The World’s Top 20 Luxury Hot Spring Resorts

Luxury hot springs and spas are all the rage. According to the Global Wellness Institute, the global wellness economy hit a new peak of $6.3 trillion in 2023, and it’s expected to reach $9 trillion by 2028. The United States leads in the highest wellness tourism spending worldwide, with Germany following behind. In 2023 the country’s expenditure exceeded $300 Billion U.S. Dollars, with Germany spending $78 billion U.S. dollars. The global wellness tourism industry continues to grow at a very rapid pace and is predicted to be worth around $1.35 trillion in 2028, according to Statista.

We took at look at some of the most bougie hot springs resorts around the world and the health benefits of their mineral waters.

For Skin Health & Anti-Aging

Look for springs high in Silica and Sulfur. These minerals help produce collagen, soothe skin conditions like eczema, and strengthen the skin barrier.

Top picks: The Retreat at Blue Lagoon, The Gaia Hotel, or Maruia Hot Springs.

For Stress Relief & Better Sleep

Look for springs rich in Lithium and Magnesium. These minerals are easily absorbed through the skin and help calm the nervous system.

Top picks:Castle Hot Springs or The Spring Resort & Spa.

For Joint Pain & Muscle Recovery

Look for highly saline Sodium Chloride or Bicarbonate springs. The natural buoyancy of saline water reduces pressure on joints, while bicarbonate improves circulation.

Top picks:Amanemu, Terme di Saturnia, or Castello di Velona.

1. The Retreat at Blue Lagoon (Grindavík, Iceland)

Built directly into an 800-year-old volcanic lava flow on the Reykjanes Peninsula, The Retreat at Blue Lagoon offers unparalleled access to Iceland's famous geothermal waters.

The lagoon's striking milky-blue water is a self-renewing mix of 70% ocean water and 30% freshwater. It is rich in silica (which strengthens the skin barrier) and sulfur (known for its anti-inflammatory properties).

Guests get private access to a secluded section of the lagoon. The underground spa offers the "Blue Lagoon Ritual"—a multi-step treatment using silica, algae, and minerals. Suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the volcanic landscape, and some have private mineral water lagoons.

2. Gora Kadan (Hakone, Japan)

Located in the mountain town of Hakone, Gora Kadan is a luxury ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) on ground once owned by the Imperial Family.

Fed by three rich springs, the weakly alkaline waters here are incredibly gentle on the skin. They are highly rated for easing muscle tension and joint stiffness.

Gora Kadan blends traditional Japanese design with modern luxury. Guests sleep on futons on tatami mats and enjoy multi-course kaiseki dinners in their rooms. The property features private outdoor hot spring baths (rotenburo) set in manicured gardens with views of Mount Hakone.

3. 7132 Hotel (Vals, Switzerland)

Located deep in the Vals Valley, 7132 Hotel is famous for its striking architecture, designed by Pritzker Prize-winner Peter Zumthor. Obscenely beautiful views, your own hot tub, hot and cold plunge pools, and sauna.

Each room was assigned a personal attendant and she was friendly, communicative, and funny!Dinner is served right in your room and the chef prepares it right in front of you. If you take the train, it's on a scenic route up the mountain. We arrived at the station and called the hotel who picked us up in their new Mercedes which was lovely.

The thermal baths are made from 60,000 slabs of local grey Valser quartzite. The highly mineralized water emerges from the spring at 30°C (86°F) and is enriched with calcium, sulfate, and hydrogen carbonate.

Zumthor's minimalist design focuses on light and shadow. Guests can swim through different indoor and outdoor pools, each set to a different temperature. The hotel also features a 3-star Michelin restaurant, 7132 Silver, and rooms designed by world-renowned architects like Kengo Kuma and Tadao Ando.

For the ultimate experience, book a night swim. The quiet atmosphere and clean lines of the quartzite structure make for a highly meditative soak under the Swiss night sky.

4. Amanemu (Mie, Japan)

Set in the rolling hills of Ise-Shima National Park, Amanemu is a modern, minimalist resort designed around Japan’s ancient wellness traditions.

The resort's saline-rich mineral springs are rich in sodium and chloride. They help retain body heat long after you step out of the pool, making them excellent for circulation and joint pain.

Every single suite and villa at Amanemu has its own private, high-volume onsen bath. The central 2,000-square-meter spa features a large thermal spring pool where guests lounge in daybeds overlooking the quiet waters of Ago Bay.

5. Castle Hot Springs (Arizona, USA)

Tucked away in a rugged canyon in the Bradshaw Mountains, Castle Hot Springs is a historic desert oasis that once hosted the Rockefeller, Vanderbilt, and Roosevelt families.

