August is National Wellness Month – the perfect time to hit pause, breathe deeply and put self-care first. From the Tuscan hills to the beaches of Thailand, we’ve rounded up five spectacular spas that offer more than just massages.
Think steaming hammams, infinity pools in the sky and treatments steeped in centuries-old tradition. Whether you’re packing your bags or simply daydreaming, these wellness escapes are worth every blissful second.
Aquae Vitali at Il Salviatino – A Renaissance of Relaxation in Tuscany
Florence is known for art, wine and now – its decadent take on wellness. Iconic 15th century Il Salviatino is elevating its luxury offering with the introduction of the Aquae Vitali spa. Tucked inside a restored greenhouse, here luxury meets leafy tranquillity. Curated by owner Alessandra Rovati Vitali, this 300-square-metre sanctuary features state-of-the-art facilities including a Vichy shower, infrared sauna, hammam and even an ice bath, all framed by the Tuscan countryside. Guests can enjoy seasonal treatments like grape seed scrubs and cooling summer therapies or book the entire spa for their own personal use. The villa’s signature Augustinus Bader products bring science to the serenity, while the cascading pools and sweeping city views offer the ultimate “pinch me” moment.
La Sultana Marrakech – Hammam Heaven in the Medina
Nestled in the heart of the ancient medina, La Sultana Marrakech is a collection of five riads joined together to form one charming retreat. This Moroccan jewel is renowned for its award-winning spa, a serene sanctuary offering private hammams, a jacuzzi, sauna, balneotherapy bath, chromotherapy suite and open-air massage cabins, all wrapped in crimson marble, glowing lanterns and exotic charm. Each treatment is tailored to promote both wellness and deep relaxation with signature offerings including the famed Royal Hammam, which uses black soap made from pressed olives, and indulgent massages with locally sourced essential oils.
Talise Spa at Jumeirah Burj Al Arab – Sky-High Serenity in Dubai
Leave it to the iconic seven-star Jumeirah Burj Al Arab to reimagine wellness as pure theatre. Perched on the 18th floor, Talise Spa delivers full-body bliss with jaw-dropping views of the Arabian Gulf. With 14 treatment rooms, infinity pools that blur into the sky and thermal suites that steam away stress, indulgence reaches new heights. Sculpted columns, gold vases and indoor waterfalls set the scene – whether you’re floating in a jacuzzi or wrapped in an aromatherapy cocoon. It’s not just a spa day – it’s a wellness spectacle.
Chi, The Spa at Shangri-La Paris – Total Tranquillity in the City of Light
Within the architectural gem of Shangri-La Paris, the former 19th-century private mansion of Prince Roland Bonaparte, is Chi, The Spa, an oasis of calm in the bustling heart of the metropolis. Anchored by a 17-metre pool – the city’s largest – the spa opens onto a lush terrace and features tranquil treatment rooms that offer therapies focused on rebalancing both body and mind. In partnership with French skincare brand Alaena, organic facials range from glow-boosting to age-defying. Additionally, the unique Skin Studio, in collaboration with Innerskin, features advanced beauty treatments inspired by aesthetic medicine that utilise the latest technology.
Iniala Beach House, Thailand – A Coastal Sanctuary of Rituals, Reflection & Renewal
On the quiet sands of Natai Beach, Iniala Beach House blends Thai tradition with high-end wellness. The Pearl Spa is open to all guests – a soft-lit cocoon wrapped in mother-of-pearl walls and Zen garden skylights. For those staying in select suites, the Golden Temple Bell Spa ups the ante with its golden murals, sacred Thai symbolism and steamy herbal rituals that echo the hills of Chiang Mai. Add sunrise boot camps, sunset yoga by the sea and turmeric scrubs that feel like pure sunshine, and you’ve got a beachfront retreat where body, mind and nature fall into perfect balance.
