If you want to transform your health in 2026 – whether you call it your New Year’s resolution or not – then this review of Grand Resort Bad Ragaz is for you.
Body positivity advocate Stephanie Yeboah shares how the Swiss wellness retreat taught her that true wellbeing isn’t about restriction; it’s about listening to your body and finally putting yourself first…
I’ve come to realise that, much like many of us navigating our twenties and early thirties, I once treated wellness as something purely aesthetic – something like a finish line to sprint toward rather than a way of moving through the world in a healthier way.
In those younger years, I was fortunate enough to be untouched by any real health concerns, and because of that, I carried the subject of ‘wellbeing’ as it pertained to my health, lightly. However, as time flew by, I was eventually diagnosed with fibroids after a period of excruciating symptoms, and it was then that I began to take my wellness more seriously, due to my hopes of being a mother one day.
Not only did I start on a fitness journey in an effort to strengthen my body and improve my mental health, but I began regularly taking part in acupuncture sessions, attended Pilates classes, cut soy completely out of my diet and indulged in breathwork exercises. I was delighted when I started to see the benefits of my hard work paying off, and since then, I’ve been taking part in as many wellness-led programmes as possible, gravitating especially toward anything that helped mend my musculoskeletal system and quiet the nervous system – two areas of my body that constantly feel the strain of my high cortisol levels.
That’s where Grand Resort Bad Ragaz comes in. Switzerland has long held a near-mythic reputation for wellness – a country where healing feels woven into the very landscape, and after a short stay at the hotel in 2019, I knew I wanted to visit again to sample a few of their wellness-led programmes. Specifically, I had my eye on their Tamina Health Concept – a holistic, medically informed approach developed by over one hundred doctors more than sixty years ago, dedicated to longevity and preventative care.
This is all combined with the resort’s strong and ancient connection with the nearby Tamina Gorge, whose thermal waters have been powering the hotel since the 1800s, as well as healing and hydrating guests, making it one of the most luxurious spa hotels in Europe.
THE LOWDOWN
The neighbourhood of Bad Ragaz is located around two hours outside of Zurich, with the train making quick and easy work of getting there from the airport. The structure of the resort is like something out of a Wes Anderson movie; a gorgeously regal main hotel structure called the Grand Hotel Quellenhof, surrounded by two buildings that also offer hotel suites; the historic Grand Hotel Hof Ragaz and the more modern Spa Suites, which form part of the Tamina Health Centre.
A self-contained sanctuary, the Tamina Health Centre is at the rear of the resort and almost feels like a hospital. There’s also a golf course and an outdoor swimming pool (as well as the indoor thermal pool), and the nearby town of Bad Ragaz is just a two-minute walk away.
Although luxurious in nature, Grand Resort Bad Ragaz carries a calming, down-to-earth warmth that never feels intimidating. In keeping with its wellness ethos, the hotel is incredibly accessible, with lifts, ramps, wheelchairs, crutches and all manner of mobility aids available at your disposal.
THE TAMINA HEALTH CONCEPT
The resort’s entire philosophy is built around its Tamina Health Concept, which is made up of five wellness pillars that guests can select from when booking. Choose between longevity, detox, weight loss, recharge, or a health check, and the programmes can be personalised further to your body’s needs following an on-site health assessment.
The minimum length of stay for these wellness programmes are generally three days, with the option of staying up to two weeks. I dipped into the ‘Recharge’ wellness pillar, a realm that felt both unfamiliar and necessary to someone like me – someone who has always struggled to rest without guilt. This time, I told myself that I would embrace rest as a form of productivity; something of vital importance as opposed to an indulgence. On the day I arrived, that promise slowly began to take shape as I wandered around the beautiful grounds of the hotel, taking in the African-inspired sculptures created by local artists, as well as the spectacular mountain scenery. Though a chlorine allergy kept me from experiencing the resorts’ famed Helenabad thermal pool – fed directly by the ancient Tamina Gorge – I still found comfort in a traditional Swiss dinner at the cosy Zollstube restaurant that evening.
The next day was full steam ahead, as I started the morning with a personal training session in the gym with a PT who was also qualified in sports science. Together, we refined my form, explored exercises suited to my body, and worked with gentle encouragement, rather than pressure. My session was completely tailored to me and my body, and I also learned that the personal training sessions are typically paired with guidance from an on-site nutritionist to create a seamless rhythm between movement and meals, a thoughtful detail that reflected the resort’s ‘whole body’ approach.
