Wellness has been a buzzword in the travel space for a handful of years now, and it is here to stay. “Wellness travel is no longer a trend; it’s a transformative shift in how people approach travel as a whole,” said Robin Ruiz, founder and CEO, Wellness in Travel + Tourism. “In today’s fast-paced world, our lives are increasingly full and often overwhelming, which is why travelers are turning to wellness-focused trips that prioritize well-being. People no longer just want a break from their daily routine — they want experiences that nourish their mental, physical and emotional wellbeing.”

To that end, Ruiz said more than 90 percent of luxury travelers now prioritize wellness in their travel decisions. She also noted wellness travel surged globally, particularly in the United States, as more travelers prioritize their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing, not just at home, but wherever they go.

© CIVANA Wellness Resort & Spa

Joining longtime wellness destinations like Miraval and Canyon Ranch are newcomers embracing trends and design aesthetics to
offer even more to their guests. “Today, wellness travel is no longer limited to luxury destination spas, though they remain popular,” said Ruiz. “It now encompasses everything from immersive nature retreats to urban hotels integrating biophilic design and restorative wellness amenities. At WITT, we see this evolution firsthand and are committed to making wellness travel more accessible and inclusive.”

Earlier this year, WITT introduced its WITT Certified Seal, the first global certification dedicated to identifying hotels and resorts that genuinely deliver holistic wellness experiences. The certification is based on more than 100 criteria under WITT’s five pillars of wellness: healthy eating, holistic healing, nature, movement and local impact. To date, more than 100 hotels in the United States have received the WITT Certified Seal.

© CIVANA Wellness Resort & Spa

“By evaluating and certifying a diverse range of properties, we help travelers find destinations that align with their unique wellness needs, ensuring they can maintain and enhance their well-being no matter where they travel,” said Ruiz. One of the WITT Certified Seal hotels is CIVANA Wellness Resort & Spa in Carefree, Arizona, outside of Scottsdale. This desert resort offers highly personalized wellness experiences for its guests, including healthy eating; a world-class spa; and more than 70 classes ranging from nine types of yoga to hiking, kayaking and paddleboarding and from intimacy workshops for couples to meditation and equine therapy. It even offers desert bathing, an adaptation of the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, to the Sonoran Desert landscape. Guests are invited to create an à la carte experience on their own or let CIVANA’s wellness experts curate a journey just for them.

© Castle Hot Springs

Elsewhere in Arizona, Castle Hot Springs, about an hour from Scottsdale, invites guests to soak in natural hot springs, an all-natural healing and spiritual ritual people have enjoyed for centuries. Outside of the springs, activities such as hiking, biking, canyon walks, sound baths and more encourage guests to connect with nature. Afterward, they may nourish themselves with fresh produce grown on the resort’s 3-acre on-site farm.

In Upstate New York, Mohonk Mountain House — providing opportunities for “recreation and renewal of body, mind and spirit in a beautiful natural setting” for more than 150 years — features not only an award-winning spa but also a variety of wellness experiences.

Its Seasonal Wellbeing Collection brings a holistic approach to staying healthy throughout each season: Spring – Detox, Summer – Renew, Fall – Balance, and Winter – Immunity. The Mindfulness Retreat, created by a Ph.D., includes private sessions and group activities like meditative hikes and forest bathing.

Across the country, Hotel San Luis Obispo, halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, offers a sanctuary for travelers seeking meaningful, intentional escapes. The Michelin One Key property sets the scene for exploring this part of California, known as SLO CAL, from wine tasting to beach walks, cruising down Highway 1 and strolling waterfront villages. Back at the hotel, indulge in a spa treatment, play a game of bocce or take a bike ride and explore the area even more.

Regent Santa Monica Beach © Tanveer Badal

Late last year Maison Guerlain opened Guerlain Wellness, the first spa of its kind for the house on the West Coast at the new Regent Santa Monica Beach. Spanning more than 107,000 square feet, this wellness center features an extensive spa, pool, lounges, a fitness center and a specialized retail boutique. Exclusive treatments designed by Guerlain for Regent Santa Monica Beach include Solar Shape, a pre- and post-sun treatment; Cristal Vibes, utilizing crystals and their power; and Skin Perfection, a cutting-edge facial designed to regain soft, radiant and nourished skin. Afterward, retreat to one of the luxury hotel’s 167 guestrooms and suites, which start at a spacious 720 square feet.

In Southwest Florida, JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort reimagines its wellness experiences based upon the resort’s standing as a Blue Zone Community, focused on well-being. The resort’s new programming taps into the “blue-space effect,” or the calming impact of the sight and sound of water on a person’s psychological state, through offerings such as a curated wellness itinerary created by leading experts in wellness and Blue Zone travel. Additionally, JW Marriott Marco Island Beach initiated a new culinary focus on food as medicine, incorporating aquatic plants such as sea asparagus, sea moss gel and water into menus to take advantage of their health benefits including reduced inflammation, improved digestive health and increased cognitive function.

Amrit Ocean Resort © Ken Hayden Photography

Across the Sunshine State, Amrit Ocean Resort on Singer Island in Palm Beach County blends Eastern principles with Western luxury. This next-generation, wellness-focused oceanfront resort boasts more than 103,000 square feet of wellness and spa facilities across four floors, along with 155 wellness-inspired guestrooms and five dining options. An already popular feature, the Aayush hydrothermal experience includes steam and sauna, a salt therapy chamber, arctic chill fountains, an effusion shower, and hot and cold plunge pools. Earlier this year Amrit launched a series of monthly wellness retreats designed to inspire longevity; upcoming weekend retreats include Fitness, Mindfulness, Sleep and Relaxation.

A wellness trend expected to grow in 2025 is sleep tourism, which may come as no surprise; according to Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 58 percent of people feel unsatisfied with their sleep. “Luxury travelers are increasingly prioritizing sleep and recovery as essential components of their journeys,” said Amanda Al-Masri, vice president of wellness, Hilton Hotels & Resorts. “Hilton’s 2025 Trends Report highlights that 70 percent now choose hotels with sleep-centric amenities, reinforcing the growing shift toward restorative travel.”

She added that the hotel brand takes a science-backed, holistic approach to well-being, curating environments that support rest, recovery and overall wellness.

Amrit Ocean Resort © Ken Hayden Photography

“Through our partnership with Calm, we’re integrating expert-led sleep and meditation content into the guest experience, while collaborations with Peloton ensure movement remains an accessible part of the travel journey,” explained Al-Masri. “Across our portfolio, wellness is woven into every touchpoint, from immersive spa retreats at Conrad and Waldorf Astoria to sleep-optimized room designs at Hilton Hotels & Resorts and Canopy by Hilton.

“As sleep tourism continues to gain momentum, Hilton is redefining what it means to travel well — helping guests return home feeling restored, rebalanced and truly recharged,” she added.

One such destination focusing on a good night’s sleep is Conrad Orlando, offering specially designed Wellness Rooms featuring soundproofing, blackout curtains and relaxation-enhancing layouts for a restful stay. Additionally, the resort’s holistic approach to overall wellness promotes a well-rounded experience through its combination of sleep science, spa treatments and mindfulness programs.