Wellness & Retreat Properties in Mauritius and Provence

Wellness has moved from spa holiday to lifestyle architecture. The Global Wellness Institute (GWI) valued the wellness real estate sector at over **$580 billion** globally in 2023, with projected growth exceeding 15% annually through 2030. Luxury buyers no longer ask simply "Does it have a pool?" — they ask "Can I meditate here? Is there space for yoga? Does the setting itself restore me?"

Mauritius and Provence occupy distinct but complementary positions in this market. Mauritius offers tropical wellness — Ayurveda, ocean therapy, outdoor living year-round, and developments integrating spa and nature. Provence delivers Mediterranean wellness — thermal springs, aromatic herb landscapes, slow pace, and centuries of healing tradition rooted in the land.

This guide explores what makes a property a genuine wellness asset rather than a marketing label — from design features and natural settings to commercial retreat potential and the biophilic principles that distinguish exceptional wellness homes. For luxury villa fundamentals in Mauritius, see our luxury villa guide.

A wellness property is defined by intentional design features that support physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing — not merely a spa brochure pasted onto a standard villa.

**Home spa** — steam room, sauna (traditional or infrared), treatment room with massage table, and outdoor shower. In Mauritius, open-air spa pavilions with ocean views are standard in premium stock. In Provence, stone-walled hammam-style steam rooms and cedar saunas complement the Mediterranean climate.

**Yoga pavilion** — a dedicated, covered outdoor platform (minimum 30m²) with level flooring, shade, and optional ocean or garden views. Teak decking or polished concrete are preferred surfaces. Some properties include mirrored walls for personal practice.

**Meditation garden** — a quiet, enclosed garden space with seating, water feature, and sensory planting (lavender, jasmine, frangipani). Designed for silence and contemplation, separate from the pool and entertaining areas.

**Cold plunge and contrast therapy** — increasingly requested by wellness-focused buyers. A cold plunge pool (3–5°C) adjacent to a sauna or hot tub supports recovery and circadian regulation.

**Outdoor shower** — often overlooked but central to the wellness experience, particularly in Mauritius where outdoor bathing connects to tropical living.

**Air and water quality** — filtration systems, saltwater pools (gentler on skin), and natural ventilation reduce chemical exposure and enhance the wellness proposition.

The most valuable wellness properties are inseparable from their natural context. Location is not a backdrop — it is the therapy.

**Ocean views (Mauritius)** — properties in Tamarin and Bel Ombre facing the Indian Ocean provide blue-space therapy backed by research demonstrating reduced cortisol and improved sleep quality. West-facing properties capture sunset — a daily wellness ritual.

**Forest and mountain (Mauritius)** — Black River Gorges proximity offers hiking, birdwatching, and the psychological benefits of forest bathing (shinrin-yoku). Elevated properties in Moka combine views with cooler air.

**Lavender fields and herb gardens (Provence)** — the Luberon and plateau de Valensole provide aromatic landscapes that define Provence's wellness identity. Properties with established lavender, rosemary, and thyme plantings offer sensory immersion.

**Thermal springs (Provence)** — the Durance valley and Alpilles region have natural thermal sources. Properties near Digne-les-Bains or accessible to spa towns like Aix-les-Bains (within half-day reach) add hydrotherapy options.

**Silence and privacy** — wellness requires acoustic separation from roads, neighbours, and tourist routes. Domaines with long driveways, natural screening (cypress, bamboo), and buffer land command premiums in both markets.

Mauritius has evolved from beach destination to wellness hub, driven by luxury resorts, Ayurvedic centres, and a climate that supports outdoor living twelve months a year.

**Ayurveda and holistic health** — centres such as Anahata and various resort spas offer Panchakarma programmes, yoga retreats, and Ayurvedic consultation. Property owners can partner with visiting practitioners for private retreats or establish on-site treatment rooms.

**Tropical outdoor living** — verandas, covered terraces, and open-plan designs that dissolve the boundary between inside and outside are central to Mauritian wellness architecture. Properties designed with cross-ventilation, deep overhangs, and natural materials (volcanic stone, teak, thatch accents) perform best.