The spring water naturally emerges at a hot 46°C (115°F) and cascades down into three rock pools. It has a high concentration of lithium (a natural mood stabilizer), magnesium, and silica.

This is an all-inclusive wellness retreat focused on disconnection. Guests stay in luxury bungalows with outdoor stone tubs piped with natural hot spring water. The resort's farm-to-table dining program uses ingredients grown on-site, irrigated entirely by the mineral-rich spring water.

6. Terme di Saturnia Natural Destination (Tuscany, Italy)

Saturnia Resort is one of the most iconic thermal springs in Europe. This resort sits directly next to a natural volcanic crater that has been bubbling up for over 3,000 years.

The water naturally maintains a comfortable 37.5°C (99.5°F). It contains high amounts of hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide, which are highly therapeutic for the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

While the nearby public Cascate del Mulino waterfalls are often crowded, guests at the resort have private access to the main thermal pool. The on-site clinic offers personalized thermal medicine, mud therapy, and advanced medical wellness assessments.

7. Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa (Arenal, Costa Rica)

Located at the base of the Arenal Volcano, Tabacón Resort is a lush, tropical paradise that feels like a natural jungle river—because it is.

Unlike most resorts that pump thermal water into concrete pools, Tabacón's pools are 100% natural. The Tabacón River flows over volcanic rocks, creating natural pools and waterfalls. The water is rich in silica, calcium, and lithium.

Guests can explore the thermal river paths through the rainforest. The spa features open-air bungalows tucked away in the trees, where treatments are accompanied by the natural sounds of the jungle and rushing warm water.

8. Grand Resort Bad Ragaz (Bad Ragaz, Switzerland)

Located in eastern Switzerland, Bad Ragaz is widely considered one of the leading medical health and wellness resorts in Europe.

The resort's thermal water comes from the nearby Tamina Gorge. It arrives at a constant 36.5°C (97.7°F)—the exact temperature of the human body. This "acratothermal" water is low in minerals but highly therapeutic for physical rehabilitation.

The property features the historic Helenabad pool, a modern thermal bath complex, and a world-class medical center. Here, guests can consult with on-site doctors, physical therapists, and nutritionists to build custom wellness programs.

9. Dunton Hot Springs (Colorado, USA)

Dunton Hot Springs is a beautifully restored 1800s ghost town, set in an alpine valley just across the mountain from Telluride.

The mineral springs here are rich in iron, calcium, and bicarbonate, with a strong dose of dissolved carbon dioxide that creates a gentle, natural effervescence.

Guests stay in historic, hand-hewn log cabins restored with high-end comforts. You can soak inside the original 19th-century bathhouse, in outdoor pools under the stars, or in the private pools of select cabins, all surrounded by views of the San Juan Mountains.

10. The Gainsborough Bath Spa (Bath, United Kingdom)

Located in the heart of historic Bath—a UNESCO World Heritage city—The Gainsborough is a beautiful tribute to ancient Roman bathing culture.

The resort is the only hotel in the UK with direct access to natural thermal waters. The water is rich in calcium, sulfate, and chloride, emerging from the ground at 47°C (117°F).

The spa is designed around a traditional Roman bath circuit. Guests move through three pools of different temperatures, relax in infrared saunas, and enjoy customized aromatherapy treatments based on their wellness needs.

11. Alba Thermal Springs & Spa (Mornington Peninsula, Australia)

Located just an hour's drive from Melbourne, Alba is a modern, beautifully designed addition to Australia’s thermal bathing scene.

The geothermal water is sourced from deep underground aquifers. It is rich in natural minerals that soothe muscles, clear the skin, and promote deep relaxation.

Set in native Australian bushland, Alba's architecture features clean, raw concrete and minimalist curves. The property has over 30 pools, including private pools, forest pools, and cold plunge pools, all paired with a restaurant helmed by award-winning chef Karen Martini.

12. Castello di Velona Resort Thermal SPA & Winery (Tuscany, Italy)

Perched high on a hill overlooking the UNESCO-protected Val d’Orcia, this restored 11th-century castle offers a perfect mix of history, thermal wellness, and Tuscan wine.

The Castello di Velona Resort Thermal SPA’s private thermal spring is rich in bicarbonate, sulfate, and calcium. It emerges naturally at 46°C (115°F), making it excellent for relaxing muscles and soothing the skin.

Guests can swim between indoor and outdoor pools while looking out over the rolling Tuscan vineyards. The resort also produces its own Brunello di Montalcino wine, which is served alongside fine Tuscan dining.

13. Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa (Baden-Baden, Germany)

Set in the legendary spa town of Baden-Baden, Brenners Park-Hotel sits on the banks of the Oos River, surrounded by a historic park.

The local thermal water is high in sodium and chloride. It has been used since Roman times to treat joint pain, arthritis, and respiratory issues.

The hotel is home to Villa Stéphanie, an elite, five-story medical spa. Guests can get fully customized medical checkups, detox programs, and thermal therapies overseen by some of Europe's top doctors and spa therapists.

14. The Gaia Hotel Beitou (Taipei, Taiwan)

Beitou is famous for its rich geothermal activity. The Gaia Hotel offers a refined, peaceful retreat from the busy streets of nearby Taipei.

The resort uses Beitou's famous white sulfur springs. The milky water has a slightly acidic pH and is known for clearing the skin and helping with chronic fatigue.

The hotel's centerpiece is a massive, four-story library filled with thousands of books. Guests can soak in private cypress-wood tubs in their rooms or enjoy the public outdoor pool, which features artificial snow machine sessions for a beautiful, winter-like contrast.

15. Aqua Dome (Längenfeld, Austria)

Surrounded by the tall peaks of the Ötztal Alps, the Aqua Dome is one of the most visually striking thermal resorts in Europe.

The thermal water comes from a deep reservoir 1,800 meters underground. It is rich in sulfur and flows into the resort's pools at a comfortable 34°C to 36°C (93°F to 97°F).

The resort's signature feature is its three futuristic, cone-shaped outdoor pools that appear to float in mid-air. Guests can soak in these floating bowls while enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding snow-capped mountains.

16. Maruia Hot Springs (Southern Alps, New Zealand)

Located in the Lewis Pass national reserve, Maruia Hot Springs is an eco-friendly, off-grid sanctuary surrounded by native beech forests and tall mountains.

The 100% natural geothermal water is rich in silica, boron, and sulfur. It rises to the surface without any chemical treatments or added tap water, offering a pure, natural soak.

Designed with Japanese onsen philosophy in mind, Maruia features outdoor rock pools, thermal showers, steam rooms, and cold plunges. The resort is highly focused on digital detoxing, offering daily yoga, forest bathing, and nourishment programs.

17. Banyan Tree Chongqing Beibei (Chongqing, China)

Located at the foot of Jinyun Mountain, the Banyan Tree Chongqing Beibei resort is a peaceful sanctuary designed in traditional Sichuan architecture.

The waters of the North Hot Spring are weakly acidic and rich in sulfate, making them excellent for skin health and relieving muscle tension.

Every villa and suite has its own private, open-air hot spring pool. Guests can soak while enjoying views of the misty mountains and winding rivers, all paired with Banyan Tree’s world-renowned Asian spa therapies.

18. Solage, Auberge Resorts Collection (Napa Valley, US)

Solage Resort offers a fresh, modern take on the historic spa town of Calistoga, located at the northern tip of Napa Valley.

The resort’s geothermal pools are fed by Calistoga’s famous mineral springs, which are heated by ancient volcanic activity deep underground.

Solage is famous for its "Mudslide" treatment—a three-part ritual that starts with customized mud (a mix of volcanic ash and mineral water), followed by a soak in a private geothermal tub, and finishing with a session in a state-of-the-art sound therapy chair.

19. The Spring Resort & Spa (Desert Hot Springs, USA)

Sitting on a high terrace overlooking the Coachella Valley and San Jacinto Mountains, this boutique resort is a quiet, adult-only oasis.

The water at The Springs Resort in Desert Hot Springs emerges from the ground at a hot 62°C (144°F) and is cooled down for the pools. It is exceptionally pure, virtually odorless, and rich in silica and lithium.

The Spring is designed for deep rest. Guests stay in mid-century modern rooms surrounding a central courtyard with three mineral pools. The spa is famous for its clay wraps and warm-water massage therapies.

20. Fairmont Banff Springs (Alberta, Canada)

Known as the "Castle in the Rockies," the Fairmont Banff Springs historic hotel was built by the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1888 and is surrounded by the wilderness of Banff National Park.

The resort's indoor mineral pool is designed to mimic the natural hot springs found nearby. It is infused with sulfur, calcium, and magnesium to soothe tired muscles after a day of hiking or skiing.

The Willow Stream Spa is the highlight of the resort. Guests can move through three outdoor waterfall pools, soak in the large indoor mineral pool under high stone arches, and enjoy mountain views from the outdoor hot tub.