Team Retreat Itinerary Planning

Sensory Architecture: A Journey Through the Senses A client approached us with the vision of creating a wellness retreat that transcended the conventional. As with all our projects, we began with Land Studies, exploring its natural systems and understanding that the users were not the only guests but also the flora, fauna, and ecosystems of the place. This research led us to question: What if architecture did not only adapt to nature but co-created with it? More than a physical space, a wellness retreat is an experience. Designing in harmony with nature means creating a living, responsive architecture that interacts with its surroundings and strengthens the connection between people and the natural world. To achieve this, we studied light, sound, wind, vegetation, temperature, smells, and the metaphysical features of the site, asking key questions like: How can sensory experiences promote healing? Each site visit revealed new aspects, allowing us to map natural rhythms—light movement, wind patterns, biodiversity, influenced by the time of day and the season of the year. Studying the senses can seem overwhelming due to their subjective nature, so it was essential to understand how to measure and quantify the effects of these sensory elements on well-being. •⁠ ⁠Sight and Light: Light, essential for visual perception, influences emotions and biological rhythms. Orange light (582-620 nm) stimulates vitality, while blue light enhances concentration but can disrupt sleep. Based on these effects, one can design lighting strategies that respond to the physical and emotional needs of users at different times of the day. •⁠ ⁠Sound and Frequencies: Sound travels in waves and affects mood. Low frequencies induce relaxation, while high frequencies create alertness. Mapping natural sounds—wind, water, birds—allows us to define zones of tranquility and areas with greater sensory stimulation.  - Touch and Textures: Tactile perception involves pressure, temperature, and texture. Smooth wooden surfaces convey warmth, while rough stone evokes stability. By analyzing local materials, we design spaces that foster relaxation and a connection with nature through touch. •⁠ ⁠Smell: Smell is linked to the limbic system, influencing emotions and memories. We identified natural fragrances—like citrus & wood—to integrate them into architecture and enhance well-being. For example, we aim to design an experience where guests wake up to the invigorating scent of citrus, promoting energy and alertness, and wind down at night with the calming aroma of lavender, encouraging restful sleep. To bring this vision to life, we are working with experts from various disciplines, focusing on ecology, environmental conservation, neuroscience, and the use of local materials and construction techniques. Sensory architecture transforms design into a living organism that breathes, listens, and responds.

Last week I shared how AI helped analyze our retreat feedback survey data in minutes. Today, I want to highlight the three elements that our team rated most impactful from our recent company retreat in Ireland... - [New addition] "Connection Court": We created a dedicated space in the castle with games, snacks, and comfy seating that was open throughout the day and late into the night. This gave people a relaxed place to connect in case of bad weather and removed the pressure to drink or socialize in high-energy environments. This was great for introverts and those who don't enjoy the bar scene and provided more inclusive evening activities that worked for everyone. - Doist Build (our company hackathon) hit different this year: We surveyed the team for "hack-worthy" topics ahead of the retreat, pre-selected the top 10 we felt could make an impact on the company, and revealed them the day before so people could start brainstorming. Morning of, it was first-come-first-serve with limited seats per topic, which created some incredible energy to start the day. Best part? The winning team's project was implemented right there at the retreat and immediately improved our onboarding metrics 🚀 - "Choose your own adventure" itinerary structure: Instead of forcing everyone into the same activities, we offered parallel options during free time. We balanced physical activities (hiking, sports), cultural experiences (castle tours, local music), and team building events (escape rooms, group games). This approach let people naturally form smaller groups around common interests, creating deeper connections through shared experiences. After organizing multiple retreats over the years, one principle stands out: create a flexible structure and trust your team to find meaningful ways to connect. When people have the freedom to choose activities that align with their interests and energy levels, authentic relationships naturally develop. Hope this is helpful and I'd love to hear what's working for other teams as well 👇

