Nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains just outside Boone, North Carolina, the Art of Living Retreat Center has received national acclaim as one of America’s premier wellness escapes:
Named the #3 Best Wellness Retreat Center in the U.S. by USA TODAY’s 10Best, chosen by both an expert panel and thousands of reader votes. (View the nomination and award details on USA TODAY’s 10Best.)
Secured a place among Travel + Leisure’s 2025 World’s Best Awards – Top 15 Domestic Spas, ranking #12. This reader‑voted list places it alongside iconic names like Canyon Ranch and Miraval. (Explore the full list on Travel + Leisure.)
A Breathtaking Setting for Rejuvenation
Set on 380 acres in North Carolina’s scenic Blue Ridge Mountains, the Art of Living Retreat Center is more than just a spa — it’s a sanctuary. The site offers expansive wellness programming in a serene, forested environment, combining holistic practices like yoga, meditation, breathwork, and Ayurveda, one of the world’s oldest healing systems. artoflivingretreatcenter.org
Thoughtfully Designed Experiences
Guests can choose from modern hotel-style rooms or minimalist retreat lodgings, with vegetarian, nourishing meals served daily to support physical and emotional well‑being. Accommodations
Signature retreats include:
Silent Meditation
The Happiness Retreat
Breathwork & Meditation
Ayurveda Wellness Escapes
Many of these programs are led by renowned facilitators and visiting experts. Retreat Offerings
Enriching Extras Beyond the Schedule
In addition to structured programming, the Center offers a variety of soul-nourishing extras—Ayurvedic spa treatments, pottery and creativity workshops, wooded hiking trails, and expansive spaces designed for peace and contemplation.
As Travel + Leisure noted in their coverage:
“The location itself is breathtaking—nestled in the serene Blue Ridge Mountains, the panoramic views are nothing short of spectacular. Watching the sunrise or simply sitting in quiet contemplation surrounded by such natural beauty was a healing experience in itself.” Travel + Leisure Award Coverage
National Recognition That Matters
According to Travel + Leisure, the Top 15 Domestic Spas list—based on nearly 180,000 reader responses—is a reflection of guest satisfaction across accommodations, service, food, wellness offerings, and value. The Art of Living Retreat Center scored 91.04, placing it among the most respected destinations in the country.
On the USA TODAY side, being named the #3 Wellness Retreat Center in the U.S. underscores both public admiration and expert recognition. The Center was also nominated in additional wellness categories, including Best Meditation Retreat. USA TODAY Awards Page
For Editors and Wellness Travelers Alike
Whether you’re compiling a wellness travel roundup or spotlighting award-winning destinations in North Carolina, the Art of Living Retreat Center is a meaningful addition. With panoramic views, transformative retreats, and national acclaim, it represents the best of American wellness tourism.
