The Best Wellness Retreats in Germany

Allow your troubles to melt away at the Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa. The hotel has offered its restorative and preventative treatments in the world-renowned spa town of Baden-Baden since 1872. The spa facilities at Villa Stéphanie – an elegant former royal residence that sits alongside Brenners Park-Hotel with the River Oos flowing through its garden – are some of the most advanced in Europe, spanning five floors with a plunge pool, private gym and thermal suite. It’s adjoined by Haus Julius, a futuristic clinic that combines holistic health with state-of-the-art medical care, nutrition and detox programmes. Back in your room, comfort is king, while views over the rooftops of Baden-Baden’s impressive townhouses are bound to delight.

Set in the idyllic countryside between the River Elbe and Lüneburg Heath, Lüdersburg’s four-star golf hotel offers much more than its 18-hole championship courses – but it’s a good place to start. Book onto a golf training course, available for all abilities, or just enjoy a leisurely round. Once off the green, unwind in this luxurious 18th-century castle’s sauna and steam bath, be pampered with a massage and savour the excellent food at any one of its three restaurants.

Modern luxury meets more than 200 years of history at Breidenbacher Hof. You’ll be greeted by a grand staircase, marbled floors and exquisite views across a landscaped courtyard or Düsseldorf’s Old Town upon arrival. Head straight for its inner sanctum, the calming wellness spa, where you can spoil yourself with two Finnish saunas, a steam bath and an indoor pool, as well as first-class body treatments. Enjoy a deep tissue holistic massage followed by a glass of champagne (provided with each treatment).

Escape to your own slice of island paradise at Strandhotel Kurhaus Juist, just off the coast of northern Germany near the Dutch border. Here, you can slow down in the Thalasso-certified spa, which features a rasul steam bath and a sea-view swimming hall. Alternatively, go for a stroll on the resort’s golden sands or take a beachside class at the yoga school. The seaside resort has been open since 1898, and the high ceilings, chandeliers and bright, spacious rooms add a touch of grandeur to your stay.

A lush alpine vacation in the Allgaü, this Sonnenalp resort presents a dream-like escape through a combination of golf, culinary art and winter sports – topped off by a wellness world to rest tired limbs at the end of the day. Cosy up inside the century-old luxury resort’s alpine building with wooden features and mountain views in each room, plus a lake, water world and diving pool for a sunset soak.

Nestled in a valley between the Zugspitze and Karwendel Mountains in the Bavarian Alps, Schloss Elmau is a natural utopia of daisy fields, hilly meadows and crystal clear lakes. It’s an idyllic setting for a wellness retreat. Stretch out with a tailored schedule of taijiquan, qigong and yoga, bathe amid rustic forests or warm up in a large steam bath, hammam or Japanese onsen pool – there’s something to suit all needs here.

Described as one of Germany’s most exclusive beach resorts, Weissenhaus Grand Village Resort & Spa is at the top of the relaxation game. Considering how seriously Germans take their health, this is no throwaway accolade. The 17th-century property has 10 treatment rooms in a 1,500sqm (16,000sqft) spa with hammam and is perched right on the beach in the resort town of Wangels. Lap the outdoor pool in summer or warm up in a cosy robe by the spa fireplace in winter.

Devote some time to yourself in the luxurious Wald & Schlosshotel Friedrichsruhe – one of the most beautiful spa retreats in Germany. Once a romantic hunting lodge, the hotel is surrounded by a lush 11-acre (4ha) park, an idyllic setting for a relaxing getaway. Try a personal training session at the upscale gym or enjoy the fruits of its top-rated spa, before dining at the hotel’s two-Michelin-star Le Cerf restaurant.

Immerse yourself in a world of relaxation at this beautiful tree-lined hotel in North Rhine-Westphalia, which takes a holistic view of the body and mind. Cardio and strength training, a large sauna area and three top-class swimming pools offer a balanced experience, with the hotel’s tanning system available to further accentuate your healthy glow. Achieve inner harmony in Deimann’s elegant rooms with plush adjustable beds and round-the-clock service – the perfect refuge from everyday life.