There are luxury hotels, and then there are places that immediately make you want to move in permanently. Mandarin Oriental Mayfair falls firmly into the latter category – if only I could afford one of its plush private residences...

The first property in the Six Senses portfolio, the resort opened in 2004 and has recently undergone a refresh. The atmosphere is quintessential barefoot luxury and still sets the benchmark for this category. It’s easy to settle into the resort’s laid-back rhythm, helped by staff for whom nothing ever seems too much trouble...

There are certain places that seem to make your shoulders drop the moment you arrive. Lily of the Valley is one of them. Hidden among an abundance of umbrella pines in La Croix-Valmer, just ten minutes from the glamour of Saint-Tropez, this is a retreat that feels tranquil in the truest sense of the word.

Founded in 1905 as a health resort, Park Igls has continually evolved, returning in 1993 to its roots by embracing Dr Franz Xaver Mayr's principles of well-being. The Modern Mayr approach centres on nutrition, movement, and regeneration, with a focus on gut health as key to overall vitality. Park Igls offers a structured, practical framework to help guests reset habits and maintain lasting health.

High in the South Tyrolean Dolomites, where spruce forests tumble into wildflower meadows and bells from the village below ring out like a soundtrack to serenity, a new kind of wellness escape has quietly taken root.

There are many Mayrs, but The Original Mayr Medical Resort, also known as The Original FX Mayr, is the mothership. First opened as a residential clinic on the shores of Lake Wörthersee in 1976 by Dr. Erich Rauch, a student of the eponymous Dr. Franz Xaver Mayr, this was the global launchpad for the Mayr Cure. 

With its brand-new Sacred River Spa and stunning jungle setting by the river, Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan is one of the top luxury wellness destinations when staying in Bali.

Perched high above Lake Lucerne, the Bürgenstock Resort is a cutting-edge sanctuary of modern luxury, innovative design and holistic wellness. Surrounded by lush forests and snow-capped peaks and offering panoramic lake views, this architectural gem blends seamlessly into the landscape and provides one of Switzerland’s most exclusive spa experiences...

Fivelements Bali is a tranquil sanctuary for the soul. Set by the River Agung, guests can dine on the excellent plant-based menu with daily yoga and healing therapies while sleeping in Balinese style riverfront of pool suites set in the jungle. The concept here is inspired by the Balinese and Vedic concept of “Panca Mahabhuta” in which creation manifests through the harmony and connection of earth, water, fire, air, and ether.

Perched 1800m above sea level in the small ski resort town of Arosa, The Tschuggen Grand doesn’t immediately scream ‘Alpine’. In fact, it’s a rather modern multi-storey block, which was built in the 1960s after the original building unfortunately burned down. However, it couldn’t be more perfectly located for the slopes, as most of their visitors come in the winter.

Some places are closer to nirvana than others in life. And as that journey goes, Tuscany, with its soft rolling hills, fine food and wine and general Dolce Vita, must surely be approaching a ‘10’ on the scale of enlightenment.

The ultimate healthy holiday looks different for everyone. But we can probably all agree that it involves returning feeling better than we left, and a general increased sense of well-being. Sometimes that means hiding away in a spa resort and intensively detoxing our body and mind. And sometimes that means taking the time to nourish our mind, body and soul...

There’s a new treatment in town, courtesy of the award-winning spa at The Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, combining hypnotherapy and massage in a luxurious double whammy - designed especially for troubled sleepers.

Cooling crystal facials, bamboo sheets and a side of Michelin-star dining on the edge of Dartmoor... Women's health has become one of luxury wellness travel's fastest-growing frontiers, and menopause is finally receiving the attention it deserves. Boringdon Hall's new GAIA MenoPAUSE break is among the UK's most thoughtfully realised examples.

Swiss Alpine elegance harmonises with Asian luxury in this five-star affair with rejuvenating spa rituals, exquisite cuisine – and one of Europe’s longest pools.

Arriving by sea plane guarantees an A-list feel before even stepping foot on the island of Halaveli...

Nestled in the idyllic setting of Paradise Bay, along the coastline of the Turkish Riviera, Mandarin Oriental Bodrum is a beacon of luxury that exceeds expectations.

With its stunning rocky coastline, pine forests, olive groves and vineyards the Peloponnese is as rich in natural beauty as it is in history. The wealth of archaeological sites in the area include the Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus, with its renowned amphitheatre, and the legendary citadel of Mycenae – both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Overlooking the terraced forests in the cooler central region of Ubud in Bali, Como Shambhala Estate sits within one of the most serene locations I have ever experienced. With forest noises ranging from an evening frog chorus from the lily ponds to the robust chattering of the larger variety of gecko, the 'Tokay' often found in Southeast Asia, you really do feel if not at one, then certainly close enough to nature.

Set along the unspoiled western coast of Cyprus, where cerulean waters meet sun-soaked cliffs, Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort is a breath of fresh, sea-salted air. The resort blends Cypriot authenticity with a contemporary edge to create a true haven of calm. Windswept, sun-drenched and serenely Mediterranean, it’s a place where you can fully exhale...

Of all the detox tribes – juicing, raw, paleo, macrobiotic – Mayr cure disciples might be the most hardcore. Devotees swear that a 10-day stay at a Mayr clinic leaves them several kilos lighter, fresh-faced, well-rested and miraculously rid of any rashes, bodily aches or stomach rumblings, but there was a resounding complaint: the decor...

Time spent meditating with the sweet, softly spoken priest who shared with me drops of holy water, scented flowers, incense, and offerings of traditional sweet rice cakes, while chanting mantras will stay with me. Less significant was the rub-down part lying on a massage table, it was the exchange of smiles and sense of connection.

Some places really make you quietly rethink what a family holiday can actually be. Moar Gut, which is nestled in the Austrian Alps and family-run by the Kendlbacher family since 1995, is definitely one.

First, an apology: there may be a lot of superlatives in this review. In my defence I’d like to point out that Ananda in the Himalayas has won Conde Nast Traveller’s Global Wellness Destination award twice in the past three years...