Luxury Wellness hotels, Spas & Retreats in Italy

May 30, 2025

Italy may be famous for its art, food, fashion and landscapes – but for those looking for true rest, healing, or a deeper connection with themselves, it offers something else entirely: a deeply rooted culture of wellness. Benessere in Italy isn't a passing trend or a checklist of spa treatments. It's a way of living that places balance – of body, mind, senses and rhythm – at the center of everything. Over the last two decades, I’ve seen Italy quietly transform into one of Europe’s most complete wellness destinations. What once felt small and local has grown into a refined, thoughtful offering of retreats and spa experiences. From ancient Roman bath culture to cutting-edge medical spas, wellness here isn’t about checking out. It’s about returning – to yourself, to the natural world, and to a culture that understands beauty, rest, and nourishment as core values of a good life.

One of Italy’s greatest wellness treasures? It's thermal waters. For over two thousand years, these mineral-rich springs have been used for healing, with remnants of Roman bathhouses still scattered across the landscape. Today, that tradition lives on – but with a modern edge. Think design-forward spa hotels where scientific expertise meets deep, sensory care. Whether you're soaking in the springs of Tuscany or Padua, checking into a sleek health spa in the Dolomites, or retreating to a hillside hideaway focused on nutrition, diagnostics, or Ayurvedic treatments, Italy offers wellness experiences as diverse as its regions. Many work with what the land gives – olive oil, sea salt, volcanic clay, wild herbs – always local, always intentional. But what truly sets Italy apart isn’t just what’s on the menu. It’s the mindset. You’re not rushed. You’re not performing wellness. You’re invited to slow down. To feel. Maybe you begin your day in a warm pool with vineyard views, enjoy a quiet lunch made from organic produce, and end with a moment of silence or a massage shaped entirely around your needs. In Italy, wellness isn’t a break from life. It is life. In this blog, we dive into some of the most distinctive luxury wellness retreats across Italy. Welcome to benessere - the Italian way!

In this blog post:

Ayurveda: Engel Ayurpura, Dolomites
Fitness & Outdoor: Lefay Resort & SPA Dolomiti, Dolomites
Eco & Nature: My Arbor, South-Tyrol
TCM & Nature: Preidlhof Resort in Naturns, South Tyrol
Design Spa: Borgo Egnazia, Bari
Boutique Thalasso: Masseria San Domenico, Bari
TCM & Gastronomy: Lefay Resort & SPA. Lago di Garda
Biohacking: Palazzo Fiuggi in Fiuggi
Women's Health: Palazzo di Varignana, Varignana
Silence & Nature: Eremito, Parrano
Beach & Culture: Almar Jesolo Resort & Spa, Venice
Local Feel & Spa: Almar Giardino di Costanza, Sicily
Holistisch & Modern: Palazzo BelVedere, Montecatini Terme
Discover all our holidays in Italy

Ayurveda: Engel Ayurpura, Dolomites

At Engel Ayurpura, you’re in expert hands for an authentic Ayurvedic cure, guided by a team of specialists from India and Sri Lanka. Each program is tailored specifically to you with a personalized treatment plan. Engel Ayurpura is the first and only Ayurvedic hotel in Italy, located in beautiful South Tyrol. The healing power of the natural surroundings makes this a favorite destination for those seeking tranquility.

Fitness & Outdoor: Lefay Resort & SPA Dolomiti, Dolomites

Lefay Resort & SPA Dolomiti, indeed a sister to Lago di Garda, stands as a luxurious mountain retreat adorned with every conceivable amenity. Exuding beauty both inside and out, the resort boasts a stunning contemporary-classic design, offering captivating views of the whimsical mountainscape and forested valleys from every vantage point.

Eco & Nature: My Arbor, South-Tyrol

This hotel combines the feel of a treehouse with modern luxury and style. When you step into the bright and spacious lobby, nature is brought indoors with tall tree trunks hanging from the ceiling. The décor features soft, natural tones and materials, creating a warm and relaxing ambiance. Large windows and high ceilings flood the space with light, offering stunning views of green pine trees in summer or snow-covered treetops in winter.

TCM & Nature: Preidlhof Resort in Naturns, South Tyrol

This adults-only hotel is set in a stunning mountain landscape and offers a luxurious, holistic spa. Daily holistic and sports activities, such as yoga, sound healing, and fitness classes, are available. The hotel specializes in Traditional Chinese Medicine and homeopathy. It features its own mineral water spring and an impressive four-story sauna tower with 5500 m² of saunas, baths, and relaxation rooms.

