5 New Resorts To Achieve Serenity In Style

From Mexico to Africa—and beyond—these newly opened resorts invite guests to venture to exotic locales to achieve serenity in style.

Take a dip at andBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, which rests on the edge of the Namib Sand Sea—the largest dune field south of Africa’s Sahara Desert.

andBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge

Newly renovated five-star hotel andBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge allows guests to explore Namib, the world’s oldest living desert, tucked within Namibia in southwest Africa. The expansive property—clocking in at 31,419 acres—is home to this well-appointed lodge, where 10 stone-and-glass suites offer private plunge pools, beds situated under the stars thanks to retractable skylights, and glass-enclosed rain showers with 180-degree desert views. While stargazing and helicopter or hot air balloon rides offer visitors both tranquil and adventurous ways to enjoy the mesmerizing locale, the wellness center by Healing Earth equally dazzles. The center is primed to enjoy the sunrise and sunset from your secluded treatment room, where a private spa bath and a separate wet room spa await. Choose from a range of services, including the Quiet Mind Journey (featuring a blend of aromatherapy and deep-tissue massage techniques), or bring your little ones along to enjoy the WILDChild Beauties and Buddies (a foot soak and 15-minute massage followed by African tribal face painting). Further, visitors are encouraged to embrace the mystery of the desert with solo strolls, e-biking and quad rides through the spectacular sand dunes, some of which reach 1,000 feet in height. Desert dreaming, indeed.

Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa

Meditation classes and overwater bungalows help guests at the new Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa find serenity in the beauty of the Maldives.

If an aquatic adventure is what you’re after, set your sights on the forthcoming Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa, an Emerald Collection property in the majestic Maldives bowing in October. Situated on a 7-acre private island in the Raa Atoll, the resort is surrounded by a tranquil 100-acre lagoon that makes a splash with signature teal waters for which the area is known. As the sister property of Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa, this intimate destination offers 80 villas—the majority of which include private pools—that are ideal for couples and families alike. Five restaurants—including the signature Mediterraneo, an Italian concept—and two bars ensure appetites are satiated, while the Emerald Spa, the resort’s state-of-the-art wellness center, shines as the property’s crown jewel.

There, guests will find eight spa suites, tucked under a canopy of palm trees, to enjoy myriad Balinese-inspired massages and facials, plus a steam room, a mani-pedi corner, a yoga pavilion, plunge pools and an outdoor oasis that allows for forest bathing. Fitness is also top of mind thanks to scuba diving, a bevy of water sports, tennis and paddle courts, and an air-conditioned gym featuring Technogym equipment. Now, that’s sweating in style.

Etéreo, Auberge Resorts Collection

Etéreo’s in-house shaman, Yaotekatl, educates guests about Mayan culture and leads daily sunset rituals to honor the moon and the Mayan goddess Ixchel.

Discover the magic of Mexico’s Riviera Maya at Etéreo, a new Auberge Resorts Collection property that debuted in December 2021. Tucked within a protected mangrove forest, the waterfront wonder honors the traditions and heritage of its sacred Mayan land through its many amenities. Begin your wellness journey with a pre-treatment cleanse at SANA, An Auberge Spa by choosing from a curated selection of soaps, clays, scrubs, butters and oils by Circe Brujeria de Origen to enjoy on your own.

Etéreo’s large terraces embrace Mexico’s indoor-outdoor living.

From there, indulge in healing energy rituals—which utilize scent, sound and massage techniques—body treatments, exclusive facials by KYPRIS, mani-pedi services, and even tarot card readings. Book SANA privately to experience four to six hours in your own secluded spa setting, which comes equipped with an outdoor rain shower, a hot tub and relaxation areas. You can even curate your own day of wellness with the guidance of Etéreo’s expert team. The mind-body exploration continues outside the spa with sunrise meditations, sound baths, traditional Mayan full-moon ceremonies, yoga and functional fitness classes, and much more. When hunger strikes, toes-in-the-sand dining awaits at the beach club or at the signature Itzam, where fresh tortillas and fire-roasted corn are brought to life on the wood-fired comal daily. Go ahead, dig in.

Hacienda AltaGracia

Spa experiences at Hacienda AltaGracia begin with a purifying ritual at Casa de Agua, which includes an herbal exfoliation and local clay treatment.

Experience an all-encompassing holistic getaway at Costa Rica’s new Hacienda AltaGracia. An Auberge Resorts Collection destination, the 180-acre property invites guests to achieve tranquility in the lush foothills of the Talamanca Mountains, easily accessible from both San José and Liberia. In partnership with New York City-based wellness provider The Well, Hacienda AltaGracia begins each visitor’s trip with a virtual health coaching consultation to plan an all-inclusive itinerary that emphasizes each guest’s goals—whether it be plenty of time at the spa or white-water rafting down the sacred Pacuare River. On-site, Casa de Agua plays home to a hydrotherapy center—think pools, showers, steam rooms and saunas—plus eight treatment rooms, where holistic massages and tech-driven experiences, like Celluma light therapy, take place. Outdoors, movement classes, meditation, a healing garden and a signature herbal river bath on the banks of the Calientillo River connect guests with their natural surroundings. Don’t miss the 700-pound Well Rancho Crystal to experience integrative energy healing as well. Once serenity is found, get your heart pumping by hiking through the lush El Rio forest, or horseback riding to Don Nery’s nearby farm to discover tortilla-making and sugarcane distillation. You can even take flight from AltaGracia’s private airstrip to the Osa Peninsula and Isla del Caño National Park to snorkel, dive, fish and lounge on the sun-kissed sand. By night, nocturnal treks reveal the forest’s residents—including brightly colored frogs and wild ocelots—while stargazing gets a personal twist thanks to astrologer-led birth chart readings. How’s that for adventurous?

Six Senses Fort Barwara

Greet the day with sunrise yoga at Six Senses Fort Barwara.

More than 10 years in the making, the 14th century Six Senses Fort Barwara in Rajasthan, India, has been thoughtfully transformed into a 48-suite resort, where accommodations range in size from 753 to 3,014 square feet. Accessible via a two-and-a-half-hour car ride from Jaipur International Airport or a 6- to 7-hour car ride from Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, the historic site immerses its guests in local cuisine at Roohani, the property’s signature restaurant led by chef Matthew Crop. Ingredients in its health-driven dishes are sourced from the on-site organic garden and nearby farms to allow produce to shine across the menu. Meanwhile, the 30,000-square-foot Six Senses Spa revitalizes travelers with signature massages, ayurvedic treatments, healing facials, mindfulness practices and personalized wellness programs.

The 753-square-foot Fort Suite at Six Senses Fort Barwara includes views of Barwara Village.

Visit the spa’s Alchemy Bar to create your own energy-boosting scrub, utilizing a blend of indigenous essential oils, muds, clays, gels and vegetable oils. Off-property, the Six Senses team is happy to coordinate a sunset drive through the Rajasthani countryside, ending at a secluded lake, or a wildlife safari adventure in Ranthambore National Park. Finally, retreat to your elegant quarters—originally owned by a royal Rajasthani family—to enjoy views of Chauth Ka Barwara village and its storied Chauth Mata temple.