How to Choose the Best Wellness Retreat: The Do’s, Don’ts & What to Know Before You Go

How to Choose the Best Wellness Retreat: The Do’s, Don’ts & What to Know Before You Go

I remember the first wellness retreat I went on and it was about ten years ago and this was during a time I was investing in myself and saying “what the hell! Let’s do it!” But if I’m being completely honest I had no idea what I was doing or how I should even decide if it was a valuable retreat to invest in.

I had nothing to compare it to and I was pretty much winging it. Now, that I’ve co-facilitated more than 6 retreats with VTG retreats, I’ve compiled a beautiful list of things to consider before you take that leap.

Wellness retreats are powerful. When done right, they can reset your nervous system, clear your mind, and reconnect you to parts of yourself you forgot were even there. But not every retreat is built the same and choosing the wrong one can leave you feeling overwhelmed, underwhelmed, or straight-up confused.

If you’ve been thinking about going on a wellness retreat but don’t know where to start, I got you - the do’s and don’ts, popular retreat styles, how to prepare, and how to choose the one that truly aligns with you.

Get Clear on Your Intention

Before you even open a browser tab, pause and ask yourself one simple question:

Why do I want to go on a retreat?

Are you trying to release stress and burnout heal emotionally or spiritually, deepen your meditation or yoga practice, detox your body and reset your habits or get clarity on your life direction?

When you are clear on what it is you want, you are clear on the direction you are headed.

Your intention is the foundation. When you know what you’re seeking, it becomes way easier to filter out retreats that look cute but don’t actually serve your needs.

The Do’s of Choosing a Wellness Retreat

Do Know What Type of Retreat You’re Looking For

Some retreats are quiet and introspective. Others are active, structured, and intense. Look closely at what’s being offered; meditation, yoga, breathwork, sound healing, detox programs, workshops, or a mix of everything. Make sure the focus matches your goal.

At VTG retreats, our focus is restoration , going with the flow and moments of introspection and expansion. We curate our retreats for the average person that is always on the go, always on, and who never takes a moment to be present. We spotlight self care, self love and self awareness through our morning yoga and guided meditation classes, our sensory communication workshops and our integrative spiritual coaching. We also do an application process before you even book to confirm our retreat is right for you !

Do Research the Facilitators

The people holding the space matter just as much as the location. Look into their background, training, and experience. Watch videos if available, read testimonials, and pay attention to how they communicate. A solid facilitator creates safety, clarity, and transformation. I love when prospective clients ask me about my work and experience, in fact is how I build future connections and expand continuously! So, get to the know the facilitators. See if you meet eye to eye on what it is you are looking to align with.

Do Read Reviews and Testimonials

Past participants will tell you what the marketing won’t. Look for honest feedback about the experience, the schedule, the energy, and the level of support provided.

Do Understand the Daily Schedule

Some retreats start early and stay packed all day. Others offer plenty of rest and free time. Neither is betterit’s about what works for you. Make sure the pace feels supportive, not exhausting. What Felicia (CEO of VTG retreats) and I do is ask our guests how they are feeling, despite what the schedule says, we check in with our guests and truly tap

into what it is they require in order to rest and reach inner healing before they leave our retreat! So our itinerary constantly changes to meet the requirements of our guests because they are our number one priority.

Do Ask About Food and Accommodations

So let’s keep it 100, food plays a huge role in healing. And Felicia and I, don’t play about our food, so we definitely always want our guest to feel well nourished or supported when it comes to food choices or offerings. When choosing your retreat ask what type of meals are provided, whether dietary needs can be accommodated, and what the lodging situation looks like. Comfort supports deeper rest and integration.

Do Budget Mindfully

Price doesn’t always equal quality. Look at what’s included: meals, lodging, sessions, materials, and optional add-ons. Make sure the investment feels aligned, not stressful. VTG retreats is very clear on what is included and what is not. We communicate prices before hand and are always open to suggestions and recommendations when it comes to different things we can explore when it comes to traveling and retreating.

The Don’ts of Choosing a Wellness Retreat

Beautiful photos don’t guarantee a powerful experience. A retreat can look dreamy online and still lack depth or structure. Go beyond the visuals.

I remember while doing our 2025 Sedona Mountain Retreat, I met two women during our free time that were so astonished by one of our guest sharing how nourished she was from the food we were serving our guest on our retreat. The women looked at each other and back to me and my retreat guest and said, our retreat has only offered us water and nuts 👀🤣 I felt so bad for them but this is a classic example of someone booking a retreat for the visual aesthetics instead of doing research on the retreat to confirm it is actually for them.

Don’t Ignore Red Flags

If the retreat details are vague, the facilitators aren’t clearly listed, or your questions go unanswered that’s your sign to pause or walk away.

Don’t Overlook Your Health Needs

If you have injuries, medical conditions, or dietary restrictions, communicate that upfront. A responsible retreat will want to support you properly.

Don’t Over schedule Yourself

Healing requires space. If a retreat packs too much into each day, it can leave you drained instead of restored. So, I’ll admit it’s so easy to get excited about traveling to a new place that you pack the itinerary with more than enough experiences to last a lifetime, however, when you work with nervous system regulation you make it your job to see that you are not over doing it or what I like to call it, “doing too much.” That fear of missing out energy or fomo will have you and exhausted and burned out before the retreat even starts. So, check in with yourself and ask , “ Am I doing too much?”

Popular Types of Wellness Retreats

Understanding retreat styles helps you choose what resonates most with your current season:

Yoga & Meditation Retreats – Focus on mindfulness, movement, and inner stillness

Detox & Cleanse Retreats – Centered around nutrition, fasting, or body resets

Spiritual & Healing Retreats – Sound healing, ceremonies, shadow work, energy practices

Nature & Adventure Retreats – Hiking, outdoor exploration, grounding experiences

Luxury Spa Retreats – Massage, hot springs, high-end relaxation

Creative Wellness Retreats – Art, journaling, movement, and self-expression

Each one serves a different purpose choose based on what you’re ready to receive. VTG retreats does fall under the Spiritual Healing category however we include different elements of the different retreats within what we offer and that’s what makes us special and rare.

How to Prepare for a Wellness Retreat

Preparation starts before you arrive.

Set Intentions: Write down what you want to release, receive, or understand.

Pack Mindfully: Comfortable clothes, a journal, water bottle, and anything that helps you feel grounded.

Hydrate and Eat Light: Supporting your body beforehand helps you settle in faster.

Mentally Unplug: Start easing off social media and distractions before you go.

Release Expectations: Healing isn’t always pretty. Some moments feel expansive, others feel tender. Trust the process.

How to Find the Right Retreat for You

Ask yourself:

• What am I trying to heal or grow into?

• Do I prefer structure or freedom?

• Do I want group connection or solo space?

• How long can I realistically commit?

• What environment helps me feel safe and open?

Search intentionally, ask questions, and listen to your intuition. If something feels aligned, you’ll know. If it feels forced or unclear, honor that too. If you are vibing with a specific, company or group ask if they hold in any virtual or local events . Explore, ask questions and immerse yourself in your investment.

VTG CEO + VTG RETREAT FACILITATOR

Choosing a wellness retreat is more than picking a destination; it’s choosing how you want to show up for yourself. When you lead with clarity, do your research, and trust your inner guidance, the right retreat becomes a turning point, not just a getaway.

Your healing deserves intention, not impulse.

To learn more about VTG’s International Retreats click the link below https://www.vtgretreats.com/

And may 2026, bring you access to more community, more travel, and more opportunities of peace and restoration.