When work feels like an endless sprint, even the world’s greatest team will need to stop and take a breather.
Enter the corporate wellness retreat, the modern company’s way of restoring balance and energy to teams. Wellness retreats allow your workforce to switch off, reset and come back sharper than ever.
So get ready, because for your team’s wellness, these off-sites are on point!
What exactly is a “corporate wellness retreat”?
A corporate wellness retreat is a company getaway with an emphasis on making your teams feel good. They're designed to completely restore and recharge your people (the most valuable asset in your company).
Done well, a corporate wellness retreat can feel like a company-wide exhale. Each lucky person gets the chance to properly unwind and reenergize, which is something more companies are focused on for long-term results. The stats behind employee wellness illustrate why you need to get on board, too:
- McKinsey research indicates that companies that adopt a “culture of health” experience a 11% decrease in employee turnover.
- Research from Gallup shows that teams who feel “highly engaged” see 81% lower absenteeism, which is work absence for no valid reason.
- Wellhub studies found that almost two-thirds of companies reported at least $2 in return for every $1 spent on wellness programs.
Boiled down, when your people feel good, they work better, stay longer, and find it easier to gel as one unit.
You should look at it as the mindful evolution of your company retreats. The focus on team connection and creativity stays the same, but this time, there’s an added layer of calm and clarity (and a bit of guilt-free indulgence).
Your team returns not just with memories, but momentum to make grand changes moving forward.
5 Steps for planning your next corporate wellness retreat
Organizing your corporate wellness retreat means carving out time to restore your teams and bring them back to their best selves. Here’s how to make it happen in five thoughtful steps:
1. Start with intention
This could be the perfect opportunity to provide the full reset the squad needs. Before anything else, decide what kind of renewal your team needs most. Should it have a focus on stress relief, reconnection, or just a chance to properly switch off for a while? Could you find your future leaders by using the activities from a leadership retreat? Being clear on the “why” gives the retreat a deeper sense of purpose, which your staff can really feel.
2. Pick a location that feels like a breath of fresh air
The right setting can make even the simplest plan transform into something unforgettable. You might choose a quiet coastal resort where everyone wakes to the sound of waves, or a forest lodge surrounded by trails and natural silence. As you review your retreat location, think about which environment will help your group decompress and find clarity. Nature and comfort can go hand in hand when your retreat is well-organized.
3. Balance rest with light activities
A great wellness itinerary keeps momentum rolling smoothly, without ramming the schedule full to the brim. The activities you do pick should be focused on health and well-being. Yoga, hikes and healthy group meals work well, mixed in with some fun corporate wellness challenges for a bit of evening excitement.
4. Feed the body alongside the mind
Food makes a big difference in the way people recharge. Go for fresh, nourishing food that boosts energy and focus. Pair that with activities focused on calmness, like guided breathing and journaling. You could even bring in a professional for some guided mindfulness breaks. Taking time to focus on the body and the mind can work wonders for employee wellness and mental health, all set in a one-of-a-kind location.
5. Keep the wellness going on your return!
Once you’re all back at work, you need to take steps so that the wellness doesn’t fade. Carry your positive momentum into your workplace by continuing employee well-being checks and working on new wellness perks. You could even use your retreat as the theme for future mindfulness breaks. See it as a way to keep the retreat spirit alive (without all the jet-lag).
5 of our best venue recommendations
If you’re ready to turn all that wellness theory into a real-world experience, you should be ready to pick the perfect retreat location. Your venue is what ties everything together: the atmosphere, comfort, the sense of “ah, this is exactly what we needed.”
To find the best locations, I turned to our company retreat consultant, Lola Straton, for her expert insight into retreats focused on wellness. She came back with five that blend natural calm with purposeful design. Trust me, these places are ideal for recharging your teams, in every sense of the word:
Art of Living Retreat Center - Boone, North Carolina, U.S.A.
High in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Art of Living Retreat Center invites your team to step out of their routine and into 380 acres of forested serenity. With breathing workshops, daily yoga, an Ayurvedic spa and a fine-vegetarian dining experience, this is a setting where wellness is truly made top priority.
Retreat highlights:
- All-inclusive wellness programs featuring yoga, meditation and the award-winning Shankara Ayurveda Spa.
- Specialized vegetarian cuisine served with panoramic mountain views, giving wellness from the inside out.
- Expertly guided courses in mindfulness and personal/professional growth.
This is the kind of wellness retreat where teams leave completely reenergized and mentally rested, with unforgettable memories to tell their families.
Mandala Springs - Cobb, California, U.S.A.
Set on a 100-plus-acre nature-rich campus in the mountains of Northern California, Mandala Springs is a retreat designed for teams who want to unplug and properly reconnect. These springs are adorned with cozy cottages and wooded cabins, meaning your retreat can completely focus on wellness and restoration.
Retreat highlights:
- A dedicated campus for substance-free vegetarian cruising, complete with wellness facilities.
- Mixed terrains for teambuilding activities, including hiking trails, a seasonal pool and a soothing creek for those early morning reflections.
- Indoor and outdoor spaces for group discussions or breakout sessions.
