5 of The World's Top Luxury Wellness Resorts

With crowded cities and hours of screen time as staples of modern life, going away on a retreat has never been so necessary and valuable.

To fully disconnect from the modern world and reconnect with yourself, strong and sophisticated measures are required. Thankfully, several cutting-edge and ultra-luxurious wellness retreats are powerful enough for complete renewal and rejuvenation—even if you're living the most high-stress life.

So, are you ready for a full physical and mental reboot or to realize some other profound inner and outer transformation? Check out our pick of the top five luxury wellness retreats around the globe in 2022. 

5. GAIA RETREAT & SPA, AUSTRALIA

Located on 20 acres of hinterland in Byron Bay, the healing heartland of Australia, Gaia Retreat & Spa offers restoration for the heart and soul in one of the world's most astonishing areas of natural beauty.

Gaia Retreat is different from other luxury wellness retreats in that it can cater its packages for specific occasions, such as mother-daughter retreats, pregnancy packages, and romantic couple retreats. Its four standard packages are focused on general restoration and natural healing in complete luxury.

Some of the services guests at Gaia Retreat & Spa can expect include sound healing, tarot reading, cacao ceremonies, acupuncture, cupping, reiki, craniosacral therapy, shamanic healing, and sacred rituals. Additional services for specific needs can be added to the standard packages, including detox and cleanse, weight loss, fitness, vitality, and mindfulness.

Get your Gaia wellness journey underway by getting in touch with your EliteLyfe luxury travel agent today.

4. THE ROYAL MANSOUR IN MARRAKESH

Set in one of the most beautiful hotels in the world, The Royal Mansour offers guests the chance to experience an authentic Arab medina (town) within the beautiful city of Marrakesh. 

As you would only expect from a Moroccan palace, this fully-immersive escape has one of the world's most impressive spas. The Royal Mansour Spa is a three-floor, ten-room haven where guests can enjoy a hammam, hand and foot treatments by the ‘foot genius’. Royal Mansour offers four fully customizable wellness programs designed over three, five, seven, and fourteen days.

Developed by The Spa Royal Mansour, the anti-aging program is designed to correct imbalances and purify the body and includes private sports lessons, LPG face and body sessions, traditional hair wraps, and Green Caviar facial treatments. Their emotional rebalance program is designed to slow down the effects of stress on the body and includes Tibetan singing bowl therapy and Blissful Marma massages by Subtle Energies.

Contact your EliteLyfe luxury travel agent today to arrange your luxury wellness retreat in Marrakesh.

3. THE AMAN RESORTS

Meaning Place of Peace, Amanpuri began in Asia in 1988 and has since built health and wellness resorts in spectacular properties all over the world.

Aman's approach to a luxury wellness retreat is based on reconnecting with the environment and rediscovering our inner worlds. They incorporate ancient rituals and treatments with modern techniques to create one of the most spiritually-oriented wellness initiatives on the planet. 

A program at one of the many Aman Resorts could include a personalized Ayurveda treatment, a private onsen (Japanese hot spring), hydrotherapy, training boot camps, and personalized meals.

Locations include New York, The Dominican Republic, Bhutan, Greece, and Turks & Caicos. Contact your EliteLyfe luxury travel agent to arrange your wellness journey with Aman. 

2. CLINIQUE LA PRAIRIE, SWITZERLAND

The world’s most award-winning clinic that was born out of over 90 years of science, innovation, and research (founded in 1931), Clinique La Prairie is unparalleled in the world of longevity.

The luxury wellness retreat, located in Montreux, Switzerland (and with centers around the world), is home to over 50 leading medical specialists, 3 operation theaters, and 20 post-surgery rooms. Clinique La Prairie also has its own line of holistic supplements, including products such as Age-Defy, Balance, Energy, and Purity.

Programs at Clinique La Prairie combine medicine, nutrition, movement, and wellbeing to create the most comprehensive regeneration and detox therapies. For instance, their Revitalisation Program involves a highly-targeted medical approach to deeply regenerate the body’s 7 key systems: brain, heart, circadian rhythm, skin, metabolism, immunity, and microbiota.