Wellness is no longer a “nice-to-have” in hospitality – it’s becoming the reason people choose where to stay. Working at the intersection of wellness and luxury hospitality, these are the shifts I’m seeing that are shaping the future of the guest experience: 1. Sleep is the new spa. Guests now seek magnesium bath rituals, red light wind-downs, blackout curtains, and silence. Rest is the new luxury. 2. Sound is sacred. From healing frequencies like 432Hz to curated in-room playlists and intentional silence, sound design is becoming a wellness intervention. 3. Water is being redefined. Beyond hydration – structured water, copper-filtered stations, functional teas, and mineral-rich bathing rituals are elevating the wellness experiences. 4. Social wellness is booming. Think social saunas, shared ice bath rituals, group breathwork, and full-day curated group experiences. Guests want to heal, grow, and connect – not alone, but in community. 5. Longevity meets lifestyle. Hotels are now collaborating with nutritionists, functional medicine doctors, and functional movement specialists to offer more than just spa treatments. The future of hospitality includes tailored health guidance and prevention-first approaches – seamlessly integrated into the guest journey. 6. Wellness is integrated into the full hotel experience, not isolated. It’s in the welcome ritual, the in-room details, the breakfast menu, the movement offerings, and the way teams are trained to make guests feel held. We’re not just creating beautiful spaces anymore. We’re creating healing environments. What wellness experiences are inspiring you in your part of the world? #WellnessHospitality #LuxuryWellness #GuestExperience #SoundHealing #WaterRituals #SocialWellness #LongevityHotels #FunctionalMedicine #NervousSystemSupport #SensoryWellness

The Global Wellness Summit just released their wellness trends for 2026. Three of them stood out to me and here’s why: 1. The over-optimization backlash. In recent years, wellness has been about tracking, measuring, and optimizing. But data without integration has left people anxious, exhausted, and disconnected from their own bodies. What's growing now are experiences that prioritize regulation. Permission over performance. Wellness is moving from extraction to care, and guests can feel the difference. 2. Neurowellness and nervous system regulation The industry is finally understanding that sleep problems, burnout, inflammation, chronic stress aren't separate issues you treat individually. They're symptoms of a dysregulated nervous system. Regulating the nervous system is finally becoming a main focus of human health. Which is why thermal bathing, breath work, touch therapies, and ritual are gaining traction again. Not as "soft" wellness but foundational. 3. Longevity residences The destination wellness model – fly somewhere for a week, reset, return home – is being questioned. Healthspan is finally coming home with wellness being built into homes and communities with a longer-term vision. We're moving beyond destination wellness and episodic retreats, toward environments that support wellbeing spanning across decades. Residences and communities are being designed to remove friction from healthy living across generations, not just for individuals. Living longer at all costs is no longer the ultimate goal. Instead, it's about living well, together, and in places that support continuity, belonging, and care. Why these three stood out to me is because I've already been watching them play out in the projects we work on. And what’s also notable is the driving force behind these shifts. It’s certainly not novelty or hype. It's fatigue and fragmentation. On top of that, there’s a genuine desire that’s growing for wellness that feels human, lived-in, and sustainable. The most forward-thinking properties are already designing for regulation, integration, and long-term livability without waiting to see if these trends stick. They’re already seeing the results in deeper engagement, stronger loyalty, and more meaningful guest experiences. And they're already seeing the results with deeper guest engagement, stronger loyalty, and experiences people actually want to return to. After 35 years in this industry, I've learned that the work ahead isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what holds across generations within real life. This is the foundation of how we approach every project at Under a Tree – designing wellness that's sustainable, human-centered, and built to last. If you're developing with these principles in mind, I'd love to hear what you're seeing. P.S. I’ll share the link to a great breakdown of the Global Wellness Summit report by Helen Andrews at Spa Business in the comments below.

