The Top Wellness Retreats in Romania

Perched on the Sulina branch of the Danube, just inland from where Romania butts up against the Black Sea, Lebada is only accessible by boat – making it feel enticingly remote and coddled by nature. Home to over 300 species of bird, the idyllic, Unesco-protected landscapes of the Danube Delta are enough to make your shoulders unclench – and that’s before you even enter Lebada’s spa. Sauna, pool gym and detox programmes are available on-demand, along with exercise classes and tranquil outdoor activities such as kayaking.

Not far from Bucharest on the shores of Lake Snagov, this medi-spa has more to offer than just relaxing massages. Expert-designed nutrition plans, personalised therapy programmes and unique treatments – ranging from hydrotherapy to psychotherapy – aim to get you feeling your best and learning how to stay that way. Don’t think it’s sterile though – bedrooms, restaurants and public spaces have a relaxed, homely feel with classically upmarket furnishings.

If your idea of wellness is a day at the beach, look no further than Arena Regia, perched by creamy sands mere steps from the Black Sea. Catch rays, then cool off in one of the pools – a small outdoor one lined in loungers, or a larger indoor number with Romanesque columns – before making for the spa. Skin-softening hammams; synchronised four hands massages and contouring Elemis facials leave you feeling refreshed, ready for another big day at the beach.

Nestled in northern Romania – a region better known as Transylvania – among forested hills, this regal resort feels miles from big-city living (and yet, the charming city of Cluj-Napoca is just a 30-minute drive away). SunGarden is as big on activities – including tennis, football, cycling, fishing and golf – as it is spa time, making this place ideal for busy couples who can’t sit still. With an array of pools, hammams and saunas, the thermal spa has enough to occupy a full afternoon of relaxation, perfect following a long day’s hiking.

Just an hour south of medieval Brasov – a Transylvanian city with rainbow-painted buildings and cobbled alleyways – Lux Garden brings a dose of the modern spa lifestyle to this historic region. A ski lodge atmosphere prevails, which is appropriate given Lux Garden’s location adjacent to the slopes. The wealth of spa treatments and pools, as well as a modern fitness centre, make this a luxurious place to spend a few days. Rooms are classic in feel, dressed in burgundy and green, and a piano bar is on hand for an indulgent evening nightcap before hitting the sheets.

Home to wolves, brown bears and wild boars, the wild vistas of the Carpathian mountains – specifically, the rugged Rodnei Mountains National Park – are at your fingertips when you check into Nord Hotel. Spend your days breathing in the fresh air and unwinding in the epic natural surrounds, hiking past glacial lakes or horseback riding on spectacular trails. Return to lap around the pool, sweat it out in the steam room or relax in a salt chamber.

With moody lighting, furry throws and panelled wood floors, the bedrooms at Balvanyos have a cosy, glamorous lodge vibe, making this resort feel just as lovely under a blanket of snow as it does in high summer. With four-bedroom apartments on offer, it’s a great pick for families or groups of friends looking to take advantage of the 2,000sqm (21,500sqft) spa – complete with hydromassage pools, salt room and relaxation areas (plus a dedicated kids pool).

This place takes its greenery seriously. Not only is Forest Retreat & spa set amid the Romanian countryside, four hours west of Bucharest, but it fetches the outdoors inside with a garden relaxation area, complete with living wall and forest aromas. The rest of the spa is just as epic, with pools, thermal suites and reiki energy healing, while the bedrooms, designed for couples, feature their own spin on the great outdoors with lime-hued throw pillows and blankets.

On wild Sfantu Gheorghe beach, right where the Danube meets the Black Sea, Green Village Resort has a rustic, back-to-nature vibe with its thatched-roof buildings, natural wood interiors and bamboo furniture. An organic garden grows food for the on-site restaurant whilst kids love the outdoor pool area. Book into the spa for a muscle-melting massage or a soothing soak in the jacuzzi.