More of us than ever are choosing to travel in the name of health. We’ve watched as wellness-focussed travel has evolved from body to mind – and now, soul. And, for those seeking a sprinkle of spirituality with their stays this year, there’s one spot that’s superior: Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula – the ancestral home of the Mayans. A people who not only built one of the wonders of the world but did wonders for wellness, too. So, it’s no wonder that the best luxury spa hotels here all have one thing in common: Ancient Mayan-inspired wellness treatments. Here’s where to stay and what to book.
For connection…
Stay at… Chablé Yucatán. In the jungle, the Yucatán jungle, a tenderly restored 19th-century hacienda sleeps tonight. One that’s so sprawling, steeped in history, and spotless that stepping inside it feels somewhat like stepping into a film set. Its never-ending list of experiences designed to connect you with ancient Mayan culture, spa centred around a sacred cenote, and collection of more than 3,000 tequilas have all contributed towards Chablé Yucatán collecting countless accolades – like ranking no.16 in the world and no.1 in North America on the World’s 50 Best lists. Wow.
Tablaje 642, San Antonio Chablé, 97816 Chocholá
Book… the Songs of Heaven ritual. This three-in-one treatment is 180 minutes well spent. First up: a spiritual blessing (song surrounds you as the heady scent of copal smoke cleanses the air) and foot bath on the balcony of your secluded spa cabin. Then, you’re scrubbed with a concoction of natural ingredients that smells good enough to eat and wrapped whilst a sound bath washes over you. The grand finale is a full-body Mayan massage designed to leave you cognisant of your place in the cosmos. Wellness is rarely done so, well, well.
For healing…
Stay at… the St. Regis Kanai Riviera Maya. Despite its sheer size and seclusion, this resort has a real sense of place. It’s built in three interlinking rings to represent the Mayan calendar, but its natural assets are its crown jewels – from the lush jungle of mangroves that’s crawling with native creatures to the pristine (and private) stretch of white-sand beach that’s always raked to perfection. Don’t miss the Champagne sabring ritual every evening at sundown or a Melipona cocktail (it contains honey that’s very rare, very sacred, and very healing) on your sun lounger.
Paseo Kanai 15, 77730 Playa del Carmen
Book… the Xunán Kab. Honey honey, how you cure me. A-ha. If you’re confused because you don’t speak Mayan (or ABBA), stay with me. Xunán Kab translates to Melipona bee, which, as we know, produces honey with mega medicinal properties. And that’s where your treatment begins – and ends. It’s 50 minutes of being scrubbed smooth and wrapped warm in honey and coconut. Just the knowledge that this sacred honey was offered to the Mayan deities during rituals and ceremonies will leave you feeling like a god or goddess.
For balance…
Stay at… Our Habitas Tulum. This hideaway feels a far cry from the hectic hedonism of Tulum’s hotel strip. Scattered among a coconut grove that sprawls out towards the sea are rooms that exist somewhere between beach hut and glamping tent. But don’t let this description deter you – you’ll have all the luxuries you need. Days here unfold at an unhurried pace. Leave your shoes (and worries) behind as you let the sandy trails guide you from ocean-facing pool to fire-fuelled restaurant, mezcal-tasting workshop to hammock-strung stretch of beach. It’s barefoot bohemian bliss.
KM 4.5, Av. Boca Paila, 77780 Tulum
Book… the Ancestral Earth Sounds experience. Want to tune out the world for 90 minutes? This sonic reset for the soul will sort you out. Scent sets the scene: earthy incense and herbal aromas waft in on the natural salty sea breeze. And as you lie back, traditional instruments begin to play – the vibrations working to harmonise your body and mind, whilst the tones rippling through you ease you into a meditative state. Having sunk deeper and deeper into your surroundings, the session ends with soothing massage techniques to ground you. Simply serene.
For an awakening…
Stay at… Ser Casasandra. Which came first: Holbox or this hotel? Not exactly a head-scratcher, of course. But a sentiment that all those who’ve seen the way Ser Casasandra blends so seamlessly with its sea and sand surroundings can appreciate. Blazing, towering torches guide you between the hotel (where shower heads are made from conch shells and balconies woven from twine) and the beach (where shallow turquoise waves lap the semi-private stretch of white sand and Mojito beach bar welcomes you with a spicy mezcalita). This boutique beachfront retreat is as chic as it is carefree.
Costado de Secundaria Técnica, Calle Igualdad SN, 77310 Holbox, Q.R., Mexico
Book… the Experiential Retreat: Awakening the Heart. A doctor, a therapist, and a visual artist walk into a room… What happens next? Well, the clue’s in the name at AHAL – the hotel’s holistic centre, whose name translates to awakening. Whilst traditional treatments are on offer, this three-day retreat (taking place in June 2025) will extinguish your fear, elevate your consciousness, and empower your emotional energy. From guided meditations and morphic fields to art therapy and sound healing, this retreat is a real treat for all those who desire to develop the relationship with themselves and others.
For transformation…
Stay at… Rosewood Mayakoba. The dense, dark green of a jungle. The bold, bright green of a championship golf course. The tranquil, turquoise green of a lagoon (clue: Mayakoba translates to village over water). This Rosewood resort is as ethically green as it is literally green. But holding Mexico's highest certification for sustainable and responsible tourism development isn’t all it can boast about. Here, private boats cruise past sunbathing iguanas and margaritas aplenty are poured by the infinity pool. And if you don’t mind sharing your morning coffee with a heron or two, book a Deluxe Overwater Lagoon Suite (it’s by far the best for wildlife spotting).
Ctra. Federal Cancún-Playa del Carmen Km 298, 77710 Playa del Carmen
Book… the signature temazcal experience. Sweat lodge. Not the sexiest word pairing in the English language – but one that undeniably does what it says on the tin. You’ll crawl inside the “womb” (a volcanic-stone hot hut that’s, ironically, igloo-shaped) for a pre-Hispanic healing ceremony from which you’ll emerge reborn (sweaty but spiritually enlightened and self-aware). What happens along the way involves mantra chanting, sensorial rituals, and self-reflection for purification of body, mind, and soul – all led by Rosewood Mayakoba’s resident shaman.
