For most of us, a day at the spa is a pampering diversion from everyday life. But what if you could extend a spa day or weekend into a multi-week wellness journey that left you enduringly calm, focused, strong, and, at the end, fully equipped to reclaim your life? You'd be part of the fast-growing trend of wellness sabbaticals, which are defined by the Global Wellness Institute (GWI) as stays of three weeks or longer. 

Digital nomads taught us that productivity doesn't need four walls to flourish, and the pandemic reminded us that good health is worth fighting for. Combine those two ideals, toss in a beautiful locale, and you've got a wellness trend with staying power. Even better, you'll have access to a full range of luxury amenities ranging from remarkable pools and innovative spa treatments to oversized living spaces, personal guides to lead you through stunning landscapes, and one-on-one access to some of the world’s most respected healers.

Wellness resorts are responding to the increase in interest in longer stays with fully immersive programs that take a slow, steady approach to helping clients find their way back to health. "People are increasingly recognizing the importance of mental, physical, and spiritual health," says Mahesh Natarajan, chief operating officer of Ananda in the Himalayas. "Sustainable wellness can only be achieved over time, as you learn and integrate practices that become part of your daily life."

Therapies, modalities, and programs are expanding, too. In Greece, for instance, Euphoria Retreat's brand-new 360-Degree Advanced Medical Cellular Wellness Program starts with diagnostics so advanced they can tell how efficiently you metabolize the food you consume. Once the results are in, equally futuristic tools like cold plasma and turbocharged IVs restore balance.

If you end up loving the wellness life so much that you don't want to leave, check out one of the new wellness communities springing up around the globe. At SHA Wellness's new Riviera Maya location, for instance, homeowners can take advantage of the resort's team of doctors, therapists, and chefs.

Whether you want to stay for a month or a lifetime, here are some of the world's best locales — from the beaches of Mexico to the foothills of the Himalayas — for a wellness sabbatical.

Thailand

Recently, the Thailand government paved the way for longer stays; in July, the country launched the Destination Thailand Visa program, making it even easier for visitors to work remotely in Thailand. Additionally, seemingly in tandem, upscale properties give wellness seekers some good options to land for a few weeks or more.

Built around a sacred cave, the Koh Samui retreat of Kamalaya embraces the work of naturopaths, traditional Chinese medicine doctors, yoga instructors, fitness trainers, massage therapists, meditation and life enhancement mentors, and other specialists to help you meet wellness goals ranging from stress reduction to improved fitness. Its new Longevity House adds forward-thinking regenerative treatments such as IV Therapy, Ozone Therapy, and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy to the mix. Lodging options are scattered throughout the property — set on the beach, tucked into blooming gardens, perched on a bluff overlooking the sea — so you can opt for the environment that brings you joy and clarity. 

According to the GWI, wellness real estate is the fastest-growing segment of the wellness economy, surging from $225.2 billion in 2019 to $438.2 billion in 2023. It's easy to see why: Living in a community devoted to healthy lifestyles makes reaching wellness goals a natural part of daily life. Case in point is the future Six Senses Forestias residential community, an oasis of wellness in a purpose-built forest outside Bangkok in Bang Kaeo. Once open sometime in 2025, Six Senses Forestias will comprise 27 residences complete with private pools and onsen (traditional Japanese hot spring baths), organic gardens, and easy access to the community's lifestyle amenities and healthcare facilities.

In Sanskrit, Tri Vananda means "forest of lasting happiness;" when the resort and residential community named after the phrase opens in Phuket this year, the multi-generational neighborhood will offer functional and integrative medicine and nutrition, cognitive health, and mindfulness with a 40-villa Clinique La Prairie wellness resort. 

India

Whether you're visiting Ananda in the Himalayas to manage stress, lifestyle imbalances, or chronic pain, expect your day to open with a serene yoga session overlooking the sacred Ganges River Valley. After that, a meticulously crafted schedule will guide mind and body through a process of detoxification, rejuvenation, and recalibration that, thanks to follow-up sessions with emotional therapists, Ayurvedic physicians, and yogis, can continue once you've returned home. But you might not want to leave: The resort is set on 100 acres of garden and forest that surround the Palace Estate of the Maharaja of Tehri-Garhwal; elegantly appointed rooms and suites have balconies or patios that overlook the scene. Ananda's outdoors team also takes guests out of the resort for white-water rafting, hiking, and other nature-based excursions.

