Improve your health and well-being at these top destinations
Traveling for health and wellness has grown in popularity in recent years, but it’s not just a trend. It’s caught on because health-focused vacations can provide great benefits for your mind and body. Whether you want to relax at a spa, practice yoga, or improve your wellness routine, there’s a destination for you.
To narrow down all of the options, USA TODAY 10Best editors and a panel of experts made nominations in five categories, then readers voted for their favorites over four weeks.
Click on each category below to see the full winners list:
Best Hot Springs: Warm Springs Pools at The Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Virginia
Enjoy a soak at the Warm Springs Pools at The Omni Homestead Resort — Photo courtesy of The Omni Homestead Resort
The Warm Springs Pools at The Omni Homestead Resort are located on the site of the country’s first-ever spa structure: an octagonal stone basin built in 1761. Today, visitors can step back in time and relax inside the restored 19th-century Ladies’ and Gentlemen’s bathhouses that have swimsuit-optional, gender-specific soaking times, as well as specific time slots for families and adult co-ed soaks.
Full list of winners: Best Hot Springs »
Best Meditation Center: Dharmakaya Center for Wellbeing in Cragsmoor, New York
Start or improve your meditation practice at Dharmakaya Center for Wellbeing — Photo courtesy of Dharmakaya Center for Wellbeing
Dharmakaya Center for Wellbeing is set across 90 acres in Cragsmoor, New York. The center hosts meditation and study groups and offers retreats that are focused on enhancing your meditation practice and mindfulness. The expansive property features simple accommodations, a dining hall, meditation hall, and library.
Full list of winners: Best Meditation Center »
Best Spa Resort: Mii amo in Sedona, Arizona
Unwind in style at Mii amo — Photo courtesy of Douglas Friedman
Nestled in Boynton Canyon amidst Sedona vortexes, it’s no surprise there is a special energy at Mii amo. The resort and destination spa offers themed “journeys” that are comprised of classes, spa treatments, lectures, all-inclusive meals, and other amenities. Spa offerings include services unique to the resort, as well as sound and light therapy and treatments enhanced by CBD.
Full list of winners: Best Spa Resort »
Best Wellness Retreat Center: Skyterra Wellness Retreat in Pisgah Forest, North Carolina
Skyterra Wellness Retreat wins Best Wellness Retreat Center for second year in a row — Photo courtesy of Skyterra Wellness Retreat
Guests at Skyterra are encouraged to set aside the worries of day-to-day life and focus on health and well-being. Classes are small, giving each participant personalized attention, and all fitness levels are welcome. The resort hosts fewer than 35 guests at a time to promote a sense of intimacy, exclusivity, and a more individualized experience.
Full list of winners: Best Wellness Retreat Center »
Best Yoga Retreat Center: Himalayan Institute in Honesdale, Pennsylvania
Himalayan Institute claims the top spot for Best Yoga Retreat Center for second consecutive year — Photo courtesy of Himalayan Institute
For more than 50 years, the Retreat Center at the Himalayan Institute in the rolling hills of the Poconos has been a magnet for those seeking balance. Yoga retreats can address specific issues such as grief or they can combine yoga, Ayurveda, and hiking to nourish mind and body on the 400-acre campus.
You’ll experience restorative asana, pranayama, and yoga nidra, which is a powerful relaxation practice with guided meditation. Lodge in simple and comfortable accommodations conducive to a peaceful stay and enjoy hearty vegetarian or vegan meals daily.
Full list of winners: Best Yoga Retreat Center »
Congratulations to all these winners! Remember to visit 10best.usatoday.com daily to vote in more Readers’ Choice Awards.