Clinique La Prairie has over fifty rooms and suites with stunning views over the Alps and Lake Geneva. Contact your EliteLyfe luxury travel agent to book your stay.

1. RENEW YOU ASIA

When movie producer William D. Johnson failed to treat his heart condition with western medicine, he had no choice but to seek alternative options in the world of regenerative therapies.

Not only did William recover from his condition, but his results and transformation were also so phenomenal he was inspired to set up his own regenerative luxury wellness retreat. Today, Renew You Asia on the island of Phuket, Thailand is a leader in highly personalized and evidence-based regenerative health programs, including reverse aging protocols, intense detoxification, and stem cell therapies. 

Our CEO Niko Contardi underwent a health protocol at Renew You Asia for nearly 3 weeks. His trip was a life-changing voyage packed with state-of-the-art biotechnical procedures, ultra-luxury travel experiences, and world-renowned doctors and lifestyle coaches.

Here’s a taste of the treatments Niko received and what you can expect at Renew You Asia:

Folic Acid + NAC: Supports the delivery and proliferation of stem cells

Placenta shot: Promotes cell repair and tissue healing

Energy Drip + L Carnitine: Increases energy levels and revives the kidneys
Plaque X: Clears plaque from artery walls, great for prevention of heart problems and strok
Glutathione: Helps to detoxify the liver and clear toxins from the body
Myers cocktail IV: An infusion of multiple vitamins and minerals to balance the body and help you feel your best. 

We offer several regenerative medicine packages at Renew You Asia that include luxury accommodation and unique travel experiences. Get in touch with your EliteLyfe luxury travel agent today to find out more.

To find out more about Niko's regenerative medicine journey, you can read the full account here.

REGENERATIVE MEDICINE & STEM CELL THERAPY

TWO-WEEK HEALTH TRANSFORMATION: REGENERATIVE MEDICINE & STEM CELL THERAPY AT DEMAREST CLINIC.

Regenerative medicine is the next stage of healthcare. Rather than simply helping you get well and regain a baseline level of health, its focus is on complete transformation and taking you beyond your standard state and into optimal functioning.

This is exactly what movie producer William D. Johnson discovered when, after being failed by conventional western medicine for a heart condition, he took his chances with a regenerative cell treatment. To his surprise and delight, William not only recovered from his condition, the results were phenomenal and he was immediately inspired to establish his own regenerative medicine clinic. 

Today, Demarest clinic in Phuket, Thailand offers highly personalized and evidence-based regenerative health programs, including reverse aging protocols, anti-aging treatments, intense detoxification, and stem cell therapies. Not only that, their programs are seamlessly combined with ultra-luxury travel experiences, state-of-the-art biotechnical apparatus, and a world-class team of renowned doctors and lifestyle coaches.

Niko Contardi, our CEO here at EliteLyfe, was invited to visit Phuket and immerse himself in regenerative therapies and anti-aging treatments for nearly three weeks. Below is an account of Niko's experience at Demarest clinic. His trip was nothing less than life-changing, and soon EliteLyfe clients will be able to access the same benefits with our new two-week and one-month regenerative medicine packages. Get in touch to find out more.

ARRIVING AT PHUKET AND THE FIRST WEEK OF TREATMENT 

After a three-day juice fast and a twenty-three-hour flight from America to Thailand, Niko arrived at Phuket, a dream travel destination with unbelievably fresh, organic food, extremely warm and welcoming people, and a range of luxury accommodation options. 

As with any treatment, the journey started with a consultation. However, this consultation was unlike that of a typical hospital or health center: It was comprehensive, conducted by incredibly accommodating and knowledgeable staff, and located in a beautiful, brand new luxury clinic. 

The consultation involved discussing any health issues, as well as asking specific questions on health history, family history, and food intolerance’s (what you feel like after you eat certain meals). From here, the doctors began to paint a picture of Niko's current state of health and create his personalized protocol. To paint the fullest picture possible, he was asked to fast for a minimum of twelve hours, complete full blood work, and undergo checks for everything from gut hormones to food intolerances.