Drawing inspiration from ancient Ayurvedic and Tibetan healing traditions, the immersive haven of Six Senses Vana offers a holistic approach to wellness. Though many guests arrive with an intention or goal for their stay, others journey to the retreat simply to claim the peace, refuge, and mindfulness that escapes them at home. The retreat's location with a forest of sacred Sal trees is an integral part of the transformative experience. "This pristine natural setting, steeped in ancient spiritual traditions, plays a pivotal role in fostering deep relaxation, rejuvenation, and spiritual awakening," says Dr. Jitendra Varshney, the resort's wellness director. LEED-Platinum certified, Six Senses Vana keeps its impact on the pristine environment minimal with its own organic gardens, rainwater harvesting, and other sustainability initiatives.

Mexico

SHA Wellness' superpower is its focus on wellbeing and prevention. Every visit begins with a full health diagnosis that delves deeply into body chemistry, cognitive processes, and cardiovascular fitness. The newest resort, located in Mexico's Costa Mujeres, is home to 37 residences where owners have on-site access to the SHA Wellness team of physicians, therapists, and chefs, as well as personal trainers and yoga and meditation instructors. Adjacent to the residences are 100 suites decorated in cool neutrals that have private balconies looking out over the ocean. Whichever type of lodging you choose, you'll be able to participate in one of the programs within the SHA Method, which focuses on everything from anti-aging — think cognitive stimulation and advanced aesthetics — to emotional health, nutrition, and more. 

Costa Rica

At The Retreat Costa Rica mountaintop sanctuary, glorious views of the Pacific kick-start your transformation by almost forcing you to pause and take in the scene. From there, your journey to wellness will encompass a series of movement classes, spa treatments, and spiritual support and emotional care programs that together will guide you toward your goals. Supplemental excursions like learning to surf or hiking Costa Rica's famed Arenal Volcano, add a sense of accomplishment — and joyful play — to your stay. Though the farm-to-table, anti-inflammatory menu is entirely dairy-free, grain-free, and refined sugar-free, cocktails and biodynamic wines are also available.

U.S.

It's nearly impossible to improve on Hawaii's gorgeousness, but Larry Ellison, who owns the tiny island of Lanai has found a way: Strip away the traffic lights, street signs, and retail chains so that pretty much all you have left is remarkable natural beauty. It's within this natural wonderland that you'll find Sensei Lānaʻi, which operates in partnership with the island's Four Seasons Resort. From the moment you arrive in Honolulu for your semi-private flight to Lanai, well-trained guides will take you through a personal program of health assessments, wellness consultations, spa treatments, fitness classes, and healthy eating, with regular check-ins to fine-tune your agenda. There's also plenty of time for traditional resort activities like hiking, e-biking, or horseback riding through the forested hills that surround the resort, plus sunset sails, sunrise swims, golf, and tennis.

It's all about non-judgment at North Carolina's Skyterra Wellness center, which is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains just outside the town of Brevard. "We're here to support our guests' journeys, meeting them where they are and equipping them with the tools and experiences necessary for lasting wellness," says marketing director Rachael Colacino. The center's programs are built around five pillars: movement, nutrition, mindfulness, play, and rest. Rustic cottages and lodges are well-equipped for longer stays and working wellness retreats with full kitchens, laundry facilities, and a welcoming attitude toward pets. 

If you're looking for a fully comprehensive retreat, consider Carillon Miami, an oceanfront resort, spa, and wellness center offering more than 70,000 square feet of treatment and fitness facilities. In partnership with wellness-program partner Best Life-ing, you can undergo a battery of comprehensive testing tools to determine cellular energy, body composition, and more; using that data, staff members create an itinerary that includes everything from sound healing and hypnotherapy to breathwork and stress-reducing spa services. Fitness comes in the form of more than 65 innovative classes each week, and pain management, Chakra balancing, and other specialties are also available. Apartment accommodations overlook the ocean and have separate bedrooms and living spaces (including a kitchen) to facilitate remote work.

Greece

Even before Euphoria Retreat launched its innovative 360-Degree Cellular Wellness Program, it was known for an innovative series of programs that use holistic therapies to help people lose weight, detox, unlock their spirit of adventure, find emotional balance, and even reset their metabolism. With the launch of the new medical wellness program, the resort uses analytic tools to create personalized nutrition and movement plans. Transformation here, though, begins the moment you arrive: Archways lead to sun-drenched patios that look out over mountains fragrant with pine, peaceful pools, and groves of lemon trees.