To retreat – an act or process of withdrawing, especially from what is difficult, dangerous or disagreeable. And let’s face it life can get a little disagreeable at times.
Upon entering the purpose-built Glass House Retreat, your luggage is efficiently swept away to your room whilst you are invited to wait in the lounge with a gorgeous chilled smoothie shot to await your tour of the facilities.
Menus are explained, there are three levels of menu depending on your goals, from Equilibrium which I now know to mean plenty of calories to juicing which does what it says on the tin. This is a plant based, alcohol free retreat. Meals are pre-selected and served in a canteen style dining room at set times which can feel slightly controlled. I was worried I might be hungry and I most definitely was not.
The menu devised by award winning Plant Based chef Miguel Gouveia offers so much variety, I didn’t miss meat at all and the Avocado and Balsamic Tomatoes on Toast and Bean Burger were insanely good.
The retreat experience can be as involved or relaxed as your like. There is a daily itinerary of activities from 7.45am to 8.45pm in the evening. Activities range from mindfulness walks, to meditations in the dome to exercise classes including ariel yoga and dance. There are also more spiritual sessions such as Tarot Card reading and Sound Baths run by the fabulously kind Dot.
Most classes are about 30 mins which gives the feel of a taster session. These would be ideal for people who want to dip their toe into wellness and find out what works for them.
The facilities here are exceptional, with beautiful indoor and outdoor spa areas for relaxing. The outdoor natural plunge pool is a fantastic touch and on a sunny afternoon it was absolute bliss. Equally when the weather wasn’t as agreeable the indoor spa offers Himalayan salt sauna, steam room and a beautifully calm indoor pool area.
Every detail here has been considered from the digital detox box in your room where you are lock your phone away for an absolute retreat from the outside world, to the chairs you can borrow to sit in the field adjacent and watch the sunset.
Robe life is actively encouraged and you soon forget about clothes, make up and the outside world. There are a range of treatments on offer and I couldn’t wait to experience Cryotherapy. Being frozen to minus 140 degrees was exciting and I loved having the music playing to get you through the experience.
The rooms here are uber modern, spacious yet more cosy than they look online. The two double beds are genius for extra sleep for couples and for those sharing. Equally this is the ideal retreat for a solo traveller to relax, renew and rebuild.
I absolutely loved my stay at Glass House Retreat and I guarantee you will too.
Review and Images by Emmie Blower @emmiebhungry
