Shanti Som Review: Our Experience at Spain's Balinese-Inspired Wellness Retreat

An honest review of Shanti Som Wellbeing Retreat in Andalusia - from the Pilates programme and yoga classes to the mountain view accommodation, Mediterranean-Asian cuisine, and holistic spa treatments

When life got chaotic at the start of the year, I knew I needed more than just a weekend away. I needed somewhere to genuinely reset, both physically and mentally. Shanti Som Wellbeing Retreat, tucked into the Sierra de las Nieves National Park in southern Spain, kept appearing in my research as the kind of place that delivers real transformation.

After three nights immersed in this Balinese-inspired sanctuary, I understand why guests return year after year. This isn't a place for ticking boxes or superficial relaxation - it's where you actually slow down, breathe properly, and remember what balance feels like.

First Impressions: Crossing Into Calm

The winding forest drive to Shanti Som sets the tone perfectly. When you reach the entrance and see the beautiful Buddha statue, it genuinely feels like crossing a threshold - leaving the everyday world behind and entering somewhere completely different.

Stepping inside, I was genuinely surprised. This doesn't feel like Andalusia - it feels like Bali. The design is stunning: traditional thatched roofs, intricately carved teak wood, serene Zen gardens with lotus ponds, and that signature Balinese attention to creating peaceful, flowing spaces.

Alicia, the retreat manager, welcomed me with fresh juice and explained that the entire property follows Feng Shui principles designed to promote balance and positive energy flow. I'm usually skeptical about these things, but honestly? I felt the difference immediately. Just wandering the grounds - past the heated swimming pool, through tropical gardens, into cosy firelit lounges - my shoulders visibly dropped.

What Really Makes the Difference: The People

What genuinely surprised me was the warmth of the staff. This wasn't polite, professional hospitality - it felt personal. Almost every team member introduced themselves by name and actually took time to chat, ask about my day, remember small details.

As a solo traveller, this transformed my experience. Within hours, I was swapping stories with other guests over communal meals, including an 80-something gentleman who's been returning twice yearly for a decade. When guests keep coming back like that, it tells you everything you need to know about a place.

Accommodation: The Mountain View Room

I stayed in a Mountain View Room, and it was exactly what I needed - simple luxury without pretension. The space featured thoughtful details throughout: a diffuser filling the room with jasmine and tuberose (which I loved so much I bought from the boutique before leaving), soft neutral tones, natural materials, and that carefully curated sense of calm.

The bed was genuinely one of the most comfortable I've experienced, with blackout curtains ensuring I slept better than I had in months. But my favourite feature was the private terrace with a daybed overlooking the Sierra de las Nieves mountains. I spent hours out there just breathing, reading, watching the light change across the valley.

With only 15 rooms total, Shanti Som feels intimate and private - never crowded or rushed. If you're booking, I'd strongly recommend choosing a mountain view room. The panorama adds something special to the whole experience.

The Cuisine: Mediterranean-Asian Fusion Done Right

I need to address the food directly because it completely exceeded my expectations. Having visited wellness retreats where "healthy" translates to "flavourless," I was genuinely impressed by Shanti Som's culinary approach.

Breakfast offered a generous continental spread: homemade granola still warm from the kitchen, preserves made on-site, seasonal fruits at peak ripeness, and fresh bread that arrived warm each morning. Lunch and dinner were elegant three-course experiences showcasing gorgeous Mediterranean-Asian fusion.

Standout dishes that I'm still thinking about: the Tom Kha soup with its perfect balance of creamy coconut, zingy lime, and aromatic galangal; the beetroot carpaccio which was fresh, vibrant, and beautifully presented; and the Thai curry that managed to be both comforting and light.

Every meal felt genuinely nourishing without being heavy - exactly what my body needed. The retreat also offers an excellent juice and smoothie menu, plus wine and beer for those who want them.

Solo Dining Done Thoughtfully

One aspect I particularly appreciated as a solo guest: the communal dining table. This gave me the option to sit with others and connect, but never felt obligatory. When I wanted quiet reflection, I could easily choose a private table. That flexibility made mealtimes genuinely enjoyable rather than potentially awkward.

My Pilates Retreat Experience

I booked the three-night Pilates retreat, but one of Shanti Som's strengths is its flexibility. While my programme focused on Pilates, I also participated in daily yoga sessions, meditation classes, and spa treatments - mixing and matching based on how I felt each day.

Pilates with Javier: Empowering and Fun

Javier, the Pilates instructor, brought brilliant energy to every session. His mat Pilates classes were genuinely challenging but remained accessible - he intuitively adapted exercises for different ability levels without anyone feeling singled out.

