TAKING A RETREAT – WELLNESS FROM THE TOP

For dining, JOALI BEING offers the choice of 5 restaurants, as well as the opportunity to take an interactive nutritional catering class, learning from experts. Spoilt for choice? Let the reviews speak for themselves and try FLOW, which was 2022’s Restaurant and Bar Design award winner. This retreat doesn’t rule out alcohol either, unlike other wellness retreats. In fact, JOALI BEING has it’s own bar – MOJO bar.

Other restaurants include SU, which serves pescatarian food, caught from the ocean surrounding the resort. For vegetarian and vegan food, choose PLANTAE. And for something truly special, dine at OCEAN SALA, which serves guests on a long pier overlooking the ocean.

JOALI BEING provides a variety of treatments that guests can select. One of these treatment spaces is AREKA, which offers fitness facilities, therapeutic and alternative healing treatments, and immersive wellbeing experiences.

The retreat also has a hydrotherapy hall and a salt inhalation room, to heal the soul through connection with water. Furthermore, the decking of OCEAN SALA is used as a meditation deck where guests can be guided through a transformational mindful journey.

Perhaps the only retreat with a resident Herbologist, at AKTAR, guests can consult the Herbologist, who can prepare herbal teas, creams, shampoos, and massage oils suited to their requests.

Speaking of massages, there are 39 treatment rooms where you could receive an ancient eastern massage. Each of these treatment rooms are designed to soothe the soul and welcome harmony. If you’d like a more concrete timetable, you can follow one of the wellbeing programmes which can include yoga, Pilates, massages, and mind therapy.

For two adults who are staying one night, prices start at £1,564.20. So for 4 nights, you would look to pay an upwards of £4,692.59. If you are willing to pay this price, the options at JOALI BEING are seemingly endless and even extends to include children, who can embark on their own journey of wellbeing through the B’Kidult programme.

Not sure if this retreat is the right one for you? Get a sense of JOALI BEING virtually, through a 360 tour on the website.

Clinique La Prairie

Clinique La Prairie is an award-winning spa, claiming the title of luxury spa in 2022 and 2023. Furthermore, it is praised by models/actress’ Kiera Chaplain and Carla Bruni. These rave reviews set high expectations; however, Clinique La Prairie promises and delivers a master detox. It claims to be the most advanced detoxification program, and if you’re willing to travel to Switzerland, this week-long retreat is the ultimate luxurious experience.

From the airport, you get a limousine transfer, travelling in style. Upon arrival, you instantly focus on yourself with a check-up and medical consultation. This consultation involves a Nutri-DNA test which is an exclusive assessment of your body’s capacities and ability to metabolize nutrients. You also get a dental check-up and an antioxidant injection, as well as other tests like a mineral and vitamin screening.

After these tests, you can progress to a colon reset cleanse to restore optimal digestion wellness. Guests get access to a dietician and a private nutrition masterclass. This develops into a personalised detox diet you follow during your 7-day stay.

To reset your body, the program incorporates movement and exercise, including outdoor activity with a coach and a breathwork session. During your stay, you can access the fitness centre, a swimming pool and sauna, and an impressive zero-gravity floating bed. Additionally, guests are offered one detox massage, cryotherapy, and a cellular detoxifying facial treatment. This is just a selection of the treatments on offer and there are many more in which guests could indulge.

Prices start from £17,132,03. This number, although eye-watering for some at first, does give this luxurious detoxing experience which is uniquely tailored to you.

If you want a retreat in the UK countryside however, this next retreat might be more to your liking.

The Forest Spirits room is perhaps the darkest painted room and overlooks the ancient woodland in The Dreaming. This room is inspired by Japanese culture and Tatami mats, smelling of grass and straw, give a natural odour of all things outdoors. An impressive en-suite with a porcelain lotus flower sink speaks the to idea of natural luxury, and truly embraces your inner woodland spirit.

It is worth noting, however, that the rooms encourage shared living and connection with the other guests, unless you request a room to yourself. The Forest Spirits room is the room for you if you want to be in solitude.

A couple looking to stay for three nights in The Dreaming and wanting to participate in the Nurturer Retreat or the Journeying Retreat should expect to pay an upwards of £1440 for a room. If you’re both allured by the idea of a golden tadelakt shower and bath in the Mystic Room, you can expect to pay the highest price: £2688.

The dining experience at The Dreaming is typical of a wellness retreat. The menu, therefore, is mostly vegetarian and vegan, with the option of locally sourced meat on Sunday (so fear not, carnivores). Guests may participate in planting seeds as part of their retreat, and the vegetables guests eat are grown and harvested from the gardens. There is a strong emphasis on nourishing your body as well as kindling and nourishing connections with other guests. As a result, the meals are communal, and aim to bring a sense of belonging during your stay.

There are a variety of retreats on offer, however, the main two retreats are the Nurturer Retreat and the Journeyer Retreat. If you select the Nurturer Retreat, you can expect chanting at dawn on a Wednesday, a campfire/movie night and nature weaving.

If you try the Journeyer Retreat, you can expect to more adventurous activities like walking, shamanic yoga, and nighttime forest bathing.

If you want to indulge in a family retreat, the Belonging Retreat is aimed at parents/carers and young people aged 7-16 years old. This intensive programme spans 3 nights and 4 days, and encourages reconnection with each other and nature, as well as building love and trust. It’s also a chance to see how your kids cope, and hopefully benefit, without Wi-Fi for 4 days.

But, if you just want to spend time in the rooms and gardens of The Dreaming, there is no obligation to participate in any of the experiences. In the 47 acres of land, there are two natural plunge pools for wild bathing, ceremonial spaces, and medicinal gardens, offering plenty of nature to explore. In the house, there are many cosy spaces to relax and heal; all of which is included in your stay!