When your time is limited and your calendar is full, choosing a retreat carries real stakes. A few days away is a meaningful investment of time, money, and energy. The right retreat gives you rest and good company. The wrong one gives you a nice photo and a tired flight home.
These are the questions we would want answered before booking any women’s wellness retreat, including our own.
Start with you
1. What do I want more room for right now?
Rest, friendship, thinking time, movement, adventure? Different retreats are built for different things. If you are not sure, our Room Assessment takes about three minutes and points to the area of your life asking for the most room.
2. How much structure do I actually want?
Some women love a full program. Others need long stretches of nothing. Ask for a sample day and look at the ratio of scheduled time to free time.
Look closely at the people
3. Who is this retreat designed for?
A clear answer is a good sign. "Everyone" usually means the experience is not designed around anyone in particular. Look for language that describes women like you, without stereotyping them.
4. How large is the group?
Group size shapes everything from conversation to how much personal attention is possible. If it has not been announced, ask when it will be.
5. Can I come on my own?
Many women attend retreats alone. Ask how rooming works, how introductions happen, and whether solo guests are common.
6. Who leads it?
Look for who the hosts are and what they are responsible for. Be cautious of retreats that lean on vague credentials or promise outcomes no one can guarantee.
Read the practical details
7. What is included, and what is not?
Accommodation, meals, transfers, activities, spa treatments, and flights are often handled differently. A clear list of inclusions and exclusions saves surprises.
8. Whose terms apply?
Retreats rely on suppliers such as hotels, venues, transport companies, and activity providers, and each has its own policies. Ask how supplier terms affect deposits, changes, and refunds, and make sure you see them before you pay.
9. What are the cancellation and refund terms?
Look for dates, percentages, and deadlines in writing. Consider travel insurance, and check what it covers.
10. What accessibility information is available?
Ask about step-free access, room layouts, dietary needs, the physical demands of activities, and how to request accommodations. A good host will tell you plainly what is and is not possible.
Notice the tone
11. Does it promise to transform me?
Big promises are easy to make and impossible to guarantee. Rest, connection, and clarity are real benefits. A retreat that respects you will describe them honestly.
12. Is there pressure to decide quickly?
Countdown timers and "only two spots left" messaging are sales tactics. A thoughtful retreat gives you the information you need and the time to decide.
A note on RE/CREATE
We are answering these same questions for our own retreat, planned for October 2027. Exact dates and the destination have not been confirmed. When they are, the retreat will have its own terms, including the supplier terms that apply, shared before anyone books. You can read our general terms and conditions now.