MARBELLA, SPAIN
Shanti Som Wellbeing Retreat Marbella
Adults-Only Yoga, Pilates, Detox and Holistic Wellness
About Shanti Som Wellbeing Retreat
Shanti Som Wellbeing Retreat is an adults-only wellness retreat near Marbella, set in the foothills of the Sierra de las Nieves, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the hills above the Costa del Sol. Open since 2011, it has just 15 rooms surrounded by pine, almond, lemon and olive trees, with Balinese-inspired design, open-air spaces and a calm, intimate atmosphere 40 minutes from Málaga Airport. The name reflects the intention behind it — Shanti means peace, and Som means body.
Programmes cover yoga, Pilates, detox, relaxation, healing and weight loss, drawing on holistic therapies from Eastern and Western traditions. Many guests come to recover from burnout and long-term stress, with days shaped around movement, treatments, fresh food and time in the mountains. Its sister retreat, Shanti Som Algarve, opens in Portugal in February 2027.
Book This Hotel
Speak to a specialist for availability, pricing and a tailored itinerary.
40 mins
FROM MALAGA AIRPORT
15
ROOMS
18+
ADULTS-ONLY
6
WELLNESS PROGRAMMES
Wellness Programmes
3 nights
from £710pp
Designed to reduce stress and restore calm through yoga and meditation practices
5 nights
from £1,600pp
Improve strength, posture and body awareness through guided Pilates practice
5 nights
from £1,850pp
A restorative retreat supporting emotional balance, reflection and inner calm
5 nights
from £1,395pp
Daily yoga and meditation practices supporting balance, flexibility and inner calm
5 nights
from £1,850pp
Supports gentle cleansing and renewed energy through detox nutrition and therapies
5 nights
from £1,950pp
Supports healthy weight balance through fitness, nutrition and lifestyle guidance
Who It's For
Shanti Som Marbella suits guests looking for a small, adults-only holistic retreat in Spain with a focus on rest, emotional recovery and personal wellbeing, in a peaceful mountain setting close to the Costa del Sol. It's particularly suited to:
01
People recovering from burnout or long-term stress
A calm daily routine, restorative treatments and experienced practitioners to support a proper reset.
02
Solo travellers
Many guests arrive alone, and with just 15 rooms and shared dining, it's easy to feel at home from the first day.
03
First-time retreat guests
Approachable teaching, small classes and a relaxed atmosphere make it a welcoming introduction to retreat life.
04
Yoga and Pilates practitioners
Those wanting to deepen their practice in a focused, distraction-free environment with skilled teachers and small group sessions.
The Shanti Som Approach
Every stay at Shanti Som is guided by five principles of living well: move the body and build strength, eat nourishing food, rest and sleep well, spend time in nature and connect with others. These run through each day, from morning yoga and fresh, seasonal meals to walks in the Sierra de las Nieves and evenings shared with fellow guests.
The aim is to leave with habits that last. Programmes are tailored to each guest by certified practitioners in yoga, Pilates, nutrition, spa therapy and life coaching, and the focus stays on simple, realistic changes that fit into everyday life at home. With no fixed retreat dates, every programme begins on the day of arrival.
Hotel Facilities
Shanti Som Marbella sits within the Sierra de las Nieves, where the air carries the scent of pine and eucalyptus. The retreat's Balinese-inspired design reflects the calm of its surroundings, with whitewashed walls, natural wood, flowing fabrics, water features and open-air spaces set among lush gardens.
The heated outdoor pool, open year-round, looks out over the mountains, and a meditation garden offers quiet space for reflection. Indoors, a relaxation room and a lounge with a fireplace provide places to read and rest between sessions, and hiking trails into the foothills of the Sierra de las Nieves start from the property, with guided hikes available.
Wellness Facilities
The yoga pavilion has an indoor studio and outdoor deck for Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin and Restorative classes. A separate Pilates studio offers daily mat classes, with private Reformer sessions available at an additional cost. The gym covers cardio and strength equipment, and a sauna and Turkish steam bath are available for independent use.
