Sometimes you simply need to get away to get peace of mind, a new outlook on life, or motivation and fresh energy in preparation for (or celebration of) ascending to new heights. Sometimes you need a retreat in your life. Retreats aren’t mere vacations, they’re excursions with a purpose.
Planning a retreat isn’t like planning a family trip or weekend getaway with your friends—it’s important to have a well-constructed plan to get the most out of your trip and the highest possible return on your investment. Continue reading to get some tips to help you plan a retreat that transforms your group and provides you with memories and lessons that will last you a lifetime.
Arrange the logistics.
There are numerous details to consider when you’re trying to book a retreat, and missing one element could ruin the entire getaway. The best way to look at organizing a treat is to follow the formula you learned for questioning in middle-school English class, meaning you need to know who, what, when, where, why, and how.
Who’s going? What are you going to do on your retreat? When and where will your retreat take place? Why are you hosting a retreat? How are you going to organize traveling and lodging booking? By checking every box on that list, you’ll ensure that your group has an enjoyable and evolutionary experience.
The first thing you need to figure out is who you want to invite to your retreat? Is it a business, family, friend, or special interest function? Couples retreats are a great opportunity to get away from all distractions and focus on making your relationship stronger, and there’s nothing like having your friends who are in relationships there learning and growing with you.
After you know who’s going, it’s time to start trying to find the best value for your buck. Believe it or not, one of the best ways to find the lowest prices is to shop for your travel and lodging arrangements separately. For instance, if you’re planning on relaxing in St. Lucia, you might be able to find a special offer on a villa on the Stonefield Villa Resort hotel website than on a third-party booking site.
A booking site and the actual hotel website will nearly always have a different room rate. You can count on the hotel website to be up-to-date and accurate regarding any special offer where a third-party booking site’s room rate may need further investigating if you want to get the best value.
When it comes to lodging, the key is to look for an all-inclusive resort because it cuts down on traveling expenses significantly, especially for groups who need multiple suites. Be sure to do thorough research of the amenities to make sure they live up to expectations, and always look at a resort’s traveler rating to make sure that the customers and managers of the resort have the same outlook. Also, be sure to look up and follow Saint Lucia safe retreat protocols and safety measures for your trip.
Come up with a theme for your retreat.
If you’re planning a romantic getaway for your lover and your other friends who are couples, you need to come up with a theme for your retreat that will serve as a guideline for your itinerary as well as the goal of your trip. For instance, if you’re going to the Viceroy Resort on Sugar Beach in St. Lucia and your trip is about relaxing and recharging, you could call it “Serenity in St. Lucia” or the “Romantic Getaway on Coconut Bay.” In short, your theme will tell people what your retreat is about as well as a little bit about what they’ll be doing while on their getaway.
Plan your itinerary.
If there’s one thing that’s certain, you don’t want to wait until you arrive at St. Lucia to start figuring out how you’re going to spend your time in the Caribbean Islands. Group and couples therapy, spa treatments, yoga and meditation sessions, mixers and parties, and island hopping are typical activities for group retreats.
The key is to schedule events that will be bonding experiences for the group as a whole and especially for the couples while also mixing in a healthy balance of fun and relaxation. That being said, be sure to save room on your itinerary for love.
Plan thoroughly, but leave room for spontaneity and “couples’ alone time.”
With so many things to see and do on the beautiful island of Saint Lucia, it would be a shame to plan every detail to the point that there’s no room for the unexpected to occur. It’s best to book at least a seven-night stay so you can sneak in a few days of snorkeling in the Caribbean Sea, kayaking, or just laying in your hammock on your patio enjoying moments of tenderness and serenity with your partner. While planning is necessary to ensure you have a good and safe time while outside of the United States, you should also make time to get caught up in the moment and positive vibes of Saint Lucia.
