6 Things to Think About When Booking a Wellness Retreat

Wellness retreats offer the perfect opportunity to wave goodbye to packed trains and an overflowing inbox and say hello to wind chimes, fluffy dressing gowns, and total zen. However, there are a few things you need to consider before swanning off for a well-deserved pampering session.

From treatments and food to the location, it pays to consider in advance what you really want from a spa retreat. We’ve listed the 6 things you should think about when booking your wellness revival so you can make the most of your relaxing retreat.

Here’s how you can start planning a wellness retreat.

Check the price tag

As much as we want to throw caution to the wind and have a massive blowout, it’s still worth selecting a wellness retreat that fits your budget. There’s nothing worse for messing with your chakras than a glaring credit card bill when you return home.

While of course luxury is appealing, you don’t actually have to spend a fortune to book a fabulous spa holiday. Research shows that Europe has plenty of affordable spa regions for a quick wellness break. Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic is the cheapest location for a massage, a one-night stay in a three-star hotel and an inexpensive meal. This was closely followed by Budapest in Hungary and Granada in Spain. So, let money worries drift away on the breeze as you lie back in the hot tub and take in that glorious European view.

Consider why you’re going

It’s a lovely thing to treat yourself to a weekend of wellness, but it’s also important to work out why it is that you’re really going. If it’s for the simple self-love reasons of softer skin, a few laps of the pool and an attempt to lighten your under eye bags, great stuff. If it’s to escape a nightmare job, soothe a broken heart or mend an aching body, it’s a good idea to look at the bigger picture first.

Now, if you’re going on a wellness retreat for the latter, you will only feel the true benefits of the trip once you know you have a plan for setting your everyday life back on track. The last thing you want is that little voice in the back of your head nagging at you while you’re having a well-deserved massage.

Before you head off, think about the longer-term ways you can ease the stress you’re feeling day-to-day. Taking that centered, chilled-out vibe back to your everyday grind is where the real self-improvement begins.

Think about which treatments you fancy

Are you in desperate need of a deep-tissue massage? Are your cheeks crying out for a facial? Or is it yoga and meditation you’re after?

Make sure you research the kind of spa services you hope to enjoy before booking a resort to avoid disappointment.

Consider the latest massage trends and find out where to get them. Make time to research which countryside retreats have the comfiest yurts. By narrowing down exactly what you want from a spa holiday, you can book an ever better experience and plan each day so your break runs super smoothly.

Consider the overall vibe of the retreat

Some wellness resorts are action-packed and full of variety, aiming to get your heart pumping and your skin glowing in turn. Some prize silence as a way to reconnect psychologically and spiritually, while others have luxury and decadence at the top of their agenda.

Once you – and your fellow spa visitors, if you have any – decide what kind of atmosphere you fancy on your mini-break, you can select the kind of place that ticks all of your tranquility boxes more easily.

Who will you share this experience with?

If you’re going along to a spa retreat with friends, make sure they are on the same page and you know you can have a relaxing time with them. You wouldn’t be making the most of your relaxing experience if you find your holiday companion taking loud phone calls during a massage.

Likewise, before you book a retreat, keep in mind the type of clientele you’ll encounter on your wellness retreat. Are you hoping to make friends by taking part in interactive sports and group activities? Or do you crave stillness and the true meaning of ‘alone time’? Either way, it’s good to think this through before you go.

What about the food?

We all know that no matter how many creams, lotions, and potions we slather ourselves with, it’s how we nourish ourselves that really counts towards a healthier mind and body. Before you book your trip, make sure to take a look at the menu of the wellness resort or spa you’ve picked. There’s no point spending the morning on breathing exercises, yoga poses and the backstroke if you’re going to spend the afternoon wolfing down chips and tiramisu.

Make sure the menu is in keeping with the location’s overall approach to health and includes foods rich in proteins, carbs, and vital vitamins so you can recharge your soul and revitalize your body from the inside out.