“I’m planning to host a retreat in Bali, can you help?” – this is one of the most common enquiries our villa specialists receive. The short answer is – “Yes, we can help!”
If you’re planning to host a retreat in Bali (whether it’s for yoga, wellness, business, weight loss or something else entirely), you’ve come to the right place. Over the years, we’ve helped countless facilitators plan and host their dream retreat in Bali. This means we’ve been there every step of the way, from that first email or call all the way to wrapping up the retreat. We know the ins and outs of the process and crucially, we understand just how overwhelming it can all seem in the beginning.
As you probably already know, there are many stunning villas in Bali. However, only a handful of them tick all the boxes of a retreat villa. Read on to discover the 9 best villas for hosting a retreat in Bali.
What you need to consider when planning a retreat
1. Program
So you know you want to host a retreat – now think about what that will mean in practice. Let’s say it’s a yoga retreat. Will you be teaching all the classes yourself or will you need another teacher to join you for some of the lessons? Maybe you’d prefer another teacher to lead all the classes while you focus on masterminding the overall retreat? If you need any additional staff to make your retreat a success, we can organise yoga teachers, martial arts instructors, massage therapists and more.
2. Activities
Besides the main activity (i.e. yoga/social media workshops/weight loss workouts/you name it), what do you want to offer your guests? After all, a yoga retreat can’t be all yoga, all the time. Instead, you need to offer your guests some variety. You’ve all made it all the way to Bali so why not make the most of it!
Activities you can offer on your retreat:
- Daytrips and excursions – Temples, rice fields, clifftops, beaches…
- White water rafting
- Cooking classes
- Massages
- Learning to make Balinese offerings
- Mountain biking
- … and more!
If planning excursions and outings in a foreign country feels overwhelming, don’t worry. Our team has done this a million times! We can recommend the best excursions and after you’ve decided which activities are right for your retreat, we can also handle all the logistics for you. All you have to do is ask!
Insider tip: When marketing your retreat, presenting a clear retreat program is a huge selling point as prospective guests will have a clear idea of what they’ll be getting. Managing expectations is crucial and helps minimize complaints. It also means you will have a clear outline to follow and don’t have to waste time improvising during the actual retreat.
3. Food
Of course, you’ll need to keep your guests fed! Most villas will have a chef on staff which will make meal planning easy. However, not every villa comes with a chef, so you’ll need to double check before booking. If there is a chef, you also need to make sure they’ll be able to cater to your guests’ dietary needs. Some villas that technically have a “chef” on staff only offer a very simple menu. If you’re hosting a yoga retreat, chances are you’ll be looking for juices as well as vegetarian or vegan options so make sure the chef can handle this. Again, our team is on the ground in Bali and can advise you on the specifics.
4. Accommodation
Typically, organisers will have a very vague idea on what to look for when choosing accommodation. It’s understandable, really – of course you want to focus on creating the ultimate retreat experience and not get hung up on the nitty gritty of bedding configurations. However, to plan a successful (and profitable) retreat, it’s essential that you consider these logistics.
The accommodation sets the tone for the whole retreat. Obviously, a photogenic villa will make it easier to market your retreat and in fact, can be a selling point in its own right. But you know what they say about judging a book by its cover…
Besides photogenic appearances, you should also consider if the villa actually fits your needs:
- Does the villa have a yoga shala?
- How about yoga mats/blocks/bolsters?
- Is the kitchen well suited for hosting a cooking class?
- Are the living areas big enough for hosting workshops?
- Do the gardens offer enough space for morning yoga/fitness classes/Balinese dance lessons?
- Is the villa staff experienced in hosting retreats?
While it’s usually pretty easy to find out if a villa has a yoga shala or a gym with a simple online search, bedrooms are trickier. The most cost-effective way to organise a retreat is to offer twin share configuration – a detail many organisers don’t initially take into account. In other words, two guests will share a room rather than each guest occupying their own room. With guests splitting the cost of the rooms, you’ll be able to keep the retreat rates reasonable too.
To offer the twin share option, you’ll need to find a villa that offers single beds in several bedrooms. Finding these villas requires quite a bit of research, as almost all villas feature fixed king-sized beds in most bedrooms. What’s more, bedding configurations listed online can be vague or misleading. We inspect all villas listed on Ministry of Villas and take note of exactly these kinds of details, so feel free to ask our villa specialists.
These 9 villas in Bali are perfect for hosting a retreat and have been personally inspected by our team:
Eco-Heaven on Earth!
Location: Ubud
8 bedrooms, twin share configuration available in all rooms
This magnificent villa was purpose-designed to host yoga retreats. The layout closely resembles your own private resort with rooms and living areas divided into multiple pavilions dotted across huge private gardens. Besides the five(!) swimming pools, the villa also features a stunning yoga shala in the middle of the main pool – with yoga mats, blocks and bolsters all available on site. The culinary team prioritises organic produce harvested from the villa’s gardens and the menu focuses on vegetarian dishes (these can be adjusted to chicken or fish if needed). The villa’s fresh juices deserve a special mention – the team can whip up everything from turmeric to orange and healthy green juices!
