This year, a new wave of wellness travel has emerged, centred around thermal escapes, destinations built around hot springs, mineral pools, and natural healing waters. From the volcanic onsen towns of Japan to the geothermal lagoons of Iceland, travellers are rediscovering an ancient form of therapy that nurtures both body and mind.
The idea that water heals is as old as civilisation itself. Across cultures, hydrotherapy , the use of water for healing, has long been part of traditional medicine. Modern research supports what ancient societies intuitively knew: soaking in mineral-rich waters can help reduce inflammation, improve circulation, relieve muscle tension, and even promote better sleep.
The key lies in the minerals naturally found in these geothermal pools. Sulphur-rich springs are known for their skin benefits, calcium and magnesium can ease muscle soreness, and sodium bicarbonate helps exfoliate and soften the skin. Combined with warm temperatures that soothe the nervous system, these thermal baths provide a multi-sensory form of rest, one that feels both physical and emotional.
“Thermal bathing creates a parasympathetic response, what we call the ‘rest and digest’ mode,” explains Dr. Hannah Matthews, a holistic health researcher. “It’s one of the simplest and most natural ways to reduce stress and promote overall well-being.”
The Revival of Ancient Rituals
Thermal bathing has deep cultural roots. The Japanese onsen tradition, the Turkish hamam, the Roman thermae, and the Nordic sauna-bath cycles all trace back to communal rituals of cleansing and renewal. Today, many of these traditions are being reinterpreted for modern travellers, combining ancient wisdom with contemporary luxury.
In Japan, towns like Beppu and Hakone remain synonymous with onsen culture, where natural geothermal waters bubble from volcanic landscapes. Meanwhile, Iceland’s Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon offer a sleek, design-led experience that merges geothermal therapy with minimalist architecture and dramatic natural views.
Closer to Southeast Asia, destinations like Cameron Highlands in Malaysia and Chiang Mai in Thailand are beginning to integrate hot spring retreats into their wellness offerings — appealing to travellers looking for something more restorative than a beach holiday.
Wellness Travel, Reimagined
The rise of thermal escapes is part of a broader shift in how people approach travel. Post-pandemic, wellness tourism has evolved beyond yoga retreats and spa weekends, it’s now about holistic regeneration. Travellers want to feel grounded, nourished, and connected to nature.
Hotels and resorts are responding in kind. The Six Senses brand, for example, integrates thermal and hydrotherapy circuits in its spas, while Lefay Resorts in Italy combines thermal waters with energy healing and sustainable design. Even urban hotels are introducing “mini thermal escapes” through contrast therapy, alternating hot and cold plunge pools designed to mimic the physiological benefits of natural springs.
“Wellness travel today isn’t about escapism — it’s about restoration,” notes travel analyst Jenna Lim. “People want to come home from a trip feeling healthier and more balanced than when they left.”
Destinations to Watch
Here are some of the most sought-after thermal escapes around the world that blend scenic beauty, science-backed wellness, and cultural authenticity:
- Beppu, Japan – Known as the “Hot Spring Capital,” Beppu boasts over 2,000 hot spring sources, each with unique mineral compositions. Many ryokans offer private onsen baths overlooking lush mountains.
- Blue Lagoon, Iceland – A world-famous geothermal spa where silica- and algae-rich waters rejuvenate the skin. The nearby Retreat Hotel offers an immersive wellness stay built directly into lava fields.
- Terme di Saturnia, Italy – Ancient Roman baths turned luxury wellness resort, offering sulphuric waters famed for treating skin conditions and joint pain.
- Rotorua, New Zealand – A geothermal wonderland where Maori traditions meet mineral-rich mud baths and steam pools.
- Banjar Hot Springs, Bali – Tucked in the island’s northern region, these historic stone pools are surrounded by tropical forest and revered by locals for their purifying properties.
The Future of Thermal Escapes
As sustainability and self-care continue to shape global travel, thermal escapes are expected to grow as a core pillar of the wellness tourism market, which the Global Wellness Institute estimates will reach over USD 1.3 trillion by 2027.
But beyond the numbers, the appeal lies in something more timeless: the ritual of slowing down. To sink into the warmth of the earth’s waters is to reconnect with nature, and with oneself.
Whether it’s a misty onsen in Japan or a mineral pool under the Icelandic sky, thermal escapes remind us that sometimes, the most profound healing comes not from doing more, but from simply being still.