**Integrated developments** — **SO Sofitel Bel Ombre** and **Heritage Resorts** have established wellness ecosystems where residential owners access resort spa facilities, golf, and beach clubs. Buying within or adjacent to these domains provides instant wellness infrastructure.

**Water sports as wellness** — kitesurfing at Le Morne, paddleboarding in Tamarin Bay, and open-water swimming provide active wellness beyond static spa treatments. Properties near these activity hubs attract wellness buyers who equate movement with wellbeing.

See our guide to eco-luxury property in Mauritius for sustainable wellness design principles.

Provence's wellness identity is rooted in slower rhythms, natural pharmacopoeia, and a landscape that has healed visitors for centuries.

**Herbal wellness** — lavender, rosemary, thyme, and sage grow abundantly. Properties with established aromatic gardens support aromatherapy, culinary wellness, and the sensory experience that defines Provençal healing tradition. Distillation equipment for essential oils adds a distinctive wellness amenity.

**Thermal and thalassotherapy** — while Provence itself has limited thermal springs compared to the Auvergne, the region's spa culture is strong. Properties in the Var and Alpilles are within reach of established thalassotherapy centres on the coast. On-site hot tubs, hammams, and heated pools provide private alternatives.

**Slow living as wellness** — the Provençal pace — long meals, afternoon rest, market mornings, evening walks — is itself a wellness practice. Properties that support this rhythm (outdoor dining, shaded terraces, garden paths, poolside lounging) deliver wellness through lifestyle rather than equipment.

**Walking and cycling** — the Luberon's sentiers de randonnée and vineyard paths offer daily movement in extraordinary settings. Properties with direct trail access or vineyard views support active wellness without gym equipment.

Explore properties in the Luberon and Gordes for wellness-oriented stock.

For buyers who prefer wellness infrastructure without building it themselves, several developments in both markets offer integrated solutions.

A wellness property can generate significant income as a boutique retreat venue — hosting yoga weeks, detox programmes, corporate wellness retreats, and intimate wedding wellness weekends.

**Mauritius retreat economics** — a villa sleeping 8–12 guests can command **$3,000–$8,000 USD per person** for a week-long wellness retreat (accommodation, meals, daily yoga, one spa treatment). With 8–10 retreat weeks per year, gross revenue of $200,000–$500,000+ is achievable for premium properties.

**Provence retreat economics** — week-long yoga or culinary wellness retreats in the Luberon command **€1,500–€3,500 per person**, with slightly lower volumes but strong European demand and lower operating costs.

**Regulatory requirements** — commercial retreat activity may require **change of use** (changement de destination) in France, particularly if exceeding meublé de tourisme thresholds. Mauritius requires business registration and tourism authority compliance for commercial hosting.

**Operational model** — most owners partner with retreat organisers rather than running programmes themselves. The property provides the venue; the organiser brings guests, instructors, and programming. Revenue share models typically split 60/40 or 70/30 in favour of the organiser.

**Key property requirements for commercial retreats** — multiple ensuite bedrooms, large communal space (yoga shala or salon), commercial-grade kitchen, staff accommodation, and adequate parking.

Biophilic design — architecture that connects occupants with nature — is the intellectual framework underpinning wellness property design. Key principles applicable to Mauritius and Provence:

**Direct nature connection** — views of water, vegetation, and sky from primary living spaces. In Mauritius, this means ocean-facing master suites and living rooms. In Provence, vineyard, lavender field, or mountain views.

**Natural materials** — stone, timber, clay, and natural fibres rather than synthetic surfaces. Volcanic rock and teak in Mauritius; pierre de taille and oak in Provence.

**Dynamic light** — designing for changing natural light throughout the day. Skylights, clerestory windows, and east-facing bedrooms capture dawn — critical for circadian wellness.

**Water elements** — pools, fountains, reflecting ponds, and outdoor showers. Moving water masks road noise and provides psychological calm.

