A group of friends enjoying some evening beach yoga while vacationing in Hawaii.
Ready to kickstart the new year with a hearty dose of health and wellbeing? It’s the ideal time to book a wellness getaway where mind, body and soul are the focus — all while enjoying a supportive setting in a new-to-you environment away from Seattle.
As you plan leisure getaways for the new year, start by treating yourself to a personal refresh, combining fresh air fitness and healthy cuisine, yoga sessions and cardio, or simply taking a step back to enjoy a natural setting.
Travel solo, with friends or with the family, and finetune your resolutions for the new year with a healthy start at one of these top wellness destinations.
Horseback riding at Turtle Bay Resort on the north shore of Oahu
If sunset yoga meditation sounds like a dream come true, it’s time to book a stay at Turtle Bay Resort on the north shore of Oahu. The fitness and wellness programing here is picture perfect with stunning sunrises and sunsets, beachfront beauty and an indulgent atmosphere for the whole family.
For pampering sessions, Nalu Spa offers relaxing massages and body scrubs, detox wraps and facials, and so much more. Custom spa packages can include stress relief massages and sea salt exfoliation, or deep tissue massage with a deluxe hydra facial.
Turtle Bay’s fitness programming includes one-on-one instruction or solo opportunities for yoga, spin, barre and high-intensity workouts alike. Private sessions are available for personal trainers and yoga lessons, while select group classes are included for resort guests.
Of course, plenty of fitness can be combined with family fun onsite at Turtle Bay Resort. From tee time on the golf course to hanging ten with surf lessons, the resort offers a variety of onsite activities. Don’t miss horseback riding on the resort’s gorgeous trail network. Or take the family out for a cycle tour and discover culture and history throughout the property’s 1,300 acres along the bay.
Throughout a rejuvenating stay, enjoy a robust dining selection onsite with fresh-squeezed juices, açai bowls, Hawaiian poke bowls and ceviche, along with entrees featuring locally sourced and seasonal ingredients.
Planet Hollywood Cancun, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort
There’s no need to leave the kids at home on a wellness escape to Cancun with the all-new Planet Hollywood Cancun, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort offering their Stars Kids Club programming. This Marriott property combines high-end amenities for the adults while ensuring younger travelers are entertained and active during a beachfront getaway.
For those seeking health and wellness treatments, take advantage of onsite PHit programs at Pumped Fitness Center, offering professional trainers, complimentary daily workout classes and a variety of self-guided cardio. Then wind down with a visit to PH Spa, home to body scrubs, facials and massages, along with a steam room, plunge pool and lap pool.
Then the whole family can enjoy a beachfront workout with snorkeling and kayaking or enjoying a nine-hole game of mini-golf. Relax with the kids by floating on the resort’s lazy river or spend the day splashing through waterpark fun at Jurassic Splash Park.
Onsite dining at this all-inclusive ranges from farm-fresh dishes at So Cal Gourmet Emporium to premium steaks and wine at Sunset Strip Steakhouse & Grill with plenty of casual eateries in between. Want something extra special during your time in Cancun? Try 6th Sense Chef’s Table at the resort, where your personal chef customizes a menu to your specific interests.
Woman snorkeling with sea turtle over coral reef in Wailea, Maui, Hawaii, USA.
Sometimes an adults-only atmosphere is exactly what you need to rest up and recharge. Hotel Wailea in Maui offers a blissful escape from popular attractions while catering to wellness, invigorating the senses and adding a dash of romantic flare.
The property itself is an amazing breath of fresh air with 15 acres of Zen-inspired gardens and lush landscaping featuring waterfalls, calming pathways and stunning paradise views. Take in the salty ocean breeze on a quiet morning stroll, then stretch in the gardens to get your day off to a good start.
Wellness seekers will find a wide range of body and mind activities onsite ranging from aerial silk yoga to more traditional sessions, along with guided meditations or meditative walking programs. Customize your ideal wellness plan with the onsite instructors to make the most of your stay. Then for spa wellness sessions, try a Lomi Lomi massage and indulge with coconut milk and Hawaiian honey treatments.
Fun resort workouts include surf instruction and outrigger canoe tours, with snorkeling and SUP options for solo outings. Nearby, there is also horseback riding and golf courses.
Dining at Hotel Wailea has a hyperlocal focus featuring items from area farmers and fishermen. The resort even grows some of its own produce in the gardens, and guests are welcome to explore the grounds with chefs.
Sunrise over the Sonora Desert in Tucson, Arizona
Craving a dry heat? Head to Canyon Ranch Tucson for an idyllic destination with a focus on mind, body and spirit. Transformation is tradition at this wellness resort with daily class offerings, lectures, demonstrations and activities fueling a new and improved you.
Daily programming includes morning strolls, cycling, cardio workouts and a wonderful variety of yoga for all experience levels. Join a simple stretch session or gentle vinyasa, try chair yoga or Qi Gong for something different, or power up with a more intermediate class. The resort also offers dedicated sessions on breathing techniques, contemplation and healing, muscle relief and sessions on improving aura.
Services at Canyon Ranch Tucson are completely customizable and, in addition to fitness and movement programming, offer health and performance counseling, nutrition and food guidance, along with mind and spirit wellbeing at the spa. Try a signature detoxifying ritual with a massage or explore eastern therapies with reflexology and shiatsu.
Then take advantage of the ranch location and explore the Sonoran Desert with even more activities combining body and mind. Try guided rock climbing to push your personal boundaries, hike desert trails to discover area flora and fauna, or spend the day mountain biking to take in panoramic views while accelerating your heart rate
Throughout your stay at Canyon Ranch, enjoy a nutritionist-approved chef menu breakfast through dinner. For added culinary adventure, sign up for a hands-on cooking class in the demo kitchen so you can continue to prepare thoughtful, nutrient-rich meals at home.
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Lori A. May is a travel and lifestyle freelance writer for the SeattlePI.
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