Mandala Springs is ideal when you have a team that needs space to breathe. The serene setting means they can break away from feeling like they’re “always switched on.” Let nature do half the work for you in this unforgettable retreat location.
Sleep & Nature Hotel - Lavre, Portugal
Tucked into the tranquil countryside of Alentejo, Sleep & Nature invites your team to truly rest. This unique hotel prides itself on restoring teams through natural settings and sleep-based wellness. The location has a one-of-a-kind design, using natural materials like cork and stone to create the most calming setting. The dedicated spa features both indoor and outdoor pools, and the meeting spaces are even more relaxing than you can imagine.
Retreat highlights:
- A boutique-size collection of 32 rooms and suites with patios or wooden “nature” lodgings, making for an unforgettable experience.
- Spa and wellness center, complete with hammam steam baths and guided breath-work lessons to combat stress and sleep issues.
- Meeting and breakout spaces set in serene nature, so discussions don’t even feel like work: they feel like great ideas waiting to happen.
If your goal is to help your teams reset and find clarity, this place hits all the right buttons, while looking like something lifted from a wish-you-were-here postcard!
FeelViana Sport Hotel - Viana do Castelo, Portugal
Set just steps from Cabedelo Beach and nestled among a pine forest, FeelViana Sport Hotel is a vibrant mix of coastal calm and active wellness energy. You could think about this location for developing leadership skills, while having a blast at the same time. FeelViana is perfect if you need to rejuvenate, with some of the best sports facilities we’ve ever seen!
Retreat highlights:
- A “sports hotel” at its heart: surf, wing foil, cable wakeboard, bike trails, and stand-up paddle-boarding are all on offer for sporty teams who like a challenge!
- Indoor and outdoor pools, a full-service spa, yoga and pilates studios, all designed to reset body and mind.
- Contemporary, nature-based rooms and bungalows (46 rooms + 9 bungalows), made for quiet reflection and team connection alike.
If your teams thrive in fresh air and enjoy a healthy dose of competition, this could be the perfect wellness venue for you. FeelViana is dedicated to the balance of resting and recharging, the kind of retreat where teams return both clear-headed and inspired.
Revivo Resorts - Bali, Indonesia
Standing beautifully among tropical forest hills just minutes from the Indian Ocean, REVĪVŌ is where your team goes full-on reset mode, but in complete luxury. The suites and villas on offer shine with traditional Balinese architecture, and every program is tailored to your team’s wellness goals.
Retreat highlights:
- Bespoke wellness immersions: stress relief, sleep reboot, longevity, emotional balance, each designed through a detailed wellness consultation.
- Geared for performance and rest: extensive spa with infrared sauna, hot & cold plunge pools, wellness diagnostics, and gourmet nutrition at the Nūtriō restaurant.
- Premium villas and meeting spaces: open-plan suites with private gardens and pool access, ready for strategy sessions or sunset reflections.
This is the kind of place where your team arrives with laptops in backpacks and leaves with ideas in flight mode.
Reach out to Surf Office for the ultimate wellness retreat
When your people feel balanced, creativity and motivation flow naturally. That’s exactly what a well-planned corporate wellness retreat delivers.
At Surf Office, we make those restorative moments effortless. Our team has years of experience in helping companies pick the perfect destination for teambuilding.
Here’s what we offer:
- Stress-free transfers? We got you! ✅
- Quality-assured accommodations? Check! ✅
- Engaging team-building activities?Our specialty ✅
- Restaurant reservations? That's on us! ✅
- Expert retreat planning assistance? Of course, we have this covered! ✅
- On-site support, tailored to your needs? Absolutely ✅
Not only this, but we also have access to 200+ locations around Europe, APAC, the US, Latin America, and now Africa, meaning the sky is your limit when it comes to choosing the right location for you and your team.
Wellness isn’t a one-time perk. It’s an investment in how your team works together long-term. Let’s make your next retreat the one they’ll remember for all the right reasons.
Spaces are clearing out quickly, so get in touch today. Plan with Surf Office for your next mindful and unforgettable retreat experience.
FAQs:
Q: How long should a corporate wellness retreat last?
Most companies find the sweet spot to be between 3 to 5 days. That gives enough time to make the most of your wellness activities and still leave refreshed rather than exhausted. Any shorter, and it can feel rushed; any longer, and inbox anxiety starts creeping back in.
Q: Do corporate wellness retreats work for remote or hybrid teams?
Absolutely. These retreats are often the perfect bridge for remote teams who rarely meet in person. Workshops, group dinners, or outdoor adventures can strengthen bonds and give your people that sense of unity that screens just can’t replicate.
Q: How do you make sure a wellness retreat still feels productive?
Wellness and productivity aren’t opposites. In fact, they complement each other beautifully. Schedule focused morning sessions, followed by restorative afternoons. The downtime helps ideas simmer in the background, so creativity flows when everyone comes back together.
Q: What if not everyone’s into yoga or meditation?
That’s totally fine! A great wellness retreat has variety in its activities, like hiking, creative workshops, team cooking, or nature excursions. The goal isn’t to convert anyone into a yogi; it’s to give everyone a chance to recharge in their own way.
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