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Spa hotels, wellness retreats, resorts… your next getaway doesn’t have to come at the expense of your self-care. In fact, it can support it. I’ve spent the last 10+ years enjoying wellness vacations around the world to help soothe stress, tension, and burnout; wellness retreats have been essential to that effort.
If you don’t know where to begin or feel overwhelmed at the potentially high cost of a wellness retreat, this guide is here to help you! You don’t have to leave the country to enjoy a wellness retreat, either. And you don’t have to book a $1,500/night experience.
After doing a bit of research, here are fantastic affordable wellness retreats you can enjoy right here in the United States – without going over budget.
Why you need a wellness retreat
For the sake of long-term health and livelihood, it is no question that women should be prioritizing their health. Research shows that workload and job stressors strain individual well-being and, according to the CDC, about 16% of women over the age of 18 are in poor health.
Workplace stress is a slow and silent deterrent to health and productivity too. In the United States, about 40% of people say they feel stressed at work. These stressors can have both physical and psychological impacts, with people feeling anxious or getting sick.
Things to Know About Wellness Retreats
What is a wellness retreat?
Wellness retreats help promote health and well-being through physical, spiritual, or psychological activities. Unlike with ordinary vacations which just take time off from your daily routine, wellness retreats offer an intentional space to focus on your mental health and physical wellness.
Many retreats have trained professionals who help you with healing therapy, counseling, yoga, meditation, exercise, and more. There are many different types of wellness retreats and activities that you can partake in, depending on what you want to get out of it.
How to Choose the Right Retreat
To decide what type of retreat you’d like to embark on, ask yourself these questions. What type of traveler are you? Do you prefer activities such as hiking or biking? Or are you looking to do yoga and meditation?
There are so many kinds of wellness retreats to choose from. You can enjoy meditation, yoga, digital detoxes, and time at the spa. It all depends on what you want from your experience.
How to find a wellness retreat near you
To start, consider how long of a retreat you can go on. There are endless options: 4-7 days would be perfect if it’s your first retreat. Many retreats offer month-long options if you are more seasoned or looking to disconnect for longer.
In addition to this, figure out how much you can budget for this trip. You can save some money by going on a retreat that is just a drive away or you can go for a shorter duration. Also, you can go on a wellness retreat in place of the vacation that you’d normally take during the year.
While searching for a wellness retreat near you, decide where you want to immerse yourself. Are you someone who likes the ocean? Then maybe look at going to Florida or California. Do you enjoy a walk in the forest or mountains? Then somewhere in the Pacific Northwest could be a great fit. Think about what environment brings you the most peace and happiness.
Use sites like retreatfinder.com or buy a dedicated Wellness Getaway Guide for a spa hotel directory.
How much do wellness retreats cost?
There are a lot of different factors that affect how much a wellness retreat can cost. Will you take classes? What extra amenities are you interested in? Do you want all your meals covered?
For a budget retreat, you’d be looking at around $1,000 to $2,000 for a week-long getaway. If you are looking at mid-range retreats, you can expect upwards of $3,000 to $6,000, and for the more luxurious experiences, it can be over $7,000. For the sake of this article, “affordable” will include budget to mid-range experiences that cost under $700 per night.
Wellness Retreats in the USA
1. Transform yourself in Boca Raton, Florida
In the heart of sunny Florida, you can disconnect and recenter through daily yoga practice, time at the spa, and meditations. The Zen Den Yoga School and Retreat hosts different types of yoga at their facilities, including Ashtanga, inspired Vinyasa, Hatha, Restorative, and more.
If you want more amenities such as life coaching, that can be added to your experience as well. You can expect to pay less than $2,000 for one week for affordable wellness retreats here, with meals included.
2. Destress in Hawley, Pennsylvania
If you are looking for a slightly more luxurious stay, then you should book with The Lodge at Woodloch. They offer spa treatments, outdoor activities, and meditation that incorporates breath work to connect your mind and body.
At The Lodge, there are a plethora of activities that you can do year-round, so it doesn’t matter what time of year you choose to go. They also offer a range of different packages and prices depending on what amenities you are interested in. The starting package price is about $650 a night for a stay at the spa hotel (with meals and activities included).