One of Niko's first treatments was an IV of curcumin. The main active ingredient in turmeric, curcumin possesses anti-inflammatory properties and has been shown to have a wide range of health effects, including reducing joint pain and preventing cancer growth. Suffering from a chronic shoulder injury, Niko also met with one of the world’s best spinal/body experts. It was necessary to do an MRI and Sonogram (extra cost) to determine the issue. This was performed by an incredibly friendly and accessible doctor at the Bangkok Hospital in Phuket, which is, as Niko describes, undoubtedly one of the most efficient hospitals in the world.

By day three and four, the blood work from fasting was in and several treatments were already well underway. One of these treatments was an IV laser light therapy. This completely painless procedure exposes the blood to different light colors and wavelengths, improving sleep, boosting the efficiency of oxygen use in tissues, strengthening the immune system, and reversing aging. 

DISCOVERING THE PINNACLE OF HEALTH & ULTRA-LUXURY TRAVEL

Niko received more rounds of treatments in preparation for stem cell therapy. The IV curcumin therapy would give the body more cellular energy to heal itself during his next fast. The laser treatment was to treat the blood again for any foreign viruses and to get it ready for stem cells.

As well as this, Niko received ozone treatment to make his blood oxygen-rich and make it hard for bacteria and viruses to harvest. Another treatment he received was NAD—a natural coenzyme of vitamin B3 (niacin) that’s present in every cell in your body—IV therapy to support DNA repair, reduce oxidative stress, and improve mood. Both of these treatments gave Niko an abundance of energy and made him feel amazing.

Despite having to do another sixty-hour fast, there was plenty to keep Niko's mind off food. The owner of the clinic, William (Bill) Johnson, possesses a luxurious 106ft falcon yacht named Demarest, the clinic is home to a world-class spa, and the nurses and staff are always on hand to attend to your every need and explain every single step and treatment to you. It also didn't hurt that an expert tailor came directly to Niko's villa at Como Point Yamu to measure him for a bespoke custom suit, an exclusive offer that is available for EliteLyfe clients who book a treatment.
 

OVERCOMING TWO YEARS OF CHRONIC SHOULDER PAIN 

After waiting for over two years, the day had finally come for Niko to receive stem cell therapy (30M stem cells) for his chronic shoulder pain. Not to mention, after this treatment he could break his fast and enjoy the incredible Thai food again.

The whole stem cell process was overlooked by Dr. Narote Treenarong (whom Niko consulted with earlier in the week and one of the best orthopedic surgeons in the world). He explained to Niko how the procedure would work, what he would feel, how long it would take, and, most importantly, ensured that he would be comfortable and safe. 

The process also involved more NAD IV therapy, ozone treatments, a vitamin D shot, and PRP (Platelet-rich plasma) therapy to separate plasma from his blood and use it to accelerate and support the stem cell therapy. All of these treatments felt very different and impactful after sixty hours of fasting.

Over the next few days, Niko continued to receive treatments to prepare for a second stem cell protocol and was already seeing improvements in his skin, energy levels, mood, and general health. The second stem cell protocol involved another fast (minimum of twenty-four hours) and would take two to four weeks for its effects to really be noticed. This stem cell protocol involved a total of 100 million cells to be added intravenously through an IV. 
 

RETURNING HOME YEARS YOUNGER & IN OPTIMAL HEALTH

The final leg of Niko's personalized regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy protocol included a range of therapies and rejuvenating, anti-aging treatments, including:

Folic Acid + NAC: Supports the delivery and proliferation of stem cells

Placenta shot: Promotes cell repair and tissue healing

Oxygen through nose: Enhances the stem cell’s ability to repair everything from liver, skin, muscle tissue, etc.

Vitamin B12: Provides more energy for the stem cells and body

Energy Drip + L Carnitine: Increases energy levels and revives the kidneys

Green tea: Boosts the metabolism to support the stem cell therapy

Plaque X: Clears plaque from artery walls, great for prevention of heart problems and strokes 

Glutathione: Helps to detoxify the liver and clear toxins from the body

Coq10: Great for skin and heart, much more potent as an injection

Myers cocktail IV: An infusion of multiple vitamins and minerals to balance the body and help you feel your best. 

