01/10/2026
Before you choose a retreat destination, decide what the experience must accomplish.
A beautiful property can capture your attention in minutes. But when I’m thinking about a retreat for a group, the more useful questions come first:
Who is attending, and what do they need when they arrive?
Is the goal rest, connection, learning, celebration, or a combination?
Does the location support the schedule or will travel and logistics consume the time meant for the experience?
What will participants be able to carry home with them?
Those answers change the way you evaluate a destination. They affect the property, meeting spaces, activities, pace, travel plan, and budget.
A site visit can be especially valuable because it lets you look beyond the photos. You can walk the guest journey, ask operational questions, and see whether a place can support the experience you intend to deliver.
For leaders and organizations considering a retreat, my advice is simple: define the outcome before falling in love with the setting.
What is the one thing your group should leave with that they did not arrive with? I’d love to hear your answer in the comments. If you’re considering a destination retreat or site visit, message me “SITE VISIT” and let’s talk through your idea.
