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With the day to day stresses of modern life upon us, wellness retreats have become a popular place to take a much deserved rest. Recently I was fortunate enough to spend two nights at Samsara Retreat – a yoga and wellness retreat in Kent.
Samsara (Sanskrit word meaning ‘the wandering journey, from birth to death, to re-birth) offers a variety of wellness packages, many of which occur once a month. The Full Moon Retreat is one such example, which takes place every month when the moon is at its fullest, and includes yoga, meditation, sound healing and delicious vegan food.
If you’re not looking for a whole weekend experience, then you can attend a yoga class or one of Samsara’s day retreats or workshops.
Our stay
Our stay at Samsara didn’t coincide with any events so we were there to just ‘be’. Upon arrival we were warmly greeted by Lori, who is the visionary and host behind this Kent wellness retreat. She showed us around the beautiful 13th century cottage, gave us tea and told us to make ourselves at home.
We stayed in the Sanctuary Suite which is a comfortable double bedroom in the main cottage, complete with its own private bathroom including luxurious bathtub. There are several options for accommodation at Samsara, including a quirky shepherd’s hut and a tipi tent.
Unfortunately we arrived later than anticipated to the retreat so we sadly missed the yoga class that evening. But the following evening we were able to enjoy a bottle of bubbly in one of the eco hot tubs they have on site.
Breakfast was included and fortunately the weather was still good enough for us to enjoy our scrumptious breakfasts outside overlooking the beautiful garden. With all the little decorative touches around the place, Samsara is a treat for all of the senses. I can imagine it’s even more beautiful in the summer.
Lori as a hostess was wonderful. She radiates such a welcoming and positive energy that it would be difficult not to feel at home here. We left feeling thoroughly refreshed and already thinking about attending an organised retreat here.
If you, like Lori, have a sumptuous countryside location and are considering new ways to monetise it, wellness retreats are growing in popularity. With a renewed interest in rural and remote living, it is fair to say that the demand is high. That being said, remote locations also require preparations to make them pleasant for your guests, starting with modern comfort that fits your space (have you tried finding a wardrobe that fits in a rural bedroom?) and regular septic tank maintenance if you’re off the main grid. Services such as custom woodwork and liquid waste disposal need to be on your speed dial!
