The Ultimate Guide for Choosing a Retreat Location
1. Location
The location of your retreat venue is especially important. You want to make sure it is easily accessible. This means if people aren’t close enough to drive, it should be near an airport or train station, or bus station. You want to make it convenient for your people to get to.
The environment of the location is something to also think about. Do you want a quiet place with fewer distractions so team members can stay focused and recharge while relaxing, or do you want to be near a vibrant city with restaurants and nightlife?
You will also want to think about the appearance of the location. It is hard to achieve success at a retreat if your team is not able to rest comfortably or is concerned about cleanliness. You want to ensure the retreat venue and accommodations are aesthetically pleasing and clean and have a staff with extraordinary customer service.
2. What’s Your Budget?
When choosing a retreat location, you will want to know your budget and make sure the location falls in line with what you are allotted to spend. When doing your research, you will want to ask questions to see what is included in the pricing the venue reps are quoting.
Are meals extra? What about activities and meeting space? Many places charge a la carte, so you will want to ask for clarification and make sure you are within budget.
3. What Type of Accommodations Do You Need?
As far as accommodations, would you prefer hotel-style rooms, or would you prefer a large house or cabin, so everyone is together? Will your team be sharing rooms with others, or will they be more comfortable in their own room? Do you want the accommodations close to the meeting spaces and activity areas? These are important questions you will want to ask and research.
You will also need to know if you need any special accommodations for people with special needs, such as handicap accessibility.
4. What Type of Activities Are You Looking For?
You should ask yourself what type of activities would enhance your retreat. Are you looking for activities such as shopping, movies, and attractions, or are you looking for outdoor and adventure activities such as zip lines, canoeing, hiking, and ropes courses?
The type of activities you are looking for will be an important factor in determining your retreat location.
5. What Type of Facility Do You Need?
This last consideration is a big one! What type of facility do you need to have a successful retreat? You are going to want to make sure the facility meets the needs of the goals of your retreat. If the goal of your retreat is to relax and take in nature, you don’t need to choose a retreat center in the middle of a city.
If you want an intimate, private setting, you will want to make sure no other groups are meeting in spaces near your retreat area. You may want to check to make sure multiple retreats are not scheduled at the same time, so common spaces are private, and activities only include your team.
You will also want to ensure the retreat venue will hold the number of people you are wanting to bring, and on the flip side, ensure the space isn’t too large for your group, so you aren’t able to connect.
Do you want the retreat location to provide meals, or go out every meal? Maybe you want to be in a location that has a kitchen so you can cook some of your meals and have some meals catered. If you are going to a location that provides meals, are they able to accommodate special dietary restrictions?
Does the retreat center provide coffee, water, and snacks? What about audio-visual equipment and the staff to run it? And do they offer to set up, or are you required to set everything up?
High Peak Camp
As you can see, there are many things for you to consider when choosing your retreat location. The success of your retreat is highly dependent on the location you choose, so be prepared to research and ask all the right questions. If you are interested in finding out if High Peak Camp is the perfect place for your next retreat, contact us or visit our website.