In the ever-expanding wellness-travel arena, menopause retreats are the next hot hit. Resorts and spas are catering to women in midlife by orchestrating special getaways that focus entirely on their unique needs. And it’s not just a holiday from dealing with the trials of menopause that’s on the agenda; these packages are designed to provide real remedies for symptoms, from the no-brainers like hot flashes and fatigue to the less obvious mood swings, feelings of isolation, and mindset shifts that make the whole experience so complicated, all-consuming, and profoundly worthy of a dedicated escape to honor and prep for a new life reality.
At the same time, the programs serve a tandem purpose: to openly discuss and proactively address a topic that was once shrouded in silence and stigma. Resorts and spas are stepping up, and women are psyched.
“By offering tailored care during this time, we help our female guests navigate these shifts with greater ease and grace, enhancing their overall wellbeing,” says Gopal Kumar, group director of wellness development and general manager of Kamalaya, a wellness sanctuary on Koh Samui in Thailand that introduced the Radiant Bliss program—eight nights filled with ancient healing techniques and modern therapies to care for the physical and emotional changes that come with this life phase.
To Kumar’s point, attending a meno-vacay is an opportunity to tend to one’s needs in a holistic manner, and in a setting that is comforting, supportive, respectful, stunning (dreamy destinations around the world!), as well as supremely luxurious, because all of these elements fit into the bigger scheme of wellbeing. Menopause can, and should, involve pampering at a spa, because frankly, aren’t things tough enough?
‘‘By offering tailored care during this time, we help our female guests navigate these shifts with greater ease and grace, enhancing their overall wellbeing,’’
— Gopal Kumar, group director of wellness development and general manager of Kamalaya
Bringing a Sense of Community to the Experience
While the goals of menopause packages are similar among resorts, the approaches vary. Some take a lighthearted, even humorous tone, bringing a sense of community and fun to women who crave some levity in the experience. Others focus deeply on spiritual and emotional healing, looking to ancient practices like Ayurveda, breathwork, and ritual ceremonies. Many resorts incorporate modern science, providing hormonal assessments, biofeedback, and nutritional plans aimed at balancing the body’s physiological changes.
The Radiant Bliss program at Kamalaya draws on a wide range of treatments that include Traditional Chinese Medicine, Thai therapeutic medicine, naturopathy, and cutting-edge therapies to tailor a plan for each guest. Participants receive customized herbal remedies, nutritional guidance, and one-on-one sessions with wellness experts, including life coaching through a life-enhancement mentorship. “We view menopause not just as a biological transition, but as a unique opportunity for personal reflection and rejuvenation,” says Kumar. “Our experts address emotional and psychological aspects, empowering women to embrace lifestyle changes.”
For those seeking to ease menopause symptoms like hormonal imbalances, joint pain, and fatigue, treatments such as the Lanna Abdominal Samunphrai Ron Massage, which promises to aid in hormone regulation and pain relief, are core to the program, as is acupuncture. “This ancient practice helps to balance hormones, reduce stress, and alleviate symptoms such as hot flashes and mood swings,” says Kumar. Participants can join daily holistic activities, ranging from meditation to fitness classes, as well as get IV therapy at the property’s new Longevity House.
“Women leave Kamalaya with enhanced energy levels, a renewed sense of vitality, and a significant boost in overall life satisfaction,” says Kumar. “The tools they acquire empower them to sustain these positive changes long after their visit.”
Enriched gut therapy at Kamalaya Koh Samui
Finding a Peaceful Resolution to Your Changing Self
Another vital wellness tool for women in midlife is community, according to Diana Stobo, founder of The Retreat Costa Rica, a mountaintop resort and spa that recently introduced The Big M: Mastering Menopause package. She believes strongly in the positive impact that comes with joining other women dealing with similar issues. “That bonding, being heard and understood is what rejuvenates and inspires our program participants,” she says.
The Retreat’s package emphasizes the inner comfort and calm women crave and deserve when managing hormonal changes, along with practical takeaways. “Our program is designed to work on the emotional aspects of change, plus physical movement, wellness protocols, and an overall peaceful resolution to her new self,” explains Stobo. The rainforest landscape, organic gardens, and sweeping views of the Nicoya Peninsula helps that peace-seeking process tremendously.
During their seven-night stay, guests participate in meditation, yoga, strength training, and fun, helpful workshops that teach cooking anti-inflammatory recipes and preparing herbal juice and tea so women can continue balancing their hormones naturally once they return home.
A spa experience plays a part, too. According to Stobo, deep tissue massage reduces stress hormones and enhances circulation, while an Ayurveda Herbal Abhyanga and Shirodhara Bliss session detoxifies and rejuvenates the body, improving sleep and promoting relaxation.
The Big M package is a major hit, spotlighting the enthusiasm for meno- focused trips. “Our guests have each had a moment where they were touched deeply through the emotional healing, the letting go in their process, or learning new techniques to strengthen the pelvic floor,” says Stobo. “All guests have their moment of ‘aha,’ and it varies distinctly.”
Yoga stretches at The Retreat Costa Rica
It’s an emphasis on education, workshops, and interactive learning that distinguishes the Women’s Wellness Weekend at The Lodge at Woodloch in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains. This program creates an environment where women can explore their health and wellbeing through a variety of hands-on activities and expert-led sessions. “Our retreat is all about giving women the time and space to reconnect with themselves and each other. It’s not just about relaxing—it’s a chance to dive into your own wellness journey and find inspiration,” says Spa Director Nancy Deaton. “We see guests leave feeling more grounded, empowered.”
