Where to Stay on Your Personal Retreat
Choosing your hotel or rental for your retreat is important, but where to start?
Maybe because I worked in the hotel industry for years, choosing a place to stay is second nature to me, so I was surprised when so many people told me this is often where they get stuck when planning a getaway, especially alone! Fear no more - we’ve got this!
Some people like retreat centers, monasteries, etc., and if that is what speaks to you and is in the right location, they can be perfect. But, I love small hotels and beautiful rentals where I have space to spread out with no one around me, so that is what I focus on here.
Travel can be transformational and your lodging for your retreat is a big part of that, but remember, stayin a place that helps fill your soul.
I can hear you now, “Oh heck, Kimberly - what does that even mean?”
Keep reading and it should make more sense. In the Guidebook Planner, we have several pages on deciding where to say and an interactive worksheet to help you, but if you read the rest of this post, you should be there!
Here are some things to think about - I’ll comment on them below.
The actual town - where are you going?
A place where you can be quiet and alone but still feel comfortable.
A view of nature - could be mountains, a lake, or a garden.
Covered outdoor space.
Wonderful Workspace.
Where are you going on your retreat?
I recommend going someplace within a two-hour drive, and please don’t try and mess with flying. And I am a huge believer in small towns for retreats. It’s not that you can’t have a fabulous retreat in Charleston or Atlanta (I’ve done it), but you don’t want to go someplace where you are tempted to be a tourist or see the city because you aren’t sure when you’ll be back. Often smaller towns are a bit slower-paced with fewer (yet wonderful) options, and that lends itself beautifully to your retreat.
Tip: look at small towns (that are big enough to have places to stay and eat) within a two-hour drive of your hometown and start Googling.
Quiet, Comfortable, Creative
You are here to remove distractions so a busy Hyatt with 500 rooms and people attending a conference probably isn’t going to work. But, if your concern is about choosing an AirBNB that is legit or being all alone in a rental in the woods, then don’t do that. I like small inns or rentals, and I have tips on choosing the best. It should be cozy and decorated well, as you want to set yourself up to be as inspired as you can be.
What do I mean by creative? It needs to have some personality - preferably one that you like! I have stayed in cozy cottages, a high-rise building, and a super boho cottage on the sea (where one of Oprah’s authors wrote their book - inspiring for sure!) If it is cookie-cutter and boring, I promise you will not be at your best.
Tip: be sure to read the reviews on Airbnb or even hotel websites. If you see a room you love at a small hotel, call and ask if you can request it.
Access to Nature
Did you know that being in nature has a positive effect on how the body functions, reducing blood pressure, headaches, cortisol production, stress, and illnesses in general? Just being around trees helps reduce stress and makes us more restored. Here are more details and proof of that.
Personally, my soul loves the water, but I have a friend who feels the same way about the mountains. She says, “I can hear God speaking to me when the wind blows through the trees.” Now, for many, it’s not easy to get to water or mountains, so a pretty yard, a garden, even a nice patio will work really well.
It’s also helpful to be able to walk to a park, a lake, etc., as movement is a key pillar in your agenda.
Tip: make sure when you are on the website, you look for pictures that show the outdoors and the views.
“I can hear God speaking to me when the wind blows through the trees.”
Covered Outdoor Space
People always look at me funny when I say this one. Here’s the reason - I do think it is important and helpful to spend some time outdoors, whether it is working, having your morning coffee, or having a glass of wine. If it is the right season and you have a covered porch, a room with french doors leading to the patio works, and if you are lucky enough to have a screened-in porch, you ROCK!
Keep in mind the weather. It could rain, and you don’t want that to dampen (ha!) your retreat. So, if you have a covered area where you can sit and work, even if it rains, it can be beautiful.
Tip: many small hotels have big, covered porches
Wonderful workspace
Most of the time, if you are following my retreat direction, you will be doing some sort of “work” on your retreat. So, a large table to spread out and use as your desk, or an actual writing desk, or a kitchen counter with stools. If you are staying at an inn, chances are each room will be different from the other, so call and ask about the details. And if your room doesn’t have a desk, be sure to check and see what sort of public spaces they have. Most likely, the other people staying there are out and about during the day, so you’ll probably have much of the space to yourself.
As MyPersonalRetreat develops and grows, I will be creating Small Town Guides with favorite hotels, rentals, places to eat out, etc. I’ll also be writing blogs about the places I’ve stayed, mostly in the Southeast, and I’ll link to their websites to give you a headstart.
In the meantime, happy lodging-hunting! If you find a place you love, please let me know - maybe you can write about it!
Remember to think about these five things (after you have set your intention, of course!)
The actual town - where are you going?
A place where you can be quiet and alone but still feel comfortable.
A view of nature - could be mountains, a lake, or a garden.
Covered outdoor space.
Wonderful Workspace.
