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!
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Book tip: HADN – The Buckwheat Cookbook

A local supergrain that bridges tradition, modernity and the future

Buckwheat, affectionately known as ‘Hadn’ in Southern Carinthia, is one of those products that quietly disappeared – and is now making a natural comeback. HADN – The Buckwheat Cookbook is dedicated to this almost forgotten powerhouse grain with remarkable dedication: rooted in culinary, cultural and regional traditions.

Together with the Klopeiner See – South Carinthia – Lavant Valley tourism region, food expert and editor cookingCatrin (Catrin Ferrari-Brunnenfeld) embarks on a journey to the roots of Carinthian ‘Hadn’. The book combines over 55 creative sweet and savoury recipes with in-depth background knowledge – from cultivation and history to its modern-day significance as a gluten-free, nutrient-rich superfood. Buckwheat is not only presented as flour, but also as semolina or rice: given a modern twist, suitable for everyday use and surprisingly versatile.

INFO
HADN – The Buckwheat Cookbook
Authors: Catrin Ferrari-Brunnenfeld (cookingCatrin)
Publisher: Klopeiner See Tourism Region – Southern Carinthia – Lavant Valley / KSL Tourismus Marketing GmbH
Length: 180 pages
ISBN: 978-3-200-09933-3
Price: €24.90
Publication date: September 2025

The Personal Touch

Italian rituals, as told by the people behind Portrait Hotels

With its new ongoing editorial series ‘The Personal Touch’, Portrait Hotels turns its attention to the individuals who shape the character of its properties in Milan, Florence and Rome: hosts, concierges, chefs, bartenders and members of the lifestyle team, whose stories, rituals and local perspectives become part of the Portrait Experience.

The focus is on personal insights, everyday Italian culture and those small gestures that turn a stay into more than just a trip. Rather than simply showcasing places, the series tells the stories of the people, memories and traditions that define the Italian way of life.

George Papazacharias at Restaurant Ikarus

The Delta Effect reaches Hangar-7

In July 2026, George Papazacharias, head chef at the acclaimed Delta restaurant in Athens, will bring his interpretation of modern Greek cuisine to Salzburg. At Restaurant Ikarus in Hangar-7, he will demonstrate why, in culinary terms, Greece has long been more than just moussaka, souvlaki and holiday memories, and how radically contemporary local produce can taste.

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.