The wellness trends worth travelling for

Next big things in travel: Wellness

From airport massages to immersing yourself in a dark cave, wellness-seeking travellers will soon have even more ways to relax and thrive. Read on for our definitive list of the next big things in wellness in the travel industry.

Revivo Bali runs a longevity program.

Live forever

Longevity is the new buzzword in wellness, with spas around the world promising to improve your lifespan (or at least your “healthspan”). Led by the likes of Thailand’s Rakxa and Six Senses Ibiza, these programs use blood tests and other diagnostics to deliver evidence-based personalised programs with treatments including IV therapy and cryo-chamber sessions. New players include the Longevity Hub by Clinique La Prairie at Dubai’s One&Only One Za’abeel and a hot-off-the-presses longevity program at Revivo Bali. See rakxawellness.com; sixsenses.com; zaabeel-first.ae; revivoresorts.com

Stopover spas

Facial pitstop: Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club at LaGuardia Airport.

Lost bags, delayed flights, crowded planes – air travel is feeling like hard work these days, which may be why so many airport lounges are upping their wellness offerings. The new Air France lounge at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has a Clarins spa where guests can enjoy free facials, a perk also available in the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club at New York’s LaGuardia Airport. In Doha, Qatar Airways’ Al Mourjan Business Lounge – The Garden has the sort of expansive treatment facilities you would expect from a proper day spa. This one is not included in the business fare, but a top-quality massage or a manicure are a great way to fill in a layover. See flylax.com; laguardiaairport.com; qatarairways.com

DIY wellness

The portable Theragun Mini percussion therapy device.

You can’t beat a good massage for ironing out the kinks that come from a long flight, but if you are travelling regularly, it all adds up. No wonder many frequent flyers are investing in travel-friendly gadgets that let you ease your body in the privacy of your hotel room. Therabody’s Theragun Mini is great for giving your muscles a targeted going-over, and also packs easily into your luggage. A less costly option is Mobot’s Big Bertha, an unlikely but effective combination of foam roller and water bottle, which is also winning plenty of fans. See therabody.com; mobot.com

East meets west

SHA Wellness Clinic.

Wellness brands debuted in Asia before making their way across the world – think Six Senses and Como Shambhala – but the latest global player has a different pedigree. Since launching its first property in Spain 16 years ago, SHA Wellness has become known for its expansive “east meets west” range of therapies with more than 150 practitioners delivering more than 1000 treatments. A second outpost opened on the Costa Mujeres in Mexico this year and SHA has announced its ambition to have a property on every continent by 2030. Next up is an outpost in the United Arab Emirates. See shawellness.com

Dark retreats

Dark retreat… Oregon’s Sky Cave Retreats.

If you’re scared of the dark, you’re going to want to skip this hot wellness trend. Dark retreats are, as the name suggests, about shutting off sensory stimulation and turning the focus inwards. Whether that happens in an actual cave, such as Oregon’s Sky Cave Retreats, or in a dark room such as the ones on offer at Kloster Gut Saunstorf in Germany, the experience can be confronting, even though necessary luxuries like soft beds and meal deliveries are included (yes, you eat in the dark too.) The niche experience is moving into the mainstream thanks to celebrity converts such as actor Rosario Dawson. See skycaveretreats.com