Shanti-Som Wellbeing Retreat
Malaga, Spain
Overview
Adults-only Shanti-Som transports its guests to tropical Indonesia – without the long-haul flight. This ultra-chic wellness sanctuary is modelled on an Asian resort, complete with exotic gardens, waterfalls and Buddha statues. The surrounding area is seriously scenic, too. The hotel's in the Sierra de las Nieves Nature Park, where greenery and majestic mountains provide the backdrop.
Wellness at Shanti Som is immersive, with programmes built around individual goals, including yoga, Pilates, detox, weight management and emotional healing. The compact spa has a menu of holistic therapies, energy work and beauty treatments, and private sessions in breathwork, Tai Chi and shiatsu are available. Lots of thought goes into nutrition, as well, with a focus on healthy, locally sourced produce and juice cleansing.
The retreat’s mantra, ‘to reward, encourage and educate, but never judge’, reflects its philosophy. Every guest is supported with kindness and guidance, enabling personal growth, wellbeing and inner balance in a safe space.
Just so you know, the minimum age for guests is 16.
When to go
What we love
- Shanti-Som’s charitable project Ashiana, which means ‘safe haven’, and actively supports local charities
- Relax in the lounge with a healthy juice or herbal tea – it comes complete with a library, fireplace and comfy Balinese armchairs
- This is a relaxed retreat where you can practice yoga, Pilates and meditation daily
Who should go
- Anyone looking for a healthy reset on a physical, mental and emotional level and a short-haul flight
- Those looking for an intimate, friendly and nurturing environment
- Travellers looking to improve their fitness with their movement of choice (yoga, pilates, personal training)
Offers
- Exclusive Benefits:
- - 1 Free group activity (min stay 5 nights) - choice of group hike, yoga, Pilates, sound healing, breathwork
- - 10% discount on extra spa treatments
- - Early check in (subject to availability at the time of arrival)
- For repeat clients who stayed at Shanti Som with Wellbeing Escapes in the past: Free one way airport transfer OR Spa treatment (60 minutes, choice of Deep tissue, Hot stone, Relaxation and Reflexology (min stay 5 nights)
Wellness
Inspired by traditional Balinese philosophies, Shanti-Som offers a variety of programmes focused on yoga, Pilates (mat and Reformer), detox (juicing), weight loss and emotional healing. For those seeking a gentler pace, the Relaxation Retreat provides daily yoga and meditation classes, leaving the rest of the day free to spend however you like.
The spa is small but well-equipped, offering massages, scrubs, facials, wraps, manicures and pedicures, alongside energy therapies such as Reiki, harmonium healing and soul reading. Nutrition consultations are also available, and private sessions can be booked for yoga, Pilates, breathwork, Tai Chi, shiatsu and general fitness.
Facilities include a sauna, steam room, treatment rooms, yoga shala, Pilates machine and a small gym.
- Life coaching
- Health check
- Nutrition consultation
- Colonic
- Deep tissue massage
- Hot stone massage
- Seaweed body wrap
- Shiatsu (Japanese bodywork)
- Lymphatic drainage
- Oriental foot therapy
- Yoga
- Pilates
- Meditation
- Breathwork
- Sound healing
- Guided hiking
- Stretching
- Fit Ball
- Core workout
- Circuits
Some classes are free of charge but yoga and Pilates are chargeable.
Activities
- Hiking
- Cocoa ceremony
- Swimming pool
- Visit upmarket marina of Puerto Banus
- Visit local beaches
- Take your fitness to new heights with an excursion up Marbella’s famous La Concha Mountain
Sample Weekly Class Schedule
Please note - Classes are subject to change and seasonal adjustmentsRooms
There are just 15 rooms at Shanti-Som, with unique names like Passion, Kindness, Knowledge and Joy. Design-wise, they’re simple and calming spaces – expect gleaming white walls and bedding and light-wood furnishings.
Size: 25 square metres
These rooms come with a king-size or twin beds, a marble en-suite bathroom, and a terrace with a view of the gardens. Facilities include air-conditioning, a flatscreen TV, safe, bathrobes, slippers, toiletries and a hairdryer.
These rooms come with a king-size or twin beds, a marble en-suite bathroom, and a terrace with a view of the mountains. Facilities include air-conditioning, a flatscreen TV, safe, bathrobes, slippers, toiletries and a hairdryer.
Size: 35 square metres
These lower ground-floor rooms come with a king-size or twin beds, a large living room, marble en-suite bathroom, and direct access to the gardens (no terrace or view). Facilities include air-conditioning, a flatscreen TV, safe, bathrobes, slippers, toiletries and a hairdryer.
These rooms come with a king-size or twin beds, a walk-in wardrobe, marble en-suite bathroom with a shower and bathtub, and a terrace with mountain views. Facilities include air-conditioning, a flatscreen TV, safe, bathrobes, slippers, toiletries and a hairdryer.
What’s on the menu
Location
Shanti-Som Wellbeing Retreat is less than a 10-minute drive from sleepy Monda, an authentic Andalusian town with cobbled streets, whitewashed houses and a sunny central square with a handful of cafés and tapas bars.
The resort is bordered by the Sierra de las Nieves Nature Park and Biosphere Reserve, so it feels wonderfully tucked away. That said, it’s less than a 30-minute drive from Marbella’s beaches, designer boutiques and upscale restaurants.
Families, Children & Infants
Due to a nature of this retreat, kids are not allowed. Min age to attend a retreat is 16 years.Reviews
Why Wellbeing Escapes?
