These 6 Wellness Resorts Are the Ultimate Way to Reset

The Sunset Travel Awards celebrate the best in travel in the West, and this year we had another record-breaking number of entrants of the highest level across all categories. These hotels and resorts are the 2024 winners of the Where to Stay: Wellness Getaways. Check out the complete list of winners here. For our definitive and searchable travel directory to help you plan your next trip in the West, click here.

Murrieta Hot Springs

Thomas J. Story

This hot springs resort in the Temecula Valley has been a distinguished spot for celebs to retreat to since it first opened in 1902. After three decades of private seclusion and a recent restoration, it just reopened. Soak away your woes in its myriad of thermal pools, or stop in mid-road trip by using one of the resort’s day passes.

Castle Hot Springs

Castle Hot Springs

Castle Hot Springs in Arizona’s Bradshaw Mountains boasts cabins and bungalows fed by the natural hot springs, a geothermal waterfall, farm tours, hiking trails, paddleboard yoga, Watsu water therapy, and via ferrata cable courses. You can toggle between exciting and serene away from the cares of the world. With supreme privacy, this all-inclusive retreat offers personalized experiences and stunning desert views. Our kind of luxury desert oasis.

Golden Door

Tanveer Badal

Ever since it opened in 1958, the pioneering Golden Door in San Marcos has been one of the most iconic wellness resorts in California. Situated on 600 acres with a five-to-one staff-to-guest ratio it provides a bespoke experience for guests who enjoy the serene Japanese-inspired design, hyper-local food sourcing, and activities tailored to individual needs. A truly transformative retreat for mind, body, and spirit.

Sensei Lāna’i, A Four Seasons Resort

Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort/Tanveer Badal

Nestled within the serene uplands of Koele on Hawaii’s secluded Lānai island, this one-of-a-kind wellness escape founded by Larry Ellison and Dr. David Agus is truly world-class. Guests embark on personalized wellness journeys guided by expert Sensei Guides in exercise science, nutrition, and mindfulness in a secluded setting where walks through the lushly landscaped botanical gardens are punctuated by a visit to the Japanese-inspired onsens. No matter what treatment you indulge in, you’re sure to come back better than when you arrived.

El Encanto

El Encanto

High in the hills above the red tile roofs of Santa Barbara, El Encanto is the quintessential California Riviera retreat for West Coast insiders. We love the private bungalows clustered around cooling gardens, the infinity pool with ridiculous city and sea vistas, and the new customizable wellbeing retreats curated by PALMA Colectiva. Blending nature-inspired treatments, a restaurant with a view, and serene coastal vibes, the hotel is the ultimate refined coastal California experience.

Naviva, A Four Seasons Resort

Naviva, A Four Seasons Resort

You’ll feel as if you’re on your own private resort at this quiet, adults-only sanctuary situated on 48 acres of pristine coastline in Nayarit. Each of the 15 luxury tents blends seamlessly with nature, embracing biophilic design, making you feel one with the forest. Whether seeking tranquility or adventure, guests craft their own journey—from transformative temazcal rituals to surprise picnics in the wild, promising a bespoke escape unlike any other.