How to Choose a Wellness Retreat That Actually Works for You
Hi darling,
One of my all-time favourite ways to reset is by heading to a wellness or health retreat. I’ve been going since my twenties — long before it was cool, or even particularly understood. Over the years, I’ve made some of my dearest friendships in these quiet, nourishing spaces. In fact, I’m still in touch with someone I met at my very first retreat — the wonderful Jo from @joanne_heath_wellness. She’s still doing incredible work, and I still make a point of going to a retreat every year. If you’re thinking about it too, I’ve put together a checklist to help you choose the right one — scroll down to grab it.
Credit: Frames For Your Heart
Five practical questions to ask before you invest your time, money — and nervous system — in a wellness retreat.
1. What Do You Want to Achieve?
Start here. It’s easy to get seduced by the visuals — infinity pools, candlelit yoga, someone doing a headstand on a beach. But before you click ‘book,’ get brutally honest: what do you actually want out of this? Do you need deep rest? Hormonal balance? Better sleep? A detox that doesn’t involve celery? Or are you looking for some mental space to rethink life while being looked after? Knowing what you're hoping to shift — physically, mentally, emotionally — helps you filter out what’s beautiful but wrong for you. Retreats can be restorative, but only if they meet you where you are. If you’re exhausted, a packed seven-day schedule won’t serve you. If you’re looking for a reset, make sure there’s structure and expertise — not just lavender oil and ocean views.
Wise Woman Pick (UK): The Body Camp — structured fitness, nutrition, and emotional wellbeing in a non-woo-woo format for women who want change and results, without being shouted at. https://thebodycamp.com/
2. Budget and Value: What Are You Really Paying For?
This is not about being cheap or extravagant — it’s about knowing the difference between cost and value. Some retreats will price themselves into the luxury category, but when you strip it back, you’re paying for location, not expertise. Others might seem affordable, but add-ons quickly pile up. Look closely at what’s included: are meals part of the price? Daily treatments? Airport transfers? Are the facilitators trained in what they’re offering, or just good at taking photos? Choose retreats where you feel confident that the money you’re spending is going toward genuine support, beautiful nourishment, and a quality experience. The feeling you take away should match the cost — in energy, not just dollars.
Credit: Palazzo Fiuggi
Wise Woman Pick (Italy): Palazzo Fiuggi, Lazio — medically guided wellness in a breathtaking setting, with longevity-focused programs that combine diagnostics, spa treatments, and proper rest. https://www.palazzofiuggi.com/
3. Time of Year and Duration: Will You Actually Enjoy It?
Choosing the wrong time of year can undermine even the best retreat. There’s no point heading to Bali in peak monsoon if all you want is sunshine and spa. Likewise, don’t sign up for a full seven-day immersion if your life only allows you three days before it unravels. Look at your calendar honestly. Ask yourself when you could leave without guilt, distraction, or chaos trailing behind you. And don’t forget to check weather, local holidays, or seasonal closures. Shorter retreats can be deeply effective when well designed — especially if the schedule includes space to breathe. Longer retreats can work wonders if you’re ready to go deeper — but only if the timing supports you fully switching off.
Credit: The Ranch
Wise Woman Pick (USA): The Ranch Malibu — a high-end, structured week of hikes, nutrition, and reset, timed perfectly for seasonal transitions like spring and early autumn. https://www.theranchlife.com/
4. Location and Accessibility: Can You Get There Without Losing Your Mind?
It’s easy to romanticise remote — but getting to your retreat shouldn’t feel like a logistical marathon. The more complicated the journey, the more depleted you’ll be before you even arrive. Think carefully about where you want to be, how long it takes to get there, and how travel fatigue may impact your experience. Do you need beach, forest, mountains, or urban access with wellness built in? Location also dictates atmosphere. Some women crave solitude in nature; others thrive on a blend of access and ease. Choose what matches your energy levels, your travel bandwidth, and your nervous system — not what looks good in a brochure.
Credit: Kamalaya
Wise Woman Pick (Thailand): Kamalaya, Koh Samui — one of Asia’s best holistic retreats, easy to reach from major hubs, with programs tailored to stress, burnout, and hormonal rebalancing. https://kamalaya.com/
5. Who’s Leading It and Who’s Showing Up?
This is the one people overlook — but it makes or breaks the experience. The tone of a retreat is set by the facilitator and the group. Are they qualified to lead what they’re offering, or are they just “holding space”? Look for programs with actual credentials — trauma-informed facilitators, experienced practitioners, medical oversight when needed. Then consider the group: do you want quiet solitude, or the energy of being in community? If you’re midlife, will you be surrounded by 25-year-olds fasting and flipping tyres? The vibe matters. Read the testimonials, email the organiser, and trust your gut. You’re not looking for perfect people — just the right energy, with professional guidance.
Credit: Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat
Wise Woman Pick (Australia): Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat, QLD — women-led, established, and designed for real-world burnout and hormonal health, with serious credentials behind the pampering. https://www.gwinganna.com/
✨ A Wise Woman Note
A wellness retreat doesn’t have to be life-changing. But it should be life-enhancing. The best ones aren’t necessarily the most expensive, remote, or restrictive. They’re the ones that meet you where you are, offer something real, and give you back a little more of yourself than you arrived with.
Start with that — and the rest will follow.