The sun shines brightly through the surrounding trees as my driver winds his way to the boutique wellness resort where I’ll be staying for the next five days, courtesy of a press tour. A luxury hideaway surrounded by mountains of quartz (which are said to have healing properties, though the science is unclear), The Retreat Costa Rica is a reminder to take care of yourself, and it offers a variety of services and packages to help you do just that.
Health and wellness life coach Diana Stobo opened The Retreat Costa Rica in 2016 to fulfill her dream of creating a place where people could heal and feel their best. With just 18 rooms, this intimate resort features lush greenery, stunning views and a sense of calm that is felt the moment you step onto the grounds, not to mention an unparalleled spa, unique dining and exceptional service. Imagine a tranquil, beautiful place where every detail is purposeful and on-point.
hotel
This hotel offers three room types, and I was lucky enough to stay in one of their “luxury lofts,” the Papaya. It’s a spacious suite with stunning mountain views, a large outdoor balcony, a luxurious king-size bed, and a beautiful open floor plan. The deep soaking tub is next to floor-to-ceiling windows, where I sat and relaxed almost every night, taking in the stunning views. It also had a fantastic waterfall shower (complete with high-quality shampoo, conditioner, and body wash — trust me, I’m picky when it comes to personal care products). Other nice touches include an aromatherapy diffuser, cotton bathrobes and slippers, and calming décor.
The rest of the resort is just as gorgeous and relaxing as the rooms. There are two pools: a main pool near the lobby and restaurant, and a second pool at the spa (more on that later). Each pool offers beautiful views and comfortable lounge chairs and a hot tub. Next to the main pool, restaurant, and lobby is a reading room (complete with games, comfy chairs, and a library of books) and a self-serve coffee and tea area. Plus, the resort has a very homey feel, so you can get anywhere within a five-minute walk.
Activities
What I loved most about The Retreat were the yoga classes offered twice a day. We wake up our minds and bodies with energizing flow yoga at 8am every morning, then return to the yoga studio at 4pm for restorative practice and meditation. Cynthia, the resident yoga instructor, is amazing and even shared some tips on how to improve your posture and poses, which I plan to incorporate into my yoga journey.
The retreat also hosts events like wellness cooking classes, mocktail classes, tea tastings, and sound healing. I loved mocktails, so I made sure to attend that class. Jonathan, the bartender, started by taking us to the garden to pick fresh herbs to use in the class. Then we sat at the bar and watched him make two amazing drinks (and drank a lot while watching). I’ll admit I was a bit skeptical of the Pimento Sour, made with red peppers, lime, orange, basil, and agave, but… So It was delicious. She also taught me how to make a Mango Mule with mango, lime, orange, basil, vanilla flavored agave, coconut oil and ginger beer.
Although there are several exciting tours and excursions available (such as visits to La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano, a surfing adventure in Jaco, and a coffee plantation tour), I decided to stay on the property for the duration of the trip and opt for a more relaxing and rejuvenating vacation. However, I did depart from the property and embark on a nature hike with several trails through the Crystal Mountains. The hike was a bit too strenuous for me (disclaimer: I do not have I’m not someone who hikes regularly so I decided to turn back after about 15 minutes, but for someone more active and adventurous than me this could be a great activity.
food
Perhaps the highlight of the trip was the food served at Sol Terrace (the on-site restaurant), which The Retreat describes as a “comprehensive chef’s choice menu.” No menuEach meal is chef-selected and made with fresh, organic ingredients, and all menu items are anti-inflammatory, plant-based and mostly grain-, dairy- and refined sugar-free.
I’ll be honest, I was nervous. I’ve never been the most healthy or adventurous eater, and I wasn’t sure I’d enjoy the food. Luckily, I was completely wrong. Each meal was better than the last, and it gave me tons of new cooking ideas and foods I want to try more at home.
The breakfast came with fresh fruit, fresh juice, chia seed and oatmeal pudding, and granola as the first course. The second course included a variation of an egg dish and a grain-free muffin. The only issue I had was when the eggs were poached, as I am very picky about how I like my eggs, but when I told the waiter, the restaurant was happy to make me scrambled eggs instead, which were delicious.
Lunch is always vegetarian, with a delicious first course salad and an innovative vegetable dish for the second course. My favorite is a salad with balsamic dressing, strawberries and cucumber, followed by baked quinoa balls on spinach and hummus, topped with goat cheese and cherry tomatoes. Bonus: Lunch always comes with a mocktail, my favorite being ginger and pineapple.
The three-course dinner was my favorite of the entire meal, as each course started with a soup (the caramelized onion and turmeric was amazing), followed by a choice of entree and protein (including a vegan option), and then a delicious dessert (the dark chocolate-covered cashew ice cream with vegan caramel sauce was a highlight).
Spa, Treatments and Wellness Packages
Dedicated to nurturing the mind, body and spirit, Vida Mía Healing Center & Spa is at the heart of the experience, with a menu of massages, facials, Ayurvedic treatments and energy-balancing rituals designed to promote daily healing.
I spent a lot There’s plenty of time here. Even when not pampered with a spa treatment, this was one of my favorite places to relax and spend time. The spa is split over two levels, each with expansive views of the surrounding mountains and greenery. The first floor has a gym, jacuzzi, sauna, cold waterfall and locker rooms. The second floor has a fantastic pool, lounge chairs and a meditation deck (and access to a nature trail).
The Retreat offers several wellness packages, but I decided to choose my favorite treatments from the spa menu. Those focused on fitness and weight loss should consider the Naked Challenge or Fitness Reboot. Based on stress reduction and mind-body detoxification, the Emotional Healing and Recovery program includes treatments and experiences for mental, emotional and spiritual wellness. Another program, Master Mental Opposition, focuses on self-development, hormonal health and physical health. You can also discuss your personal wellness goals with staff to create a program that’s right for you.
Vidamia Spa entrance
My favourite treatment was the Vichy Shower Massage. Combining deep massage with water cascading onto the skin from seven adjustable showerheads, this 40-minute pampering treatment was truly an incredibly relaxing experience. This hydrotherapy treatment is said to increase circulation, relax muscles and ease the nervous system.
I also had the chance to experience a personalized Ayurvedic treatment, which left me feeling energized and rejuvenated. After speaking with an Ayurvedic expert trained in India, I had a 90-minute treatment that started with a head and shoulder massage, followed by a full-body massage and body scrub.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a relaxing and intimate wellness getaway, I highly recommend considering a trip to The Retreat Costa Rica. It may be a bit of an investment, but we think it will be well worth it, where every detail is perfectly executed to leave you feeling rejuvenated in body and mind long after your holiday is over.
Shannen Zitz is Prevention, It covers everything from lifestyle, health, beauty, relationships, and more. Prevention, She graduated from the State University of New York at Cortland with a BA in English. When she’s not reading or writing, you can find her frequenting skincare and makeup forums on Reddit or occupying the squat rack at the gym.
