The key to productivity is having a clear mind and enough energy to get the job done. Sometimes it helps to take a moment, or a few days, to regroup and refocus on the task ahead—or just, as the television ad says, get away.
Spend a few moments on your lunch hour or commute home looking at these places for an escape from the daily grind. Whether its contemplating a business merger in a Japanese Zen garden or sweating out the bad ideas at wellness resort in the West Indies, RealClearLife has collected a handful of unique getaways to get your mind and body prepared to dominate whatever is in your path. After all, studies show that somebody relaxed is far more likely to be successful than those running on fumes.
Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto
Located in the heart of a city famed for its Zen temples, historic palaces, and beautiful gardens, the Ritz-Carlton in Kyoto offers onsite spaces for contemplation and recovery, such as the white gravel garden tended by Suzuki-san, the hotel’s Master Gardener. One of five spa treatments offered, the Ryokucha Serenity Ritual infuses rich antioxidant properties of green tea leaves from the nearby Uji region of Kyoto. Anyone stiff from the flight over is recommended to try the Bamboo Ritual, which uses heated bamboo sticks and warm oil in a 90-minute experience perfect for slowing busy minds and releasing deep tension. Click here for more info.
Sense Hotel Sofia
In Europe for business? We’d suggest stopping in Bulgaria. Surrounded by the exciting city center of Sofia, the spa at Sense Hotel Sofia is a hidden oasis of harmony, mediation, and relaxation. Its natural wood, stone, and candlelight provide a harmonious atmosphere for contemplation. Guests can rejuvenate in one of the four treatment rooms with a full body massage, specifically tailored to individual needs. Take in the cityscape at Sense Hotel’s glass-enclosed rooftop bar, the perfect perch from which to admire the imposing St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral and neighboring National Assembly (perhaps with a glass of champagne in hand). Rooftop Gastro Bar Live is responsible for a menu of light, healthy dishes to complement the classic cocktail list. Find additional info via this link.
Tierra Patagonia Hotel and Spa
Journey to the edge of the world to escape your stress and worries. Perched on a bluff above Chile’s Lake Sarmiento, this hotel and spa feels like its part of the rugged landscape Patagonia is known for. Go on a horseback adventure with a local huaso guide or join a Patagonian guide on a glacier trek. Guests can recover via the spa’s steam bath, sauna, indoor pool, and receive a plethora of massages and treatments. If that hasn’t sapped your energy, you can always have a stab at fly fishing and, if you’re lucky, catch your own salmon for dinner. Learn more about this National Geographic Lodge here.
Huus Gstaad
Nestled on a rolling hillside between the villages of Saanen and Gstaad, this seven-story, 136-room traditional wooden-clad chalet strikes a delicate balance between a restful retreat and a hub for likeminded explorers looking to indulge in the nearby slopes and trails (depending on the season). For the former, the three-level, 2,000-square-meter spa takes the concept of relaxation literally to another level. Its Finnish sauna offers panoramic views of the gardens below while the aromatic sauna allows guests to unwind after a long day on the slopes. Those seeking rejuvenation should head to the two treatment rooms, which offer invigorating massages for weary bodies and minds. Huus Gstaad is also home to an ice fountain, a herbal steam bath, panoramic swimming pool, children’s spa, and yoga classes. Find out more here.
Shanti Maurice
Those looking to depart from the hustle and bustle of the city should look no further than the peaceful haven at Shanti Maurice’s Nira Spa. This paradisiacal hotel on the Indian Ocean is fringed by pristine waters and sublime white beaches. Built with locally sourced materials, each of the hotel’s 61 ocean-facing villas have their very own private pool and garden, which offer unrivaled space and unsurpassed privacy. Unashamedly indulgent, the Nira Spa promotes a holistic lifestyle and well-being through Ayurvedic treatments and philosophies, one of the world’s oldest healing systems from India. Like the rest of Shanti Maurice, the world-class, 75,000-square-foot spa overlooks the unspoiled coastline of Mauritius. Book a stay here.
Blue Waters Resort & Spa
Situated on 17 acres of stunning tropical gardens, this idyllic Caribbean paradise is the perfect location to regroup and clear your mind. If you can’t escape until May, head to Antigua. That’s when Blue Waters Resort and Spa starts offering bespoke health-focused experiences. Upon arrival, guests will start with a personal consultation and series of comprehensive body evaluations to create an ideal program. Then, take advantage of daily rotating meditation and strength training sessions including yoga, Pilates, strength and conditioning, and aquatic sports. Specially designed spa treatments will enhance the experience, while lifestyle coaches will provide food presentations during lunch focused on subjects like detoxing and vitality. Learn what’s in store at Blue Waters here.
—RealClearLife Staff
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