Wellness at luxury meetings and incentives means far more than a nice spa, says veteran planner and wellness event architect David Stevens, co-founder of event-wellness consulting firm Olympian Meeting. “Wellness has had a watershed moment and moved into our daily lives,” he says. “It’s no longer a ‘nice to have’ for luxury meetings, but an absolute requirement. For planners, this means providing not only the time for attendees to experience wellness activities, but also providing exposure to new wellness practitioners and modalities.”
Wellness must be done intentionally, says Stevens. “At the heart of any successful meeting lies the potential to not only gather insights and knowledge but also to enrich and energize attendees through well-integrated wellness practices.” These practices, he says, range from offering high-intensity cardio workouts that support cognitive development to strategically placed seating arrangements such as communal high tables or more casual lounge areas that foster an inclusive environment where every attendee feels valued.
Read on to learn more about our curated selection of luxury properties that reflect the highest attention to detail for meetings and incentives along with a focus on wellness activities that leave attendees feeling energized and engaged.
“From yoga sessions on the beach to spa treatments infused with local ingredients, the options for incorporating wellness into luxury incentive programs are endless in Miami,” says Carol Motley, Sr. VP, Convention Sales and Services, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB). “Beyond its reputation for vibrant nightlife and beaches, Miami and Miami Beach boast a wealth of wellness-centric activities and venues perfect for upscale gatherings,” she says. “Wellness is a rising trend in luxury incentive programs here. We’ve noticed a significant shift in attendees’ preferences towards experiences that not only offer relaxation and indulgence but also prioritize their overall well-being. Meeting and event planners are responding to this by incorporating wellness activities into their programs.”
Top spas abound in Miami, many located in luxe hotels and resorts. “[You’ll] feel like you’ve been transported to South America at the colorful Tierra Santa Healing House inside the Faena Hotel Miami or enjoy the tranquil ocean and stunning white sands of Sunny Isles Beach at Acqualina Spa inside the prestigious Acqualina Resort,” says Motley. “For those seeking a blend of fitness and relaxation, Exhale Spa—found at the Kimpton EPIC Hotel, the Loews Miami Beach Hotel and The Ritz-Carlton, Bal Harbour—offers mind-body classes such as yoga, core fusion barre and HIIT bootcamp sessions. Add to that a plethora of healthy gourmet dining options, plus abundant natural beaches and parks for outdoor wellness activities from paddleboarding to hiking.
Many new and re-imagined luxe resorts are in the Miami pipeline as the destination continues to see hotel development and restoration, Motely notes. Due to open late this year, the iconic retro-glam Confidante Miami Beach is being transformed into Andaz Miami Beach. Opening in 2026, the Aman Miami Beach is a lavish hotel and residential complex in the vibrant Faena District. Also in 2026, the Waldorf Astoria brand is scheduled to debut in Miami, the first Bulgari hotel in the U.S. is scheduled to open in Miami Beach, and Miami Beach’s historic Raleigh Hotel will reopen after a meticulous restoration as part of the Rosewood Hotels & Resorts’ collection. The iconic Shore Club in Miami Beach is undergoing extensive renovation and slated for a grand reopening in 2027 as part of the Auberge Resorts Collection. And fashion icon Dolce & Gabbana has announced its first foray into hospitality with plans for a five-star hotel in Downtown Miami due to open in 2028.
The dedicated team at the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau provides comprehensive support services to planners as well as helping to curate custom-made experiences—from arranging exclusive access to wellness retreats to coordinating private dining experiences at the city’s renowned restaurants to organizing VIP tours of Greater Miami’s most iconic attractions. “We take great pride in our commitment to assisting meeting and event planners in achieving their specific goals and objectives, especially for luxury incentive programs,” Motley says. “We understand that these programs require meticulous attention to detail and a personalized approach to ensure the highest level of satisfaction for participants.”
Planners know Casa de Campo Resort & Villas as the first luxury resort in the Dominican Republic, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. But they might be surprised by the substantial improvements throughout the 7,000-acre property, says Jason Kycek, Sr. VP of Sales and Marketing. “Casa de Campo is in the best condition it has ever been,” he says. This includes the additions of Premier Club and Suites, a new state-of-the-art spa, the Minitas Beach Club, and an elevated culinary program with new restaurants and new meeting spaces. There’s also 27,000 sf of meeting space across two modern conference centers. “The variety of uniquely distinct venues is unparalleled in this part of the world,” says Kycek.
Health and wellness facilities and activities are ongoing at the resort, says Kycek. The Spa at Casa de Campo opened in spring 2023 with more than 18,000 sf of indoor and outdoor space, providing a blend of spa services, wellness experiences and cutting-edge technology. “Our new spa and wellness center is the latest project in our ongoing mission to further elevate the luxury experience at Casa de Campo,” says Kycek, “and we have seen a tremendous increase in spa and wellness program requests from our meeting and incentive clients.”
Popular wellness programs for groups include morning yoga classes at the spa or on the beach that are tailored to each individual group. Also popular is a “day at the spa” program where attendees not only enjoy a massage, facial or other treatment (with a private garden and outdoor rain shower in every treatment room) but also relax in the hydrotherapy room with hot and cold plunge pools, oversized jacuzzi area, steam room, sauna room, ice bath and outdoor pool and lounge area.
The gated Casa de Campo campus has spacious hotel rooms, suites and luxury villas, plus 63 holes of golf on three courses, world-class golf and tennis centers, a 370-slip marina, a polo and equestrian club, a 245-acre shooting club, an artisan’s village modeled after a 16th-century Mediterranean city and more. “There’s a special character and sense of tranquility that that our meeting and incentive guests can literally feel,” says Kycek. “New projects on the horizon include plans to build additional Premier Suites and do a complete regeneration improvement project on our signature golf course, The Teeth of the Dog.”