Treatments include massages, facials, detox therapies and body rituals — including Biologique Recherche facials and Alqvimia signature rituals — alongside Shiatsu, Harmonyum Healing, sound healing and breathwork with ice bath. A Health Check is available as an optional add-on, covering body composition, blood pressure, urinalysis and blood test with a personal consultation on the results.
Dining
Food at Shanti Som is fresh and full of flavour, inspired by Asian and Middle Eastern cooking and prepared daily with seasonal ingredients, with nothing fried or processed. Breakfast and lunch are served as buffets, with a warm dish each morning and rotating salads, soups and sides at lunch. Dinner is a three-course menu that changes daily, served in the restaurant or on the open-air terrace.
Fresh juices, smoothies, herbal teas, açaí bowls and homemade protein bars are available through the day. Detox guests follow tailored meal plans and juice protocols, and vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and lactose-free diets are all catered for at no extra cost.
Good to Know
Accommodation
Shanti Som Marbella has just 15 rooms and a suite, each reflecting the retreat's East-meets-West style with natural materials, soft colours and a calm, restful feel. Every room has a private terrace or balcony looking out over the gardens, the pine forests or the mountains of the Sierra de las Nieves.
Location
Shanti Som Marbella sits in the hills above Marbella, in the foothills of the Sierra de las Nieves, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Málaga Airport is around 40 minutes away and Marbella around 20 minutes, with the beaches of the Costa del Sol within easy reach. The traditional white villages of Monda and Ojén are close by, and the surrounding pine forests and mountain trails make the retreat feel secluded while staying simple to reach.
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.
Offers
We don't have any offers at the moment but watch this space!
Book through The Wellness Holiday Boutique and receive:
1 x Complimentary group class (choose from Pilates, Yoga, Hike, Sound Healing or Fitness)
10% discount on spa treatments
Complimentary room upgrade (subject to availability on arrival)
Early check-in (subject to availability on arrival)
Returning guests receive complimentary one-way airport transfer or 60-minute spa treatment per room
*valid for stays 5+ nights*
Enquire About a Stay
Reviews
OUR VISIT
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.
Watch: Inside Shanti Som Wellbeing Retreat
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Shanti Som Wellbeing Retreat and what makes it special?
Shanti Som Marbella is an adults-only wellness retreat near Marbella, set in the foothills of the Sierra de las Nieves, 40 minutes from Málaga Airport. Open since 2011, it has just 15 rooms, Balinese-inspired design and programmes built around five principles of living well — movement, nourishing food, rest, nature and connection. Many guests come to recover from burnout or stress, detox, or deepen a yoga or Pilates practice in a calm mountain setting.
What wellness programmes are available at Shanti Som Marbella?
Six programmes are available — Relaxation, Yoga, Pilates, Detox, Healing and Weight Loss. Every programme includes daily group yoga and meditation, and elements can be combined, such as adding Pilates sessions to a Healing retreat.
Is Shanti Som Marbella suitable for an emotional wellbeing retreat?
The Healing Retreat is designed for guests going through a difficult period, whether recovering from burnout, emotional challenges or the stress of everyday life. It combines therapeutic treatments, guided meditation, sound healing, breathwork and life coaching, and the small scale and quiet of the Sierra de las Nieves make Shanti Som a supportive healing retreat in Spain, just 40 minutes from Málaga.
Is Shanti Som Marbella suitable for solo travellers?
Many guests arrive alone. With just 15 rooms, shared dining and small group classes, it's easy to meet like-minded people, while solo travellers are always free to keep to themselves.
What is the food like at Shanti Som Marbella?
Food is fresh and flavourful, inspired by Asian and Middle Eastern cooking, made daily with seasonal ingredients and nothing fried or processed. Breakfast and lunch are buffets and dinner is a three-course menu that changes daily, with juices, smoothies and herbal teas available throughout the day. Detox guests follow tailored meal plans and juice protocols, and vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and lactose-free diets are all catered for.
When is the best time to visit Shanti Som Marbella?
Shanti Som is open year-round, and the mild climate of the Sierra de las Nieves suits every season. Spring and autumn bring warm, settled days for hiking from the property, summer is long and sunny, and winter is mild and quiet, with warm afternoons and the fireplace lit in the evenings.
