Shanti-Som Wellbeing Retreat, Spain
Adults-Only Wellness Retreat in Marbella
A Peaceful Wellness Retreat in the Hills Above Marbella
Shanti Som Wellbeing Retreat is an adults-only wellness retreat tucked into the hills above Marbella, on Spain's Costa del Sol. With just 15 rooms, it's the kind of place where you feel the quiet settle around you the moment you arrive. Set within the Sierra de las Nieves Nature Park, the retreat combines Southeast Asian-inspired design with Eastern wellness traditions and holistic therapies.
The name says it all: Shanti means peace, Som means body. This is where both come together.
Most guests come to Shanti Som for a proper reset - whether that's recovering from burnout, addressing long-term stress, shifting stubborn health habits, or simply stepping away from the noise for a week. The atmosphere is calm and unhurried, the daily rhythm is clear without being rigid, and everything is designed to help you leave feeling genuinely different, not just temporarily relaxed.
Wellness Programmes at Shanti Som
Shanti Som Wellbeing Retreat offers a small collection of wellness programmes designed to support rest, healing and sustainable lifestyle change. Combining yoga, mindful movement, nourishing nutrition and holistic therapies, each programme provides a structured yet gentle approach to improving wellbeing. Set in the peaceful hills of southern Spain, the retreat creates a calm environment where you can slow down, reset and reconnect with yourself.
Why Guest's Love Shanti Som
-
The setting: Tucked into the hills near Marbella with views of the Sierra de las Nieves, you feel a sense of calm the moment you arrive
-
Truly intimate: With just 15 rooms, Shanti Som offers wellness without crowding, without rush, without pretence
-
Ideal for first-timers: If you've never been on a wellness retreat before, Shanti Som's gentle, nurturing approach makes it the perfect introduction to retreat life
-
Solo-friendly by design: The relaxed restaurant atmosphere, optional communal dining, personal attention from staff, and peaceful rhythm of the day make this one of the best solo wellness retreats in Spain
-
Structured yet flexible: Clear daily programming provides reassurance while allowing space for personal reflection and rest
-
Accessible European destination: Located on the Costa del Sol with easy access from Málaga Airport, no long-haul travel required
Hotel Facilities
Set within the protected Sierra de las Nieves Nature Park, Shanti Som Wellbeing Retreat feels like a world away from everything - yet it's remarkably easy to reach. The Mediterranean Sea glimmers in the distance, the air is scented with pine and eucalyptus, and the only sounds are birdsong and the gentle rustle of leaves.
The retreat's design is calm and considered: whitewashed walls, natural wood, flowing fabrics, and open-air spaces that invite you to breathe deeply. Whether you're practising yoga on the outdoor deck at sunrise, floating in the heated pool, or simply sitting with a book in a quiet corner of the garden, there's a sense of spaciousness and stillness that shapes every moment.
This is wellness without pretence - no gimmicks, no pressure, just thoughtful care in a beautiful setting.
Wellness Facilities
Guests can choose from a range of wellness programmes - including yoga and meditation, detox, emotional wellbeing, Pilates, and weight management - each designed to adapt to individual needs and goals.
Shanti-Som offers a gentle and nurturing environment for personal wellbeing and emotional balance. Often chosen by guests seeking time to reset mentally and emotionally, the retreat provides a wide range of holistic therapies shaped around individual needs.
Treatments include massages, facials, detox therapies, and body rituals inspired by traditional healing practices. Guests can also make use of the steam room and sauna, or unwind in the calm treatment spaces. Additional personalised services such as life coaching, sound healing, guided meditation, nutritional guidance, and personal training are available, allowing each stay to support personal goals and long-term wellbeing.
Dining
Food at Shanti Som is healthy, flavoursome, and inspired by Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine. The kitchen creates vibrant dishes using fresh, seasonal ingredients, with vegetarian, vegan, and special dietary needs happily catered for with advance notice.
The restaurant has a relaxed, come-and-go atmosphere. Whether you want to settle into a quiet corner with a book or share a table with fellow guests, there's space for both. Alfresco seating makes the most of the peaceful surroundings, and mornings often begin with a detox juice and healthy breakfast after an early yoga or Pilates class.
For those on detox programmes, specific meal plans and juice protocols are provided to support cleansing and digestive health. All other programmes offer balanced, nourishing meals designed to support your wellness goals without feeling restrictive.
Who Is Shanti Som Best For
-
People recovering from burnout or long-term stress: The kind of exhaustion that needs more than a long weekend to shift. The daily rhythm here is gentle enough to let you properly rest, clear enough to give you structure when you need it.
-
Solo travellers: Many people arrive alone and find the small scale (just 15 rooms) makes it easy to feel comfortable. There's a communal dining table if you want company, private spaces if you don't. The atmosphere is welcoming without being overly social.
-
First-time retreat guests: If you've never done anything like this before, Shanti Som's approachable teaching, small class sizes, and lack of pressure make it a good place to start.
-
Anyone wanting to shift habits around food, movement, or stress: Whether that's weight management, improving fitness, learning to manage anxiety, or simply establishing healthier patterns. The programmes here focus on practical, sustainable change.
-
Yoga and Pilates practitioners: If you want to deepen your practice in a focused, distraction-free environment with skilled teachers.
-
Couples or friends looking for a wellness retreat together: The adults-only atmosphere keeps things calm, and shared programmes are available if you want to experience it side by side.
