Nature-led wellness is reshaping the future of luxury spas. Biophilic design sits at the centre of this shift, backed by growing research that shows how natural environments support cognitive health, emotional balance, and deeper restoration.
According to the Global Wellness Institute (2023), nature-led approaches enhance wellbeing by bringing guests closer to the outdoors. The result is an experience where nature is not décor, but an active partner in the healing process.
Nature as a wellness partner
At luxury properties, this movement translates into outdoor treatments, open-air spaces, and rituals shaped by light, breeze, and the seasons. Steenberg Hotel & Spa, a 2025 Michelin Key winner in the Very Special Stays category, places this philosophy at the heart of its design. Its spa features vineyards, terraces, gardens, and mountain air woven into each treatment. Spa manager Monique Lagorie says, “Here, nature joins the guest in the healing journey.”
Why guests seek open-air treatments
Time in nature offers a sense of grounding. As lifestyles become more pressured, guests seek experiences that restore calm and presence. Studies confirm these benefits. A systematic review found significant improvements in both mental and physical health after spending time in forests (BioMed Central, 2017). Research from Frontiers in Public Health (2024) indicates that nature-based settings are more effective in reducing stress and anxiety than non-biophilic spaces.
Outdoor treatments also offer exclusivity and atmosphere. At Steenberg, treatments take place where vineyards meet mountain slopes, creating a setting that amplifies stillness and sensory richness. The Thermal Suite, featuring a sauna, ice bucket shower, and vitality pool, continues this connection between the environment and wellness. “Many treatments now happen outdoors where scent, sound and space are part of the ritual,” Lagorie adds.
South Africa’s leading nature-led spas
This shift is seen across South Africa. Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Wellness Retreat offers therapies set against Cederberg cliffs and river views. Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa in Johannesburg blends indoor and outdoor treatment spaces that open into lush gardens. Stellenbosch Hydro provides outdoor facilities for guests seeking quiet renewal and unhurried rest.
Evidence continues to grow. The Minnesota Department of Health (2023) reports measurable benefits of nature exposure, including reduced cortisol levels, improved heart health, and a better mood. Wellness becomes multisensory, embodied and deeply connected to place.
Redefining luxury through nature
In this context, luxury is defined by intention, comfort and thoughtful design. It is shaped by privacy, high-quality materials, skilled therapists and spaces that feel open and calm. Natural light, fresh air and organic textures replace closed interiors and heavy finishes. The result is an elevated, sensory-rich experience that feels both restorative and refined.
A new direction in spa design
Architects are embracing permeability between indoors and outdoors. Research on affective design emphasises the importance of sensory exchange with the external world (arXiv, 2023). At Steenberg, pathways lead from gardens into treatment areas with no visual break. Open structures and fluid layouts allow the landscape to remain present throughout the spa journey.
Reconnection as the ultimate luxury
Guests seek more than physical relief. They want to reconnect with themselves and with nature. Outdoor wellness supports this by creating stillness, resetting focus, and strengthening the link between the body, breath, and environment. Lagorie notes, “Guests should leave not only refreshed, but realigned.”
Nature-led wellness is not a short-term shift. It represents a deeper move toward meaning-driven luxury. As spas evolve, immersion in the natural world will sit at the core of high-end wellness, shaping how future travellers define rest, clarity and indulgence.
