It’s 2025! A New Year means a new You! What better way to start than with a visit to one of Europe’s finest spas and wellness retreats? These havens combine the opportunity for health and self-care with indulgent restorative treatments.
As antidotes to our fast-paced lives, these retreats reconnect the mind, body, and spirit through holistic wellness programs. They offer fitness classes, yoga, hiking, and nutritional plans alongside thermal pools, massages, beauty treatments, and invigorating ice baths to reset and restore balance. Across Europe, you’ll find a variety of luxurious spas and retreats committed to transforming lives while maintaining a strong environmental focus.
The BusinessClass.com guide to the 8 Best European Spas & Wellness Retreats for restorative holidays:
The Anassa Hotel, Cyprus
Paphos International Airport is 35 miles away
Nestled within a secluded position on a wild peninsula off Cyprus’s Akamas National Park, the Anassa Hotel is recognised as the island’s most exclusive resort. Surrounded by meticulously landscaped gardens, alfresco dining spots, and chic rooms & suites, every detail at Anassa is designed with comfort in mind. The refined whitewashed hotel cascades down to the beach of Chrysochou Bay, just a short stroll away.
The 166 light-filled rooms and suites are adorned with natural materials including local stone, marble, bleached wood, and crisp white linens. Many feature balconies or private patios, while most offer wraparound windows that frame stunning the Mediterranean Sea views.
Guests can enjoy local and Asian-inspired dining at Basiliko, where meals are always candle lit, or savour French-influenced à la carte dishes at Helios. For a more casual option, Pelagos, a seafront taverna, showcases fresh local seafood in its open kitchen.
At the heart of the property lies the renowned Thalassa Spa, an indulgent retreat for health and wellness. Centred around a columned, sky-lit pool, the spa specialises in Thalassotherapy, drawing on the restorative properties of the sea. Signature treatments include saltwater jet spray massages, seaweed polishes, and algae body wraps, with detox immersions featuring seawater from the bay. Guests also have access to an indoor swimming pool, 18 treatment rooms, saunas, steam baths, a squash court, fitness facilities, and yoga classes.
For the adventurous, guided tours of the rugged coastline and hidden coves of Akamas National Park await, offering a closer look at the unspoilt beauty of Cyprus. Families are also well-catered for, with tailored activities and babysitting services ensuring everyone can relax in style.
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Schloss Elmau Luxury Spa Retreat & Cultural Hideaway, Germany
90 minutes’ drive from Munich-Franz Josef Strauss Airport
Surrounded by the majestic Bavarian Alps, Schloss Elmau is a pristine sanctuary located just 100 kilometres south of Munich. Framed by dramatic peaks and lush forests, this extraordinary destination offers two distinct five-star hotels: the Luxury Spa Retreat and the Cultural Hideaway. Originally built by philosopher and theologian Johannes Müller between 1914 and 1916, Schloss Elmau became an artistic haven for writers and musicians. Rebuilt in 2007, it attracts spa enthusiasts and lovers of culture and beauty.
Guests can choose from 115 elegantly designed rooms and suites, featuring parquet floors, spacious bathrooms with natural stone, and furniture sourced from India and Indonesia. A short stroll away, The Retreat, opened in 2015, offers an additional 47 spacious rooms crafted from natural materials with oriental influences, ensuring every comfort.
Schloss Elmau boasts six luxurious spas, including the largest Hammam west of Istanbul. Facilities include heated pools, saunas, and a curated menu of restorative treatments such as Abhyanga, Shiatsu, Thai massages, and Hammam scrubs. Beyond the spa, an impressive array of activities awaits from hiking, skiing, and mountain biking to yoga, Pilates, and tennis. For culture lovers, the on-site concert hall hosts over 200 events annually, featuring world-renowned musicians.
Dining at Schloss Elmau is a journey in itself. Luce D’Oro, a Michelin-starred restaurant, leads the culinary offerings, accompanied by four additional dining venues. Guests can also unwind at the Tea Lounge or Jazz Bar, while enjoying the exclusive culinary events held throughout the year.
With its serene location, family-friendly amenities, and mindfulness retreats, Schloss Elmau effortlessly combines luxury, culture, and wellness in one remarkable destination.
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Six Senses Douro Valley, Portugal
75-minute scenic drive from International Airport Francisco Sá Carneiro
The striking terracotta-hued Six Senses Douro Valley is a wellness haven set in one of Portugal’s celebrated wine regions. Nestled in a beautifully restored 19th-century manor house, it boasts glorious gardens and sweeping views of neatly terraced vineyards. Located near the historic town of Porto and heritage villages, this retreat combines luxurious tranquillity with cultural exploration.
