From Nordic sanctuaries to Mediterranean thalassotherapy, these are the restorative retreats turning the girls’ getaway into a proper wellness experience.
As summer winds down, the girls’ getaway is getting a wellness upgrade. With Leslie Mann and Isla Fisher’s new film Spa Weekend spotlighting friendship and escapism, there’s fresh momentum to swap the city break for a restorative few days devoted to switching off. And the numbers back it up — Virtuoso, the luxury travel network, reports wellness bookings up 28 percent and sales up 44 percent year-on-year. From Nordic forest hideaways to Mediterranean thalassotherapy, these are the destinations reimagining the girls’ trip around serious wellness credentials, standout settings and uninterrupted time together.
Nordic Escapes and Jungle Sanctuaries
Set within a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve on Estonia’s Hiiumaa island, Eha Retreat is a minimalist Nordic sanctuary shaped by Estonia’s five seasonal cycles. Across three-, five- or seven-night stays, experiences shift with the seasons — forest walks, thermal rituals and breathwork in autumn; deep-rest rituals and sleep optimisation in winter; vitality-led outdoor practices in summer. Treatments draw on Nordic and Estonian ancestral wisdom, from sauna traditions to sound baths and mineral-rich peat wraps, while the culinary programme from Green Michelin-starred chef Peeter Pihel takes a seasonal, foraged approach. Eight suites and three forest cabins provide the setting, with exclusive-use bookings available for the ultimate private escape.
For those seeking jungle over forest, COMO Shambhala Estate in Ubud, Bali remains the gold standard. This 22-acre sanctuary above the Ayung River integrates wellbeing into every aspect of the stay, from personalised treatment plans and daily therapies to nutrition-led menus designed by in-house experts. Days move between yoga, meditation, Qi Gong and poolside downtime, with sacred spring water incorporated into hydrotherapy rituals. Private pool residences with open-air living spaces provide room to breathe — and to properly reconnect.
Mediterranean Wellness with a Social Edge
On Spain’s Costa Blanca, ZEM Wellness Clinic Altea offers five-star Mediterranean living with a health-focused edge. Programmes such as Neuro Balance, Immunity and Prime Longevity combine expert-led therapies with movement, spa time and personalised nutrition from the clinic’s own Finca Althaya farm. The 4,000-square-metre wellness and spa facilities, performance fitness centre and coastal setting make it feel as much like a restorative getaway as a clinical retreat.
If you’re after something closer to the Ibiza energy but with proper downtime built in, Ibiza Gran Hotel strikes the balance. The Open Spa features a hydrotherapy circuit with hydromassage pools, ice lounge, hammam, sauna and aroma showers, plus a full menu of facial and body treatments. Michelin-starred La Gaia, poolside Mirai and cocktail-focused Musa keep you on-site, while suites with views of Dalt Vila, private terraces and open-air jacuzzis seal the deal.
Re-opened in April 2026, Conrad Athens The Ilisian brings urban wellness to the heart of Athens. The former Hilton Athens now centres on a 700-square-metre Green Roof with a running track, outdoor gym and pickleball court, plus central Athens’ largest outdoor pool. Hot and cold therapy facilities, Pilates, yoga and nine restaurants and bars round out the offering. Suites sleep up to four adults — king bed, pull-out sofa, Acropolis views — for a proper girls’ sleepover with a wellness twist.
Thalassotherapy in Cyprus
In Limassol, AMARA has introduced its Thalassotherapy Retreat, inspired by the restorative power of the Mediterranean Sea. The 3,000-square-metre spa hosts three- and five-day wellness programmes centred around the resort’s adults-only seawater infinity pool. Tailored treatments, aqua aerobics, thermal facilities, Technogym-equipped fitness centre and floodlit tennis court are all part of the package, with warm Cypriot days stretching well into autumn — ideal for extending summer a little longer.
Whether you’re after forest saunas, jungle hydrotherapy or Mediterranean thalassotherapy, these retreats are built for proper reset — and proper time together. Browse the full lineup and start planning your next escape at Virtuoso.
