A soothing “hum” echoed in my ears, magnified by the fact that my eyes were covered with a towel. I was gently floating on an air mattress in an indoor pool as part of a floating sound bath at the historic Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club (Brewster, MA)—and I was in a state of ethereal bliss.
This was just one of the moments that made my wellness retreat experience at the beachside Cape Cod resort memorable. As a fitness instructor for 25 years and a wellness travel writer for 15, I love a good retreat. And from Canyon Ranch to Blackberry Farm, I’ve had a chance to experience some of the best in the wellness biz.
There are a few reasons why I’m such a believer in these opportunities and try to commit to one at least every few years. You’re removed from your normal hustle and bustle. You can focus on recharging and reconnecting with your mind, body, and soul. But my favorite reason is you create connections with people who can be in your life for years to come.
Spoiler alert: My Ocean Edge retreat experience with women’s leadership coach Jenny Fenig met all of these needs and then some. Read on to learn more about why a wellness retreat at Ocean Edge should be on your to-do list in the months to come.
The Retreat: A Program Focused on Purpose
Whether you’re looking for active tennis or yoga retreats or to challenge your mind by working through grief or moving through life transitions, Ocean Edge’s program offers something for everyone. Each retreat is led by a featured wellness practitioner and most are capped at 20 attendees.
What spoke to me about Fenig’s retreat focus—What You Came Here For: A Soul-Stirring Women’s Retreat—was that it was all about figuring out your “next.” After overcoming layoffs, relationships ending, and other life changes in recent years, I’m in a more peaceful place where I can focus on being proactive vs. reactive. So, when I was invited to attend this event, it felt like serendipity.
The Friday-to-Sunday experience opened with a sunset welcome reception where I got to know my fellow retreaters. Then, we sat down to a family dinner at a table where we’d enjoy all our meals—one of the best parts of the retreat. Over the meals, we shared stories and laughed together; they were the perfect casual complement to Fenig’s structured sessions.
Our first session, held in a new infrared retreat studio, was Friday evening and offered an opportunity for each of us to share our “why” for attending. There were tears and giggles, and plenty of truths were shared. It set the tone for how we all showed up in the sessions that followed, which focused on topics like, “Navigating Life’s Crossroads” and “Bold Vision, Brave Voice.”
Fenig coached us through activities where we took pen to paper, working though identifying our purpose and what fulfills us, writing an obituary highlighting what we’d like to accomplish in our lives, and planning how we’d put change into action when we exited our retreat bubble.
While the schedule had structure to it, there was also plenty of time to take a nap or enjoy all that Ocean Edge has to offer like a walk on the expansive beach or the Cape Cod Rail Trail.
Then there was the floating group sound bath I mentioned earlier (included in the retreat), which we shared after dinner on Saturday evening. For almost an hour, we floated to the sounds of the practitioner playing her singing bowls—a brilliant way to end the day.
The Activities and Spa: Taking Time for Tennis and Deep Tissue Massage
Pickleball, fitness classes, biking, golf, on-property oyster bed tours—if you’re looking to move your body and explore, Ocean Edge’s activity roster has you covered. Getting into tennis has been on my to-do list for years, so I decided to use some of my solo time to take a tennis lesson with the resort’s pro, Jim.
Over my hour-long lesson, Jim did a fantastic job of taking this beginner through the dos and don’ts of a forehand and backhand, and we even got to play a bit. His coaching was the perfect balance of feedback and praise.
And what’s a wellness retreat without a visit to the spa? The Beach House Spa is located in a quaint little cottage on the resort’s campus, which spans 429 acres in Brewster, MA. It offers signature body treatments, HydraFacials, massages, and more. (The spa is a five-minute walk from The Mansion, where I was staying, or there’s an on-call shuttle that will take you there.)
I opted for a 50-minute, deep-tissue massage, and my therapist didn’t disappoint. The pressure and technique were just what my tired and tight post-tennis muscles needed. After the massage, the meditation and relaxation room was the perfect place to be mellow and enjoy a cup of tea before returning to the real world.
The Cuisine: Beautiful Bites Shared with New Friends
Build-your-own poke (or salmon, if you prefer) bowls. This is an example of just one of the delicious and wellness-focused meals that were included in the retreat package. Admittedly, I’m always a bit hesitant about the food served to event groups, because what I’ve been served hasn’t always been the best a resort has to offer.
But Ocean Ridge was a shining star when it came to the meals. Breakfasts featured a frittata and green smoothies. Lunches included the bowls and a dazzling soup and sandwich presentation. And dinners offered delicious fish, chicken, and veggie choices.
I arrived a little early and departed a day after the retreat, so I also had a chance to visit a variety of dining options across the property. At Linx Tavern (on the golf course), I treated myself to a lobster roll and fries. The water views, clam chowder, and Atlantic Halibut at Ocean Terrace can’t be missed. And I think I saw the most stunning sunset ever while enjoying a glass of rosé at the Beach Bar.
The Guest Rooms: A Perfect Place for Peace and Sleep
An antique typewriter and other knick-knacks are reminders of Ocean Edge’s history. In the rooms, I found L’ Occitane products and complimentary local chocolates. During my stay, these were a few of my favorite guest room things.
More than 100 years ago, the wealthy Nickerson family built the home that has evolved into The Mansion at Ocean Edge. The mansion is still the hub of the resort where many of the restaurants and bars are located. Guest rooms are located in the Guest Wings just off The Mansion, or you can book a Bay Pines Collection villa. (And FYI, if you’re a Hilton Honors member, you can earn and redeem points here.)
My guest room was tucked into the wing where the retreat sessions and floating sound bath were held, which was very convenient. When I wasn’t retreating, my room was the perfect spot to snuggle into the cozy bed, relax in the deep soaking tub, or sit on the balcony with a book and breathe in the cool New England air.
