Do you need to recharge and spend some time focusing on yourself? I hear you! Luckily, we have some incredible options for wellness retreats in the UnitedStates. Here, I list some of the best solo wellness retreats for women, all of which focus on spirituality, meditation, mental wellness, and movement.
By: Lisa Fennessy
IN THIS POST:
- What kind of wellness retreat I’m looking for
- 6 wellness retreats I’ve got my eye on…
- Stanford Inn
- Castle Hot Springs
- Golden Door
- Blackberry Farm
- Civana
- Miraval
- Common wellness retreat questions
I’ve been daydreaming about taking a SOLO wellness resort vacation. I’m feeling this pull to just really put my face to the sun and fill myself up. But as I started looking around, I realized that “wellness resort” can mean a lot of different things to different people. And that’s why I’m writing this post.
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What kind of wellness retreat I’m looking for
Nothing weight or fasting focused
For example, I want to avoid any type of “wellness resort” that focuses on weight loss or liquid fasting—NO THANKS! Part of my wellness plan is green smoothies, but it’s also a thick-ass gluten-free Belgian waffle with all the fixins.
Includes adventure
In addition, I want to see spa and meditation time on the schedule, but also adventure. I want to get out and do a hike that makes me sweat or try kitesurfing or geronimo into a hidden waterfall. Basically, a little bit of everything, AKA anything but a 7-day silent retreat sitting still in a room by myself—which is the definition of ANTI-WELLNESS IMO.
Gives me space for spontaneity
Another aspect of life that I’ve been fantasizing about lately is spontaneity. Gosh, I miss that call from a girlfriend like, Wanna grab a glass of wine after work? Or my husband texting me on a Thursday like, Let’s get atta town this weekend. Or me, myself and I exploring the city on a whim like let me hit up this Korean spa, try some Float Therapy or get a cute-ass tattoo…I DON’T KNOW, JUST SOMETHING!!!
Welcoming to solo travelers
In that vein, I’m thinking a solo trip would be best. The chances of spontaneity, meeting new people and trying new things goes way up for me when I’m alone, so I’m seeking out places where I can feel comfortable as a solo guest.
Structure with flexibility
I also want some sort of structured wellness program without losing complete control of my day. Like, take care of me and challenge me…I want to “have to” do that meditation session because if no one is making me do it, I won’t. But at the same time, ya girl needs some pool and nap time too, so I’m not looking to be fully scheduled, just mildly.
Location, location, location
And on that note, don’t give me a “wellness retreat” that’s in a city like Miami or NYC for christ’s sake. I don’t have THAT MUCH will power. I’ll be all meditation and green juice during the day and then by 4pm I’ll be ordering up bottle service at the Loews like, What wellness retreat?
So with all that in mind, here are some places that fit my idea of a perfect wellness vacation. I realize these are luxe picks, but a girl can dream right?!
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6 wellness retreats in the US that I’ve got my eye on
The Stanford Inn, Mendocino, California | $429+/night
A luxury vegan eco-resort overlooking California’s rugged Mendocino coast, The Stanford Inn is pet-friendly and family-friendly (even though I’m focused on that #solotravelerlife). As the owners are committed to a holistic concept, they work consciously to reduce the resort’s carbon footprint and only uses sustainable lumber, paints and other materials for the frequent upgrades made to the property.
Its award-winning cuisine is not just vegan (which could be a plus or minus, but for a fun weekend away, I’m glad they’re conscious of their food); it focuses on whole plants, not ersatz meats, cheese or processed substitutes. And, the Inn offers four different cooking classes from beginner up, also focusing on plant-based cuisine.
Guest rooms and suites at this boutique hotel are paneled in pine and redwood. Most rooms offer wood-burning fireplaces ready to light, comfy, spacious guest rooms and options to bring your pet (this was a big win for Nicolle).
They have yoga/Tai Chi/pilates, a spa, breathwork classes, meditation, gardening classes, organic gardens you can peruse, art therapy classes AND MORE. Sounds like my kinda vaca, right?!
Castle Hot Springs, Morristown, Arizona | $1,500+/night
A quick glance reveals Castle Hot Springs as a 2021 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Award Winner and I’m like, say no more! Actually, one look at the turquoise natural hot springs is really what did it for me. Okay, fine, it was actually when I read “all inclusive”—lol.
Nestled in a canyon in Morristown, Arizona, a stay at Castle Hot Springs is a desert oasis ripe with opportunity for rejuvenation.
Choose from daily included activities like yoga, meditation, canyon hikes, guided archery, a history tour, gardening classes, a sound bath or mindfulness activities (making sunprints, body scrubs or succulent diffusers).
For an extra charge, you can also book private sessions for breath work, Tai Chi, Qigong, a mantra session, a chakra tune up, a look at your personal astrology, every kind of yoga you can imagine and more.
