Resorts for recovery: Transforming getaways with wellness travel
Holidays have always been more than just a break from the everyday. They are a chance to restore balance and reconnect in a way that truly nourishes both body and mind.
Wellness travel has become a global movement that is changing how people plan, experience and even value their getaways. South Africans are redefining what a holiday experience looks like with wellness travel taking centre stage in this travel shift.
In this piece, Tony Hazel, group resorts executive at Beekman Group, shares his insights into why wellness travel is on the rise and how Beekman Group resorts are at the forefront of meeting the needs of this growing segment.
With more than 30 resorts across South Africa and beyond, our focus has always been on creating destinations where guests can truly unwind and recharge. Each of our resorts offers a unique setting, yet they all share the same purpose, which is to give guests the freedom to choose how they rest, reconnect and rediscover themselves.
Designing environments that heal and inspire
Wellness travel means different things to different people, and that’s what is exciting about our resorts. Each location offers something unique.
In the Drakensberg, for example, Cayley Mountain Resort offers panoramic views and multiple outdoor activity options in and around a dam which create the perfect environment for stillness. At Hazyview Cabanas in Mpumalanga, our Body Bliss Day Spa (pictured) overlooks the Sabie River, offering treatments that soothe both body and mind. If guests are looking for a nature-driven reset, Kiara Lodge between Clarens and the Golden Gate Highlands offers crisp mountain air and quiet corners for reflection.
Meanwhile, bushveld experiences at Waterberg Game Park or The Kingdom Resort allow visitors to reconnect with South Africa’s wild beauty: whether it is on a Rare Game Experience game drive or just enjoying sightings of game in their natural habitat. The chance to disconnect from technology and feel connected to the natural world around us cannot be emphasised enough as a means of finding peace and rejuvenating our internal batteries.
A sense of home in every stay
As the group resorts executive, I believe our unique approach to flexibility, unlike traditional hotels, is due to many of our properties being self-catering. This allows guests to shape their wellness routines and prepare their own wholesome meals in the comfort of their rooms and chalets. Whether it’s greeting the sunrise with yoga, or joining LEAP Adventures for their many activities that include various adrenaline-pumping outdoor experiences – we always encourage connection at our resorts in meaningful ways.
Our Meet & Greet events hosted by resort staff also offer treats, fresh fruit and baked goods that often spark conversation and new friendships.
And for those simply seeking stillness, nature does most of the work for us. From the sound of the ocean, to the rustle of trees or the songs of birds – all of this helps create the kind of environment that allows the mind to relax and reset.
Adding to our endeavours to promote health and wellness, it’s always inspiring to see how guests appreciate and enjoy their stay even more once they know their holiday actively supports sustainability. That’s why our Go Green initiatives sit at the heart of everything we do. From energy-efficient systems and thoughtful water-saving measures to biodiversity-conscious landscaping, we’re committed to ensuring our resorts leave a lighter environmental footprint without sacrificing our guests’ experience. Knowing that sustainability is prioritised throughout our spaces adds an extra sense of calm and balance for our guests – elevating the wellness experience and making each stay not only restorative but meaningful.
A shift in how South Africans holiday
Across the globe, travellers are seeking experience-driven retreats that match their holiday escape wants and needs. They want destinations that allow them to slow down, be present and find meaning. Through Beekman Holidays, we make accessing these wellness-focused resorts simple, whether for a weekend retreat or an extended stay.
The modern traveller looks for more than just movement. They look for experiences that bring meaning and allow them to reconnect. Beekman Group resorts are the ideal backdrop to these holiday experiences.
From the bushveld to the coast, our resorts show that wellness travel isn’t a luxury, it’s a lifestyle. As more South Africans embrace rest, reconnection and authentic experiences, I believe our tourism sector is set for a new and exciting path.
With our focus on guest experience, sustainability and accessibility, I’m proud to say the Beekman Group isn’t just part of this movement – we’re shaping it. And every day, I’m inspired by the stories of guests who leave our resorts feeling renewed, restored and ready to take on life again with gusto.