Crystal Power
Location: Ubud
7 bedrooms, twin share configuration available in all rooms
Exceptionally well-suited for hosting yoga and meditation retreats, the villa features a fantastic open-air yoga shala with room for up to 40 yogis (yoga mats are also provided). The villa’s own Rose Spa allows guests to enjoy onsite spa treatments, from Balinese massages to body scrubs. Yet another standout feature is the Rose Quartz Spiral – a reflexology walk created using imported crystals and pebbles to promote holistic wellbeing. Oh, and all seven bedrooms offer a twin configuration. Perfect!
Eat, Pray, Love Yoga!
Location: Ubud
9 bedrooms
Featuring one of the most stunning yoga shalas in Bali – built on the banks of sacred Petanu River – the shala is accessed through a spiral staircase cascading through the jungle. The villa’s nature-bound setting is ideal for yoga and wellness retreats and the spiritual hub of Ubud is also just moments away – the overall vibe is very Eat Pray Love. There are nine bedrooms, two pools, rice paddy gardens and amazing views of the Balinese jungle. The staff is very experienced in hosting retreats and can easily organise authentic Balinese spa treatments, lessons in making Balinese offerings, guided walks in the local area and more.
Close to the Action
Location: Seminyak
5 – 16 bedrooms
While finding a large private complex in such a central location is already a feat, what really makes this estate stand out is the giant walls that separate the three villas. The walls run on tracks so if you’re hosting a large retreat (there’s room for 32 guests or even more with extra beds), the walls are rolled back and ta-da – the villas combine to create a huge 16-bedroom mega-villa! (You can also book the villas individually for smaller retreats.) Getting out and about will be easy even with an entourage, as many of Bali’s most lauded restaurants and beach clubs are just minutes away.
On Top of the World
Location: Jimbaran
8 bedrooms
Offering an immersive experience in five-star Balinese hospitality and built on a hilltop on the Bukit peninsula, the villa’s infinity pool, open-plan living areas and treetop yoga shala offer amazing views of the island. The villa has been designed with meticulous attention to detail, inspired by rich Indonesian heritage. This attentive approach extends to the services as well. The villa has a fabulous chef on staff and the staff can also arrange immersive cooking classes, complete with a tour of the local markets. Authentic Balinese spa treatments and cultural experiences are also available.
Far From the Madding Crowd
Location: Gianyar
7 bedrooms
Presiding over a valley where two sacred rivers meet, this serene setting makes this sprawling villa ideal for hosting retreats, whether it’s for yoga, meditation or even business coaching. There’s no fear of running out of space as the villa can host events for up to 100 guests. The staff are also very experienced in hosting retreats and the gourmet meals will be one of the highlights of your stay. The gardens are massive and there are multiple living areas to workshop and socialise in. The villa also has an air-conditioned gym and yoga mats are available too.
7-Star Estate
Location: Ubud
12 bedrooms
Located just moments from the vibrant hub of Ubud, visiting this lavish villa feels like stepping inside an enchanted Balinese kingdom. The massive five-hectare estate is surrounded by lush jungle and gazes over the sacred Ayung River and out to the neighbouring rice paddies. Extensive living areas and 12 bedrooms are divided into standalone pavilions which have been sourced from Java and decorated to luxurious modern standards – the fully stocked Bulldog bar and the futuristic cinema room deserve a special mention. This incredible villa features what is arguably the most beautiful spa in Bali, designed by the celebrated IBUKU design studio. The villa’s gym comes with yoga mats and beautiful views of the surrounding jungle. Dining is yet another highlight: all baking is done in-house and mojitos served in the Bulldog bar feature mint harvested from the villa’s own gardens.
Authentic Bali
Location: Canggu
5 bedrooms
Positioned in trendy Canggu, the villa feels unmistakably Balinese. With open-plan pavilions, bohemian décor and lush gardens, it’s impossible not to get into a tropical state of mind. Featuring five traditional farm houses converted into private bedrooms set over water lily ponds, the setting is simply magical. The open-plan pavilions are great for hosting workshops and yoga classes. The villa has a full-time chef who can accommodate any dietary requirements and preferences your guests might have. If you want to treat your guests to a fun night on the town, there are great restaurants and beach clubs close by.
Modern Boho
Location: Seseh
5 bedrooms
With five bedrooms, this villa is a great option if you’re planning to host an intimate retreat in Bali. This boho chic villa is located in Seseh, a serene locale with beautiful rice paddy views and easy beach access that’s also close to the action in neighbouring Canggu. The villa’s dreamy white décor captures the tropical feel of Bali perfectly and provides great photo ops. There is ample space for yoga glasses and other group activities, both indoors and outside in the garden. The villa has an in-house chef and a full team of staff to look after you and your retreat guests.
We hope these beautiful Bali villas have inspired you to make your retreat dream a reality. All in all, planning and hosting a retreat can be incredibly rewarding. It can also be a huge boost for your brand and business. At the same time, it can feel like a lot of work, especially if you try to do it all by yourself – so why not leave all the logistics to us? This will free up your own time, allowing you to focus on the core content of your retreat. This is a win-win solution that’ll ensure your guests get to experience a professionally organised and thoughtfully planned retreat while also saving you as the organiser a lot of stress.
Would you like to schedule a call with our team to talk you through the process of hosting a retreat in Bali? Contact us!