And then of course you can soak in the mineral-rich natural hot springs at any time with the option to upgrade with treatments like massage, reki, cranial sacral therapy, body scrubs and more.
A stay at Castle Hot Springs also includes three farm to table gourmet meals per day cultivated from their OWN FARM.
Love that you can book your day full or do nothing at all. Did I mention each cabin comes with an outdoor private tub?!
Golden Door, San Marco, California | $10,450+/week
A stay at Golden Door includes a massage…EVERY DAY! But I’m getting ahead of myself. First and foremost they “exist to change lives” and with a 4-to-1 staff to guest ratio, get ready for the wellness experience of a lifetime. A 7-day stay is required and includes…
- Over 40 fitness classes and up to four sessions with a personal trainer.
- Five skincare sessions and one body treatment, two herbal wraps and a mani/pedi.
- All meals, which are harvested from their own 5 acre farm.
- Over 25 miles of private trails, 7 gyms, 2 swimming pools, 2 labyrinths, a tennis court and a bath house.
- Warmups, t-shirt and robe (laundered daily), sandals, sun hat and a fanny pack for all your activities. You also get a water bottle, journal, tote and a yoga mat. Basically you just have to show up!
One day could look like: Hikes on the mountain, Tai chi in the meadow, a guided labyrinth walk, nights of camaraderie over twilight dinners with just 39 other guests. A focus on reconnection—to yourself, to the bigger picture, to the joy of laughing out loud.
OR it could be: Stretching yourself with TRX training, Pilates, haiku writing or some precious time with your thoughts in the bamboo forest….followed by an evening featuring a mind-expanding guest speaker from the worlds of the arts, sciences, food, entertainment, healing and conservation.
All I want to know is, is the fanny pack cute tho?!
Blackberry Farm, Walland, Tennessee | $595+/night
Get ready to get your Walland, Tennessee on in ways you never knew possible. Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, I’ve been coveting a trip to Blackberry Farm ever since I moved to Atlanta 5 years ago.
Say hello to the epitome of luxury, outdoors, wellness and self care by surrounding yourself in the beautiful bounty of an actual working farm. Do nothing by their adult-only pool, or hole up in the tranquility room all day or do everything via their add-on Wellhouse offerings like…
Book a Tata Harper facial or get a good sweat in via workouts like H.I.I.T., Barre, personal training or private dance instruction. Indulge in adventure activities like guided trail running, deep healing woods yoga, mountain biking, road cycling or their “farm fit” class, which includes hay bales, barn lofts and farm animals. Slow it down with mindfulness activities like yoga and guided meditation. Or get curious with a guided Enneagram Journey (!).
You can even take part in their learning lectures like Aromatherapy 101, Understanding Your Skincare, Juice Power or The Science Behind Deep Healing Woods.
And if you are still left wanting more, try horseback riding, wake surfing, geocaching, wine tasting, paintball or clipping some fresh lavender from their herb garden for your steam.
Civana, Scottsdale, Arizona | $269+/night
Nestled in the Sonoran Desert, just outside Scottsdale, CIVANA is a wellness destination offering a serene and healthy get-away.
A stay at Civana includes:
- Access to over 70 complimentary fitness, personal growth and spiritual classes each week like yoga sculpt, intention setting, stretch, chakra yoga, pickleball, inner intimacy workshop, aquafit, blissful sleep meditation, sunset sound healing and more.
- Access to athletic courts, trails and studio spaces
- Pool access
- Tennis courts
- Bike usage
Additional offerings include mountain biking, guided desert hikes, wall yoga, mindful mixology, spa treatments and more.
A sample day could look like: wake up with a Tortuga Trail Hike followed by lunch at Seed and a restorative stretch. Reconvene in the early evening for a gratitude circle and a self-guided sunset cactus walk punctuated by dinner at Terras.
Or breakfast at Seed followed by a daily intention setting ceremony and advanced mountain bike ride. Then lunch, an Aquafit class and an evening meet up for happiness hour at Terras, as well as a daily reset gratitude circle.
Days are graced with delicious farm-to-table produce, grass-fed meats, sustainable seafood, and decadent desserts at Terras and/or plant-based, anti-inflammatory, gut friendly options at Seed.
The Guest Experience team will help you plan your schedule whether it be wellness classes or spa treatments or both. #takemethere
Miraval, Tucson, Arizona | $1,080+/night/per person
A complete retreat for the mind, body and soul, Miraval boasts three heated pools, the Life in Balance Spa (with steam rooms, saunas, quiet lounges and I’m *pretty sure* Laurel Skincare), the Body Mindfulness Fitness Center, zip line, walking trails, interactive culinary workshops and more.
Start by choosing your intention, whether that be outdoor adventure, grief & loss, a couples retreat, mental wellbeing, relaxation or more and your days could look like….
Mental Wellbeing: breakfast, outdoor hike, roll with it class, lunch, Qi Grounding massage, Chorus of Crystals, private stress reduction consultation, dinner and a grounding massage. (Okay I’m sold….WHAT?! This sounds perfect.)
