Watsu—short for Water Shiatsu—is one of the most calming wellness experiences available today. If you are into spas and retreats, and if you want to sleep and relax, then watsu treatments at the best spa and health hotels are what you need!
Performed in warm water, this aquatic therapy blends elements of shiatsu massage, stretching, and rhythmic movements, helping the body release tension and the mind enter a meditative state. If you’re searching for the world’s top luxury resorts to experience Watsu, an amazing water massage therapy, here’s a list of destinations where you can float away your stress in the most scenic and serene settings.
From Iceland’s volcanic waters to the tranquil shores of Bodrum and the Maldives, these are the hotels redefining what relaxation really means – selected by LocalsInsider.com.
Watsu at Its Finest: 7 Breathtaking Hotels Offering Water Shiatsu Therapy in Style
Blue Lagoon Retreat – Grindavík, Iceland
Norðurljósavegur 11, 240 Grindavík, Iceland
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Set amidst lava fields and steam plumes, the Blue Lagoon Retreat offers Iceland’s most iconic spa experience. Their Signature In-Water Massage is a 120-minute journey that begins with a mineral salt scrub, followed by a wrap in silica or algae, all while floating in the geothermal waters. The highlight is a full-body massage performed while you remain suspended in the lagoon—utterly weightless and warm.
60 minutes watsu in water massage starts from USD 228
Suites at the Retreat feature floor-to-ceiling views of the volcanic landscape, private lagoon access, and chic, Scandinavian interiors. Room rates start from €1,100 per night, and massages begin around €300. Whether you’re visiting in the sunlit summer or hoping to glimpse the Northern Lights in winter, the geothermal waters stay invitingly warm year-round.
Six Senses Kaplankaya – Bodrum, Turkey
Bozbük Mahallesi Merkez Sokak No:198, Milas, Muğla 48200, Turkey
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Perched on the Aegean coast near Bodrum, Six Senses Kaplankaya is a wellness-focused sanctuary surrounded by olive groves and turquoise sea. Their Watsu therapy is conducted in a dedicated warm-water pool within the 107,000-square-foot spa. During the 90-minute session, a therapist guides you through slow, flowing movements and stretches designed to ease physical tension and emotional stress.
This is perfect for those healing from physical injuries or simply seeking deep mental clarity. Suites and rooms here start at approximately €650 per night, featuring sea views, terraces, and sleek design. Spring and early autumn offer the best balance of pleasant weather and peace.
Amanemu – Shima, Japan
2165 Hazako Hamajima-cho, Shima-shi, Mie 517-0403, Japan
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Amanemu is nestled in the Ise-Shima National Park, overlooking Ago Bay. Famed for its integration of traditional Japanese onsen culture with modern holistic treatments, this ultra-luxe retreat offers Watsu therapy in its mineral-rich thermal waters. The spa spans over 2,000 square meters and features open-air baths, private onsen pavilions, and therapeutic pools.
Guests are gently moved and stretched in the healing hot springs, with the surrounding nature enhancing the meditative effect. Rooms start from ¥130,000 (approximately $850 USD) and come with private onsen baths. Autumn is an especially magical time to visit when the park bursts into fiery reds and oranges.
JOALI BEING (New and Trending Watsu Resort) – Bodufushi Island, Maldives
Bodufushi Island, Raa Atoll, Maldives
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JOALI BEING is the first wellness-only island retreat in the Maldives, and it’s a place where every design detail is focused on inner harmony. Watsu therapy here takes place in a warm, curved therapy pool, as part of a holistic program that integrates sound healing, nutrition, and movement. The treatment is as emotional as it is physical—ideal for guests looking to let go of mental stress.
Guests stay in stunning overwater or beach villas, each with a private pool and personal butler. Prices start from $1,900 per night, and Watsu sessions begin at $250. The dry season from November to April offers the best weather for combining beach bliss with wellness immersion.
Canyon Ranch – Tucson, Arizona, USA
8600 E Rockcliff Rd, Tucson, AZ 85750, United States
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Located in the Sonoran Desert, Canyon Ranch Tucson is a pioneering wellness resort known for deep healing. Watsu is performed in a private, chest-deep warm pool with a therapist using rhythmic movements and stretches to release tension and improve energy flow. It’s incredibly effective for stress relief, joint issues, and emotional blockages.
The atmosphere is spiritual yet grounded, with therapists guiding you gently into a place of profound calm. All-inclusive stays begin at $1,100 per night and include meals, classes, and activities. Watsu sessions are priced from $185. The best times to visit are March to May or October to November when the desert blooms and temperatures are mild.