🎯 Thinking About Hosting a Retreat? Here’s What Smart Planners Do Differently (with real-world examples + proven ROI). In Part One, we explored what actually matters when planning a corporate or influencer retreat. Now let’s go deeper. Because when done right, a retreat isn’t just “a cool experience.” 👉 It’s a high-ROI move for team performance, brand growth, and strategic alignment. ✅ 1. Start with Purpose, Not a Location Don’t ask: “Where should we go?” Ask: “What do I want attendees to feel, learn, or change?” Harvard Business Review found that retreats with a clear learning or connection goal deliver a 26% boost in team alignment. 🧠 2. Design for Experience, Not Just Aesthetics People don’t remember the venue—they remember the transformation. ✔️ Small group discussions ✔️ Wellness sessions ✔️ Unstructured time for creativity ✔️ Hands-on learning and team building Memory retention increases by 65% when tied to emotional or experiential learning. (Forbes Council) 🔍 3. Real-World Examples of Smart Retreats 🎧 Spotify’s “Band Retreats” Global teams meet for strategy, wellness, and connection Focus: psychological safety, creativity, and human-first design Result: +21% employee satisfaction, +18% collaboration (Spotify Internal Data) “When people gather intentionally, it amplifies trust, clarity, and creativity.” —Katarina Berg, CHRO, Spotify 🛠️ Shopify’s Remote Retreats Built for remote team alignment Prioritize workshops + personal connection Improved internal communication + post-retreat performance metrics 🌿 Create & Cultivate Retreats (Influencer & Entrepreneur-Focused) Wellness + strategy + brand activations Highly curated, Instagrammable—but never superficial Result: High attendee engagement + strong brand partnerships 💸 4. Budget Smarter, Not Bigger You don’t need a 5-star resort to impress. Some of the most impactful retreats happen at: Boutique villas during shoulder season Unique Airbnb estates with indoor/outdoor flow Local offsites with intentional programming Brands save up to 50% on retreat costs by choosing location-flexible formats—without sacrificing comfort or vibe. 📸 5. Make It Shareable (Without Forcing It) Design scenic, relaxed moments that naturally invite content creation. People share what makes them feel seen, inspired, or connected—not what feels overly curated. Brands that prioritize organic experiences get 50% more social shares (Sprout Social) 💬 Ready to Plan One That Works? 📩 DM me and let’s make your retreat both meaningful and smart.

Have you heard of regenerative farm retreats? They’re quietly redefining wellness travel. For the past five years, I’ve returned to a former Jesuit monastery turned soulful sanctuary in Mallorca, Son Brull Hotel & Spa. Here, breakfast tastes of citrus picked steps away, Mallorcan grape varietals once lost to history are poured into glasses, and 18th-century cloisters invite guests into intentional stillness. Son Brull was my introduction to a quiet movement in luxury travel: Farm hospitality. What began as agritourism, has evolved into something far deeper, a fusion of design, regenerative farming, and stewardship, where place and purpose merge. — Trend Context: This is not rustic escapism. It’s a luxury movement gaining speed. - Wellness tourism is projected to reach $1.35 trillion by 2028. - Experiential travel is expected to top $3.1 trillion by 2025. - 79% of wellness travelers seek outdoor immersion, - 75% prioritize healthy cuisine, and 60% demand tranquility (Spa Business). These numbers aren’t about spa menus. They signal a hunger for connection to land, culture, and community, values that no marble lobby can replicate. — Global Examples: 1. Babylonstoren, South Africa – Karen Roos’s estates lead this charge. “Our guests love grounding themselves on a working farm,” she says, highlighting wellness as rootedness, not ritual. 2. Le Doyenné, ferme,restaurant & chambres – Michelin Green Star chefs James Henry and Shaun Kelly invite guests to wander a revived 19th-century potager, turning dining into a living cultural lens. 3. São Lourenço do Barrocal Portugal – On this 1,900-acre estate, restored over a decade, guests wake to wild horses and birdsong—a kind of spiritual recalibration money can’t stage. 4 Balearic Islands, Spain – Farm retreats like Son Brull, and Soho House & Co Farmhouse Ibiza are rewriting Mediterranean luxury: less yacht, more harvest. — Why It Matters for Leaders: Luxury travelers aren’t just looking for “unique stays.” They’re paying for meaning: - An heirloom olive oil carries more brand equity than a designer soap. - A farmer-in-residence is as valuable as a celebrity chef. - Historic farmhouses are becoming as coveted as five-star penthouses. For operators, this isn’t a trend to chase. It’s a strategic shift. These properties aren’t just destinations; they’re living ecosystems, places where narrative, sustainability, and emotional design are the core business model. — Closing Thought: My time at Son Brull reminded me: luxury isn’t louder. It’s deeper. It’s not about grandeur; it’s about grounding. The future of hospitality will be built by brands that don’t just serve guests but steward place. And the most luxurious thing you can offer a guest may not be a suite upgrade. It might be a moment under an olive tree, in silence, on land that’s been loved for centuries. #LuxuryHospitality #RegenerativeTravel #HospitalityStrategy #WellnessTourism #FarmHospitality #EmotionalDesign

