The Best Women’s Retreats for 2027: What to Look for When Choosing a Retreat

Maybe you’ve seen it. The rise of retreats, as opposed to independent travel.

We think that’s a good thing. More women are craving experiences that take them out of the noise and busyness of everyday life and give them space to reconnect, with themselves, with other women, and with the parts of life that can easily get lost in the day-to-day.

But with so many women’s wellness retreats, spiritual retreats, transformational retreats and international retreats to choose from, how do you know which one is right for you?

The truth is, not all retreats are created the same.

Some are centered around rest and wellness. Some are highly spiritual. Some focus on adventure or personal growth. Others are essentially beautiful vacations with a few wellness experiences added in.

There isn’t one “right” kind of retreat. The best women’s retreat is the one that gives you what you need in this season of your life.

Here are a few things we believe are worth considering before you say yes.

1. Ask yourself how you want to feel

Before looking at the destination, accommodations or itinerary, start here: How do I want to feel when I come home?

Rested? Inspired? Alive? Connected? Clear? Adventurous? More like yourself again?

It’s easy to choose a retreat because the photos are beautiful, and beautiful surroundings absolutely matter. But the experience should offer something deeper than a gorgeous place to stay.

At Sacred Woman Collective, we believe the best retreats give women space to exhale, experience something extraordinary, form meaningful connections and return home carrying something with them that lasts beyond the trip.

2. Look at the experience, not just the itinerary

A retreat itinerary can tell you what you’ll do.

It doesn't always tell you what the experience will feel like.

Look for the spaces between the activities.

Is there time to rest? Are there opportunities for real conversation? Is every minute scheduled, or is there room to simply be? Will you experience the destination itself rather than spending the entire retreat inside the property?

Some women want days filled with yoga, meditation and healing modalities. Others want to swim in turquoise water, hike somewhere breathtaking, wander through a local market, eat an incredible meal and laugh until their stomach hurts.

We happen to believe there is room for all of it.

A transformational women’s retreat doesn't have to feel heavy in order to be meaningful.

Joy can be transformational, too.

3. Pay attention to who is creating the retreat

The people holding the experience matter.

Read about the retreat leaders. Learn why they do this work. Look at the community they have created beyond the retreat itself.

Are they simply bringing a group of women to a beautiful destination, or have they thoughtfully considered how those women will be welcomed, connected and cared for throughout the experience?

A great retreat is made up of hundreds of little details most guests will never see.

That care matters.

4. Consider the community you’ll be stepping into

This may be one of the most overlooked parts of choosing a women’s retreat.

Who will you be experiencing it with?

Many women arrive at retreats alone. In fact, coming by yourself can be one of the most rewarding ways to experience one.

But walking into a room of strangers can also feel vulnerable.

Look for retreats where creating genuine connection is an intentional part of the experience—not an afterthought.

Women's circles, shared meals, meaningful conversations and experiences designed to bring women together can turn a group of strangers into something entirely different.

You may arrive knowing no one.

You may leave with friendships you never expected.

5. Don't underestimate the power of adventure

Sometimes what we need isn't another opportunity to work on ourselves.

Sometimes we need to come alive.

Travel has a way of waking us up.

Swimming somewhere you've never been. Watching a sunset on the other side of the world. Dancing. Hiking. Trying something that scares you a little. Eating food you've never tasted. Experiencing another culture.

Some of the best women's retreats combine wellness and personal growth with extraordinary travel experiences.

You don't have to choose between transformation and fun.

We believe you should have both.

6. Look for moments you couldn't easily create on your own

One of the reasons to choose a retreat instead of simply booking a vacation is access to experiences you may never organize for yourself.

Perhaps it's a private dinner on a beach, a traditional ceremony, a local healer, a guided cultural experience, a women's circle under the stars or access to people and places you wouldn't otherwise encounter.

These moments often become the ones women remember most.

When you're comparing international women's retreats, ask yourself: What will I experience here that I couldn't easily create if I booked this trip myself?

That's where a retreat can become something much bigger than a vacation.

7. Make sure there is room for you to be YOU

You should never have to become a different version of yourself in order to belong at a women's retreat.

You don't need to be experienced in meditation.

You don't need to practice yoga.

You don't need to consider yourself spiritual.

You don't need to already have a group of friends attending.

And you certainly don't need to have everything figured out.

The right retreat should make room for you exactly as you are.

At Sacred Woman Collective, this is at the heart of everything we create.

There is no hierarchy. No competition. No expectation that you show up as anyone other than yourself.

So, what are the best women's retreats for 2027?

We think the answer is different for every woman.

Maybe you're dreaming about a luxury women's retreat somewhere beautiful.

Maybe you're craving a women's wellness retreat where you can finally rest.

Maybe you want a spiritual retreat that gives you space to go inward.

Maybe you want a bucket-list international adventure.

Or maybe what you're really longing for is to sit around a table with women you've just met and somehow feel like you've known them forever.

Whatever you choose, don't just ask: Where do I want to go?

Ask: How do I want to live while I'm there? Who do I want to experience it with? And how do I want to feel when I come home?

Those answers will lead you to the right retreat.

Women's Retreats with Sacred Woman Collective

Sacred Woman Collective creates heart-centered women's retreats in beautiful destinations around the world.

Our retreats weave together meaningful connection, women's circles, wellness, adventure, culture, beautiful accommodations, incredible food and plenty of joy.

Every experience is different because every destination has something different to offer.

But one thing remains the same: We create spaces where women can come exactly as they are, experience something extraordinary together, and feel a genuine sense of belonging.

Whether you come with a friend or arrive completely on your own, you are welcome here.