100 Discoveries: Joyful Wellbeing
- 02/10/2025
- 5 mins
More than ever, we are seeking travel experiences that restore us mentally, physically, and spiritually. This could mean finding stillness in nature, calm in a spa, or challenge through movement. 100 Discoveries invites you to embrace this spirit of renewal through diverse landscapes, traditions, and practices that remind us what it means to live well. From meditating with a Zen master in Kyoto, Japan, to soaking in healing mineral pools in Yunnan, China, these experiences are designed to leave you feeling happy, balanced, and more connected.
From ancient Mesoamerican healing traditions to simple, purifying walks in nature, explore moments of joyful wellbeing that await you across our 100 hotels and resorts worldwide. Or explore 100 Discoveries through the spirit of our brands: Banyan Tree, Angsana, Cassia, Dhawa, Folio, Garrya, and Homm. Curated, authentic experiences designed to foster connection await you in each.
Reconnect with nature
The easiest way to improve your wellbeing is often the simplest: stepping into nature. At Garrya Tongsai Bay Samui in Thailand, a complimentary guided walk leads you through jungle pathways towards a headland overlooking the bay. This is not a full-on hike, but a chance to slow down, soak up the sound of the birds and the ocean, and discover tiny offerings left along the way at spirit houses – miniature shrines where local community members make daily offerings to guardian spirits, inviting protection and harmony while honouring ancestors with gratitude and respect.
Nature takes centre stage in its most elemental form at Angsana Tengchong in China. The resort sits at the edge of the Tengchong Volcanic Hot Sea, a geothermal landscape where geysers erupt, hot springs steam, and mineral streams carve their way through the land. Once you have taken in the natural drama, relax in thermal waters valued for their ability to reduce stress, relieve pain, and ease a range of muscular and skin complaints.
At Angsana Ho Tram in Vietnam, you can saddle up for a horse ride through Cicada Ho Tram’s ecological reserve, guided by experienced handlers. Your troubles will fade away as you ride in rhythm with your equine partner through shaded forest trails, looking out for the wildlife that makes this reserve its home. It is an experience that will calm your mind, boost your mood, and open a new way to experience the natural world.
Similar discoveries await across our destinations, from the soothing hot springs at Homm Wenzhou Nanxijiang in Zhejiang, China, to hikes through the rugged beauty of Seorak Mountain National Park while staying at Homm Marina Sokcho in South Korea.
Healing traditions
Wellbeing is often rooted in wisdom passed down through generations. At Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape in the highlands of Bali, Indonesia, experience a spiritual purification ritual at the resort’s private waterfall. It begins small, with the crafting of canang sari, the daily offering of flowers and palm leaves placed on shrines across the island. Dressed in traditional attire, you will follow a trail through a dense, green valley to reach Tjampuhan waterfall, where the ceremony unfolds with chanting, meditation, and the release of flowers into the rushing river. The symbolism is simple: let go of what no longer serves you and watch as it is carried downstream.
At Banyan Tree Mayakoba in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, you are invited into the heat of a temazcal – a traditional Mesoamerican stone chamber – for an Ixmucané ritual, named after the Mayan goddess. Inside, volcanic rocks infused with aromatic herbs fill the space with steam to soften your skin and release built-up tension, while a shaman leads ancient chants, connecting your experience to generations past.
At Garrya Nijo Castle in Kyoto, Japan, wellbeing takes a quieter form: Zazen meditation. At first glance, this seated practice may seem simple, but under the guidance of a Zen master, stillness becomes its own discipline. The silence encourages release, helping you let go of negative emotions while fostering clarity and calm. Additional benefits, such as lowered blood pressure, make it as restorative for your body as it is for your mind. Meditation is offered as a part of our Stay for Good programme, which aims to connect guests to local culture through meaningful experiences. Learn more about Stay for Good.
Joy in movement
Movement is one of the most joyful forms of wellbeing, and at Homm Suites Laguna in Phuket, Thailand, you can work up a sweat through the art of Muay Thai. Known as the “Art of Eight Limbs,” this martial art goes beyond physical training, weaving together discipline, respect, and cultural tradition. Practise under the guidance of skilled trainers and you will gain a full-body workout and a deeper connection to Thai heritage.
Wellness is a way of life at Angsana Corfu in Greece, where you will be embraced by green hills and the calming beauty of the Ionian Sea. Join the guided eco-trail hiking experience, and you can give your thighs a workout as you make your way through olive groves and wild landscapes, breathing in the scent of wild thyme and learning about the island’s fascinating history. You will be encouraged to do some light litter picking along the way in a gesture that will leave the trails better than you found them.
Stay at Banyan Tree Shanghai on The Bund in China, and wellness can frame your day from start to finish. A morning session of Tai Chi – a centuries-old Chinese practice that is at once a martial art and a moving meditation – will leave you centred and energised for the day ahead. In the evening, you can relax at Banyan Tree Spa Shanghai on The Bund, where aromatherapy and essential oils ease tension and prepare your body for deep, restorative sleep.
You can learn more about our commitment wellbeing from simple mindfulness practices to retreating to nature and ways to live and travel well – with our stories. Or find out about more the cultural connections or culinary journeys that await you when you stay with us.