After a year of uncertainty and putting plans on hold, perhaps you need some fresh inspiration to help you choose a destination for hosting your next retreat at?
When it comes to choosing a location it’s important to choose wisely and speak with your students first about where they would like to go, how much can they afford to pay, what type of food they love and what other elements would make the retreat magical for them.
We recommend preparing a list of questions and then contacting the hosts or event co-ordinator of the retreat centres to answer and help you with your queries.
Here are ten beautiful and unique venues to consider in your search for the perfect property.
Cyprus
Cyprus Villages, Tochni (hosts 15)
If you are looking for a venue for a medium sized group, away from mass tourism then Cyprus Villages is for you. The yoga hall hosts up to 15 people and they provide all mats, blankets, blocks, bolsters and straps.
The houses and apartments are located in and around the village of Tochni, which is lated 10 km from the beach and 30 km from Limassol.
Accommodation is offered in either premium apartments with one bedroom at single or double occupancy. These apartments are the closest to the yoga room and the restaurant/tavern where the breakfast and dinner is served.
All houses and apartments have their own character, but offer the same comfort. All the apartments have either a patio or balcony, fully equipped modern kitchenette, bath or shower, free air conditioning, satellite TV, free internet access and communal swimming pool at Cyprus Villages Tochni Taverna. Rates are quoted on a half board basis including breakfast and dinner.
Complimentary accommodation and rental of the yoga hall is included for the group organiser based on a minimum group of 10. Â
Greece
Yayaki Spetses, Greece (hosts 32)
The sweetness of Greek island life, the slow tempo. This is the Yayaki magical formula for a disconnected mind…Spetses, only three hours from Athens by ferry boat, is the perfect hideaway for you to come and take care of your body and mind, reconnect with nature.
We collaborate with wellness professionals, fitness trainers and yoga or Pilates teachers to create experiential retreats, during which you can experience personal growth, traditional Greek food, joyful activities, and return home, rejuvenated.
From September – April the house can be hired exclusively for retreats.
This Spetsiotis-style house was one of the first hotels on the island. With fifteen bedrooms, Yayaki offers the perfect location, in a quiet street, five minutes walk away from both the village Dapia, and the nearest beach, Agios Mama.
The vision of Yayaki’s original island home atmosphere has been translated thanks wonderful Greek and French talents: Bruno and Sandrine from Bru&San for the brand identity, Mr. Kappos and his team, founder of Novicon for the renovations, Stéphane and Pierre-Emmanuel from Maison Hand for the decoration.
Make Yayaki your home for a few days or more, with our personalised services. The hotel offers different spaces, indoors and outdoors, that will suit a group of up to 32.
Meals and menus can be organised and prepared, as per the group’s requests. Options include plant based and Greek breakfast, brunch, lunch, snacks and dinner. All food is locally produced and organic.
A chef can be organised to cook for the group’s stay – Vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free, sugar-free options available. No meat is offered.
Morocco
Fawakay Retreat, Marrakech (hosts 30)
Oozing authentic Moroccan glamour, Fawakay is a relaxed, secluded and enchanting retreat situated just a 20 minute drive from both the heart of Marrakech Medina and the airport – the perfect spot for relaxation.
There are four fully catered villas and 3 award-winning eco suites within a rustic chic hotel setting. A chilled out atmosphere perfect for retreats!
The hotel cleverly combines the very best of a boutique hotel and private villa holiday and was voted Winner of the 2018 World Travel Awards for Morocco’s Greenest Hotel.
Run by owners Dawn and Francis Boys-Stones, the Fawakay complex is set in 3.5 acres of lush, rose-scented gardens, through which winding pebble paths lead to each villa – and where you are likely to meet the two friendly resident donkeys (Norman and Frankelle).
The gorgeous swimming pool area has extensive, luxurious poolside seating for both shade and sun lovers, as well as an expanse of grassy lawn with more seating and table tennis.
The fabulous, expansive rooftop terrace with views over to the Atlas Mountains is the perfect spot for sun salutations. At Fawakay it is always easy to find your own space.
Portugal
Quinta Carvalhas Portugal (hosts 22)
Quinta Carvalha provides specialised support and the perfect location to event organisers to run their own brilliantly crafted retreats, workshops, conferences and gatherings.
The luxury accommodation is in the double story farmhouse as well as in converted barns; 11 rooms provide accommodation for up to 22 people.
Located in Central Portugal an hour north of Lisbon, the venue is set in beautiful surroundings with two fully equipped meeting spaces and a yoga studio, beautiful luxury accommodation, a swimming pool, meditation garden, large outdoor yoga deck, picnic area, outdoor meditation space within the cork oak forest, fully equipped catering kitchen and a spa for massages and Reiki.
The buildings on this working farm have been lovingly restored, with old stone barns being transformed into contemporary accommodation and meeting halls. The peaceful meditation garden is a slice of paradise with shaded walkways to wander through, benches to rest on, birds to provide music, and a koi pond and fountain for an extra dose of serenity. The old cork oak forest is a favourite among guests for walking meditations.
The food is organic and farm-fresh, with the produce grown on the farm or sourced locally. Oak Café provides tea, coffee, juices, smoothies and snacks.
Mallorca
myOM Mallorca Villas (hosts 20)
myOM on the Balearic Island of Mallorca is a little corner of paradise on the hills in the Manacor area. The region is hilly and full of cycle paths and beaches among the most beautiful on the island.
The hosts offer a full concierge service should you need a personal chef, chauffeur, holistic therapies or massages, excursions, Island tours and boat trips.