The weekend is packed with opportunities to engage both the body and mind. Strength training, Pilates, and aqua yoga teach critical movement, while mindfulness workshops provide tools for reducing stress, practicing gratitude, and enhancing emotional wellbeing. The resort’s setting amongst lakes and forest provides prime nature bathing—hiking, birding, kayaking. Guests also participate in painting, journaling, and drawing as therapeutic outlets for self-expression. The diverse group of experts—past pros include a leadership mindset coach, an herbalist, an integrative wellness coach, and a specialist in creating calm and joy at home—lead a variety of classes and workshops that equip women with practical know-how to manage all aspects of menopause.
For anyone on a menopause journey, there’s no shortage of retreat styles. The Feisty Menopause Performance Retreat at Lake Nona Wave Hotel in Orlando, Florida, is all about exercise, nutrition, and optimizing movement to ensure strength and health going forward. Promising an immersive, pampering weekend of learning, laughing, and connecting with other women who get you, the Feisty experience provides training and coaching with top pros. Camiral Golf and Wellness, a resort located outside Barcelona, has a Renew and Harmonize Retreat that features a theme per day (five total), such as Energize, Recover, and Grow. Offerings include everything from pelvic floor workshops and Pressotherapy to improve circulatory wellbeing, to cooking classes, massages, and cryotherapy. And at Preidlhof spa hotel in South Tyrol, Italy, guests get a mix of physical analysis with real-time biofeedback and holistic remedies. On the menu: a medical wellness session with HRV to measure the body’s energy efficiency; sleep evaluation; a wellness, psychological, and sensorial consultation; acupuncture; spa treatments; and many more experiences to, as the resort states, focus on the pleasure of being a woman.
“Our retreat is all about giving women the time and space to reconnect with themselves and each other. It’s not just about relaxing.”
— Spa Director Nancy Deaton, The Lodge at Woodloch
Standup paddleboarding at The Lodge at Woodloch
Spa-Focused Skincare for Menopause Management
As resort spas are gearing treatments towards women in midlife, beauty brands are also jumping in to provide the products cultivated specifically for menopausal skin. This is paramount. Estrogen, the hormone behind so much of what keeps us looking vibrant and youthful, drops as women enter menopause, wreaking havoc on the skin—causing it to thin, become crepey, lose structure and plumpness, and start to wrinkle, according to Dennis Gross, MD, board-certified dermatologist, founder of Dr. Dennis Gross Dermatology.
Standout brands are dedicating their research and formulations to specifically target that toll of hormonal shifts. ESPA, a longstanding leader in holistic skincare and spa treatments, introduced such a line that includes its clinically proven Tri-Active collection (plant actives, marine actives, and aromatherapy) to strengthen and lift the skin with cooling and soothing formulas. Beyond the products, ESPA focuses on education as well. In partnership with menopause coach Emma Neville, the brand invites conversations around midlife issues and integrates resources and training for spa therapists so women gain a deeper understanding of their wellbeing. As a result, its efforts have been endorsed by GenM—a collective committed to supporting menopausal women.
Pureance, another crafter of luxurious organic skincare, takes its formulation directives from a medical team immersed in women’s health and dermatology to craft potent botanical-based skincare for menopausal complexions. Dr. Jennifer Roelands, an integrative medicine physician, and Dr. Sarah Jensen bring their expertise to create products that address hormonal skin changes, and zero in on reversing age-related dryness, dullness, and fine lines.
Bringing the power of the ocean to menopause treatments, spa beauty brand VOYA uses sustainably harvested seaweed from the shores of Ireland in its skincare products. This hero ingredient contains essential minerals, vitamins, and other bioactive compounds that provide the deep hydration and nourishment that’s essential for aging skin, along with prompting collagen production.
Meanwhile, Emepelle’s approach to estrogen-deficient skin enlists a patented MEP Technology proven to improve radiance, hydration, and skin texture by addressing collagen loss without the use of hormones. And Vanessa Megan, an Australian spa brand known for its natural formulations, offers the Metamorphosis line, which features phytoestrogens, hyaluronic acid, and collagen to combat the challenges of menopause and enhance hydration, plumpness, and elasticity for a healthy, radiant glow.
Facial treatment at The Retreat Costa Rica
Supplement Support
Along with treatments, travel, and social connection, supplements are becoming an essential tool for women navigating menopause, offering targeted relief for symptoms like hot flashes, fatigue, and mood swings. These formulations, often rich in vitamins, minerals, and herbs, support overall wellbeing, mental clarity, and help balance hormonal changes during this tricky time.
WelleCo’s Goddess Elixir uses a blend of red clover, chastetree, Siberian ginseng, magnesium, and hops to relieve hot flashes, night sweats, and mood imbalances, plus improve mental focus, and overall kick up your passion and drive throughout all stages of menopause.
MenoLabs turns to probiotics, using the latest research to address common menopause symptoms, including anxiety. They also fuel skin and urinary tract health, and offer specific strains for weight management and a happier mood.
Femmenessence offers two herbal maca supplements, MacaLife For Perimenopause and MacaPause For Post Menopause, that demonstrate in clinical trials significant effects on hormone production and balance to address the root cause of menopausal symptoms.
