Wellness Retreat Review: Discover Inner Calm in Spain's Holistic Haven
- Rebecca Knubley
- Mar 29
- 10 min read
“I am so glad I found this place”—Shanti-Som, a wellness retreat tucked away in the secluded mountains of Monda, Marbella. This retreat blends Asian-inspired philosophy with a Mediterranean setting, offering bespoke and customised retreat options for everyone.
A wellness retreat is a time to focus on yourself—to reconnect with your body, mind, and spirit, finding a sense of inner calm and peace. It can be a source of inspiration and motivation as you step into a new phase of life. Maybe life has become overwhelming or stagnant, and you’re craving change. Perhaps you’ve neglected your health and need a reset. Whatever your reason for seeking a wellness retreat, Shanti-Som is designed to guide you on that journey.
RELAX, RENEW, REFRESH
As a spa therapist and a passionate advocate for all things wellness, I dedicate a lot of my energy to helping others—whether through massage, stretching, or skincare. That’s why my reviews feel important. Whenever I visit a spa, a weekend getaway, or a hotel with a wellness focus, I make it a point to share my experience. My hope is that it helps someone decide whether a place is right for them.
Personally, before I book anywhere, I dive into reviews, check websites, scroll through social media, and read blogs, I want to know about real experiences. Photos on a website can highlight the best parts, but they don’t always reveal the full picture, like cleanliness or service standards. So, my reviews are completely honest and, hopefully, insightful for both guests and businesses.
Coming from a background in 7-star yachting and private households, I naturally notice details that could elevate a guest’s experience. Of course, I don’t expect every place to meet that level, it takes immense dedication and resources... but I do believe there’s always room for improvement.
Why Did I Choose This Retreat?
Shanti-Som stood out to me as I sat in my cabin on the yacht, endlessly searching for the right retreat. I knew I needed to do something, I had some time at home alone, and I was mentally and physically exhausted from work. I wanted to reset my body and reconnect with myself spiritually.
I didn’t want to travel too far from the UK, and I didn’t want to spend a fortune. I looked at so many options—there are so many beautiful retreats out there, and I know I’ll try some of them one day. But for this particular time, Shanti-Som ticked every box. It was within my budget, and the short 2 and a half hour affordable flight from Bristol, to Málaga made it even more appealing.
Their website immediately caught my attention, and when I checked their socials, it really spoke to me. The Asian influence, the peaceful atmosphere, it all felt aligned with what I was looking for. My most spiritual moments have been in Bali, and with Shanti-Som’s philosophy rooted in Indonesian architecture and the Balinese way of life, I felt an instant connection.
The Retreat offers many options whether you want a 5 day Yoga package, Pilates, 3 day's of pure relaxation, or like myself I choose the Detox Retreat for 3 day's, like I said I wanted to reset my body and this included Enema's which I had never experienced before. So lets dive in to my experience, there are some shortcut links below if you just want to go straight to my final verdict -
Heading #2: Final Verdict
First Impressions
From the moment I landed in Málaga, my retreat experience began. A 45-minute scenic drive brought me to Shanti-Som, nestled in the hills beyond a winding road and a tiny wooden bridge. The entrance, marked by a grand reclining Buddha, immediately set the tone for peace and relaxation.
Stepping inside, I was greeted by the soft scent of incense and the calming Asian-inspired décor. Tony at reception welcomed me warmly, walking me through my personalized 72-hour schedule. While I could make adjustments, I trusted their expert planning, especially since my retreat included enemas and a juice cleanse which I had never done before.
A thoughtful welcome pack awaited me, including a white water bottle, a dry brush, a tongue scraper, and everything needed for my detox.
After a tour, I unpacked and headed to the lounge for my first juice of the day, served by the fire, perfect for staying warm during a cleanse. I then explored the retreat, taking a swim before relaxing in the peaceful surroundings.
My room was spacious, with a cozy double bed, a private balcony, and a large bathroom. The rooms are not greatly sound proof and on my last evening I had to call twice to reception as two girls were laughing and talking until late in the room next door. But what stood out most was the retreat’s serene ambiance. Buddha statues, flowing water, and lush gardens created a truly tranquil escape.