Location
Shanti Som sits in the hills above Marbella, about 40 minutes from Málaga Airport. The setting is peaceful - pine forests, mountain views, the Mediterranean glinting in the distance - but you're not completely cut off from civilisation. Marbella is 20 minutes away if you want it, the Costa del Sol beaches are easily reachable, and the traditional Andalusian villages of Monda and Ojén are close enough for a quiet wander.
The retreat is set within the Sierra de las Nieves Nature Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It feels genuinely secluded without requiring hours of difficult travel to reach it - one of the reasons people choose it as a European wellness retreat that doesn't demand long-haul flights or complicated transfers.
Most guests stay on the property for their entire visit, but the option to explore is there if you want it. The retreat arranges private airport transfers, or you can hire a car if you'd rather have the freedom to come and go.
Nearest Airport
Malaga (AGP)
Transfer Time
40 mins
Check in/ Check out
3pm/12pm
Accommodation: 15 Rooms Surrounded by Nature
Accommodation at Shanti Som is intentionally limited to just 15 rooms and suites, reinforcing the intimate, restful atmosphere that sets this boutique wellness retreat apart. Each room reflects the retreat's East-meets-West style, with natural materials, calming colours, and a focus on comfort and simplicity.
All rooms feature private terraces or balconies offering views of the surrounding pine forests or mountain landscape. Designed as quiet spaces for rest and reflection, the accommodation supports a sense of ease throughout your stay.
Offers at Shanti Som Wellbeing Retreat
-
Added Value
-
1 x Complimentary group class for retreats 5+ nights - Choose from: Pilates, Yoga, Hike, Sound Healing or Fitness
-
10% discount on spa treatments
-
Complimentary room upgrade (subject to availability upon arrival)
-
Early check in (subject to availability upon arrival)
-
-
Loyalty Discount
-
Complimentary one way airport transfer OR Spa treatment (60 min) per room for returning retreat guests staying 5+ nights
-
Enquire About a Stay
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the health and mental wellbeing benefits of a stay at Shanti Som?
Shanti Som's programmes are designed to support physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. Depending on your chosen focus – such as detox, yoga, emotional healing, Pilates, or weight loss – you may experience benefits like improved energy, reduced stress, better sleep, enhanced fitness, and a deeper sense of balance. Many guests also leave with practical tools and habits they can continue at home.
What wellness programmes are offered at Shanti Som Wellbeing Retreat?
Shanti Som offers programmes in detox, yoga and meditation, emotional wellbeing (Healing Retreat), weight loss, Pilates, and relaxation. Each programme includes daily group classes, spa treatments (based on length of stay), and a clear daily schedule tailored to your chosen focus.
What is a typical day like at Shanti Som?
A day usually begins with gentle morning practices such as yoga, meditation, or breathwork, followed by a nourishing breakfast. Guests may then join scheduled classes, enjoy personalised treatments, or spend quiet time in the gardens and heated outdoor pool. Nutritious meals are served throughout the day, and evenings often include reflective practices or time simply to unwind.
Is Shanti Som suitable for stress and burnout recovery?
Yes. Shanti Som is well suited to guests seeking stress recovery and emotional balance. The Healing Retreat and Relaxation Retreat programmes focus on restoring calm through mindfulness, therapeutic treatments, and gentle movement in a supportive, non-clinical environment. It's a popular choice for professionals experiencing work-related burnout.
Is Shanti Som suitable for newcomers to yoga and wellness?
Yes. Shanti Som is an ideal first wellness retreat for beginners. The nurturing environment, adaptable classes, and small group sizes make it an excellent choice for those just starting their wellness journey. Instructors provide personalised attention and modifications during group sessions to suit all experience levels.
What's the food like at Shanti Som?
The food at Shanti Som is healthy, flavourful, and designed to support your wellness goals. Menus are inspired by Asian, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean cuisines, using fresh, seasonal ingredients. Detox menus, vegetarian and vegan dishes, and personalised meal plans are all available.
Is Shanti Som suitable for solo travellers?
Absolutely. Shanti Som is one of the best solo wellness retreats in Spain. Many guests visit alone and find it a supportive, welcoming environment. The intimate scale (15 rooms), communal dining options, and balance of private therapies and group classes make it easy to feel both independent and connected to a like-minded community.
Where is Shanti Som Wellbeing Retreat located?
Shanti Som is set in the peaceful hills near Marbella on Spain's Costa del Sol. Surrounded by pine forests and mountain views within the Sierra de las Nieves Nature Park, the retreat feels secluded yet remains just 20 minutes from Marbella and around 40 minutes from Málaga Airport.
How long should I stay at Shanti Som?
The minimum stay varies by programme. The Relaxation Retreat can be booked for as little as one night, making it ideal for a quick introduction. Most other programmes (Yoga, Pilates, Detox, Healing) require a minimum of three nights, while the Weight Loss Retreat requires a minimum of five nights. However, five to seven nights allows more time to fully unwind and experience the benefits of your chosen programme. Many guests find a week gives them the space to truly reset and establish new habits.
Is Shanti Som adults-only?
Yes. Shanti Som is an adults-only retreat (18+), which helps maintain a peaceful, restorative atmosphere throughout.
What makes Shanti Som different from other wellness retreats in Spain?
Shanti Som's intimate scale (just 15 rooms), structured daily programmes, and focus on long-term lifestyle change set it apart from larger spa hotels or purely relaxation-focused retreats. The combination of therapeutic support, personalised attention, and a calm residential setting makes it particularly effective for stress recovery, emotional wellbeing, and habit transformation.
Is alcohol available at Shanti Som?
Yes, alcohol is available for those who want it, though the focus remains on wellness and most guests choose to take a break during their stay, particularly on detox or healing programmes.