Inspired by natural elements – water, stone, and wood – the Six Senses Spa is a blissful sanctuary. It features a sauna, herbal bath, laconicum, steam room, and ten treatment rooms, where guests can indulge in massages, facials, and Ayurvedic therapies. Treatments incorporate local ingredients, such as grape pulp, citrus fruits, and schist stones, for a unique regional touch. Guests can also opt for a wellness screening, skin analysis, or a specialist sleep program tailored to individual needs.
The experience extends beyond the spa. Take a dip in the heated indoor pool, relax in aromatic saunas or arctic showers, or retreat to the library with a glass of local wine or a cocktail. With its organic gardens and partnerships with local wineries, Six Senses Douro Valley emphasises sustainability and offers an array of wine-focused activities, including guided tastings and vineyard tours.
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Lefay Resort & Spa Lago Di Garda
It’s just one hour’s drive from Verona Airport
The Leali family opened Lefay Resort & Spa Lago di Garda on the shores of Lake Garda with a vision of combining wellbeing and sustainability with Italian elegance. This luxurious retreat has since become a haven for rejuvenation. At its heart lies the Lefay SPA, a 3700-square-metre oasis that harmonises traditional Chinese medicine with Western scientific research. Guests can unwind in the heated indoor and outdoor pools, six saunas, and five relaxation areas, while enjoying vegan-friendly, cruelty-free cosmetics - developed by Lefay.
The hotel grounds span extensive gardens, featuring a running circuit, fitness trail, and an energy garden inspired by holistic principles. Blending seamlessly into the surrounding countryside, the 93 suites are thoughtfully designed with stylish oak furniture, Italian marble bathrooms, and private balconies or terraces offering panoramic lake views. The Royal Pool & Spa Suite, the pinnacle of luxury, boasts a private garden and infinity pool overlooking Lake Garda, complemented by abstract artworks by Antonio Mazzetti.
Dining at Lefay reflects a commitment to local, seasonal, and organic ingredients. Executive Chef Matteo Maenza oversees two exceptional restaurants: La Grande Limonaia, haute dining, and Trattoria La Vigna, an informal venue celebrating regional flavours. Sustainability extends to the kitchen, with a focus on supporting local producers.
Guests can immerse themselves in exclusive experiences, from sailing on Lake Garda and trekking through Alto Garda Park to biodynamic wine tastings and cultural visits to Vittoriale Degli Italiani, the historic home of poet Gabriele d’Annunzio. As a carbon-neutral resort, Lefay incorporates renewable energy and eco-friendly architecture, cementing its reputation as a pioneer in sustainable luxury.
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SHA Wellness Clinic, Spain
Alicante Airport transfer time: 45 minutes.
The story of the SHA Wellness Clinic in Spain began with its founder, Alfredo Bataller Parietti. His personal health transformation through nutrition and lifestyle changes inspired him to share this valuable knowledge with others.
Perched on a hill overlooking the shimmering Balearic Sea, SHA’s all-white modernist building is a striking contrast to the terracotta-roofed houses that dot Spain’s south coast. Lush shrubs spill over the terraces, creating an oasis of calm.
The clinic offers an extensive range of medical diagnostics, addressing everything from sleep recovery to weight loss and detoxification. Guests can enrol in specialised programs to quit smoking, reduce stress, or enhance overall well-being, supported by a team of experts that includes doctors, naturopaths, nutritionists, yoga instructors, and skilled acupuncturists.
Surrounded by Zen, Mediterranean, and tropical gardens, the resort’s sprawling facilities include indoor and outdoor swimming pools, waterfalls, and numerous relaxation spaces spread across its five buildings. The 93 minimalist suites offer serene sea or mountain views, combining cutting-edge technology with effortless style. The Penthouse Residence, SHA’s most exclusive accommodation, features a private pool, solarium, and expansive terrace.
At the heart of SHA’s philosophy is healthy, plant-based cuisine inspired by the Mediterranean diet, emphasising locally sourced, organic ingredients. Guests enjoy tailored meal plans designed to complement their wellness journey. SHA’s global presence has also expanded, with a new facility in Mexico’s Costa Mujeres, offering the same transformative experiences in a tropical setting.
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Arctic Bath, Sweden
It is a 1 hour 15 minute drive by transfer from Luleå Airport
Set amidst the untouched wilderness of Swedish Lapland, the Arctic Bath offers an extraordinary retreat to reconnect with nature and yourself. A destination like no other, it is a true oasis of wellness under the northern lights in winter and the midnight sun during summer. With its iconic circular design, glass walls, and floating walkways, the Arctic Bath seamlessly blends Scandinavian chic with a deep respect for the environment.
