When it comes to world travel, Condé Nast Traveler has you covered with the best of the best across the globe, be it the best restaurants, ski resorts, or luxury stays. As of Tuesday, October 1st, we can now add destination spas to the list, with the Readers’ Choice Awards out for the best in the world. And wouldn’t you know it, there’s a fitness and health retreat in British Columbia that made the cut!

This year’s list covers spas in Mexico, Turkey, Bali, New Zealand, and so much more – so no matter where you’re planning your next trip, some quality R&R could easily be in the cards.

Out of 30 destination spas, BC’s Mountain Trek Fitness Retreat & Health Spa in Ainsworth came in at #24, equally dedicated to the self-improvement of its guests as it is to their relaxation.

“Everything here is targeted toward achieving optimal health and wellness, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be shoving kale down your throat,” says CNT. “Quite the contrary: food is locally sourced (of course), and menus are shaped by the on-site nutritionist, who works in cahoots with the experienced head chef.”

At the retreat, guests enjoy a week-long escape from all the trappings and bad habits in their daily lives, and are instead treated to a taste of the “granola life,” according to CNT. This includes day-long likes led by local guides, sunrise yoga classes, therapeutic massages, and a state-of-the-art spa.

Surrounded by lush mountain scenery and ‘healing’ forests, there are certainly worse ways to reconnect with yourself and get back on track!

Here is the full list of the world’s best destination spas, according to the CNT Readers’ Choice Awards:

  1. BodyHoliday — Cap Estate, St. Lucia
  2. Ikbal Thermal Hotel & SPA — Afyon, Turkey
  3. Lake Austin Spa Resort — Austin, Texas
  4. Winvian Farm — Litchfield Hill, Connecticut
  5. Palmaïa – The House of AïA — Playa del Carmen, Mexico
  6. COMO Uma Punakha — Bhutan
  7. JOALI Being — Maldives
  8. The Ranch Malibu — California
  9. The Retreat, Costa Rica — Atenas, Costa Rica
  10. COMO Shambhala Estate — Bali
  11. Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort — Hawaii
  12. Silversands Beach House — Grenada
  13. The Lodge at Woodloch — Hawley, Penn
  14. Shou Sugi Ban House — Water Mill, New York
  15. The American Club — Kohler, Wisconsin
  16. Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa — Chippenham, England
  17. TIA Wellness Resort — Da Nang, Vietnam
  18. Chenot Palace Weggis — Switzerland
  19. One&Only Aesthesis — Glyfada, Greece
  20. Miraval Austin Resort & Spa — Texas
  21. Kao Kamasa Spa — Roatán, Honduras
  22. Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa — Koh Samui, Thailand
  23. Six Senses Kaplankaya — Bodrum, Turkey
  24. Mountain Trek Fitness Retreat & Health Spa — British Columbia, Canada
  25. The Inns of Aurora — New York
  26. Aro Hā Wellness Retreat — Glenorchy, New Zealand
  27. The Original FX Mayr — Maria Wörth, Austria
  28. Mii Amo — Sedona, Arizona
  29. Marinedda Hotel Thalasso & Spa — Isola Rossa, Italy
  30. Sensei Porcupine Creek — Rancho Mirage, California

So there you have it, spa lovers. If you’re planning your 2025 travels and want to add a bit of rejuvenation into the mix, you can’t do better than one of these destinations!

Recent Posts:
There’s a lakeside town in BC known for its stunning waterfall with autumn colours
Some of the world’s largest spruce trees are in BC at this wilderness park

Isabelle Vauclair

Staff Writer, Vancouver – Isabelle is a West Coast native with an appreciation for Vancouver’s natural landscape, patio scene, and community spaces. She loves to discover new hidden gems in her neighbourhood and share them with readers across the city.

Read articles