‘I return with a new sense of purpose’: why wellbeing retreats are my favourite escape

• Marriott Bonvoy® American Express® Card (Representative 53.3% APR Variable, Annual fee applies, 18+, Subject to status, terms and conditions apply)

I love going on holiday but I’m not a fan of the packed itinerary, back-to-back excursions type of trip. To my mind, a holiday shouldn’t just be a change of scenery, but an escape. An escape from routine, an escape from the everyday, an escape from the general busyness of daily life. I want to get away, switch off, unwind and return refreshed, with a renewed sense of poise and purpose.

• ‘I find spending time in nature to be incredibly inspiring’

While it might sound like I’m asking for a lot from my holidays, it turns out I’m far from alone. According to Abta’s 2024-25 Holiday Habits report, three of the top five reasons people think holidays are important have to do with wellbeing. In at number one was “to relax”, with 73% of people saying this is the main reason they go away; meanwhile, 50% of respondents said that holidays are important “for my mental health and wellbeing”, while 46% said they like to get away “to escape the pressures of day-to-day life”.

When you hear the phrase “wellbeing holiday” an image of an overseas retreat somewhere exotic often springs to mind. But that’s just part of the picture. There are all different types of wellbeing holidays and plenty of options closer to home, such as the Delta Hotels St Pierre Country Club in Chepstow, Wales – a 14th-century manor house set in more than 160 hectares (400 acres) of picturesque parkland in the countryside of south Wales. Guests can check into a lakeside room for serene views from the moment they wake up, and then head into the spa, for massages, facials, manis and pedis – leaving them feeling thoroughly pampered.

You can make the most of your escape by taking advantage of a Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card. As a Cardmember you will automatically be upgraded to Silver Elite status, which includes perks such as Priority Late Checkout (subject to availability) – leaving more time for relaxation. You’ll also be able to rack up points that can be redeemed for self-care and pampering, such as spa treatments, at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy.

• Delta Hotels St Pierre Country Club in Chepstow, Wales

When it comes to wellbeing holidays, of course, there is seemingly a whole world waiting out there, meaning that it is not always easy to narrow your options down. But you could start by considering a trip to a Blue Zone – one of five places in the world where people consistently live over 100 years old – where wellbeing is in the air. These include three long-haul destinations: Okinawa, in Japan; the Nicoya Peninsula, in Costa Rica; and Loma Linda, in California. There are also two European spots: the islands of Sardinia, in Italy; and Ikaria, in Greece. Also, think about what experiences help you feel grounded. I find spending time in nature to be incredibly inspiring, so that has been a common thread through all of my wellbeing-focused trips.

• Clockwise from top left: Ikaria in Greece; Sardinia; Okinawa, Japan. Photographs: Alamy; Pexels/Manzoni Studios; Getty Images

Whether or not you choose to head to a Blue Zone destination for your next trip, Marriott Bonvoy offers a huge variety of properties worldwide, from medieval-inspired villas to boutique hotels, which cater to wellbeing holidays. Marriott Bonvoy® American Express® Cardmembers receive a generous six points for every £1 spent at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy, meaning guests can collect points while relaxing – there’s a thought to help you unwind. You also gain two points for £1 spent on the Card, and could even benefit from a Free Night Award, effectively paving the way for your next getaway.

If you are after a luxurious break in a stunning overseas destination, El Mangroove, Autograph Collection, in the Gulf of Papagayo, Costa Rica, could be for you. Located on the Gulf of Papagayo close to Costa Rica’s Blue Zone region, this luxury beachfront resort has all the makings of a magical wellbeing retreat – surrounded by vibrant forests, lush mangroves and tropical gardens. The hotel runs daily yoga sessions and nature bike rides, while its spa offers treatments inspired by Costa Rica’s heritage of wellness practices.

• El Mangroove, Autograph Collection

So for your next holiday, why not think about having a stress-free, wellbeing focused trip, and enjoy returning feeling fully refreshed.

