Technogym X Roadbook
Thailand’s world-leading hotels for wellness tourism uniquely blend deep-rooted tradition with cutting-edge tech. And they’ve never been more desirable, as travellers are drawn to the country’s innate mindfulness and majestic landscape
Thailand has long been a go-to for health and fitness retreats, offering a raft of opportunities to switch off and recharge amongst its white-sand beaches and lush forests. The country has fallen under the global spotlight in what has been dubbed The White Lotus effect, as travellers seek to experience the show’s luxe wellness experience.
In series three, set at a fictional wellness resort – filmed at Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui – guests are encouraged to detach from their digital devices in favour of flotation tanks, biometric testing and stress management meditation.
The focus on high-end wellness reflects the mood of the zeitgeist, mirroring a global desire for travel opportunities that go beyond classic exercise and relaxation to provide long-term healing and health-boosting benefits, often in far-flung locations. Thailand’s wellness tourism generated 22.8 billion USD in 2024 and the country is the fastest growing wellness market.
“The show has ignited a frenzy of excitement about Thailand. There is a surge of interest from guests seeking bespoke, high-end itineraries, from lavish villas to exclusive mystical experiences,” says Deidre McGuinness, group director of spa and wellness for Asia, Minor Hotels, which owns the Anantara group. There are 11 Anantara resorts across Thailand, including Layan Life, a leading ‘medi-wellness concept’ on Phuket’s golden-white coastline that marries medical technology with meditation and mindfulness. Hands-on therapies employ traditional Thai medicine such as herbal remedies and bathing rituals. Guests can segue from the yoga studio to a hyperbaric oxygen chamber or IV drip, or take to the 400-meter zipline for something more adrenaline-fuelled. William Heinecke, the American-born Thai businessman who owns Anantara, frequents one of the 15 pool residences overlooking the shimmering Andaman Sea.
“We are witnessing a seismic shift, where the focus is no longer just on pampering but science-backed, hyper-tailored regimes. We’re talking personalised supplements, predictive analytics and AI-powered programmes.”
“Thai wellness is not something you do, it’s something you feel”
“Fitness is being approached more holistically. It’s no longer just about performance or aesthetics, it’s about longevity, mobility and overall wellbeing,” agrees Tal Friedman, operations director at RAKxa Integrative Wellness, a medical retreat near Bangkok. “Travellers coming to Thailand are far more intentional, actively weaving health and fitness into their plans, not as an afterthought but as a core intention. They’re looking for transformational experiences.”
At Rakxa, outdoor tai chi sessions overlook the private lagoon, while traditional Thai massages also incorporate herbal steam inhalation, using turmeric, galangal, kaffir lime and lemongrass.
“Thai wellness is not something you do, it’s something you feel. Wellness here is intuitive and heartfelt. There’s a natural sense of care, kindness, and service that’s embedded in our culture.”
“Convenience is key, but so is authenticity,” agrees Neil Li, general manager of Centara Reserve on Koh Samui’s Chaweng beach. The plastic-free resort draws a diverse mix of digital nomads, solo travellers, couples and families for its palm-shaded pools and Thai therapies, which utilise aromatic herbs grown in the spa’s garden. “Travellers want more than a beautiful backdrop, they want wellness rooted in nature, culture and purpose.”
Rebranding Bangkok
Bangkok, noted for its nightlife and traffic jams, has also expanded its wellness tourism credentials. The newly opened Aman Nai Lert Bangkok is a high-end haven of peace in a frenetic city, with two floors dedicated to health and fitness. Airy movement studios and a 265 sq m gym are met by hydrotherapy facilities including saunas, hot tubs, icy plunge pools and Tyrolean bucket showers. The expansive Aman Spa also houses the Medical Wellness by Hertitude Clinic, encompassing private clinic rooms, an IV Lounge and a cryotherapy chamber. Guests can submerge in the outdoor pool and breathe in the city before ordering a refreshing tonic infused with medicinal herbs.
Also in Bangkok, the newly opened Grande Centre Point Lumphini follows the hospitality group’s commitment to fitness and wellbeing. The five-star hotel lays claim to one of the city’s most impressive gyms, alongside an authentic Japanese onsen hot spring bath, bubbling with minerals imported directly from Japan.
From restorative resorts to riverside stays in the heart of Bangkok, these luxury hotels offer world-leading wellness facilities – whether you’re craving a moment of calm or seeking a total transformative retreat.
Leading Thailand hotels for a wellness break
Aman Nai Lert Bangkok
Best for: Complete and quiet luxury
Address: 1 Soi Somkid, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Price: 36,223 THB (1,100 USD) per night
Unveiled in 2025, Aman’s Bangkok opening is a temple of calm in the thronging Thai capital. Designed by Belgian architect and longstanding Aman collaborator Jean-Michel Gathy, the hotel pays homage to Nai Lert Park and reflects the hospitality group’s unmatched commitment to discreet, quiet luxury and attention to detail. Set across two floors, the Aman Spa sets a gold standard for wellness in the city, with an expansive fitness centre featuring Technogym equipment, movement studios, holistic spa menus and hydrotherapy facilities. Therapies draw on purifying Buddhist principles, while a 25-metre outdoor pool hovers above Nai Lert Park.
Layan Life by Anantara, Phuket
Best for: A world-leading wellness retreat
Address: 168 Moo 6, Layan Beach Soi 4 Cherngtalay, Thalang District, Phuket 83110
Price: From 13,272 THB (407 USD) per night
Opened in late 2024, this world-class wellness retreat – located in the grounds of Anantara Layan Phuket Resort – offers hyper-personalised health journeys. Medical diagnostics are met by traditional Thai medicine, including herbal remedies, meditation and massage. It lays claim to one of the largest gyms in Phuket, where the latest Technogym equipment is met by one-to-one training and physiotherapy. Meditative arts, longevity treatments and therapeutic bathing facilities encourage visitors to pause and reset, while outdoor pursuits include ziplining, water sports and Muay Thai boxing.