These Wellness Retreats Are Like the Real-Life ‘White Lotus’ (Without the Murder Part)

Can’t make it to Thailand, but you still want a taste of the whacky, woo-woo wellness seen on HBO’s hit series The White Lotus? Never fear—there’s plenty of it to go around in the Western U.S. From longevity biohacking to hydrotherapy and cell phone-free retreats, high-end hotels are leaning into over-the-top wellness experiences that blur the line between self-care and spiritual spectacle.

At Sensei Lanai, backed by tech billionaire Larry Ellison, you’ll find science-driven approach to wellness, offering AI-powered fitness tracking alongside thermal body mapping and forest bathing. And at Bernardus Lodge in Carmel Valley, you can sip biodynamic wines before sinking into a guided sound healing session that claims to tune your body to the Earth’s frequencies. Alila Ventana Big Sur, perched high above the Pacific, guests can tap into shamanic rituals and chakra-aligning spa treatments. Though the current season of White Lotus may be set in Thailand, you can still get a taste at these resorts.

Courtesy Sensei Lanai

Sensei Lanai

At Sensei Lanai, the learning starts long before you arrive on the island. Working with Sensei’s guides, guests set their intention, and then work with the resort’s top tier coaches, doctors, and instructors to not only have best-in-class spa experiences and fitness programming, but gain a new blueprint on how to live a better, more fulfilled life after returning home. Programming includes everything from hiking retreats to hydrotherapy massages to fascia rolling and VO₂ max testing.

Thomas J. Story

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—the very definition of a perfect place to unplug.

Courtesy of Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa

Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa

Miraval pioneered the destination wellness spa resort category more than 25 years ago with its original location in Arizona, which takes cues from its wild natural surroundings and offers a curated collection of experiences designed to support its guests on the journey to creating a life in balance through mindfulness. Though they’ve been around a while, Miraval is constantly evolving, now offering digital detox retreats like you’d find at the White Lotus. Upon arrival, Miraval offers “Cell Phone Sleeping Bags” in each guest room swapping them with paper pads and pens for note-taking and reflection, and newspapers to swap for the tempting draw of apps and selfies. There are maps distributed upon arrival as to where cell phones are permitted, and signs scattered throughout the property to remind guests to remain unplugged.

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 at Naviva 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 bespoke customized massage treatments in their jungle safari tents, where you’ll unwind to the sounds of tropical birds and rain pattering on the canvas.

Courtesy Bernardus Lodge & Spa

Bernardus Lodge & Spa

Bernardus Lodge & Spa is tucked among 28 acres of rolling vineyards, orchards and gardens in California’s Carmel Valley on the famed Monterey Peninsula. Surrounded by the pristine beauty of the Valley, it’s the perfect place to detach and indulge in self-care. They have a a garden-to-treatment philosophy for their facial and massage services that plays on the bounty of the Central Coast as well as reflective activities like full and new moon rituals, manifestation and intention setting, and tarot card reading.

Alila Ventana Big Sur

Alila Ventana Big Sur

Perched on the edge of the continent overlooking the Pacific among old-growth redwoods, this low-key luxury retreat channels all the history and grandeur of this storied region. It’s an exquisite taste of Big Sur, and a great spot to dip your toes into the alternative culture of NorCal. The property’s wellness center offers personalized astrology readings complete with full chart breakdowns, craniosachral therapy, and more.

Thomas J. Story

Mii Amo

Located in Sedona, Arizona, Mii Amo is a Sunset Travel Awards-winning property that’s spent more than 20 years as a pioneer in the spa industry. Rather than doing one-off treatments, guests check in for multi-day experiences embarking on three-, four-, seven-, or 10-night all-inclusive journeys to help embrace their inner power. Think spa treatments informed by the celestial cycles, manifestation massages, and energy clearing rituals. The all-inclusive doesn’t come cheap at $4,600 for a three day journey, but includes all treatments, meals, consultations, and experiences.

Auberge Resorts Collection

The Well at Chileno Bay

The Well at Chileno Bay was named one of the Sunset Awards best places to destress and unwind for good reason. Inspired by the rich healing traditions of Baja California, THE WELL’s treatment highlights at the destination spa include Rebozo Stretching, Celestial Bathing, and THE WELL Reset—celebrity wellness guru Frank Lipman, MD, to help jumpstart guests’ journey to health.