Breathe In, Bliss Out: How B&Bs and Boutique Hotels Can Host Nature Retreats
In today's fast-paced world, the allure of nature is stronger than ever. People are craving escapes from urban jungles, seeking solace and rejuvenation in natural settings. This presents a golden opportunity for bed and breakfasts and boutique hotels located in or near natural environments: hosting nature retreats. Offering these immersive experiences can not only attract new clientele but also establish your property as a haven for wellness and mindful travel.
Why Nature Retreats are a Perfect Fit for B&Bs and Boutique Hotels:
Intimate Setting: Unlike large resorts, B&Bs and boutique hotels offer a more intimate and personalized experience, ideal for fostering connection with nature and oneself.
Unique Locations: Many B&Bs and boutique hotels are already situated in picturesque locations – by the coast, nestled in forests, or overlooking mountains – providing a natural advantage.
Focus on Hospitality: The inherent focus on personalized service in these establishments complements the nurturing and restorative nature of retreats.
A wood bench in a picturesque setting overlooking evergreens and water provides a natural place for restorative meditation and quiet reflection.
Crafting the Ideal Nature Retreat:
Here's a breakdown of how to curate compelling nature retreats:
Define Your Niche:
Yoga & Mindfulness: Combine yoga sessions, meditation practices, and nature walks for a holistic wellness experience.
Hiking & Outdoor Adventure: Focus on guided hikes, nature photography tours, or wildlife spotting excursions.
Creative Nature Retreats: Offer workshops in nature journaling, plein air painting, or nature-inspired crafts.
Forest Bathing (Shinrin-Yoku): Introduce guests to the Japanese practice of immersing themselves in the forest atmosphere.
Partner with local specialists and highlight their studios and accomplishments in your marketing. Ask them to include you in theirs; after all this is a great opportunity for both of you to feature the other.
Do you have a restful or particularly picturesque outdoor space with room for yoga mats? Offer beachside, lakeside, or garden centered yoga. Locals might even join!
Curate Engaging Activities:
Stargazing: Utilize clear night skies for stargazing sessions with telescopes and astronomy guides.
Foraging and Wild Food Cooking: Offer workshops on identifying edible plants and preparing wild food meals (ensure proper permits and expertise).
Guided Nature Walks: Partner with local guides or naturalists to offer informative and engaging walks.
Mindfulness in Nature: Incorporate guided meditations, breathing exercises, and sensory awareness activities in natural settings.
Outdoor Yoga and Fitness: Host yoga classes, tai chi sessions, or fitness boot camps in scenic outdoor spaces.
These are fairly general activities that are common reasons people choose a retreat. You may have specific specialties that would work, too, depending on your location from beachside cross fit to stretches for ski bunnies to watercolor masterclass in the garden.
Enhance the Guest Experience:
Comfortable Accommodations: Ensure cozy rooms with calming décor and views of nature. If the nature retreat needs special equipment, perhaps its included (yoga mats + yoga mat cleansing cloths, a watercolor set and brushes, or other “thing” guests won’t have to remember).
Healthy and Local Cuisine: Offer meals made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, catering to dietary needs. For folks who want to explore, include a list of restaurants and markets where guests can explore the area more.
Relaxing Amenities: Provide amenities that enhance relaxation, such as outdoor hot tubs, fire pits, or meditation spaces. Don’t forget the library, comfortable chairs, reading lamps, and perhaps a beverage package (hot toddies, tea service, wine and cheese, hot chocolate bombs).
Welcome Packets: Include local maps, nature guides, and information about the retreat schedule along with contact information and a central message board for participants.
Reduce barriers to participation by including journals, yoga mats, watercolor sets and brushes, or any other item participants need. This can prove to be the perfect upsell.
Marketing Your Retreats:
Highlight Your Location: Emphasize the natural beauty surrounding your property in your marketing materials along with local partners (and ask them to include you in their materials).
Target Your Audience: Identify your ideal retreat participant and tailor your marketing efforts accordingly. If you need help, you may find your local partners have ideas or contact lists and are eager to help.
Collaborate with Influencers: Partner with travel bloggers, wellness influencers, or nature photographers to reach a wider audience.
Utilize Social Media: Share stunning photos and videos of your property and retreat activities on social media platforms. Remind participants and your partners to post on their accounts too.
Create Packages and Promotions: Offer attractive packages and early bird discounts to incentivize bookings.
Get creative and be flexible in how you stock your amenities, reduce barriers to reservations, and build relationships with local partners.
Embrace the Power of Nature:
By offering nature retreats, B&Bs and boutique hotels can tap into a growing market of travelers seeking authentic and transformative experiences. By carefully curating activities, enhancing the guest experience, and effectively marketing their offerings, these establishments can create a thriving business while helping guests reconnect with the natural world and find inner peace.
Where possible, be flexible in your thinking. Perhaps folks can book a room to participate and bring their own supplies and others can order a bundle that includes everything they need to participate. Have one or two extra bundles on hand for folks who thought they would remember and don’t. You may be able to work out a consignment program with local partners so you aren’t “out” money on items people don’t end up needing.
Need Help?
If you have questions or need help sourcing special items for your Bed & Breakfast, Vacation Rental, or Boutique Hotel. Reach out, we’d love to help!