The villa can accommodate from 4 – 20 people and has a 13 meters swimming pool, a big furnished outside kitchen and spaces ideal for outdoor yoga classes. The garden can accommodate 30 yoga mats, and in case of soft rain there are some covered spaces.
France
The Beach Retreat, Vendée, France (hosts 14)
Situated in the beautiful area of the Vendée, The Beach Retreat is the perfect setting for guests who want to achieve peace, tranquillity, rejuvenation and relaxation.
The health and wellness concept behind The Beach Retreat has been developed by Dr Patrick Bowler and his wife Pauline, who strongly believe that a combination of good nutrition, relaxation, mindfulness, exercise and social cohesion can contribute to a person’s health, longevity and sense of wellbeing.
The Beach Retreat is located in a conservation area, amongst the pines and dunes, just 75 metres from the beach and offering numerous walks and cycle paths so that you can enjoy the local wildlife, the scenery and the sea air. Neighbouring towns include the lively and fashionable La Rochelle, the lle de Re and Les Sables D’Olonne.
We at The Beach Retreat run our own yoga and fitness/wellbeing Retreats as well as playing host to cater for individual Yoga teachers and their groups. We have 7 bedrooms, 4 with kingsize beds and 3 with twin/kingsize beds.
We can take up to 14 people bedroom wise but have found that a comfortable amount for a retreat in one go is around 10 people. Dining is held in the Ocean Villa around a large informal table where the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly.
Accommodation is spread over the two houses, with the Ocean Villa predominantly as the eating, relaxing and socialising hub and The Beach house is where our Yoga studio/conference room, Treatment room and Sauna is.
We provide comfortable accommodation, healthy nourishing food, freshly cooked on site, a yoga studio, use of facilities (two heated pools, two jacuzzis, sauna and gym) and can arrange hire of bikes, massage, reflexology or surf/paddle board lessons at an extra cost if required.
England
Middle Coombe Farm, Devon (hosts 21)
Set in a private valley of over 700 acres of the rolling Devon countryside Middle Coombe Farm is an established and exclusive retreat venue.
The converted Cider Barn has been painstakingly restored with underfloor heating and large doors opening on the meadow which makes it an inspirational space for indoor and outdoor activities.
The Listed 16th Century farmhouse and Allensdown barn sleep up to 21 in 4* luxury and includes exclusive use of the swimming pool and sauna.
The farmhouse has a large kitchen, a traditional drawing room and a separate library and playroom. There is also more space in the adjacent Allensdown Barn with its 3 bedrooms, bathroom and shower room, own lounge, large kitchen.
For yoga or mat based classes you can practice in either the traditional Cider Barn that has underfloor heating making it warm for floor based activities or the meadow that offers a flat space complete with traditional fire pit. The woodland glades also offer alternative Yoga spaces.
Scotland
Old Kilmun House, Scotland (hosts 16)
Old Kilmun House is a 17th Century Country House which has been lovingly restored to provide comfort and luxury for yoga retreats including a sauna, a hot tub, a stunning yurt for Yoga. The house can sleep up to 16 guests.
Old Kilmun House is located in Kilmun on the banks of Holy Loch near Dunoon in The Loch Lomand and The Trossachs National Pak. It is about 1hr 30 from Glasgow and 2hrs 15 mins from Edinburgh.
Enjoy indoor yoga in the fully equipped yurt with log burning stove. Accommodation is offered either in twin, double or triple rooms.
Bali
Ohana Retreat Bali (hosts 20)
At Ohana Retreat Bali, we offer a unique approach to accommodating our guests, which is expressed in our name: Ohana is Hawaiian for extended family.
You will find casual mom and pop friendliness and Indonesian generosity, all wrapped up with modern creature comforts.
Located just 800 meters from Pererenan beach and set peacefully at the end of a private road, Ohana Retreat Bali combines the authenticity of a homestay with premium, boutique hotel features
By accommodating a maximum of 20 guests (in 6 rooms) there are no crowds at the exclusive & breezy rooftop bar (with sunset views of the Indian ocean or the poolside cafe).
We offer a rooftop arbor with grape, rose and markisa vines as shade. The view is of Pererenan with its villas and rice fields, as well as the magnificent Indian Ocean.
There are four loft rooms – each high-ceiling loft room includes: unique mural art a private staircase, one King-sized bed downstairs, two single beds upstairs that can zip together into a King bed.
Spain
House Of Light Spain (hosts 20)
The House of Light is a beautiful boutique retreat centre nestled among the hills of the Alpujarras in Southern Spain, set in 15000m2 of lush gardens. This is mountain terrain, steep and terraced with fruit and nut trees, ancient olives and various flowering trees, bushes and succulents.
Spaces are designed to support fairly intimate residential retreats for 6-16 people. The facilities can accommodate up to 20 people which would feature some off-site, but close by accommodation, as well as a separate living space for group leaders.
Tucked away in the olive groves are three exquisite Mongolian Yurt rooms that can all be arranged as doubles or twins
Yoga spaces include an indoor studio that is 40msq and can take 12 mat based students, more for workshops. And the large Mongolian yurt space, set in the gardens, is 65msq can take up to 22 mat based students and many more for seated workshops. A chef can be provided for delicious vegetarian menus and food to suit your group.
The salt-water (chemical free) swimming pool and terrace offers an opportunity to cool off among a stunning backdrop.
There are large flat areas for outdoor practices, shady spaces, hammocks and swinging chairs for quiet moments and contemplation, where you can sit and take in the breathtaking views.
Have a bespoke requirement for your group? You can contact our retreat advisors on [email protected] for help with your search.
