Wellness rethought

Six extraordinary hideaways that surprise body and soul
Photo provided
Photo provided
Alexandra Gorsche © Conny Leitgeb Photography
29. May 2025 | 
Alexandra Gorsche
29. May 2025
|
Alexandra Gorsche

From inhalation bars to moon phase treatments and wine ceremonies: These six innovative wellness concepts show how far modern relaxation can go today – and what the industry should learn from them.

Wellness as an experience: six hideaways redefine relaxation

Whether on the Adriatic coast, in North America or in the tropical rainforest - wellness has long been more than just a classic massage with scented oil. Six extraordinary hotels, curated by Genusspunkt, show what holistic relaxation can look like today: bold, sensual and surprisingly profound. Those who switch off here will be recharged - with concepts that appeal to body, mind and curiosity at the same time.

1. Lošinj Hotels & Villas, Croatia - Inhalation bar on the island of scents

The island of Lošinj is known for its healing microclimate - and makes this an integral part of its spa offer. At Lošinj Hotels & Villas, the inhalation bar is not just for breathing in, but for conscious regeneration. Natural essential oils from pine, lavender and immortelle fill the air, while special breathing rituals strengthen the immune system.

2. One&Only Cape Town - energy from the moon

The luxury resort One&Only Cape Town at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor combines ancient wisdom with modern science. The spa works with moon phase rituals and individual biohacks. Guests experience detox programmes tailored to the cycle of the body and the moon - a fusion of nature, astrology and personalized care.

3. GoldenEye, Jamaica - regeneration in the jungle

In this iconic retreat on the Caribbean Sea, once the retreat of Ian Fleming, the FieldSpa is located directly on the water - embedded in tropical vegetation. The treatments at GoldenEye are inspired by Jamaican herbal medicine and are carried out in harmony with the elements - sometimes outdoors, sometimes on floating platforms.

4. Carillon Miami Wellness Resort, USA - High-tech meets body awareness

Carillon Miami combines state-of-the-art medical diagnostics with one of the largest spa offerings in North America. AI-based analyses, muscle response tests and personalized programs turn the classic spa visit into a data-based, individually tailored experience. Wellness 4.0 - with visible results.

5. Aman New York - urban spa of superlatives

In the middle of Manhattan, Aman has created a refuge that promises deep relaxation on 2,300 square meters. In addition to the 20-metre pool and a spa menu that combines Western and Far Eastern healing methods, the atmosphere is particularly impressive: subdued, reduced, almost sacred - a retreat at the highest level.

6. The Ranch at Hudson Valley, USA - The power of slowing down

New from 2025: The Ranch, known for its retreats in Malibu, is expanding to New York. The historic property in Hudson Valley is all about detox, exercise and mindfulness. Strict cell phone-free zones, a planned daily structure and plant-based cuisine ensure real transformation - physically and mentally.

Our conclusion for the future:

The future of wellness lies in differentiation. What used to be a "spa" is now becoming an experience with depth - individual, curated and deliberately different. For the industry, this means that guests are not just looking for relaxation, but meaning. Those who score points here stand out. The hotels presented here show how to reinvent wellness - with concepts that surprise and inspire.

A la table, s'il vous plaît! A la table, s'il vous plaît! A la table, s'il vous plaît! A la table, s'il vous plaît!
Copyright for the featured images used:
Photo provided

Book tip of the week: Gastro Management

This practical guide belongs on the desk of every catering professional

We have read many specialist books on restaurant management, but rarely one that is as compact and practical as “Gastro Management: A Practical Guide for Ambitious Hosts.” We were particularly impressed by the clear structure in eight thematic “courses”—this makes the book not only readable but also logically comprehensible.

What makes this book really strong is that it speaks the language of practice. Whether it’s costing, personnel management, or process design, there’s no beating around the bush here; instead, you’re given tools that you can apply directly in your business. And the QR codes with additional videos? A real added value for anyone who thinks visually and likes to delve deeper into content.

Info:
Gastro-Management. A practical guide for ambitious hosts
Authors: Prof. Dr. Torsten Olderog, Paul Olderog, Julia-Marie Welker
Publisher: Deutscher Fachverlag GmbH
170 pages
ISBN: 978-3-86641-362-7
Price: €38
Publication date: March 2025

Book tip of the week: Recipes you'll love

Kitchen trend 2025: Simply good instead of complicatedly brilliant

The new currency in cuisine is called trust. Guests no longer want theater—they want substance. Straker delivers exactly that. This attitude also sends a strong signal to restaurateurs in Austria and Germany: back to basics does not mean back to the past, but forward with authenticity.

A cookbook for everyone who wants to stage less and achieve more – at the stove and in their hearts. Perfect for professionals who are looking for honest inspiration and want to motivate their team to break new ground – with butter, gut feeling, and enthusiasm.

INFO
Recipes you’ll love
Author: Thomas Straker
Publisher: Callwey
240 pages
ISBN: 978-3-7667-2760-2

Design Darling May-Aug 2025

Highlights with soul: white, silver & gold

Not color, not non-color—but a way of life. White is lightness, light, clarity. Monochrome color concepts are making a comeback—and white leads the style charts with timeless naturalness. Hardly any other shade has such a calming, clear, and yet versatile effect. It’s my favorite when it comes to design pieces that enhance rooms without being obtrusive – which is precisely why I’m showcasing selected highlights in this issue that radiate understated elegance: porcelain vases that seem to be shaped from light itself. A kitchen that shines with its simplicity. And lighting designs that calm the eye – but make the heart dance.

quick & dirty
Wellness rethought, photo provided
Wellness rethought

From inhalation bars to moon phase treatments and wine ceremonies: These six innovative wellness concepts show how far modern relaxation can go today – and what the industry should learn from them.