Italy has been recognized as the top destination for spa retreats globally, according to the 12th World Spa Awards, which recently announced its 2026 winners. The Lefay Spa World at Lefay Resort and Spa Dolomiti took home the title of the world’s best resort spa. Located in a mountainous area, this expansive 5,000-square-metre spa features nine saunas, each with distinct temperature and humidity settings, connected by five unique circuits. Additional amenities include both indoor and outdoor pools, such as a whirlpool with magnesium salt water, as well as a range of treatments like massages, phytotherapy, and wellness practices such as Qi Gong and meditation. Another Italian establishment, Palazzo Fiuggi, was honored as the world’s best wellness retreat. Situated in central Italy, this facility merges traditional holistic healing methods with modern Western medical practices. It offers personalized wellness programs and specialized treatments, including consultations with clinic doctors, cryotherapy, IV drips, blood analysis, saunas, sound healing, and light therapy. In Tuscany, Grotta Giusti was awarded the title of the best grotto spa in the world. This unique spa is located within a thousand-year-old cave and is home to Europe’s largest thermal water grotto. The natural setting provides visitors with therapeutic mineral-rich waters, offering a blend of ancient tradition and modern wellness. New York also shone in this year’s awards. The Guerlain Wellness Spa at the Waldorf Astoria was named the world’s best hotel spa for 2026. Recently renovated, this spa features exclusive massages, a sauna, a steam room, an Arctic cave, and a total of 22,000 square feet of wellness space. Meanwhile, World Spa in New York was recognized as the best day spa, offering a wide array of amenities such as Eastern European banyas, Finnish saunas, Turkish and Moroccan hammams, Japanese onsens, and 70 treatment rooms. Rebecca Cohen, managing director of World Spa Awards, highlighted that this year’s winners exemplify the highest standards in excellence, innovation, and guest experience. These achievements not only inspire travelers worldwide but also underscore the growing importance of spa and wellness services in enhancing overall wellbeing and quality of life.