All-Inclusive Wellness in the Caribbean
Wellness has become an increasingly expansive category over the past decade. When applied to hospitality, it was once a code word for “has a spa,” but the travel industry is rethinking what it really means to be well. It’s no longer simply about being pampered in a dimmed room while the songs of chirping birds are piped through a sound system—although it can certainly encompass that. Increasingly, wellness in the hospitality industry is a place where guests can feel at peace, like their best self, and how resorts and hotels can help facilitate that through targeted programming, beautiful natural environments and smart interior design.
All things considered; the Caribbean makes an excellent backdrop for these types of trips. The destination itself universally evokes a common imagery of serenity: bare feet on white sand beaches shaded by palms, gently lapping aquamarine waters, fruit so fresh you can smell it before it hits the table, spectacular orange-red sunsets and warm, salted breezes that gently tousle your hair. Who wouldn’t want to feel better than their usual self in an idyllic place like this? At the right destination, with the right wellness program, anything is possible.
These seven resorts combine the charms of the Caribbean and the sanctity of mind-body health with the ease of an all-inclusive destination. They’re part of a new vanguard of properties that cater to guests and all their niche wellness needs.
Strand yourself in St. Vincent & the Grenadines
At Petit St. Vincent, the focus is on getting away from it all—and they really mean it. This tiny slice of paradise is ideal for those who have ever daydreamed about being stranded on a tropical island—but with all the luxurious amenities you can think of. This boutique property sits on 115 acres of pure natural splendor, complete with elegant villas, private picnic spots, beachfront barbecues with palapa-topped al fresco dining and a wine cellar filled with vintage Champagnes (because being here is something to celebrate). While the property offers a tranquil hillside spa, the real wellness benefits lie in the uncluttered landscape. This is a place for guests to exhale, to feel time slow while lying in a hammock and to finally lose that tension they’ve been holding in their shoulders.
Sleep deeply in St. Lucia
For many, decent sleep is but a dream. And so, it’s become an increasing focus of hospitality wellness offerings all over the world. At BodyHoliday, a wellness-focused beachfront resort, the Sleep Well Program incorporates a range of techniques to maximize relaxation and induce slumber: noise-cancelling walls and specialized air control systems; diet and meditation; feng shui principles; and a pillow menu that includes six different options. BodyHoliday also includes a wide range of wellness offerings in the nightly rate, including a daily spa treatment (facial, massage or body wrap) and complimentary mindfulness activities like tai chi and yoga. There's also a food and drink plan that incorporates Ayurvedic elements, which focus on nutritional balance, with the exact right amount of vacation-style indulgence (i.e. no one has to skip dessert).
Enjoy sun (and even more sun) salutations in Antigua
At Carlisle Bay property, nestled between a rainforest and the calm, clear waters of the nearby bay, all-inclusive takes on a different meaning. In addition to dining and drink options, this resort also offers all-inclusive yoga and meditation packages that allow guests to focus on physical and mental health, all while staying in paradise. Guests can bookend their days with sunrise and sunset meditation, helping them to reduce physical and emotional stress. Daily classes of yoga and Pilates take place in a pavilion surrounded by lush flora and fauna, where guests are shaded from the sun but can still feel warm tropical breezes on their body. Evening yoga is the perfect way for guests to prime their head for climbing into an ultra-comfortable bed for the night. The property also offers a fitness center, spa, tennis, and water sports including windsurfing and paddle boarding.
Frolic on your own private island in the Bahamas
The new Sandals Royal Bahamian isn’t your standard beach resort. In addition to an enviable waterfront location in Nassau, it also holds an exotic offshore island, Barefoot Cay. The island is perfect for swimming, sunning, snorkeling and lunching on fresh seafood at the chic Beach Club. And while guests might find Zen at the swim-up bar or in a private cabana, the island’s Red Lane Spa offers a little slice of wellness in an unparalleled location. Each treatment table is positioned to maximize both privacy from the other guests and exposure to the lulling relaxation of waves hitting the beach. Treatment options include a heart rock massage on a sea raft or a salt scrub on sand.
Plant-based dining in Playa del Carmen
Perched on the edge of the Caribbean Sea, Palmaia, The House of AiA combines classic wellness offerings with a spiritual twist. In addition to their ancestral rituals and healing practices (some led by the inhouse Shaman), the resort is committed to offering plant-based cuisine and cruelty-free amenities, including vegan rooms. Restaurants feature herbs cultivated in the resort’s greenhouse and other slow food elements, along with an array of vegan, vegetarian, fish and, yes, meat options. There’s also a juice bar, vegan taco truck and beachside cocktail bar that serves up drinks made with fresh tropical fruits. Sleek modern and minimalist design has been woven into a jungle backdrop, creating a serene (and highly Instagrammable) environment for guests.
Relax at a dreamy spa in the Dominican Republic
While almost every Caribbean all-inclusive resort offers guests the opportunity to book a massage, some properties build spas that you can build an entire vacation around. The adults-only Sanctuary Cap Cana recently underwent an extensive renovation, with a particular focus on their Sanctuary Spa. Visitors walk down a garden path lined with large palms and enter a world of supreme relaxation, with thatched treatment cottages and water features. The spa’s hydrotherapy circuit includes sauna, steam, cold plunge, hot tub, foot bath, showers and a dynamic hydro pool—all designed to stimulate and rejuvenate both mind and body. More intricate treatments include “sanctuary rituals,” which involve chocolate, gold or a hand-carved clay stone that promise to leave skin glowing and the mind cleared. Couples looking for a little romance can book together and add champagne and strawberries.
Get back to nature in Antigua
Set amidst 40 lush acres, Galley Bay Resort & Spa offers the perfect opportunity to commune with nature—a demonstrated way to improve overall wellness. Other than the resort’s unobtrusive structures, many of which have been thoughtfully constructed using natural materials, the only other parts of the landscape are sand, water and rolling green hills kissed by the sun. Even the spa is ensconced in nature, set on the edge of a lagoon. Guests can spend hours strolling through the bird sanctuary, try their hand at fishing in the grotto, visit a tortoise sanctuary, hike the nature trail, visit the herb and veggie garden, take a dip in the freshwater pool or borrow a bike and explore the many winding paths. Farm-to-table cuisine and a weekly Caribbean beachside barbecue round out the experience alongside an opportunity to sample local rum.