Photo by Sabrina Sucato
YO1 Longevity & Health Resorts crafts wellness-centered vacations that feature Ayurveda, massages, naturopathy, and Hudson Valley views.
How perfect does a Catskills getaway sound right now?
And by getaway, we’re talking the type of vacation in which you forget to check your phone or refresh your emails and instead take a breath, relax, and focus on feeling your best.
Sounds good?
You’ll find precisely that experience at YO1 Longevity & Health Resorts in Monticello. Located in scenic Sullivan County, YO1 is not just a hotel or resort, but a destination for wellness experiences. It takes its name from the word “yovan,” which means youthful and represents humanity’s quest to achieve eternal youth through a rejuvenation of the body, mind, and spirit. True to that name, YO1 places that notion of rejuvenation front and center in all it does. During stays here, guests have every opportunity to decompress and reconnect with themselves and the world around them.
So, what does a stay at YO1 Longevity & Health Resorts entail? To start, it’s all about customization. After touching down on the grounds of the 1,300-acre, 68,000-sq-ft resort, guests can meet with one of the resort’s expert naturopathy counselors, who work one-on-one with guests to determine their wellness concerns and goals to craft a custom holistic program for the duration of their stay.
As for what’s available, the sky’s the limit when it comes to wellness at YO1. Available programs target specific concerns such as anxiety, diabetes, pain, cholesterol and hypertension, insomnia, weight, fertility, and depression and stress management. For overall wellbeing, the detox, Discover Your Dosha, and restorative programs focus on an assortment of health goals. At the spa, therapies include Ayurveda, naturopathy, and hydro/mud therapies designed to relax and rejuvenate.
For those looking for Ayurvedic treatments, the abhyangam, or the full body oil massage, is perfect for rejuvenation, thanks to its use of herbal oil to nourish the body, relieve fatigue, and provide stamina. On the naturopathy front, the hot stone massage is ideal for relieving pain and soothing the spine, while acupuncture treatments target specific points on the body to open blockages that cause pain or bloating. As for the hydro/mud therapies, one option, the immersion bath, immerses guests in a warm bath with Epsom salt to rejuvenate the body and reduce sleeplessness and pain.
“YO1 is a one-of-a-kind luxury health resort in the country, comparable to the best in the world, and uniquely focused on the Indian art of healing with a wellness first approach,” says CEO and Managing Director of YO1, Harish Goyal. “We offer rejuvenating experiences as well as a consciously curated culinary program, and our goal is to spark a positive, transformative journey towards a balanced and healthy lifestyle for lasting change.”
While the spa is certainly a focal point at YO1 Longevity & Health Resorts, it’s far from the only wellness option. Another area of interest at the Hudson Valley retreat is its yoga and meditation programming, which occurs throughout each day. Depending on preference, guests can drop in on group hatha yoga, which focuses on balancing the mind and body, or group yoga nidra, otherwise known as yoga sleep. Thirty-minute group meditation sessions are also available to help guests clear their minds. Plus, for individuals looking for more personalized treatment, YO1 offers private yoga and health counseling sessions, along with Ayurveda and naturopathy consultations.
And there’s more! Just as YO1 offers group and individual wellness sessions, it also invites guests to pursue individual wellness through a variety of onsite offerings. The resort has a top-tier fitness center for guest use, along with a pristine pool and hot tub area. Outside, there are two scenic trails, which vary in length from a quarter mile to a half mile and offer views of the picturesque Bailey Lake on the grounds. The trails are perfect for walking, running, or even biking, since YO1 offers Cannondale mountain bikes to guests by reservation.
In addition, YO1 promotes wellness education for visitors who are interested. Its onsite museum and gift shop educate guests about the tenets of Ayurveda, diving into the different elements and doshas. During the week, counselors also host interactive sessions to discuss various health topics and answer questions. Plus, for those looking to relax even further, the resort hosts movie screenings each night in its inhouse theater, which can accommodate up to 214 people.
Since wellness is the name of the game at YO1 Longevity & Health Resorts, it only makes sense that the rooms are made for relaxation. The 131 rooms range from a classic king to a double king and a king suite, and all offer views of the lake and the picturesque Catskills skyline beyond. Each room comes with one or two king beds, along with a rain/steam shower, bidet, and natural bath amenities.
Keeping with the wellness theme, the food offerings at YO1 focus on total body health, with menus designed to boost immunity and detoxify the body. The onsite restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, with a focus on vegetarian and vegan fare. There’s also a juice bar available for guests who are cleansing or who want to start the day on a lighter note.
With so much to do on the grounds, it’s easy to see why the resort evokes a sense of escape in the Catskills. Amid massage treatments, pool visits, trail walks, and healthful dining, the stresses of life can fade away as guests take time to re-center and recharge. Plus, with breathtaking Hudson Valley views all around, there’s nothing quite like an escape to YO1.
YO1 Longevity & Health Resorts
420 Anawana Lake Rd, Monticello
