While the trend of taking wellness holidays caught up with Indians some time back, it’s only post-COVID that the family wellness vacation trend is booming. Families want to travel together and not leave anyone behind. These trips go beyond traditional vacations by including relaxation and fitness activities for both parents and children. If you are planning a family wellness vacation, have a look at this list of resorts. From mindful workshops for children to spa treatments tailored for them; from family bonding activities to herbology workshops; the interesting itineraries would certainly inspire you.

Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som, Qatar

Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som is the Middle East’s first full-immersion wellbeing resort. Located in Khasooma, a private coastal location to the north of Qatar, Zulal Wellness Resort offers travellers a distinctive premium wellness experience, showcasing contemporary Traditional Arabic & Islamic Medicine (TAIM), that is inclusive of local family values.

The resort offers two venues for health and wellbeing. Adults can access a wide range of therapeutic and lifestyle enhancement treatments based upon TAIM wellness principles in the Zulal Serenity whereas Zulal Discovery enables families to enjoy positive wellness experiences together, inspiring young children and their parents with interactive activities that encourage a healthy lifestyle for all family members.

Zulal Discovery follows the resort’s ‘Family Wellness’ philosophy, based on the belief that individual wellness is intricately linked to fulfilling family life and the ability to build meaningful relationships, thriving to enhance them via special activities and practices.

Premier Village Phu Quoc Resort, Vietnam

Located on the southern tip of Vietnam’s stunning Phu Quoc Island, Premier Village Phu Quoc Resort is a tropical retreat that is uniquely embraced on both sides by the sea. It has two pristine beaches that offer stunning ocean views, making it an ideal haven to relax and rejuvenate.

It houses 215 villas, each with a private swimming pool and sweeping views of both the sea and hills. Its diverse culinary options range from Vietnamese delights to fusion cuisine. At its hilltop Plumeria Spa—which has 10 treatment rooms including a couple’s room, VIP treatment room, reflexology and hair care facilities—there is everything one needs to recalibrate the body, mind, and spirit. There is a Mindfulness Sunset for adults and massages for kids too. So, you don’t need to leave them in the kid’s play area.

The kids and adults can take part in resort activities such as farm visits, snorkelling, egg-hunting, fish feeding, wooden painting, and goat and duck feeding, enabling bonding time between families.

Joali Being, Maldives

This nature immersive wellness resort with 68 villas allows kids four times a year, when it plans a kids’ retreat. At this unique retreat, young explorers under twelve years of age discover the best of nature and holistic well-being.

The resort introduces young travellers to a simplified version of the Four Pillars of Joali Being: Mind, Skin, Microbiome, and Energy. Guided by an expert team of naturopaths, nutritionists, marine biologists, and chefs, young explorers have the opportunity to explore underwater life, pick up new skills, and discover different forms of movement and meditation. While adults can opt for a holistic programme focussing on their problem areas, kids can attend Ninja Classes, learn herbology, or enjoy beach volleyball.

The turquoise waters and white sand beaches make this a perfect destination for families that want to spend quality time savouring the best of food, underwater activities, and enjoying the gorgeous outdoors.

Pimalai Resort & Spa, Koh Lanta, Thailand

Located on Thailand’s picturesque island Koh Lanta, Pimalai Resort & Spa is a luxurious resort on this idyllic Andaman island. It is spread across 100 acres of tropical jungles and has one of the most beautiful beaches in the country, Kantiang Bay. Families can while the days away amid lush tropical forests and Andaman waters, lounging on what often feels like a private beach, or spend action-packed afternoons out in the sea, scuba diving, snorkelling, or simply enjoying a sunset cruise together.

Families with kids can bond together over cookery classes or herbology sessions at this family wellness getaway. There’s also the option of enrolling in Pimalai’s Thai cooking class, where one can learn popular Thai recipes. Take a tour with the chef of the resort’s organic garden to pick herbs, spices, and vegetables before the cooking class. Familiarise yourself and your little ones with ingredients such as lemongrass, ginger, galangal, kaffir lime, and Thai sweet basil. Sounds therapeutic, right?

Experience-seeking families can enjoy offshore excursions, mangrove tours in a gondola boat, jungle treks and relaxing walks through the heritage-rich old town. Pimalai ensures that children stay inspired, educated, and entertained by its regular schedule of activities at the Kid’s Corner such as kite flying, kids’ Thai boxing, kids’ petanque, beach soccer, and balloon twist.

