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Valentine’s Day: a case for self-care on retreat
Valentine’s Day is usually framed around romance. For me, it has gradually shifted towards something quieter: self-care. At my children’s secondary school, next week they celebrate the 'Week of Kindness'. Students are encouraged to notice the power of small gestures – a word of encouragement, a shared moment, a genuine compliment. It reframes Valentine’s Day entirely.
Kindness towards others starts with kindness towards yourself. With gentleness. And sometimes, with stopping. Pausing. Creating space. Not as an act of indulgence, and certainly not with guilt, but as a necessary reset. A moment where both mind and body are allowed to be still.
Many of the people who travel with us live permanently switched on. They lead, care, organise, carry responsibility. Even on holiday, the mind keeps running while the body lags behind. Rest is postponed. There is always one more thing to handle first. Until, at some point, there isn’t.
The places we select are designed to interrupt that pattern. Small, boutique Health and Wellbeing hotels, set in nature, personal in scale. Nothing needs to be planned or optimised. There is no performance, no agenda.
What stays with you is not the feeling of having escaped, but of having cleared space. You leave more rested, more settled — not because you were inactive, but because the constant demand to do was finally lifted. The mind quiets. The body catches up. Sleep becomes deeper. Breathing steadier.
This isn’t just a holiday. It is space. A point of rest. A pause that doesn’t need explaining.
Everything is taken care of. Your presence is all what is needed.
NEW! Al Karob Yoga boutique hotel, Portugal
An intimate retreat with a calm atmosphere and real personal attention.
Set in the green hills of the Algarve, away from mass tourism, Al Karob is a small boutique retreat with only ten rooms. Yoga is central, supported by meditation, breathwork and gentle movement. There is no fixed schedule. Mornings often start on the mat, afternoons are spent outdoors with the ocean: surfing, kayaking or paddleboarding. Alongside this, the kitchen focuses on fresh, healthy food. A place to slow your pace, clear your head and relax properly.
NEW! Swaswara, India
SwaSwara is set on Om Beach near Gokarna, in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, around a 3.5-hour drive south of Goa. Green hills surround the retreat in the shape of the Om symbol, creating a quiet setting by the sea. The focus is on ayurveda and yoga, supported by meditation, breathwork and space for creative expression in the on-site art studio. This is a place to pause, reflect and restore, with the beach and ocean always close. A stay at SwaSwara is an inward journey, aimed at finding balance: a calm, clear mind in a relaxed, healthy body.
Harmony Home, Spain
Tucked away in the Sierra Tejeda mountains, approx. 1 hour north of Málaga, Harmony Home feels far away from the noise and rush of everyday life. This intimate, peaceful retreat was founded by Antonina, a yoga teacher and Ayurvedic therapist from the U.S., who has shaped it into a place where everything slows down. The focus is on calm, care, and simplicity. Daily yoga sessions, deeply relaxing massages, and nourishing meals inspired by Ayurveda are all part of the daily rhythm. The dishes are fresh, full of vegetables and herbs from the garden.
Nikki's Nest, India
A coastal Ayurveda retreat in the south of India. Nikki’s Nest is located near the beach in Kerala, not far from Trivandrum, and offers traditional Ayurvedic programs in a peaceful, tropical setting. The treatments are provided by a professional team of doctors and therapists, with personalised plans based on your dosha. The resort has its own production of herbal oils and uses only natural ingredients. Daily yoga and meditation sessions take place in the open air, with views of the Arabian Sea. You stay in simple, comfortable cottages built in Kerala style. The vegetarian meals are freshly prepared and tailored to your Ayurvedic program.
Ayurveda Boutique Hotel, Bali
On the edge of Ubud, surrounded by Bali’s lush nature, sits a colourful boutique hotel that feels personal and welcoming. Run by a kind-hearted Indian family, it offers a full Ayurvedic experience in a small setting—just 18 rooms, a treatment centre, a restaurant, and tropical gardens. The Panchakarma programs are traditional and carefully guided, making this a good choice for anyone looking for a focused retreat. It’s adults-only, which creates a calm atmosphere, especially suited to couples and solo travellers. The retreat also offers a wide range of activities, from yoga and meditation to creative workshops and cooking classes.
About Marleen
This blog is written by Marleen, the founder of PureandCure.com in 2005. She travels around the world in search of the best Health & Wellbeing Hotels, Spas and Retreats and shares her know-how, experiences and observations through her blogs.