The hotel features 12 exclusive cabins, half of which float on water, while the others are nestled along the shore. Designed with sustainability at heart, the cabins are crafted from locally sourced timbers and offer panoramic north-facing views through expansive glass windows. Inside, the interiors combine wood, stone, and tactile textiles to create a cosy yet minimalist aesthetic. Guests are even provided with pollutant-free swimsuits, reflecting the hotel’s commitment to preserving the river.
At the heart of the retreat is the open-air cold bath, surrounded by three saunas, hot baths, and a spa treatment room. The dramatic contrast between hot and cold therapies enhances blood circulation, soothes muscles, and leaves skin revitalised. Signature treatments draw inspiration from Lapland’s natural environment, offering a holistic wellness experience.
The Arctic Bath’s activities embrace the beauty of its surroundings, ranging from yoga, meditation, and spa treatments to dog sledging, snowshoe hiking, cross-country skiing, fat bike excursions, and even wildlife photography. For those seeking adventure, the wilderness promises unforgettable moments, from bear watching to marvelling at the Northern Lights.
With its focus on eco-friendly tourism and Arctic preservation, the Arctic Bath invites guests to experience the Lapland landscape with a light touch, offering both tranquillity and inspiration in equal measure.
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Palazzo Fiuggi Wellness Medical Retreat, Italy
Rome Ciampino Airport is 55 minutes’ drive away.
Nestled in an 8-hectare private park, just 50 minutes from central Rome, the Palazzo Fiuggi Wellness Medical Retreat is a centre of innovation in health and wellness. Once one of Italy’s most iconic and historical hotels, this retreat has been reimagined as a cutting-edge medical haven, combining decades of research with a serene, luxurious setting. Perched 700 metres above sea level, guests benefit from oxygen-rich air that enhances personal transformation and well-being.
Central to the retreat’s philosophy is Fiuggi’s renowned mineral water, celebrated for its unique healing properties that aid in kidney restoration and immune system balance. Guests experience its restorative benefits through carefully curated programs and therapies.
The retreat’s 6,000-square-metre wellness centre offers the latest in medical technology, including MRI diagnostics, infrared treatments for brain health and sleep, and retinal scanning. Its hydrotherapy offerings include the innovative Hydro Circuit, designed to rejuvenate the body through advanced water therapies. State-of-the-art facilities also feature a fully equipped gym, Pilates studio, and yoga spaces, ensuring a holistic approach to health.
Dining at Palazzo Fiuggi is an integral part of the wellness journey. Three-star Michelin chef Heinz Beck, a pioneer in biodynamic and natural cuisine, has crafted menus that are light, nutritious, and utterly delicious. Every dish is designed to complement the retreat’s wellness programs, using locally sourced, organic ingredients to promote vitality and longevity.
With 153 elegant rooms and suites, many featuring private balconies, Palazzo Fiuggi ensures the ultimate comfort for guests. The retreat offers seven-day transformational programs, focusing on detox, weight loss, and cellular regeneration, allowing guests to experience life-changing results in just days.
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MasQi The Energy House, Spain
One hour drive from Alicante Airport
MasQi The Energy House is a hidden gem set in the heart of the Bañeres de Mariola National Park, offering a transformative retreat focused on holistic well-being. The beautifully restored 19th-century farmhouse combines the comforts of a boutique hotel with a unique dedication to health and renewal. With just eight guestrooms, spread across two floors, each space is individually designed with tasteful furniture, high-quality beds, and luxurious bedlinen.
The retreat is immersed in tranquillity, where silence is broken only by birdsong and the gentle rustling of trees. Yoga and meditation sessions are held in a spectacular dome-shaped studio, where sunlight streams through its transparent windows, creating a peaceful connection to the natural surroundings. Across from the farmhouse, a converted barn now houses the massage house, where guests can enjoy escapist sessions blending ancient techniques such as Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine with modern innovations like kinesiology.
At MasQi, the culinary experience is just as vital to its philosophy. The retreat specialises in macrobiotic cuisine, offering nourishing, plant-based meals designed to enhance vitality and balance. Guests are invited to savour dishes crafted from fresh, seasonal, and organic ingredients, supporting both personal well-being and sustainable practices.
Nestled within a national park, MasQi offers a truly restorative experience where guests can disconnect from the fast pace of life and reconnect with themselves. Whether enjoying yoga in the dome, indulging in spa treatments, or simply basking in the serenity of the natural surroundings, MasQi The Energy House is an extraordinary destination for healing and renewal.
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