🔊 Silence was yesterday. Sound is the new spa. Wellness travel just found its next frontier: sonic experiences. Hotels, retreats and private clubs are increasingly designing stays around music, vibration and frequency — not as ambiance, but as therapy. 🔍What’s emerging A new generation of wellness spaces treating sound as a primary healing modality, combining: ✅ Live music ✅ Vibroacoustic technology ✅ Low-frequency vibrations ✅ Immersive domes & spatial audio The promise: calm the nervous system, reduce stress, improve sleep, sharpen cognition, and support emotional regulation. 💡 Concrete examples already live 🎼 Golden Door (California) Launched The Circle, a 360° open-air immersive stage pairing live surround-sound performances with visual projections. Guests describe it as “meditative, celestial, and deeply grounding.” 🛋 Kamalaya Koh Samui Introduced Neuro-Sync, a vibroacoustic therapy using zero-gravity loungers and low-frequency vibrations synchronized with sound. 🏨 Grand Hyatt Singapore Vibroacoustic spa beds + headphones where guests both hear and physically feel sound to combat jet lag and cognitive fatigue. 🏛 Tulah Retreat (Kerala, India) Opening the Sonorium, a large-scale sound dome with harmonic architecture, vibroacoustic flooring and live low-frequency instruments. Why sound is becoming central to wellness travel 🧠 1. Wellness is moving from effort → regulation Less “push your limits.” More “downshift your nervous system.” Sound directly stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system — faster than many physical practices. 🎧 2. Music is turning into medicine Not playlists. Not spa background tracks. But engineered frequencies, compositions and vibrations designed with therapeutic intent. 🏨 3. Experience > amenity A sound dome or vibroacoustic journey is not a spa add-on. It becomes a destination-defining feature. What this signals for hospitality Wellness is no longer about adding more facilities. It’s about designing states of being. The next competitive edge won’t be: Bigger gyms More treatment rooms Longer menus It will be: ✨ Who can orchestrate the most powerful emotional and physiological shift in the shortest time. ✨ Sound happens to be one of the most efficient tools to do exactly that. The bigger takeaway We’re entering an era where hotels and retreats behave less like real estate and more like neuro-experience platforms. Spaces that understand frequency, vibration and sensory orchestration won’t just host guests. They’ll tune them. And that’s a very different definition of luxury. — Studio Crème helps brands move away from last-minute, random and blank communication to build clear, coherent and soulful brand stories — so they become recognisable, desirable, and consistent without the chaos. Shyam Mohan Goyal Shekhar Malkotia Evelyne Raymakers

The term "wellness" is being over-used, and under-designed. In hospitality, “wellness-led” has come to mean many things... adding an ice bath, a yoga class, or a few healthy menu items. We’re currently transforming a country estate into a wellness-focused members club & hotel. It's not “how do we add wellness?” but “Is wellbeing embedded into every design and operational decision?” To answer that, we’ve developed an internal framework for what we believe wellness hospitality should actually require. It’s built around 10 core pillars: • Longevity architecture: How light, sound, air, materials, and layout support human health over time. • Sleep & recovery: How rooms, routines, and environments prioritise recovery. • Movement: Designed for different bodies, energy levels, and life stages. • Clinical & longevity services: Where they exist, governed properly and integrated safely. • Nourishment: Designed around metabolic health. • Mental & nervous system health: Spaces that support regulation. • Social wellbeing & community: Recognising the importance of community. • Operations & staff wellbeing: Teams recognised as stewards of the concept, supported in their own health and capacity to sustainably deliver it. • Measurement & outcomes: If it can’t be measured, it remains subjective. This framework will evolve over time, but for now, it’s an internal standard. If we’re going to keep using the word “wellness”, we should be able to define it. Curious to hear from others in hospitality, design, health, and real estate: Where does wellness feel genuinely designed, and where does it feel performative? #LongLane #WellnessHospitality #WellnessWashing