**Vegetation integration** — living walls, courtyard gardens, and tree canopy that extends into outdoor living areas. Mature trees provide shade and biophilic connection that new planting cannot replicate quickly.

**Prospect and refuge** — spaces that offer both expansive views (prospect) and enclosed, protected areas (refuge). A yoga pavilion open to views but sheltered by roof and screening embodies this principle.

Wellness properties demand acoustic excellence and visual privacy that standard luxury villas may not prioritise.

**Acoustic separation** — treatment rooms, meditation spaces, and yoga pavilions should be acoustically isolated from pool areas, kitchens, and bedrooms. In Provence's stone buildings, this requires deliberate design (double walls, acoustic insulation, soft furnishings). In Mauritius's open-plan tropical architecture, landscaping and distance provide natural separation.

**Privacy from neighbours and public** — wellness practices (yoga, meditation, spa treatments) require freedom from observation. Properties on large domains (one hectare+) or with natural screening provide essential privacy. In village settings like Gordes, high walls and mature planting are necessary.

**Soundscape design** — minimise traffic noise (verify at property viewing), introduce positive soundscapes (water features, wind through bamboo or pine), and avoid mechanical noise from pool pumps and air conditioning near wellness spaces.

**Visual calm** — interiors should minimise visual clutter. Neutral palettes, concealed storage, and absence of television in wellness areas support the mental state guests and owners seek.

Nutrition is a pillar of wellness, and properties with productive gardens add tangible value to the wellness proposition.

**Mauritius** — tropical gardens support mango, papaya, banana, passion fruit, and herbs year-round. Organic vegetable gardens with composting systems provide farm-to-table dining. Many luxury villas include chef's kitchens designed for wellness cuisine (raw food preparation, juicing, steam cooking).

**Provence** — olive groves, vineyards, truffle oaks, and potager gardens connect to the region's agricultural heritage. A property producing its own olive oil, wine, and seasonal vegetables offers a wellness narrative that money alone cannot buy.

**Design considerations** — locate gardens between kitchen and dining terrace for harvest-to-table flow. Include a potting shed, compost area, and irrigation system. Raised beds and greenhouse structures extend growing seasons in Provence.

**Commercial advantage** — retreat guests increasingly expect organic, locally sourced meals. A productive garden reduces catering costs and enhances the authenticity of wellness programmes. Partner with local organic suppliers for items not grown on-site.

**Certification** — organic certification (AB in France, EcoCert in Mauritius) adds marketing credibility for commercial retreat operations, though most private owners operate informally.

Wellness property commands a measurable premium in both markets — typically **10–25% above comparable non-wellness stock** — and attracts a buyer pool that is less price-sensitive and more emotionally committed.

**Demand drivers** include post-pandemic health consciousness, the growth of preventive medicine, corporate wellness budgets, and the ageing affluent population seeking properties that support healthy ageing rather than merely luxurious living.

**Mauritius advantages** — year-round outdoor wellness, no seasonal closure, growing medical tourism infrastructure, and government support for wellness tourism development.

**Provence advantages** — European buyer base, established luxury market, cultural wellness heritage, and strong resale liquidity in prime Luberon locations.

**Risk factors** — wellness features are subjective and may not appeal to all buyers at resale. Over-capitalising on specialised equipment (commercial spa installations, bespoke yoga shalas) may not fully recover at sale. Design for wellness principles that enhance any owner's life, not just retreat commercialisation.

A wellness property is a personal sanctuary that may also be a commercial asset, a family legacy, and a statement of values. Whether you seek a spa villa in Tamarin, a yoga retreat domain in Bel Ombre, or a lavender-scented haven in the Luberon, Stone Investment identifies properties where wellness is authentic — built into the land, the design, and the setting.

We guide clients from brief definition (personal use, commercial retreat, or both) through property selection, wellness feature assessment, and connection with architects and spa designers who specialise in biophilic luxury.

Explore our Mauritius and Provence portfolios, or contact Stone Investment for a confidential wellness property consultation.