The 7 Most Beautiful Hotel Meditation Rooms Around the World
Even a decade ago, "luxury" meant foie gras on the menu and $100 pours of cognac, while today, high-end travelers want state-of-the-art wellness offerings—and world-class hotels have responded by building jaw-dropping yoga and meditation pavilions to house their feel-good programming. We fully cosign on the trend of luxury hotels baking holistic wellness into their architecture; after all, Harvard research shows that, for new and novice meditators, incorporating mindfulness practices into a vacation leads to stress-relief benefits that are still measurable ten months after the getaway. Here, seven of the most stunning spots to sit and om away from home.
COMO Parrot Cay, Turks and Caicos
COMO Parrot Cay's Shambhala Retreat in Turks and Caicos is sprinkled across low-lying pavilions overlooking the North Caicos Channel and the island’s bird-heavy wetlands. The yoga pavilion, used for group meditation and consultations with the on-staff Ayurvedic doctor, features soothing views of the water and vegetation below, and doors on all four sides open up to let the Caribbean breeze float by. “The super-high ceiling creates a feeling of space, and allowing the cool breeze to be felt helps calm the senses so the body’s aware of the here and now,” says Lisa Manser, regional director of COMO Shambhala. comohotels.com
Boulders Resort & Spa, Scottsdale, Arizona
Meditation is the focus of this resort’s tranquil spa. One unique offering is the labyrinth, a simple outdoor maze set among the property’s rocky bluffs. Guests are asked to pause and breathe deeply at the entrance, and then to choose a stone from the pile and hold it as they focus on an intention and slowly make their way through the labyrinth’s twists. It’s a simple yet effective— technique for stilling the mind, and perfect for those whose brains refuse to quiet down when meditation comes in the seated, eyes-closed variety. theboulders.com
Valsana Hotel, Arosa, Switzerland
This futuristic property, which opened in December, employs sustainable materials and cutting-edge technology to shrink its impact on the environment. And what an environment it is: Nestled in the hills and surrounded by dense Arosa forest, its meditation and yoga studio (part of the 8,600-square-foot spa) is made from rich reclaimed wood and includes panoramic view of the wilderness outside. valsana.ch
Rosewood Mayakoba, Riviera Maya, Mexico
The spa at this Rainforest Alliance–certified resort sits on a private island, and it’s designed around a cenote, a natural water well sacred to the ancient Mayans. Guests cross a bridge to reach it, as the area’s jungle fauna and mangrove forests spread out around them. There, they can enjoy the sounds of the rain forest on their own or partake in a more formalized self-guided meditation ritual, such as the property’s signature self-love treatment, the Marry Oneself Ceremony. rosewoodhotels.com
Copal Tree Lodge, Toledo, Belize
This luxury eco-lodge, tucked into a 3,000-acre sustainable farm, is designed for doers: Guests can make chocolates, snorkel with staffers, forage for local ingredients, and explore the Maya Mountains of Punta Gorda on foot or bike. But there’s dedicated space to be still, too: The on-site Yoga Palapa, perched on the resort’s overlook and accessible via canopy tram, offers a peaceful view from above of the jungle below. copaltreelodge.com
Four Seasons Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai
The luxury resort’s lofted yoga barn is perched on the edge of a working rice field, with sweeping, serene views of the paddies below (ringed by lush tropical flowers) and emerald-green mountains in the distance. It’s home to complimentary stretching classes during the day, and guests can book a private meditation teacher to guide them through breathing, visualization, and mindfulness exercises. fourseasons.com
Abadia Retuerta LeDomaine, Ribera del Duero, Spain
Set in the Duero Valley, this restored 12th-century estate was once an abbey—and the otherworldly sound of chanting monks almost hangs in the air even now. Today, the luxury property is known for its expansive winery and its impressive art collection, including a haunting, dimly lit meditation room starring a 16th-century Buddha statue imported from Thailand. ledomaine.es
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