Design Spa: Borgo Egnazia, Bari

This design hotel, tucked away in the Puglia region in the heel of Italy, feels like a quiet village rather than a resort. With views of the Adriatic and a layout that gives space to breathe, it’s made for those who want to slow down and step away from daily chaos. The spa, award-winning and architecturally striking, is a true highlight. You’ll also find several adults-only pools dotted across the property – calm, private, and designed for total switch-off.

Boutique Thalasso: Masseria San Domenico, Bari

Masseria San Domenico is housed in a beautifully restored 15th-century whitewashed estate, complete with original outbuildings and timeless southern charm. Today, it’s a refined five-star boutique hotel that blends historical character with understated luxury. The rooms are warm and inviting, and the layout—made up of open courtyards, quiet corners, and stone pathways—feels like a small, peaceful hamlet. It’s intimate, but never cramped. One of its standout features is the thalasso wellness center, where seawater treatments and expert care create a deeply restorative experience. This is the kind of place where time slows down, and everything is in service of rest and renewal.

TCM & Gastronomy: Lefay Resort & SPA. Lago di Garda

Breathtaking views of Lake Garda? Absolutely! A five-star eco-resort? Check! A three-story spa? Yes! And the food... incredible! Lefay is much more than just a luxury hotel with a spa. It provides personalized wellness programs focused on relaxation, fitness, stress relief, weight loss, detox, mental balance, and healthy aging. The resort’s specialty is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a centuries-old practice from the East, with all programs customized to fit your needs and goals.

Biohacking: Palazzo Fiuggi in Fiuggi

Set within a grand early 20th-century palazzo, this resort is a striking example of Italy’s Liberty style—its own take on Art Nouveau. Every detail, from the ornate façade to the handcrafted woodwork and soaring ceilings, reflects a deep appreciation for beauty and design. Inside, the atmosphere is elegant yet inviting, with original features that give the space soul and warmth. Beyond its architectural charm, the resort is a respected medical wellness center, bringing together top physicians, specialists, and scientists. Their work is seamlessly blended with time-honored holistic traditions, including Ayurveda, offering a truly comprehensive path to health and balance.

Women's Health: Palazzo di Varignana, Varignana

Palazzo di Varignana offers peace and tranquility, capturing the serene charm of the countryside, far from the hustle and bustle of daily life. The estate exudes elegance and Italian sophistication, with timeless interiors and beautiful art pieces both inside and out. One unique feature is a fully restored carriage from the original Royal Train, adding a touch of historical charm. The atmosphere is welcoming, with delicious and healthy cuisine and an extensive spa featuring various pools and saunas. The estate also boasts seven indoor and outdoor swimming pools.

Silence & Nature: Eremito, Parrano

Eremito is more than a hotel – it’s a retreat into silence. Tucked away in a remote valley and surrounded by protected wilderness, this reimagined 14th-century monastery offers a rare kind of luxury: simplicity, stillness, and space to breathe. Carefully restored with a contemporary, sustainable design, it honours its spiritual past while feeling thoroughly modern. There’s no Wi-Fi, no screens, no distractions – just stone walls, soft light, and the rhythm of nature. Globally recognised for its unique concept, Eremito is for those who don’t just want to slow down, but truly disconnect and return to something essential.

Beach & Culture: Almar Jesolo Resort & Spa, Venice

Time to relax. Space for self-discovery. Above all, Almar Jesolo Resort & Spa is dedicated to your well-being. This means indulging in 5-star service, luxurious comfort, and, equally, enjoying the sun, sea, delectable cuisine, a perfect glass of vino, and rejuvenating Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatments to harmonize your inner energy. With Venice in close proximity, your cultural interests will also be expertly catered to.

Local Feel & Spa: Almar Giardino di Costanza, Sicily

The brand new sister of Almar Jesolo (Venice). That means experience and knowledge that you can rely on in a brand new guise. Unwind completely within a Sicilian country house set in a Mediterranean park near the beautiful West coast. Sicily, with its unique culture, invites exploration. Just like its counterpart in Jesolo, Almablu Wellness & Spa provides ample space for relaxation. Explore Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatments that help restore your inner energetic balance.

Holistisch & Modern: Palazzo BelVedere, Montecatini Terme

Enthusiastic about Tuscany? Palazzo BelVedere, nestled in the heart of Montecatini Terme, embodies the serene essence of this Italian region. The spa town, adorned with stylish Art Nouveau buildings, holds UNESCO World Heritage status for its thermal spa. At Palazzo BelVedere, Western medicine, holistic naturopathy, and the therapeutic thermal waters converge, offering a holistic approach to health and well-being.

Discover all our holidays in Italy

About Marleen

This blog is written by Marleen, the founder of PureandCure.com in 2005. She travels around the world in search of the best Health & Wellbeing Hotels, Spas and Retreats and shares her know-how, experiences and observations through her blogs.