Where will you find the world’s best spa? The most stunning spas? A new study has listed the world’s 20 most stunning spas and the good news is – three of them are right here in NZ, including the very top number one spa! So, where exactly is it? Read on!
There’s nothing more relaxing than a holiday that incorporates a visit to a spa. From outdoor geothermic pools to retreats nestled in the jungle, there are stunning spots all over the globe that would make the perfect spa retreat.
But, it seems you also don’t have to travel far to experience THE best spas in the whole wide world.
A new study from SpaSeekers.com has revealed the world’s most stunning spas, using eye-tracking technology to see which settings capture and hold our attention most. And the good news? THREE of them – including the top rated number one – are right here in NZ!
Here’s the complete list:
20. Quinn’s Hot Springs Spa, USA
Tucked away in a canyon, these springs have been a destination for weary travellers seeking relaxation since the late 1800s.
The pools flow with natural mineral water, with icy plunges and steaming hot tubs.
19. Gaia Retreat & Spa, Australia
Co-founded by Olivia Newton-John, this boutique retreat is nestled in the Byron Bay hinterland.
The spa focuses on personalised “wellness paths,” and almost feels like staying in the home of a very wealthy, very Zen friend.
18. Six Senses Yao Noi, Thailand
This island resort has villas tucked into the tropical hillside, overlooking the dramatic limestone karsts of the Andaman Sea.
The spa village is modelled after a traditional Thai longhouse, giving a whimsical treehouse vibe.
17. Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa, USA
Here, it’s all about “mindful living”. The desert landscape plays a key role in the experience, with outdoor treatment rooms and activities like equine therapy.
16. Spa at the Oyster Box, South Africa
Overlooking the iconic lighthouse and the Indian Ocean, this spa is a blend of colonial charm and Zulu heritage.
It features a unique “Hamman” experience and tranquil pools set amidst lush, subtropical gardens.
15. Carden Park Hotel Spa, UK
This destination spa is home to one of the largest “spa gardens” in the UK, featuring outdoor hot tubs, fire pits, and a glazed vitality pool.
14. Delaire Graff Lodges & Spa, South Africa
This high-altitude spa offers breath-taking views of the Cape Winelands and the Groot Drakenstein Mountains.
The facility is adorned with world-class contemporary art and surrounded by botanical gardens and vineyards.
13. Wairakei Terraces & Thermal Health Spa, New Zealand
This spa is famous for its striking blue silica terraces.
The mineral-rich waters flow over man-made rock formations, creating a series of tiered pools with varying temperatures.
12. Emirates One & Only Wolgan Valley, Australia
Recently reopened, and set on a 7,000-acre private nature reserve, this spa is all about nature.
Each treatment room features its own floor-to-ceiling windows and a private deck overlooking the wild beauty of the Blue Mountains.
11. Cap Rocat Spa, Spain
Located in a former military fortress in Mallorca, this spa is carved directly into the rock and lit by natural sunlight streaming through glass ceilings.
The centrepiece is a stunning saltwater pool that offers a cool break from the Mediterranean heat.
10. Hoar Cross Hall Spa Hotel, UK
This magnificent Elizabethan-style stately home houses a sprawling, modern spa with hydrotherapy facilities, including saltwater pools and detoxifying saunas.
It’s all set within 50 acres of manicured gardens, giving a quintessential British “country house” experience.
9. Shanti Maurice, Mauritius
This island resort offers a mix of Ayurvedic principles and modern international treatments in a lush, tropical garden setting, right on the ocean.
8. Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, Thailand
Accessed by taking a traditional teak boat across the Chao Phraya River, this spa is housed in a stunning century-old Thai-style house.
The spa offers legendary service and world-renowned Thai massages, and an escape from the high-energy pace of Bangkok.
7. Polynesian Spa, New Zealand
On the shores of Lake Rotorua, this spa gives access to natural thermal springs.
The acidic Priest Spring relieves tired muscles, while the alkaline Rachel Spring nourishes the skin.
6. Santani Wellness Kandy, Sri Lanka
Tucked away in the misty mountains of a former tea plantation, this place is stunning from every angle.
It features glass-walled rooms that make you feel like you are floating above the ground.
5. Lefay Resort & Spa Lago di Garda, Italy
Perched on a hillside overlooking Italy’s largest lake, this spa combines traditional Chinese medicine with modern Western techniques.
The infinity pool is incredible, surrounded by olive groves and lemon trees and overlooking the lake.
4. Chena Hot Springs Spa, USA
Famed for its outdoor rock lake, this Alaskan resort allows you to soak in 40°C mineral water while surrounded by snow and ice.
If you’re lucky, you’ll see the Northern Lights while you visit.
3. COMO Shambhala Estate, Indonesia
Located in the jungle near Ubud, this “retreat for change” focuses on spiritual and physical harmony.
It is widely considered the gold standard for holistic wellness and targeted health programs.
2. Peninsula Hot Springs, Australia
This award-winning destination offers over 50 different bathing experiences, including a famous hilltop pool with 360-degree views of the countryside.
The site focuses on “social bathing” and holistic wellness.
1. The Lost Spring, New Zealand
Nestled in a lush tropical forest on the Coromandel Peninsula, this spa features handcrafted mineral pools filled with volcanic water.
Guests can enjoy poolside service for cocktails and snacks while surrounded by caves and waterfalls.
This article was reproduced with permission from 9Honey. To read the original article, click here.