Stella’s Travel Review: Shanti Som Wellbeing Retreat, Spain

What were the Highlights of your Visit

Location and Design

It is so easy to reach Shanti Som with only a 40 minute drive from Malaga Airport. With frequent flights to Malaga it is a really easy to get to destination. What I didn’t expect was the feeling of remoteness and stunning nature around the retreat. Usually, you have to travel hours to reach destinations like this, surrounded by a forest with ancient trees and beautiful wildlife. During a morning yoga class I was gazing out over the hill watching a couple of Andalucian horses roaming around. It gave me such a feeling of peace. 

The Caring Team and Nurturing Environment

Shanti Som is a small retreat so you get to know the team quite quickly. You get the feeling that the staff really care about your wellbeing and do their best for you each day. Whether that is the smiling faces of the ladies on reception, the exceptional yoga teachers and therapists or the team in the restaurant they all care about your experience and fully understand you are there to achieve your particular wellbeing goal. There is a lovely sociable feel to the retreat and I got to know some other very interesting people sharing meals with them but there is no pressure to do this and you can eat alone very comfortably too if you prefer to do that. 

Wellness

There are a variety of programmes (retreats) available at Shanti Som. I chose the yoga focused retreat which feeds my yoga passion but I met other people there who were on a variety of programmes including detox, weight loss, Pilates and healing. I had a massage and was very impressed with the quality of the treatment and my therapist managed to make some good progress on the sizeable knots in my shoulders. A tip would be to book any additional treatments you may want in advance of arriving to make sure you get the availability and time you want. Just ask a member of our team and they will help you arrange this. 

Activities 

The emphasis is very much on yoga, meditation and Pilates with different programmes (retreats) available for each. The teachers are extremely well trained and help you understand the postures or movements and how to do them properly. The schedule typically includes two yoga classes a day (morning and evening), and a daily meditation class/practice session. Plus occasional fitness classes such as Fit ball, core workout, circuit or stretching. Hiking is also available a few times a week. Some sessions might not be included in your package but the team will always advise you on what is and isn't included and what the cost for extras is. Also take advantage of our exclusive benefit which offers a extra class too. I try to practice yoga regularly when I am at home but here I could really step it up a notch and get two classes in daily plus a meditation session. After only 24 hours I felt so much better and my sleep vastly improved. I didn’t do any Pilates but heard from the other guests that it was excellent. Shanti som does have a Reformer machine and offers mat sessions too. 

Food

I came to Shanti Som after attending a conference where I ate too much and quite frankly felt sluggish and a bit heavy so I was craving fresh light and healthy meals. I wasn’t disappointed and can honestly say that the food here is a real highlight and is very tasty and beautifully presented. Breakfast consists of a healthy buffet and the choice to order a cooked breakfast too. Lunch is a la carte and dinner a choice of a set menu always with a vegan and vegetarian choice. Refined carbs are limited and healthy protein (animal or plant-based) is available in all meals. After a couple of days I felt lighter but always felt satisfied and never hungry.

Visited October 2022