Outdoor Adventure: trail run, labyrinth journey, lunch, climbing wall, pool time, drinks in the lounge, dinner, desert river stone massage. (I’m so here for this too!)
Self Connection: breakfast, morning meditation, all the buzz class, the beauty of imperfection, lunch, soul journey, floating meditation, facial, dinner. (Drool…)
All meals, daily yoga, fitness, meditation and wellness lectures are included. Each stay also includes a $175 nightly resort credit per person to spend on a spa service or activities or private sessions.
Each room is outfitted with a cell phone “sleeping bag”—a subtle reminder that the world can wait. I’m here for alllll of that.
Common wellness retreat questions
Wellness means different things to different people. It’s good to consider what wellness means to you and what you find important when considering a retreat. Adventure, spontaneity, good food, and location were important to me when evaluating these options.
Yes, there are wonderful wellness retreats throughout the U.S. I profile six of them here.
I found that the price of a retreat varies greatly depending upon location and amenities. My top six retreat destinations are listed here.
We found six great options in a variety of locations throughout the U.S. for a wellness or spiritual retreat.
Which retreat sticks out to you as a wishlist trip?
Maia James
January 18, 2022This is basically my own travel wish list. I look forward to reading your review of wherever you end up going!
Lisa Fennessy
February 4, 2022Well, you’ll be coming with me Maia so you will know! lol, xo, L
Mary Benoit
January 18, 2022WOW! All 5 sound amazing. Golden Door is a place I always dreamed about. Blackberry Farm looks so fun and relaxing too… good luck choosing. 😊
Lisa Fennessy
February 4, 2022I really think I’m going to need to do them all to make a fair assessment. lol. xo, L
Lindsay
January 18, 2022Um…these look amazing! Thank you for posting! Now, super important question…do you mind sharing those robe/kimono details in the photo you’re wearing?! #toocute
Lisa Fennessy
February 4, 2022YES! This is Pattern Village! xo, L
Kiwi
January 21, 2022I just love your posts, this was soooo good! I want them all. Lol, “is the Fanny pack cute tho” You’re the best Lisa!
Lisa Fennessy
February 4, 2022Let’s get to the important stuff 😜 – xo, L
ChiroKath
January 22, 2022I’ve been to Miraval, and I’d go a million more times in a heartbeat! You literally can’t do everything they offer in a week. Plus, the food was excellent, which I can’t say about a lot of places I’ve stayed.
Lisa Fennessy
February 4, 2022Great! Now I want to go even more so! lol – Thank you!!! Did you do a specific track?? xo, L
ChiroKath
February 4, 2022It was a romantic long weekend/Thanksgiving trip, so no specific track. We did all the massages (the hot stone in the outdoor location was to die for,) facial, Tai Chi and yoga classes. some of the cooking demos, and a 2-hour consult with an astrologer (that was not something I’d normally do, but totally worth it.) If you do go, make sure you call and inquire about the special events happening during your visit. These fill up quickly and are usually booked up before you arrive.
Lisa Fennessy
February 6, 2022I love this so much! I wouldn’t normally do a 2 hour consult with an astrologer either but I can see how fun that would be to learn something new. Great tip on calling in advance. I want to go SO BADLY. Give me that massage! lol. xo
Diane
March 31, 2022SO COMPLETELY OUT OF TOUCH WITH MAINSTREAM AMERICAN WOMEN……SCREAMING ENTITLED TOP 10% INCOME BRACKET!
SR
November 23, 2022Diane… Entitled to self care! Entitled to peace! Entitled to a break! Entitled to healing! Entitled to wellness! Entitled to learning and yup Entitled to luxury! Here’s the gotcha gotcha tho SO ARE YOU!!!!
I am well aware of others circumstances and realize there is a large gap due to so many reasons mainly religion, colonizers, politics etc. But that is not a reason to shame American women for taking care and treating themselves. If you can’t do that right now I understand the pain and frustration. Trust me I do. America has our own ish / poverty and it falls mainly on my people so trust I know what it feels like to NOT be entitled. I am NOT a white woman in America. I am of the race and hue every country loves to hate!
Claim your worthiness! Claim what you do want (these retreats)! I pray it all comes true for you.
Sonia
December 19, 2022I’m response to the “entitled” comments: please stop with the negativity. This list is invaluable to me and wouldn’t exist if the author was influenced by them. I was diagnosed with a rare terminal disease and have been looking for some place to go where I can be at peace. I’ve been working since I was 15 and had three jobs before I became disabled due to my condition and am in no way entitled. I’ve been desperately searching for the right place for almost a year and am so grateful to have come across this list as I’m running out of time. Thank you so much Lisa for the helpful information in your article!!
Lisa Fennessy
January 1, 2023So glad this can be a resource for you Sonia! Hope you find what you need and feel better soon. xo, Lisa