There’s something so special about a wellness trip to Asia, perhaps because a lot of what we know about wellness comes from traditional Asian medicine and philosophy. I’ve long been drawn to Asia by its strong spirituality, holistic approach to wellness and stunning natural landscapes, so I decided it was high time I put together a list of the best luxury wellness destinations in Asia. 

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Koh Samui – Thailand 

Koh Samui is one of the more peaceful and luxurious Thai islands, and it’s a popular destination for wellness travellers. It’s home to many amazing luxury wellness retreats, yoga studios and upmarket spas.

One of the most notable properties in Koh Samui is the multi award-winning Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary and Holistic Spa. Guests enjoy tailor made programs to help them work towards their long-term wellness goals using a mixture of Eastern and Western medicines in the most sumptuous of settings. This isn’t a quick fix, either; when your time in paradise is over, you’ll have access to post-stay support via Skype. 

The island’s Moroccan-inspired Absolute Sanctuary is another of the best wellness destinations in Asia. With detox, yoga, spa and emotional balance programs on offer, a stay at the Absolute Sanctuary is sure to be a transformative wellness experience. 

Ubud – Bali, Indonesia 

Bali is celebrated for its deeply spiritual soul and the town of Ubud is at the very heart of this. Famed for its stunning rice terraces, lush rainforests and Hindu temples, Ubud is easily one of the best wellness destinations in Asia. 

A trip to Ubud is a chance to immerse yourself in Balinese culture through arts, craft and traditional dance. There are so many yoga studios, spas and wellness centres in Ubud that you’ll scarcely know where to start. However, I can thoroughly recommend a stay at the stunning Four Seasons Sayan. The spirit of Bali has been weaved into every inch of this luxe property and my favorite part has to be the giant rooftop koi pond. 

There are so many fantastic wellness retreats in Ubud to choose from. To be honest, I think this topic probably requires its own blog post! However, I have to mention the Rejuvenation Retreat at the stunning COMO Shambhala, which offers you the chance to grow and heal in the utmost luxury in the very heart of the Balinese jungle. 

The Maldives 

Well, of course I had to mention The Maldives in this article. It’s not only one of the best wellness destinations in Asia, but my favorite destination in the world. 

A trip to The Maldives is always an extra special experience, whether it’s your first or fiftieth time. On my most recent trip, I had the pleasure of staying at Soneva Fushi, a wellness resort where the policy is ‘no shoes, no news’. That was exactly I needed during the covid-19 pandemic! 

Meanwhile, Pullman Maldives Maamutaa is perfect for anyone seeking an active and adventurous wellness stay. With so many fitness boot camps on offer, you’re bound to leave feeling fitter, healthier and stronger than ever.

For more on The Maldives, take a look at this article.

Jeju Island – South Korea 

As I mentioned in my article on the best global spa destinations, South Korea boasts a strong spa culture. Wellness and personal care are important parts of daily life. Korean skincare, for example, is around five years ahead of western skincare. There are fantastic healing experiences and spa retreats across the country, but Jeju Island has to be the number one spot for a wellness escape. 

Jeju Island is affectionately nicknamed “the Hawaii of South Korea”. Hopefully, that should tell you something about the kind of vibe going on on this volcanic island. With golden beaches, scenic waterfalls and a UNESCO world heritage national park, Jeju Island will undoubtedly be a hit with nature lovers. Best of all, the island boasts a dense population of wellness retreats and spa resorts. This is thanks in part to the mineral-rich volcanic waters of the island, so take advantage of their skin-boosting benefits!

The WE Wellness Centre bases its programs around Jeju’s natural landscape. For example, it uses natural volcanic water in its hydrotherapy sessions and offering uber-relaxing forest bathing. The centre also boasts a state-of-the-art medical spa. This is great news since South Korea sets the gold standard when it comes to cosmetic work! For more on cosmetic tourism, check out this article. 

Haevichi Hotel & Resort offers guests a relaxing experience in a beautiful, modern setting. At the in-house Spa Ara, you’ll enjoy personalised treatments and wonderful views of the island’s scenery. 

Siem Reap – Cambodia

Siem Reap is famously home to Angkor Wat, the iconic Buddhist temple complex. In fact, it’s actually the largest religious monument in the world. It should come as no surprise, then, that this city is the spiritual hub of Cambodia. 

I highly recommend a stay in a Khmer-style villa at the Anantara Angkor resort. This property offers guests a glimpse into Cambodian wellness and spirituality. Guests can even try out acupuncture at the spa for a real taste of traditional Asian medicine. 

The Navutu Dreams and Wellness Resort stands out amongst the myriad of yoga and meditation retreats in Siem Reap. The resort offers a range of wellness programs, from a single day immersive experience to a seven day retreat. There are no gruelling boot camps here; these programs focus on mental wellbeing and include yoga, spa treatments and sound bowl therapies. This is a perfect choice for anyone looking to de-stress, refresh and look after their mind. 

What’s your favorite luxury wellness destination? Let me know in the comments below.

For more on wellness travel, check out:

• 10 reasons to go on a wellness retreat
• My wellness guide to Miami, Florida
• The best spa resorts in the USA that you can visit right now