical retreat, where everything starts with diagnostics. From blood work to movement screening, your entire programme is tailored – covering nutrition, physiotherapy, stress and longevity. It’s incredibly thorough, but still calm and private.
Lanserhof is where I go for a serious reset. With locations in Austria and Germany, it’s known for its science-led approach to wellness – but once you’re there, it feels much more considered than clinical. Everything is tailored to you, from nutrition to treatments and movement, with a strong focus on gut health, energy and overall balance. Days have a clear rhythm, but there’s still space to slow down and switch off.
Next on my list is COMO Shambhala Estate in Bali. Set above the Ayung River near Ubud, it’s surrounded by jungle, with villas and pathways that make it feel completely tucked away. What draws me to it is how personalised everything is. There are resident experts across yoga, nutrition and Ayurveda, and programmes are tailored around how you want to feel – whether that’s more energy, better sleep or a full reset.
ARC in Canary Wharf is one of London’s best-kept secrets. There’s a simple sauna-steam-ice bath circuit, plus guided sessions if you want them, which is still quite rare in London. I also rate AIRE Ancient Baths in Covent Garden – it’s entirely candlelit with thermal pools, salt baths and steam rooms – and The Ned Spa in the City, a cavernous subterranean space that’s easy to spend time in.
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