While clearly a health-orientated trip that is overflowing with cutting-edge therapies, the experience with the Demarest clinic is world’s away from typical medical treatments. All aspects of health, comfort, and well-being are acknowledged, from the dedicated care of the clinic staff and yacht crew, to being able to disconnect from society on the owner’s private yacht, to only the freshest, highest quality organic produce cooked by an expert chef.

Several weeks since his time at Deramest clinic and arriving back in America, Niko feels like, in his own words, "a completely new human". He is bursting with vitality, his shoulder is completely pain-free, and he is only seeing more and more improvements as each day goes by.

A range of regenerative therapy and stem cell treatment packages at Demarest Clinic in Phuket is now available for EliteLyfe clients. Contact our luxury travel team to find out more and begin your own transformational health journey.

REGENERATIVE MEDICINE & STEM CELL THERAPY AT DEMAREST CLINIC

Regenerative medicine is the next stage of healthcare. Rather than simply helping you get well and regain a baseline level of health, its focus is on complete transformation and taking you beyond your standard state and into optimal functioning.

My Trip To Islas Secas & What Makes This Private Island Shine

As CEO of EliteLyfe, I’ve had the good fortune to travel to many exotic and exclusive vacation destinations around the world. All for work, of course. It’s all part of our service. When dealing with the upper end of the luxury travel market, detail is everything, and we have to make sure that everything is perfect.

The fine details of a vacation experience cannot be grasped from photos and phone calls. It can only be experienced first-hand. You’ve got to get out there and breathe the air. I make the trip to get that all-important first-hand account of the location, the accommodations, the facilities, and the service so I know it’s right for our clients.

I’ve been lucky enough to tour and inspect a few private island resorts around the world. In March 2021 I took a trip to Islas Secas in Panama to vet it for EliteLyfe’s portfolio. Everything is perfect and I could go into great detail about it all but here’s what, for me, makes Islas Secas shine in its uniqueness as a private island experience.

All-Inclusive

The first thing you need to get out of your head when you’re looking at an all-inclusive private island vacation is any ideas about what “all-inclusive” means. I get it. In the past, all-inclusive has been a trap that binds tourists to set meals and restaurants and inhibits your freedom to explore beyond the hotel walls.

When you’re talking about the peak of luxury travel like Islas Secas, all-inclusive doesn’t restrict you at all. If anything, it gives you the freedom to experience new things that perhaps you wouldn’t do if you had to pay for it, like kitesurfing or e-foiling (but more on that later).

Food

Literally, every meal I had at Islas Secas was excellent. The Executive Chef, Saul, was trained in San Sebastian in Spain by a Michelin Star chef. They do a truly fantastic job and every single meal I had, everything I ate, was of the highest quality and cooked to the highest standards.

Islas Secas works with an organic farm on the mainland to ensure all fruit and vegetables are grown naturally and served fresh. Fish, octopus, as you can imagine, are caught daily right off of the island. When all the ingredients are fresh and organic, everything tastes amazing. Even a casual beach barbecue or a breakfast sandwich was like eating a five-star meal. We had grilled octopus, a variety of fish, steak, chicken. All sublime.

When you sit down for dinner at Islas Secas, Saul will often call over to the table to explain the creations they have made and to make sure everything is perfect. The pastry chef also comes to the table to present his artwork that he’s created to finish your dinner.

Wow, the pastry chef. He makes, bar none, some of the finest desserts and pastries I’ve had in my life. He’s very creative but he does traditional things perfectly too, like freshly made croissants for breakfast and mind-blowing dulce de leche.

In the evenings, he would get creative, and make exciting desserts with new and unusual combinations. One night, we had a miso chocolate mousse. Yes, miso. As in “miso soup”. Wild stuff but I love food, I think it should be fun, and it was absolutely phenomenal.

Beverages

Islas Secas is a beautiful paradise island and gosh, who wouldn’t want a nice refreshing drink? The service team doesn’t have a waiter-turned-bartender. There’s a professional mixologist who’s ready to excite and delight.

The first thing he made for me was a watermelon mint mezcal margarita. It was fresh, refreshing, and not too sweet. Perfect for the climate. I could tell straight away that we were going to be friends. Whenever I went to lunch or dinner he would greet me and ask, Mr. Contardi, is there anything I can make you to drink? My answer was often, yes.