After my tour of the retreat, I headed to my room to unpack and then to get my first juice of the day which they serve by the fire, it is just perfect because when you are on a juice cleanse your body temp does drop so it felt so cosy. I headed to the pool for a swim and catch some sun (my time was over cast) so I will defiantly like to head back during summer to get some sun. The rooms were a great size, i had a comfy double bed with a balcony and large bathroom. I just loved walking around this place there were buddhas around every corner with water running it had a real sense of calm, surrounded by nature and oriental gardens.
My Favorite Aspects of Shanti-Som
One of the standout parts of my experience at Shanti-Som was the warm and welcoming atmosphere created by both the staff and the guests. From the moment I arrived, I never once felt uncomfortable or out of place. The retreat was thoughtfully structured, with a well-balanced schedule that allowed for both personal time and social interaction.
The yoga instructors were incredible—highly skilled, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about what they do. Each session felt intentional and left me feeling both grounded and refreshed.
During my three-day stay, I met a diverse mix of guests, all there for different reasons. Some were couples, others were simply taking a break and recharging after a long UK winter, and some were going through major life transitions. Despite these differences, there was a shared sense of respect and understanding. You never felt pressured to socialise, but there were also plenty of natural moments for connection. It was the perfect balance of inclusivity—engaging when you wanted to be, yet allowing for solitude when needed.
Even the dining setup reflected this thoughtful approach. There were solo tables, couples’ tables, and a shared table for those who wanted to interact. Since I was on the Detox Retreat, my evening bone broth was served at 7:00 PM, while other guests dined at 7:30 PM. This small but considerate detail ensured that those on the detox program didn’t have to sit around others enjoying full meals—something I really appreciated. Speaking of food, it looked amazing. The menu was Asian-inspired, organic, and beautifully presented. I even got a little taste when my detox ended—they offer a post-detox meal to gently ease your body back into solid foods.
Picture from website
What Was Included in My Retreat?
For the price, I found the inclusions to be excellent value for money. Here’s what was part of my package:
• A health check with the retreat’s health coach and nutritionist – This included blood, heart, and urine tests, along with a personal consultation. The health coach was incredibly kind and completely non-judgmental, offering great advice on how to move forward with my health journey.
• One yoga class per day – A great way to stretch, unwind, and recenter.
• One meditation class per day – Helping to bring a sense of calm and mindfulness to the experience.
• One 60-minute massage of my choice – A much-needed moment of relaxation.
• One 30-minute session of pressotherapy – A gentle lymphatic drainage treatment.
• One full-body scrub – Perfect for detoxifying the skin and leaving it feeling fresh and renewed.
Overall, the retreat felt incredibly well-curated, balancing wellness, relaxation, and personal growth in a way that never felt forced or overwhelming.
Treatments & Classes at the Retreat
I had two massages during my stay—one deep tissue and one Ayurvedic. Both were really nice, and I connected well with my therapist. However, as an Ayurvedic masseuse myself, I noticed that it wasn’t a traditional Ayurvedic treatment. There was no dosha analysis or personalised dosha oils, which would have really enhanced the experience. That said, the warm oil and massage techniques were still lovely.
The body scrub, which I believe is made in-house using organic ingredients, was a nice touch. However, I found it a little too rough for my skin—it was quite intense! That said, my skin did feel incredibly smooth afterward.
I also tried pressotherapy for the first time, and I highly recommend it for anyone detoxing or dealing with lymphatic blockages. It was a great experience and something I’d definitely do again.
Spa Facilities & Cleanliness
One thing I really appreciated throughout the retreat was how clean everything was. Housekeeping was meticulous—cleaners came every morning and evening, sweeping and mopping the floors (which is so important since you’re often barefoot). There were no bugs, no bad odours, and everything felt fresh. Hats off to the housekeeping team!
The sauna and steam room were a great addition, and I love a sauna. However, their opening hours were limited (11 AM–7 PM), so I couldn’t use the sauna in the evening, which would have been ideal. The steam room, unfortunately, didn’t smell great, and the steam wasn’t really pumping.
Breathwork: A Transformative Experience
My first-ever breath-work session was incredible. It was almost transformative, and I’ll definitely be incorporating it into my wellness routine moving forward. If you’ve never tried breath-work before, I highly recommend giving it a go!
