5 Best International Destination Spas of 2025 Revealed by Our Readers

Burnt out from the everyday grind, more travelers are now choosing wellness getaways over a vacation by the pool, cocktail in hand. They are willing to cross borders and fly halfway around the world to unwind.

Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, iBestTravel asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe—sharing their opinions on top hotels, resorts, cities, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. In the international destination spas category, readers rate properties based on accommodations, facilities, treatments, service, food, and overall value.

Founded in 1940, Rancho La Puerta was one of the first resorts Americans turned to for wellness. With extensive hiking trails, this retreat, set on 4,000 acres in Baja California, Mexico, continues to be a hit with iBestTravel readers. One fan had been an astounding eight times, while another praised the “quality of the classes,” which include drumming and pool Pilates, calling the desert setting “gorgeous and tranquil.” Some travelers are willing to go even farther for rejuvenation, all the way to Bali’s COMO Shambhala Estate, a high-end resort near Ubud. The 30-room property is renowned for its detox weeks, Balinese massages, and menus that emphasize clean eating—think flaked salmon with cauliflower or spelt-flour tortillas with spiced chicken.

The BodyHoliday, on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia, also focuses on healthful eating and recently unveiled a new vegan, farm-to-table dinner experience based on the Ital-Rastafarian diet. However, the No. 1 international destination spa this year is in Europe—in the stunning Bavarian Alps. A repeat winner from 2017, Schloss Elmau Luxury Spa & Cultural Hideaway features four spas, including one that caters to children, along with six restaurants, a concert hall, and thoughtful cultural programming.

Top International Destination Spas

5. Maya Tulum Resort, Tulum, Mexico

Score: 86.62

4. The BodyHoliday, Cariblue Beach, St. Lucia

Score: 93.84

3. Rancho La Puerta, Tecate, Mexico

Score: 95.83

2. COMO Shambhala Estate, Ubud, Bali

Score: 96.35

1. Schloss Elmau Luxury Spa & Cultural Hideaway, Elmau, Germany

Score: 96.83

Offering 115 contemporary rooms and suites across two immaculate buildings, “Schloss Elmau” is a family-run destination in Bavaria featuring multiple spas—including Badehaus, an adults-only haven with an outdoor pool; Turtle, a traditional Chinese medicine facility emphasizing aromatherapy and qigong; and a hammam. “The resort is truly excellent, both for a romantic stay or a quiet getaway,” says one fan. “Plus, the staff is genuinely authentic and friendly.”