Forests, Mountains, and Oceans Are the New Spas

Across the globe and in Indonesia especially, wellness is returning to the wild. At the heart of this movement is a shift in values. Post-pandemic, luxury travelers increasingly seek experiences that offer not just rest, but restoration, be it physically, mentally, and spiritually. That means less artificial aroma, more petrichor. Fewer machines, more meaning. Enter forest bathing, coastal silence retreats, and heritage healing rituals, now cornerstones of eco-wellness getaways.

In Japan, “shinrin-yoku” or forest bathing has been scientifically proven to reduce stress hormone levels, lower heart rate, and improve immune function. But the wisdom of immersing oneself in nature has existed in Indonesian traditions for centuries. From Javanese herbal “jamu” to Balinese “subak” rituals, nature has long been the archipelago's original medicine cabinet.

Few destinations in Indonesia embrace this ethos more fully than Plataran Indonesia. With properties set in UNESCO-protected jungles, beside sacred mountains, and overlooking coral-rich coasts, Plataran redefines luxury as intimate, ecological, and deeply cultural. Whether it's a sunrise hike to a temple tucked in the highlands of Bromo or a guided meditative walk through the dense forests of Menjangan, guests are encouraged to slow down and reconnect…with themselves, and with the land.

At Plataran Menjangan, visitors can take part in guided wildlife tracking and coastal silence retreats, blending mindfulness with marine conservation. At Plataran Borobudur, curated jamu experiences and open-air yoga sessions are infused with stories of ancient healing and local wisdom. These aren't activities. They're rituals, rooted in place and purpose.

Beyond the personal benefits, this kind of wellness travel supports a larger ecosystem. Plataran's “Hospitality with Impact” philosophy ensures that wellness doesn't just happen in nature. It helps protect it. Many experiences are co-created with local communities and conservation partners, aligning healing journeys with environmental stewardship and cultural preservation.

As the world grows noisier, stillness is becoming the new status symbol. And the most coveted wellness escapes aren't built, but found. In forests that whisper, in mountains that are steady, in oceans that restore, the future of healing isn't artificial. It's ancestral.