When it comes to booking a holiday, perspectives are shifting. While there’s plenty to be said for roughing it as you backpack through a far-flung swathe of land or tackling a high-adrenaline activity off a pristine coastline, more and more guys are looking for getaways that feel restorative and peaceful. In other words, the exact opposite of our increasingly busy lives.
There’s been a general shift, although not yet studied, of more men booking wellness retreats as they shift their focus towards stress management, mental clarity and preventative health. As such, top resorts, spas and meditation escapes are popping up on guys’ drafted itineraries, and there are plenty of reasons to lock in a holiday built around recovery.
Not only do trends point to our collective mental health declining (especially among young men), but stressors such as technology (spending over three hours a day on social media more than doubles the risk of moderate-to-high anxiety), economic woes and increasing demands at work have also left our mental health feeling more strained than ever.
So there’s a lot to be said for prioritising recovery during your next escape. And to help you detach, relax and recharge, we tapped veteran travellers for their top destination recs:
1. Refresh with Ocean Air in Lamu, Kenya
“Just ocean air, meticulously designed villas and a pace that makes your old life feel like a bad habit. Best reset I’ve ever had. Not a retreat, just silence and space to breathe and enjoy good company.” – Neo Mokuene, award-winning filmmaker & full-time traveller
It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned as the oldest continuously inhabited Swahili settlement in East Africa. Here, you’ll find car-free streets and a slower pace of life that’s the ideal antidote to the hustle and bustle of back home.
While a short stay – with nothing on the itinerary – will certainly be an instant recharge, we recommend splurging on room and board at Lamu House. You’ll have access to spa services, plunge pools and use of the dhows operated by the hotel. These traditional wooden Swahili boats will take you wherever you want to go, whether it’s snorkeling, day trips to Manda Island or just all-zen, no-fuss sunset cruises.
2. Cool Off in the Hot Springs of Citrusdal
The studies are conclusive: spending time submerged in hot water will relax your muscles, clear your head and improve circulation. This hot spring resort nestled on a citrus farm near Citrusdal in the Western Cape will let you put science into action.
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Whether you’re camping or taking up residence in a chalet or flat, you’ll have access to expansive hot and cold pools to soak in at your own leisure. Aqua temps reach up to 43˚C at the source, and we highly recommend swapping between both bodies of water for a dose of reenergising contrast therapy.
Take a stroll into the foothills of the mountains, and you’ll find a series of small steaming baths that make for ideal moon-lit recovery.
3. Lay Low in the Desert of Swakopmund, Namibia
“The cold Atlantic coast and baking hot desert mix delivers a special blend of raw energy to rejuvenate the body. Throw in the desert stone and calabash massage and you’re well on your way to full recovery.” – Ryan Scott, travel writer & experience seeker
Swakopmund is a coastal resort town that’ll force you to hit the brakes. Entirely walkable, and packed with cozy coffee shops (and their ilk), it’s the breath of fresh air you’ve been craving. Swing by the town’s Atlantic Spa at Strand Hotel for the aforementioned desert stone (like hot stone) and calabash massage where expert staff will roll, press and glide polished calabash gourds over your body to relieve muscle tension and improve circulation. Then step back outside and take a deep breath of unfiltered ocean air.
4. Go Truly Off the Grid at the Copia Eco Cabins
Time off the grid is a proven stress buster. But that doesn’t mean you have to rough it out to reap the rewards. Just 90 minutes from Cape Town, you’ll find these shipping containers-turned-cabins that are equal parts eco-friendly and luxury.
Each unit has its own hot tub (topped up with filtered water from the nearby river) and the spacious interior was designed for much-needed lounging.
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Best part? Cell reception is spotty; a study published in BMC Medicine found that reducing your screen time will improve your mental health. The owners recommend bringing a book or a magazine (like this one) as you feel the work stress automatically fade away.
5. Escape the Burnout at Bliss & Stars Retreat
Meditation is enjoying a renaissance, and for good reason. Countless studies have now confirmed what we always suspected: mastering the practice can be one of the best ways to chip away at stress and anxiety. At this retreat, silence is truly golden.
This off-the-grid wilderness and wellness locale tucked away in the Cederberg Mountains promises a ‘restored baseline’ when it comes to your sleep, energy, appetite and attention span as part of their 4-day ‘Burnout Rewire’ offering. You’ll get to grips with breathwork, nature immersion and more, and the accoms are next-level.
6. Put Your Muscles on Ice at Fjord Plunge
If you haven’t taken the plunge into the world of cold immersion, this tranquil locale (Lourensford Wine Farm in Somerset West to be exact) is where you should go to do it. With a name inspired by the Scandinavian fjords, deep, cold waterways and situated on the Lourensford Wine Farm, you’ll have access to four icy tubs with temps ranging from 3°C to 12°C. (There’s even an option to add ice for a deeper cold plunge experience.)
Thaw out at their infra-red studio or sauna and complete the experience with a Sunset Vinfari which combines sightseeing with wine tasting.
7. Release Stress Instantly at Fordoun Spa
Tag in the SO and head to this idyllic retreat in the Midlands where top-tier spa treatments are the name of the game. They offer the full range of treatments from aromatherapy and hydrotherapy to massages (try the deep tissue to smooth out your training niggles) and body scrubs.
The ‘Romantic Indulgence’ package snags you one night’s stay, breakfast and dinner alongside a ‘Rasul Clay and Steam Experience’ where you’ll hunker down in a heated steam chamber and lather up with mineral-rich muds and clays.
