Top spa destinations

Once upon a time, the only way to enjoy a holiday was with overindulgent buffet breakfasts, lazy days by the pool with cocktails and a minimum of physical exertion. Gone are these days, with health, fitness and spiritual fulfillment at the top of the list for many travellers.

Hotels around the world are tuning in to the needs of travellers, offering holidays that focus on self improvement, spiritual wellbeing and health.

To accommodate for the growing trend Hotels.com has created a list of the top 10 healthiest hotels in the world. From kickboxing to yoga and day spa treatments, the list features hotels that specialise in activities designed to pamper the mind, body and soul.

First on the list is the four and a half star Kamalaya Koh Samui in Thailand. This hotel is built around a cave once used by Buddhist monks for meditation and is ideal for travellers seeking health and relaxation.

Guests can choose from more than 70 treatments that specialise in holistic medicine from eastern and western traditions. The detox, weight loss programs, stress management, fitness and yoga programs will all help to create a healthy and fulfilling getaway. Rooms at the Kamalaya Koh Samui start from $300 per night.

In Bali, travellers can stay at the four and a half star Bagus Jati Health & Wellbeing Retreat to discover the inner yogi. The retreat sits on the mountain ridge in Ubud with the villas nestled in tropical gardens overlooking the river valley. Yoga instructors offer a variety of classes on how to strengthen the body and mind. Hotel guests can also take part in a detox program or relax in an Ayurvedic Spa.

Rooms at the Bagus Jati Health & Wellbeing Retreat start from $137 per night.

The five-star Grand SPA Resort A-ROSA Kitzbuehel, in Tyrol Austria is at the centre of one of Europe's most popular mountain destinations. As a traditional hotel spa it offers a range of outdoor activities all year round for a physically active holiday.

In winter, guests can take on the 170km of ski slopes and in summer the mountain becomes a destination for hiking and cycling, satisfying any traveller's urge to get outside in the fresh air. Wellness activities at the resort also include aerobics, Pilates, golf and volleyball. To balance with the amount of physical activity guests can wind down in the hotel's steam baths, Turkish sauna or ice grotto. Rooms at the five-star Grand SPA Resort A-ROSA Kitzbuehel start from $163 per night.

Fitting to its location of Bordeaux, France, Les Sources De Caudalie is a hotel which specialises in treatments involving wine. The vinotherapies use hot spring water and local wine to create Merlot wraps, Sauvignon massages and Cabernet body scrubs, among other treatments. The hotel also features a swimming pool, gym, tennis courts and guests can use the hire bikes to explore the local town. Rooms at Les Sources De Caudalie start from $305 per night.

On a private island in the Caribbean the Parrot Cay and COMO Shambhala Retreat offers private and natural environment for guests to improve mental health and physical wellbeing. The resort offers yoga and Pilates, with the top instructors, as well as healthy food from the Living Food diet where food is lightly cooked to maintain nutritional value.

Rooms at the five-star Parrot Cay and COMO Shambhala Retreat start from $634 per night.

At the five-star Canyon Ranch Health Resort Tucson the aim is to inspire guests to lead a healthy life. Located in the Sonoran Desert the resort offers hiking, bike riding, yoga and golf. There are more than 40 daily fitness classes, including water sports, racquet ball, basketball and dancing. A highly active day at the resort is followed by healthy balanced meals that guests also learn to cook. Rooms at the Canyon Ranch Health Resort Tucson start from $1049 per night.

On a secluded beach the Injidup Spa Retreat is nestled among Margaret River wineries and rocky headlands. Horseback riding, fishing and winery tours are all available for guests to immerse themselves in the beautiful surroundings and once back at the retreat guests can partake in customised body treatments or relax in the spa. Private chefs are also available to create a healthy gourmet meal on request. Rooms at the five-star Injidup Retreat start from $650 per night.

Located right at the edge of the Dead Sea is the Moevenpick Resort & Spa. The Dead Sea is the lowest body of water in the world and has the richest source of natural salts and minerals.

The resort uses these assets to offer guests relief from aches and pains through mineral treatments. Guests can also relax and swim effortlessly in the water while taking in the oxygen rich air. Rooms at the five-star Moevenpick Resort & Spa start from $133 per night.

In New Zealand, along the Lake Taupo volcanic zone, the five-star Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort features natural hot springs accompanied by amazing views of the volcanoes of Tongariro National Park. At the resort guests can indulge in hot spring therapy treatments and wellness programs.

There is also a warm-water playground for children, as well as bungee jumping, rock climbing and sky diving for the more adventurous travellers. Rooms at the five-star Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort start from $122 per night.

In Kerala, India travellers can stay at the 3.5 star Travancore Heritage to take advantage of Ayurveda, a holistic system of alternative Indian medicine that relieves stress and restores equilibrium. Kerala is a place to embrace the mind, body and soul as visitors are shown the key concepts of Ayurvedic philosophy. Guests are also shown Ayurvedic exercise methods and how to prepare Ayurvedic meals to the backdrop of sandy beaches, tropical rivers and the colourful jungle. Rooms at the Travancore Heritage are available from $66 per night.

To make a booking at any of these hotels visit www.hotels.com or phone 1800 846 835.