3. Reawaken your mind in Santa Fe, New Mexico
A physical symbol of reawakening and reimagining is shown with Ojo Spa Resorts. They had to close after enduring the pandemic and a fire in 2020. A short time later, they reopened and still hold their historic image.
Focusing on hydrotherapy, you can relax in their bathhouses, mineral water pools, and along the cliffside on hammocks. Hydrotherapy is incredibly effective in relieving pain in your body and relaxing your muscles. If you are an active person or suffer from chronic pain, you will feel completely renewed after some time with hydrotherapy.
For $350+ a night, you can enjoy breathtaking views and hot springs, and relax in a way that you wouldn’t be able to get at home.
4. Transform in Mountain Village, Colorado
Follow the winter solstice and experience a snowy adventure in the mountains at Peaks Resort. They take on wellness with a holistic approach, offering fun and relaxation to relax your mind and body.
This approach combines meditation, yoga, healthy meals, nutrition assessments, and a soothing environment amongst the best scenery.
Pamper yourself at their spa and salon so you can return home renewed! You can stay there as low as $275/night during their low season.
5. Find Wellness by the City, in New Jersey
Perched atop a reflective multi-level facility with rooftop views of the city skyline, SoJo is a hit in the urban wellness scene. Day trip to this popular spa club near NYC for a full-day experience with your friends or significant other – get there by car or a 25-minute NY Port Authority bus ride. You’ll enjoy access to thermal pools, a Korean bath house, volcanic sand bath, saunas, and a fitness center, to name a few.
If you add an overnight stay for a true wellness retreat, stay at the boutique Hotel SoJo onsite and you’ll receive all-day spa club admission included with your nightly rate. You can stay here for less than $300/night.
6. Pamper yourself in Austin, Texas
If you are searching for an all-encompassing experience, then you should look at what Miraval has to offer. Along with the usual activities offered at wellness retreats, you can join their beekeepers or farmhands, create art, and take Pilates classes.
The cost of this retreat depends on when you go, but on average, it is about $900 a night for a more luxurious experience. While this is on the higher end, smart planning can get you a stay for $650/night instead if you visit on Mondays or Wednesdays, for instance.
This retreat is a stone’s throw away from the beautiful Lake Travis and offers a natural sanctuary for those looking to get out of the bustle of the city.
7. Soak up nature in Acadia Yurts
Are you a nature lover looking for a unique way to spend your wellness getaway? Connect with the outdoors in a well-equipped yurt or tiny house at this Acadia glamping destination in Maine.
Located on Mount Desert Island, Acadia Yurts & Wellness Center’s yurts are available from April through October, with its wellness center open year round.
The onsite wellness center is a well-rounded find for glamping properties: offering yoga classes, massages, infrared sauna, and even a floatation room. It’s the perfect outdoorsy wellness retreat in vicinity of Acadia National Park and extremely budget friendly at $245/night.
8. Restore in Calistoga, California
The Indian Springs Calistoga Resort is actually one of the original spas in California. Here you can relax in their thermal waters, take a mud bath, and immerse yourself in volcanic ash for an authentic experience. While it can seem like a surprising kind of activity, mud baths are considered very therapeutic. They can exfoliate dead skin cells, relax sore muscles, and relieve pain such as arthritis.
They also have the Buddha Pond, which serves as a place of refuge and solace for guests. This area includes a meditation pond, gardens, and an outdoor fireplace which creates a personal and quiet space to enjoy. Their prices average about $450 a night.
9. Indulge in Cannon Beach, Oregon
Hallmark Resort Hotels lies on the beach with Haystack Rock, which movie-lovers will know as the famous rock from the 1985 film, The Goonies.
If you don’t usually live by the beach, you will see how this environment encourages people to get out and enjoy the sunshine and the calming sound of the waves. For spectacular sunsets and a salty breeze, this is the ultimate Pacific Northwest getaway.
You can bring your furry friend to this wellness property, and free bike rentals are a guest favorite. This retreat is very pocket-friendly for around $350 a night.
What is your favorite wellness getaway?
It can be a difficult decision to take some time off and go on a wellness retreat. However, I assure you it will be the best decision you make for yourself this year. We are living in a time with a lot of uncertainty and stress – trust me, we all need this.
If you want some more wellness recommendations, check out these Black-owned Spas and my published Wellness Getaway Guide.
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