Wellness is front and center across the Opal Collection hotels and resorts, a premier collection of luxury properties across the Eastern U.S. that reflect locally inspired design, regional culinary offerings and signature activities for groups. Their recently launched online “Experiences” content for 20 hotels in the collection gives planners a simplified way to connect groups with the local community through enhanced programming and engagement opportunities.
Available on the meetings page of each hotel, the curated programming is organized into four categories: Community, Energize, Sustainability and Wellness, each with a selection of vetted activities. The various local organizations and opportunities have been carefully reviewed and approved by resort staff for volunteer and sustainability outreach.
“As groups gather, they’re looking for ways to connect with each other, as well as ways to re-center their thoughts and stimulate creativity,” says David Keamy, Executive Director of Sales for Opal Collection. “Our team worked with planners to identify the best ways for attendees to connect with each other, create memorable events and serve the communities they’re visiting. By providing a list of verified suggestions, we’ve streamlined the process for meeting planners, saving a lot of time and effort with an easy one-stop, online resource.” Among the selection of luxe incentive properties are Opal Sol with sister hotel Opal Sands in Clearwater, Florida; Opal Grand in Delray Beach, Florida; Resort at Longboat Key on Longboat Key, Florida; and Wentworth by the Sea in New Castle, New Hampshire.
The many vetted wellness activities for groups through Opal Experiences include aqua aerobics in waterfront pools for fitness benefits and team camaraderie; beachfront aromatherapy sessions to refresh and rejuvenate; an island eco-cruise combined with beachfront yoga; and halotherapy in salt and sound lounges to clear the mind and create space for new thoughts, Keamy notes. Examples from other Experiences sections range from participating in a coral reef restoration project to maintaining trails with the Adirondack Mountain Club to sandcastle-building competitions, to name just a few. “Our dedicated and award-winning team will customize an entire experience, from menus to activities, that reflects overall wellness for the group,” says Keamy.
Luxury informs every detail of the all-inclusive Sensira Resort in Riviera Maya. The resort has 359 rooms and suites and a grand ballroom that accommodates up to 500 people theater-style, and is divisible into three meeting rooms. A wide range of wellness and fitness options includes Inspiration Spa with a hydro-therapy circuit, steam room and sauna, an Aquapark, a climbing wall, zipline and more—plus eight restaurants, five bars and a disco.
“At Sensira Resort & Spa, we are constantly innovating and adapting to the latest trends in wellness,” says Sensira Managing Director Alma Lopez. “Our aim is to provide a holistic experience that enhances the well-being of our guests. We understand the importance of personal wellness and how it contributes to a better connection with oneself and the surroundings. For groups, we offer a range of wellness activities that not only promote health but also foster bonding and camaraderie between attendees.”
Group wellness activities at Sensira include sound healing sessions with Tibetan bowls, traditional cacao ceremonies inspired by ancient Mesoamerican cultures and yoga that focuses on breath work. “These unique experiences are designed to help our guests disconnect from the outside world, find inner peace and enhance their overall well-being,” says Lopez. “Our dedicated team ensures these activities are well-organized and enjoyable for all, providing attendees with an unforgettable wellness journey.”
A modern focus on wellness is taken to new heights at The Set Collection, a carefully curated group of international, ultra-luxe hotels and resorts that embody timeless elegance and cutting-edge technology. “The Set Collection has integrated Therabody’s innovative health and wellness products across their three founding member hotels—Hotel Cafe Royal in London, Lutetia in Paris and Conservatorium in Amsterdam,” explains Eliot Sandiford, VP, PR and Partnerships at The Set Collection. “This partnership is crafted to deliver unparalleled wellness experiences to guests, making it an ideal choice for those organizing luxury meetings and incentives with an emphasis on wellness,” adds Sandiford.
Included within these experiences are Therabody’s advanced products, such as the Theragun for muscle recovery, SmartGoggles for relaxation, and RecoveryAir JetBoots for enhanced circulation and relaxation. As well, there are unique spa treatments combining traditional hands-on therapy with Therabody’s state-of-the-art technology, providing a “High Touch, High Tech” experience, notes Sandiford. Beyond spa treatments, group fitness sessions utilizing Therabody’s range of products can include guided workouts, recovery workshops using Theragun devices, and educational sessions on maintaining wellness while traveling.
In addition to the collaboration with Therabody, meeting and event planners should also take note of The Set Collection’s exclusive partnership with U Beauty, says Sandiford. “For the first time in Europe, U Beauty’s spa treatments will be featured at The Set Collection’s trio of founding-member hotels. These treatments are distinguished by U Beauty’s innovative Siren Capsule Technology, emphasizing straightforward yet effective skincare solutions.”
Throughout The Set Collection, exclusive Akasha wellness clubs offer a blend of luxury- and health-focused services. “Along with spacious areas for exercise and massages, Akasha offers bespoke nutrition, serene meditation, yoga and Watsu,” says Sandiford. “These activities not only cater to the physical well-being of attendees but also address their mental and emotional health, reflecting The Set Collection’s holistic approach to wellness in luxury hospitality. Our enhanced wellness offerings provide new experiences that planners can incorporate into events, ensuring attendees enjoy unparalleled pampering and rejuvenation.”
casadecampo.com.do/groups; miamiandbeaches.com/miami-meetings; opalcollection.com/meetings; sensiraresorts.com/events/meetings-and-groups; thesetcollection.com