How does the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card work?
For every £1 you spend on your Card, you’ll receive two Marriott Bonvoy® points. If you’re using your Card at a hotel participating in Marriott Bonvoy, you’ll receive six points per eligible £1 spent. Points can then be redeemed to explore 9,500 properties across more than 30 leading brands in 144 countries and territories, and on more than 150 airlines.

The Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card is also well suited to regular travellers. All Cardmembers start with Silver Elite status, and they are eligible for a Free Night Award after spending £25,000 in a year.

Search for Amex Marriott Bonvoy for more information

Representative 53.3% APR Variable, Annual fee applies, 18+, Subject to status, terms and conditions apply.

_{Important Information
You will receive 6 Points from American Express for each full £1 of eligible purchases made on your Marriott Bonvoy® American Express® Card at participating Marriott Bonvoy® properties. You will be awarded 2 Points for every full £1 you spend on purchases. Points are not earned on balance transfers, cash withdrawals, American Express Travellers Cheques purchases, foreign exchange transactions, interest, any spending in excess of your credit limit, changes for returned payments, late payments, referral charges, or American Express Credit Card finance charges. Written details are available on request.}

_{Redemption level at or under 25,000 Points at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy ®. Certain hotels have resort fees. If you reach £25,000 in net purchases charged to your account in any Cardmembership year, you will earn a Free Night Awards, redeemable within one year for an available single-or double-occupancy standard room at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Account must be in good standing. On the annual reset date, the amount of annual net purchases resets to zero. Additional Terms and Conditions apply. Free Night Award and no blackouts apply to standard rooms only as defined by each participating property; contact the property before booking to check availability. To view the full Terms and Conditions, visit marriott.co.uk.}

_{You will receive complimentary Marriott Bonvoy ® Silver Elite status with your Marriott Bonvoy ® American Express ® Card. This complimentary Silver Elite status benefit is only available to the Basic Cardmember. If your Card is cancelled for any reason, your complimentary Silver Elite status provided with the Card will be cancelled.}

_{If you reach £15,000 in net purchases charged to your Account in any Cardmembership year, you (the Basic Cardmember) will be enrolled for at least 12 months in the Gold Elite tier of the Marriott Bonvoy ® loyalty programme (unless you are already enrolled in an equivalent or higher level – Marriott Bonvoy ® associates excluded). Please allow 12-16 weeks after your eligible spending equals or exceeds such amount for the applicable year for enrolment to become effective. On the annual reset date, the amount of annual net purchases resets to zero. Additional Terms and Conditions apply.}

_{Your upgrade to Gold elite Status is valid for the remainder of the calendar year in which it was earned and the subsequent calendar year. Your enrolment will expire after that subsequent calendar year unless your eligible purchases during the next calendar year again qualify you for enrolment, or you qualify for Gold Elite Status under Marriott Bonvoy terms. You cannot receive enrolment in Gold Elite Status through Marriott Bonvoy if you are already enrolled at Gold Elite Status or any higher status.}

_{15 Elite Night Credits: Upon opening your Card account, a maximum or 15 Elite Night credits will be credited to your Marriott Bonvoy ® Member Account within 60 days. On or before 1 March of each subsequent calendar year, a maximum of 15 Elite Night Credits will be credited to your Marriott Bonvoy Member Account operated by Marriott International, Inc., in accordance with Marriott Bonvoy terms and conditions To be eligible to receive the 15 Elite Night Credits with this Card, you must be the Basic Cardmember, your Card account must be in good standing at the time of the 15 Elite Night Credit deposit, and you must have an active Marriott Bonvoy ® programme Account. To receive the 15 Elite Night Credit deposit, your Card account must be linked to a Marriott Bonvoy ® programme Account in your name. You will receive a maximum of 15 Elite Night Credits per calendar year even if you have more than one Marriott Bonvoy ® Credit Card account or have more than one Marriott Bonvoy ® programme Account. American Express is not responsible for fulfilment of this benefit. It will take approximately eight weeks from the Card account approval date for the credits to be applied to your loyalty account.}

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