MARBELLA, SPAIN
Shanti Som Wellbeing Retreat
Adults-Only Yoga, Pilates, Detox and Holistic Wellness
About Shanti Som Wellbeing Retreat
Shanti-Som Wellbeing Retreat is an adults-only wellness retreat tucked into the hills above Marbella, on Spain's Costa del Sol. Established in 2011, 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 Balinese-inspired design with holistic therapies drawn from both Eastern and Western traditions. The name says it all: Shanti means peace, Som means body.
Most guests come 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 quiet, with a clear daily rhythm and the aim of leaving feeling different, not just temporarily relaxed.
Book This Hotel
Speak to a specialist for availability, pricing and a tailored itinerary.
40 mins
FROM MALAGA AIRPORT
15
ROOMS & SUITES
18+
ADULTS-ONLY
6
WELLNESS PROGRAMMES
Wellness Programmes
Relaxation Retreat
3 nights
from £710pp
Designed to reduce stress and restore calm through yoga and meditation practices
Yoga Retreat
5 nights
from £1,395pp
Daily yoga and meditation practices supporting balance, flexibility and inner calm
Pilates Retreat
5 nights
from £1,600pp
Improve strength, posture and body awareness through guided Pilates practice
Healing Retreat
5 nights
from £1,850pp
A restorative retreat supporting emotional balance, reflection and inner calm
Detox Retreat
5 nights
from £1,850pp
Supports gentle cleansing and renewed energy through detox nutrition and therapies
Weight Loss Retreat
5 nights
from £1,950pp
Supports healthy weight balance through fitness, nutrition and lifestyle guidance
Who It's For
Shanti-Som suits guests looking for a small, adults-only holistic retreat near Marbella with a genuine focus on rest, emotional recovery and personal wellbeing. With just 15 rooms and a calm, unhurried atmosphere, it works particularly well for those who want to slow down properly rather than fill every hour. Programmes cover yoga, Pilates, detox, stress recovery, sleep and emotional balance, supported by a team of experienced practitioners. It's particularly suited to:
01
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 something to hold onto.
02
Solo travellers
Many guests arrive alone and find the small scale — just 15 rooms — makes it easy to feel comfortable quickly. There's a communal dining table if you want company, private spaces if you don't.
03
First-time retreat guests
If you've never done anything like this before, Shanti-Som's approachable teaching, small class sizes and absence of pressure make it a good place to start.
04
Yoga and Pilates practitioners
Those wanting to deepen their practice in a focused, distraction-free environment with skilled teachers and small group sessions.
Hotel Facilities
Set within the protected Sierra de las Nieves Nature Park, Shanti-Som feels like a world away from everything — yet it's remarkably easy to reach. The air is scented with pine and eucalyptus, and the retreat's design reflects the same calm the surroundings invite: whitewashed walls, natural wood, flowing fabrics and open-air spaces throughout.
The heated outdoor pool sits at the heart of the grounds with mountain views, open year-round. A meditation garden provides quiet outdoor space for reflection, and a relaxation room indoors offers somewhere to read or rest between sessions. Hiking trails into the Sierra de las Nieves foothills 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 healthy, flavoursome and inspired by Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine. Nothing is fried or processed — everything is prepared fresh daily using seasonal ingredients. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and lactose-free requirements are all accommodated at no extra cost.
Breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style, with a warm cooked dish at breakfast and a rotating selection of salads, soups and warm sides at lunch. Dinner is a three-course à la carte menu that changes daily, eaten together in the restaurant or on the alfresco terrace. Between meals, fresh juices, smoothies, herbal teas, açaí bowls and homemade protein bars are available through the day. Beer and wine are available on request, though the focus is firmly on healthy beverages.
For those on detox programmes, specific meal plans and juice protocols are provided to support cleansing and digestive health
Good to Know
Accommodation
Accommodation at Shanti-Som is intentionally limited to just 15 rooms and suites — a scale that keeps the atmosphere genuinely calm and personal. Each room reflects the retreat's East-meets-West aesthetic, with natural materials, calming colours and a focus on comfort over excess.
All rooms have private terraces or balconies with views across the surrounding pine forests or mountain landscape.
Location
Shanti-Som sits in the hills above Marbella, about 40 minutes from Málaga Airport. The setting is peaceful — pine forests, mountain views and open Andalusian countryside — but you're not completely isolated. 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.
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 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.
Is Shanti Som suitable as an emotional wellbeing or healing retreat?
Yes. Shanti Som offers a holistic, supportive environment well-suited to guests seeking emotional balance, stress recovery, or time to process difficult periods. The Healing Retreat programme is designed around emotional wellbeing, combining therapeutic treatments, guided meditation, sound healing, and reflective practices. Guests dealing with anxiety, low mood, or emotional exhaustion often find the intimate setting and personalised care genuinely restorative. Life coaching and nutritional guidance can also be incorporated into your stay.
Is Shanti Som suitable for stress and burnout recovery?
Yes. Shanti Som is well suited to guests seeking stress recovery and emotional balance, and it's one of the most accessible burnout retreats in Europe, just 40 minutes from Malaga Airport with no long-haul travel required. The Healing Retreat and Relaxation Retreat programmes focus on restoring calm through mindfulness, therapeutic treatments, and gentle movement in a supportive, nurturing environment. It's a popular choice for professionals experiencing work-related burnout who need more than a weekend to properly reset.
What does the detox programme at Shanti Som involve?
The Detox Retreat at Shanti Som is a gentle, holistic cleanse rather than a strict fasting programme. It combines a tailored detox meal plan and fresh juice protocols with daily yoga or movement classes, body treatments such as lymphatic drainage and detox wraps, and use of the steam room and sauna. The approach supports digestive health, renewed energy, and clearer thinking. It's well suited to guests looking for a supported detox retreat in a peaceful, warm-climate setting without the intensity of a medical programme.
What does the weight loss programme include?
The Weight Loss Retreat at Shanti Som combines daily fitness sessions, personalised nutritional guidance, and spa treatments designed to support healthy, sustainable weight management. Rather than a crash-diet approach, the programme focuses on building better habits around food, movement, and mindset. Guests receive tailored meal plans, one-to-one support, and practical tools to take home. The minimum stay is five nights, which allows enough time to establish new routines in a calm, distraction-free environment.
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.
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.
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.
Where is Shanti Som Wellbeing Retreat located?
Shanti Som is set in the peaceful hills near Marbella on Spain's Costa del Sol, within the Sierra de las Nieves Nature Park. Surrounded by pine forests and mountain views, the retreat feels secluded yet remains just 20 minutes from Marbella and around 40 minutes from Malaga Airport. It's one of the reasons guests choose it as an accessible European wellness retreat that doesn't require long-haul flights or complicated transfers.
Is Shanti Som adults-only?
Yes. Shanti Som is an adults-only retreat (18+), which helps maintain a peaceful, restorative atmosphere throughout. It's one of the things guests appreciate most, particularly those visiting for stress recovery, emotional wellbeing, or a focused yoga or detox programme.
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. The rhythm is clear without being rigid, so there's always space to rest or explore at your own pace.