Kandima Maldives, Maldives

Kandima Maldives, situated on Dhaalu Atoll, offers a three km long island experience with a diverse range of family-friendly accommodations, from studios to beach and aqua villas featuring private pools and stunning ocean vistas. The resort is packed with facilities including thrilling water sports, a fitness centre, a tennis court, a football pitch, and one of the Maldives’ largest kids’ club areas. The resort is ideal for families looking for an active holiday.

For those seeking relaxation and wellness, Kandima provides guided parent-child meditation sessions led by an on-site wellness expert. These sessions promote mindfulness, sleep improvement, and relaxation techniques for both parents and children. Fitness enthusiasts can enjoy family fitness classes like beach boot camp, gentle & aqua yoga, and pilates, with dedicated instructors and yogis available.

Kandima’s esKape Spa offers rejuvenating treatments using natural Maldivian ingredients, and they have special family-rate spa treatments. Adventure awaits with a mix of overwater and underwater activities, including scuba diving, snorkelling, private dive lessons, jet skiing, kite surfing, wakeboard surfing, and more. Sunset fishing and dolphin-watching cruises provide low-impact options. GoPro and Olympus TG-6 equipment can be rented to capture unforgettable memories.

Jetwing Saman Villas, Bentota, Sri Lanka

Take a quick flight to the exotic Sri Lankan island for a few days of detox with your loved ones. A couple of hours from Colombo lies the sumptuous and luxurious Jetwing Saman Villas. This intimate hotel was the location for the recent TV series ‘The Night Manager’. Perched on the rocks with pristine sandy beaches on either side, the property is the seaside escape that helps you restore your connection with nature. On offer here are immersive activities such as snorkelling, diving, and whale and dolphin watching.

The in-house Sahana Spa rejuvenates your body through the island’s ancient healing traditions, led by trained professionals amidst a secluded water garden. Guests can choose from an array of ayurvedic treatments and massages including reflexology, aromatherapy, and beauty treatments. The spa is also equipped with a jacuzzi, sauna, and a floral bath.

Moksha Himalaya Spa Resort, Himachal Pradesh

Elevate your family holiday at an altitude of 5,000 feet. Situated in the Parwanoo region of the Shivalik range, the Moksha Himalaya Spa Resort provides an unparalleled nature-centric escape. The journey to the resort is an adventure in itself, with a scenic cable car ride that adds an element of thrill.

Tailoring to the needs of every family member, Moksha Himalaya Spa Resort offers an array of experiences. While parents indulge in rejuvenating spa treatments within the expansive spa that also has a hamam, children can embark on exciting adventures that ignite their sense of discovery. Let the little ones revel in the infinity view pool, their laughter echoing through the air, or engage in friendly sports like cricket, basketball, archery, and badminton. As the sun sets, unwind in the temperature-controlled jacuzzi with your family, reflecting on your day. For those seeking a thrill, adventure activities such as ziplining, mountain biking and swinging ladder climbing await. A dedicated kids’ play area is filled with endless entertainment, including football, table tennis, and carrom. This is an ideal resort if you are looking for a short domestic getaway to disconnect from the demands of daily life and immerse yourself in nature’s beauty with your family.

Jehan Numa Retreat, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

Head to the heart of incredible India for a happy, healthy and soulful break. Jehan Numa Retreat, located right next to Van Vihar National Park in Bhopal, has been a popular celebrity escape in recent months. Set amidst luscious flora, this boutique haven is earthy and luxurious. Grounded in its conscious offerings, it beautifully reflects the elegance of timeless Begum hospitality—the property is still owned and managed by the royal family of Bhopal.

The farm-to-fork restaurant, The Green Bistro, and the cultural cuisine offerings of the ‘Lost recipes of Central India’ at ‘Under the Jamun Tree’ are heroes of soul-soothing and conscious cuisine. Go cycling with your kids in the adjoining Van Vihar Park in the mornings, immerse in the verdant nature, and sign up for yoga sessions. Chakra Spa at the property offers a menu of indulgent treatments and therapies that pair incredibly with your rejuvenating break.

(Vishakha Talreja is a Delhi-based travel, lifestyle, and wellness influencer and writer.)