My private reformer Pilates session with Javier became an unexpected highlight. Picture this: Madonna blasting in the background while Javier literally sings words of encouragement as I struggle through movements I didn't think my body could do. It was tough, it was entertaining, and I left feeling genuinely empowered rather than defeated.

Yoga and Meditation: Finding Flow

The morning Hatha Flow yoga sessions with Nathalie set the perfect tone for each day. She's been teaching at Shanti Som for 12 years, and that experience shows - her style is gentle yet purposeful, intuitive and thoughtful. Every class felt less like exercise and more like moving meditation.

The Yoga Nidra and sound healing session proved transformative. I arrived feeling wound up with stress I'd been carrying for weeks. An hour later, I felt like it had genuinely melted away - not just temporarily masked, but actually released.

Holistic Spa Treatments

My deep tissue massage with Beatrice might rank as the best massage I've ever experienced. She knew exactly where I was holding tension - places I hadn't even consciously registered - and worked through each area methodically and effectively.

The spa menu is comprehensive, covering everything from facials to energy healing and reflexology. With only four treatment rooms, I'd recommend booking your preferred treatments upon arrival to avoid disappointment. And definitely make time for the steam room and sauna - perfect for unwinding before dinner.

The Wellness Philosophy at Shanti Som

What distinguishes Shanti Som from standard spa hotels is its genuine commitment to holistic wellbeing. This isn't about pampering - it's about creating sustainable changes in how you move, eat, think, and rest.

The retreat offers focused wellness programmes including Pilates, yoga, detox, weight management, and emotional healing. Each programme combines movement classes, spa treatments, nutrition, and quiet time for reflection - addressing wellbeing from multiple angles simultaneously.

But there's also beautiful flexibility. If you book a Pilates retreat and discover you're more drawn to meditation, you can adapt your schedule. The structure supports you without constraining you.

The Setting: Sierra de las Nieves National Park

The location itself contributes enormously to Shanti Som's restorative atmosphere. Surrounded by protected mountain forest in southern Spain, you're genuinely away from everything - no traffic noise, no light pollution, just birdsong and wind through pine trees.

The forest paths around the property are perfect for contemplative walks. I'd wander through the woods each afternoon, often getting pleasantly lost among the trails, which became part of my daily meditation practice.

What Makes Shanti Som Special?

After visiting numerous wellness retreats, certain elements distinguish Shanti Som:

• The Intimate Scale - With just 15 rooms, you never feel like you're in a wellness factory. Staff genuinely know who you are, and you see the same faces throughout your stay, creating real connections.

• Balinese Design in Andalusia - The unexpected fusion of Balinese aesthetics with Spanish mountain setting creates something truly unique. It works beautifully.

• Flexible Programming - The structure is there if you want it, but you're never locked into rigid schedules. This respects that wellness looks different for each person.

• Genuine Warmth - This isn't manufactured hospitality. The staff care, the instructors invest in your progress, and that transforms the entire experience.

• Value for Solo Travellers - So many retreats feel designed for couples or groups. Shanti Som welcomes solo guests genuinely and thoughtfully.

  
  

Who Should Book Shanti Som?

Based on my experience, Shanti Som is perfect for:

• Solo travellers seeking a wellness retreat in Spain where you'll feel welcomed and supported rather than conspicuous or lonely.

• Anyone needing a genuine break from stress - whether recovering from burnout, processing life changes, or simply needing to press pause on the relentless pace of modern life.

• People interested in Pilates, yoga, or holistic movement practices who want expert instruction in a beautiful, supportive environment.

• Couples or small groups wanting an intimate retreat experience where you can genuinely disconnect and reconnect with what matters.

• Travellers who value authentic experiences over flashy luxury - this is refined comfort with soul, not impersonal five-star polish.

Shanti Som probably isn't ideal if you're looking for high-energy group activities, party atmosphere, or want to stay connected to work throughout your visit. This is a place for genuine disconnection and quiet transformation.

My Final Thoughts

My three nights at Shanti Som delivered exactly what I needed - and revealed things I didn't realise I was missing. The combination of mountain views, genuine warmth from staff, nourishing food, and empowering movement classes added up to one of those rare experiences that actually changes how you feel.

I left physically stronger, mentally clearer, and with practical tools I still use months later - Javier's Pilates cues, Nathalie's breathing techniques, even just the reminder that slowing down isn't lazy, it's essential.

Would I return? Absolutely. Next time, I'm staying longer.

Book Your Wellness Escape to Shanti Som

Ready to experience this intimate Andalusian sanctuary for yourself? Our wellness specialists can help you choose the perfect programme and timing for your needs.

Call: +44 (0)203 886 0082

Enquire online: Shanti Som Wellbeing Retreat

Shanti Som offers programmes from 3-night escapes to week-long transformational retreats. We can help you select the ideal package for your wellness goals.