Forget Infinity Pools. The Real Flex Is Picking Your Own Dinner. Let’s talk about regenerative farming and why it might be the most underrated disruptor in hospitality right now. Everyone is chasing luxury, wellness, or sustainability like they are separate buckets, but regenerative farm stays tie it all together and deliver something hotels and destinations can no longer ignore. Here’s the truth. Guests do not just want to sip green juice and do yoga on the lawn anymore. They want to feel their trip. When someone spends five thousand dollars on a week away, they want to come home with more than a tan. They want a story, they want transformation, and regenerative farming delivers exactly that. The psychology is simple. Consumers are burnt out on empty luxury. A pool cabana is not enough. They crave meaning, and meaning comes from participation. When a guest plants something, harvests something, or cooks something that grew on the property, the connection goes deeper than any spa treatment or room upgrade ever could. That emotional ROI is what makes them post online, rave to their friends, and book again. Examples are everywhere. In Italy, estates are mixing biodynamic vineyards with Michelin dining. In Costa Rica, eco-lodges host cacao ceremonies where guests grind the beans before tasting. In California, retreats teach foraging in the morning and serve the harvest at dinner. This is not farm to table anymore. This is farm to Instagram, farm to memory, farm to lifetime loyalty. So here’s the tactical play. Hotels, cruise lines, and destinations need to stop treating regenerative farming as a niche experiment and start building it into their brand story. Partner with local farms. Bring produce into your F&B program with transparency. Create guest experiences around sourcing. Train your team to tell that story with pride. And do not just market it as sustainable, market it as transformational. That is the word that makes wallets open. Other brands can ride this wave too. Fashion can collaborate on capsule collections tied to retreats. Beverage companies can create co-branded experiences at vineyards. Tech companies can sponsor digital detox packages. Airlines can link farm stays to the journey. This is not just about farming, it is about aligning with the psychology of travel, where luxury and purpose become the same thing. Hospitality has to wake up. The future is not glossy infinity pool ads. It is showing the hands-on, behind-the-scenes, the dirt under your fingernails that somehow still feels luxurious because it connects back to health, wellness, and storytelling. Whoever embraces this first will not just win guests, they will win loyalty for life. --- If you like the way I look at the world of hospitality, let's chat: scott@mrscotteddy.com

Case Study: A Combination of Rustic Lodges and Boutique Hotels When it comes to planning an impactful adventure, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Standard trips often come pre-packaged with a set theme and level of accommodation, but for us at Adventuredesk, creating the right experience starts with understanding each client’s community, vision and goals. Take our collaboration with one of our boutique fitness studio clients, for instance. Their aim was simple yet meaningful: to connect their members through a unique, out-of-the-gym challenge. So, we designed a journey that would blend challenge, connection, and a touch of luxury. The adventure began with an unforgettable three-day, two-night whitewater rafting challenge on Costa Rica’s Pacuare River. Staying in rustic riverside cabins with no frills, the group unplugged from their daily routines and connected on a deeper level. Together, they conquered rapids, hiked through lush jungle trails, swam beneath waterfalls, and shared laughs over card games while listening to the pouring jungle rain—all experiences that truly fostered camaraderie and lasting bonds. From there, we shifted the tone, giving the group time to unwind with visits to stunning hot springs and stays in beautiful beachfront boutiques. This balance of challenge and luxury created an experience unlike any “off-the-shelf” trip could provide—deepening the group’s connection in ways they hadn’t anticipated. The takeaway? Tailormade adventures are crafted around goals, whether it’s pushing personal limits, building stronger connections, or simply escaping everyday distractions. There’s magic in blending rustic challenge with modern comfort—and that’s where memories are truly made. #AdventureTravel #TailormadeTrips #CommunityConnection