Akasha Spa at Hotel Café Royal – London, UK
68 Regent Street, London W1B 4DY, United Kingdom
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Tucked beneath one of London’s most glamorous hotels, Akasha Holistic Spa is home to the city’s only Watsu pool. It’s the perfect oasis for urban dwellers or jet-lagged travellers. Their Watsu session is deeply relaxing, and even a 60-minute treatment can reset your nervous system. The environment is modern and serene, and therapists are known for their intuitive touch.
Rooms at Hotel Café Royal begin at £750 per night, and a Watsu session runs about £200. Ideal for a pre-theatre wind-down or a wellness weekend in the city.
Watsu and Ayurveda at Shanti Maurice Resort & Spa – Mauritius
In our experience, one of the best places to get Watsu therapy and rejuvenating spa treatments in Mauritius is the Shanti Spa at Shanti Maurice Resort & Spa, located in the peaceful south of the island at St. Félix. Nestled in a lush tropical garden, the expansive spa area features 2 tranquil outdoor pools, warm baths, a small silent sauna and hot steam room, and dedicated Ayurveda therapy spaces.
Treatments are offered by local and Indian male therapists, guided by an in-house Ayurvedic doctor. Guests can also enjoy traditional Hatha Yoga, Yoga Nidra, and Pranayama sessions.
With prices starting from MUR 5,000, it’s a surprisingly affordable sanctuary of wellness and calm. More info at: https://www.shantimaurice.com.
Watsu in the USA: Where to Find the Best Water Healing Near You
If you’re searching for Watsu near me and happen to be in the States, you’re in luck—America is home to some of the most indulgent aquatic bodywork experiences. In New York, head to Aqua Wellness in Brooklyn, where private Watsu sessions (around $150 for 60 mins) combine float therapy with shiatsu-style massage in a quiet, heated pool.
Out West, Bellagio Spa in Las Vegas offers a more luxurious twist. While not strictly traditional Watsu, their aquatic treatments include water-based stretching and float therapy in their private spa suites (starting at $210). In Los Angeles, Aqua Zen in Topanga Canyon is a local fave, nestled in nature, offering 75-minute Watsu sessions for $180 with expert aquatic bodyworkers. Benefits? Think deep nervous system reset, emotional release, and that post-session floaty calm that lasts all week.
Watsu benefits – according to doctors and psychologists:
Feel tired, stressed, and kind of purposeless? We know the feeling. That is why we think that watsu, or aquatic shiatsu, can help. This therapy is praised by medical professionals for its ability to reduce stress, ease chronic pain, improve sleep, and enhance emotional well-being. Floating in warm water while being gently stretched and massaged can lower cortisol levels, increase circulation, and calm the nervous system. The main thing is to try to let it go and trust the therapist, try to relax, and go with the flow.
Psychologists highlight its use in trauma recovery and emotional release, especially for people with PTSD, anxiety, or depression. The water creates a womb-like environment that promotes safety and deep relaxation.
Who is Watsu for?
- People with stress, anxiety, insomnia
- Those recovering from injury or chronic pain
- Anyone seeking deep relaxation or body-mind connection
It’s especially recommended for those who struggle with traditional massage or who need non-verbal, gentle healing.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Watsu Session
Not everyone can relax during watsu, here are some tips how to do it:
- Arrive Early: Give yourself time to disconnect from the outside world before your session. Many spas have pre-therapy relaxation areas—use them.
- Wear a Comfortable Swimsuit: Avoid anything too loose or strappy that might get in the way.
- Surrender to the Water: The more you relax your muscles and let go, the more effective the session will be.
- Focus on Your Breath: Inhale slowly as you’re moved, and exhale with each gentle stretch.
- Hydrate Afterwards: Like any deep tissue treatment, Watsu can release toxins—drink plenty of water and rest.
- Don’t Rush It, Let it All go: Book a session when you have no plans right after. Float through the rest of your day at your own pace. And give your self into the hands of the watsu master, trust and relax your muscles and head. Clear your thoughts – this is the purpose of Watsu!
Watsu is one of those rare spa therapies that goes beyond the physical—it taps into your nervous system, your emotions, and even your sense of time. Whether you’re floating in Iceland’s surreal geothermal waters or suspended in the serene luxury of the Maldives, the world’s top resorts are turning this gentle treatment into a transcendent watsu experience.
For the ultimate mind-body reset, plan a trip to one of these Watsu-friendly havens and prepare to float your way to a new kind of wellness.