A few hours later, and it was time for my first ever Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy session. This involved climbing into a chamber and putting on an oxygen mask, where 100% oxygen would be delivered to you over the course of 80 minutes (as opposed to the mere 12% of oxygen we inhale via the air every day). The oxygen is meant to dissolve in high concentration in the blood, making it beneficial for reducing inflammation, wound repair, and boosting energy. When locked in the chamber, it felt as if I was on a plane due to the lack of pressure, which made my ears pop constantly. After a while however, I became used to it and settled in to watch TV while I inhaled the pure oxygen. After my allocated time, I did feel somewhat rejuvenated; with an extra pep in my step, if only for a few hours. Up to 12 regular sessions are normally recommended for a lasting impact, but even one offered a glimpse into something revitalising.
I had pockets of free time before my next activity, in which I found myself practising yoga in my room, reaching for fruit and nuts rather than crisps, and soaking in the calming energy of the resort. Everything – from the gentle scent of the rooms to the earthy, contemporary decor – seemed to gently nudge me towards healthier choices without any judgement.
Next came my Aroma Mind Massage which took place in the Thermal Spa: a relaxing massage designed to calm my mind as well as my body. The masseuse used specially selected organic aromatherapy oils paired with gentle massaging techniques that helped ease my tight knots, but also allowed me to practice some mindfulness due to how incredibly relaxed I was; something I’ve always failed to do normally.
The next day, I had an appointment with Dr. Alexander Dopplinger, chief medical officer of Tamina Health Centre, where she went into more detail about the curated wellness programmes for guests, and how easy it is to pick activities from different pillars if you wanted to. It was reassuring to know that wellness here wasn’t rigid – instead I’d say it was deeply personal, and fluid.
THE ROOMS
The recently renovated rooms strike a beautiful balance between grandeur and modern sophistication without feeling stuffy or overbearing. And while I’m usually not a fan of the classic two-single-beds-pushed-together approach many hotels favour, the comfort and firmness of the mattresses more than compensated for it this time. As a natural light lover, I also adored how bright and spacious the room was; it overlooked the sweeping grounds and opened up to a breathtaking mountain vista, offering both serenity and complete privacy.
THE DINING
With wellness at the heart of the hotel’s ethos, I arrived fully prepared for the typical wellness-retreat fare; plain, hyper-healthy morsels and meat-free plates that feel more medicinal than memorable. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised to be met with an array of rich, well-seasoned hearty cuisines that felt both nourishing and genuinely satisfying.
With seven restaurants, three bars, a bistro, a cafe and even a sushi takeaway spot, Grand Resort Bad Ragaz spares no effort in delivering exceptional culinary experiences. So much so that they have an impressive six Michelin stars, along with a coveted Green Michelin star awarded for sustainability efforts. I mostly dined at the one-Michelin-star Verve by Sven restaurant; a fully sustainable eatery with ingredients harvested locally. I couldn’t get enough of the crispy ‘ribel’ corn chicken nuggets, and the braised beef cheek with blackcurrant and beetroot. With menus that change frequently, every meal feels like a new discovery, and it taught me that healthy food needn’t be bland.
THE FINAL WORD
My time at Grand Resort Bad Ragaz was nothing short of transformative. The staff were warm, attentive, and genuinely invested in making every moment memorable, and the short taster of wellness experiences gave me far more than I expected. I left with a deeper understanding of what it means to live in a state of calm; how to rest with purpose. The personal training sessions taught me exercises and stretches that have already made me more flexible and limber since arriving back home, and the resort’s thoughtful approach to dining has inspired me to think more consciously about sustainable eating and supporting local, fair-trade produce.
Moving through each day with a schedule that felt both full and relaxed reminded me how beneficial structure can be for my mental wellbeing and productivity too. Most importantly, my stay encouraged me to explore wellness in new ways. To try unfamiliar treatments, to slow down, and to treat rest as something sacred.
I left wishing for a longer visit, plus feeling motivated and eager to continue this journey long after checking out. What stood out most, though, wasn’t just the structure or the science, but the compassion. Despite arriving as, I suspect, one of the larger guests at the resort, not once was my weight treated as a flaw, nor was I nudged towards restrictive choices. I felt seen, welcomed and completely free of judgement – an essential non-negotiable on my wellness journey. And that, more than anything, is what made the resort truly restorative.
Lead image credit: Stephanie Yeboah
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