The Juice & Coffee Enema Experience
First off, a big shoutout to the chefs at Shanti-Som—the juices were absolutely delicious, made fresh with organic, locally-sourced produce every day. They were the perfect blend of refreshing and nourishing, setting the tone for my detox journey.
Now, moving onto the coffee enema experience—let’s just say, I won’t dive into too much detail here. If you’ve made it this far in the blog, I’m sure you’re already overloaded with information, but as promised, I want to be honest about my experience. I’d never done a coffee enema before, and I was a little nervous. However, the staff were incredibly supportive and helpful. They walked me through the process and made sure I felt safe and comfortable. I could ask any questions, and their guidance helped ease my nerves.
To my surprise, the enema experience was much easier than I expected. Afterward, I did feel a boost of energy, which was great. However, in between the juices and yoga, I did experience some fatigue and a bit of a headache, which I later learned was due to the detox process and the elimination of toxins from my body. A detox and juice cleanse are not for the faint-hearted. If you’re thinking of doing something similar, I highly recommend preparing at least a week in advance for such a significant change to your routine.
Final Verdict: ★★★★☆
Shanti-Som is a truly peaceful and rejuvenating retreat, offering a blend of tranquility, personalised treatments, and thoughtful, organic food. The staff were incredibly welcoming and made me feel at ease throughout my entire stay, especially with the detox and coffee enema experience, which was new for me. The facilities were clean, calming, and well-maintained. While the retreat offers excellent value, I felt some areas, like the sauna hours and steam room and the room noise, could have been better. Nevertheless, it’s a fantastic destination for anyone looking to reset physically, mentally, and spiritually.
If you’re ready for a detox journey, this is a place I highly recommend, though do prepare yourself for the intensity of the cleanse. Overall, a solid 4 stars—would definitely return!
Full Cost Breakdown:
If you’re interested in the full breakdown, keep reading! But if that’s not your thing, I hope you enjoyed my blog review of Shanti-Som. I truly hope you get the chance to experience this beautiful retreat for yourself.
As always, if you have any questions, thoughts, or just want to chat, feel free to reach out—I love connecting with you! And don’t forget to follow my Instagram for more wellness insights, skincare tips, and a little more of me along the way. See you there!
Price: | |
Flights Return - from Bristol - Malaga (I had to pay £55 check in charge at the airport which I was very unhappy about - Beware if flying with Ryan Air check in before you arrive at the airport) | £175.50 |
Retreat Stay- with Juices and Broth Included | 1716 euro |
Airport pick-up and drop off - (arranged by Shanti-Som) | 85 euro each way |
Breath-work Session | 35 euro |
Heart Chakra Meditation | 25 euro |
Ayurveda Massage | 99 euro |
Total; | £1892 |
Rating System
0 Stars:
• Experience: Extremely poor, unacceptable service, or severe hygiene issues.
• Service Quality: Rude or unprofessional staff, treatments not as advertised.
• Facility: Dirty, unkempt, or unsafe environment.
1 Star:
• Experience: Poor experience, major issues but not severe.
• Service Quality: Unfriendly or indifferent staff, poor treatment quality.
• Facility: Below average cleanliness, outdated or poorly maintained facilities.
2 Stars:
• Experience: Mediocre experience, several issues affecting the overall visit.
• Service Quality: Inconsistent service, treatments not up to standard.
• Facility: Clean but needs improvement, minor maintenance issues.
3 Stars:
• Experience: Average experience, met basic expectations.
• Service Quality: Polite staff, acceptable treatment quality.
• Facility: Clean and functional, minor improvements needed.
4 Stars:
• Experience: Good experience, a few minor issues.
• Service Quality: Friendly and professional staff, good treatment quality.
• Facility: Clean, well-maintained, pleasant ambiance.
5 Stars:
• Experience: Excellent experience, memorable visit.
• Service Quality: Highly professional and friendly staff, exceptional treatment quality.
• Facility: Immaculate, luxurious, and well-equipped facilities.
Disclaimer:
The content provided in this blog post is for informational and educational purposes only. All information shared is based on personal experiences and insights. The author does not claim to be a medical professional, and the content should not be construed as medical advice or a substitute for professional medical guidance. It is essential to consult with your doctor, therapist, or counselor before implementing any practices discussed in this blog post. The author holds no responsibility for any actions taken based on the information provided herein. All Images used are from the retreats website or my own images.
Thank you for your understanding.
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