When I went to breakfast in the morning the staff would ask, Mr. Contardi, can I get you your two shots of espresso with ice water and a little almond milk? My answer to that was always yes. They quickly learned that I liked a nightcap after dinner too. In my case, an extranjero served neat. All my favorite drinks were always served just the way I like them.

Staff & Service

The service staff at Islas Secas? What can I say, they are absolutely phenomenal. This is one of the things I love the most about luxury service that many don’t realize: the staff learns your habits, they get to know what you like at what times. They work for you and around you.

Luxury service is a fine art. You have to balance formal with personal and invisible with accessible. The staff ha to adapt according to how the customer sets the dynamic. I like warm and personal, so the team at Islas Secas got me straight away and always greeted me with pure smiles and family-like care and attention.

One of my favorite guys, David, knew how to party. We did some salsa dancing. Now I’m a big guy, and he was trying to teach me how to move but what he didn’t know is that I bring the flavor to the salsa and I bring it hot! We had such a fun time. The staff, they’re not just there to serve you, it’s all part of the relaxation process. Let go. Have fun. Good times.

Activities

At Islas Secas there are no TVs in the bedrooms. There are tablets and laptops for the kids so don’t worry but the point of being on a private island is to get outside - to explore - and to discover new things. Islas Secas is a paradise that was made for explorers.

Scuba Diving

My first activity was scuba diving. I went with a great professional instructor and saw eels, bat rays & pufferfish. Beautiful. I saw wildlife I’m not used to seeing which always creates a magical experience. It brought me into the moment. The busy life I left behind was instantly forgotten out here on the ocean.

At Islas Secas, the water is so clear, we were diving 40-50-60 feet under and visibility was perfect. There are very few boats in the area so the fish are not scared away. The islands are volcanic so the water is nice and warm due to rising thermal currents. It’s pleasant to swim at all hours of the day.

Fishing

The following day, I chose to go fishing. Now I’m no fisherman but Panama is well known for having some of the best fishing in the world. There are deep-sea fishing excursions for big tuna but I just chose a half-day trip just off of Islas Secas. We took a boat out with some great Spanish music and some beers. My kind of fishing trip.

Our guides had been fishing these waters for generations and so they took us to the best spots. Would you believe it, I caught a 40-pound roosterfish! That’s a rock star catch if ever there was one. Apparently, they’re common in the region but wow, what luck! Some of the guys caught some tuna that we kept for meals and everything else we released.

E-Foil

Ever heard of e-foiling? No, me either. It’s a new thing. It kind of looks like a surfboard but has a hydrofoil fin with an electric engine. I gave it a go and, even though at first I called it “e-falling”, I really got into it. I’m not someone who usually enjoys themselves with activities like kitesurfing but here was something I found easily accessible.

The island’s activity specialist - Israel - came out with me on another board and trained me. Helped me place my feet correctly. It was really nice to have that one-on-one time and I learned quickly. On the third day, I got it. Amazing. I was singing “I believe I can fly” in my head. Haha. When you’re up on the board it’s just you, the ocean, the elements, the saltwater, and you’re there just floating on the air. Magical experience. I’m hooked! I’m an e-foiler!

& Relax...

Finally, after all this activity, I wanted to relax, so I booked in to have a massage at the spa at Islas Secas. The spa is beautiful. It has a peaceful setting in the jungle and has an outdoor copper tub and shower. I had a deep-tissue massage with aromatherapy oils and sound bowls. Now I’m a tough piece of meat but boy did she get in deep. I like a strong massage and yes, the team at Islas Secas weren’t there to tickle and play games. Afterward, they gave me a refreshing drink, and pow, I was done.

Accommodations

Islas Secas has a maximum capacity of 24 guests. The main property - Casa Grande - has four bedroom suites. There are two separate two-bedroom villas with plunge pools and three one-bedroom tented casitas. I stayed in Casa Grande. It was perfect. Ocean views. Sunrise views. Truly magical.

All of the accommodations at Islas Secas can be rented separately, allowing couples and small families access to the private island experience. More information on the villas at Islas Secas is available from the EliteLyfe website or give me or the team a call today to talk about it.