Goddess Retreats Review: I joined a week-long, women-only wellness retreat in Ubud, Bali

I tried the Ubud Healing Retreat at Goddess Retreats in Bali. Here's what to expect from this women-only wellness retreat.

As someone who constantly travels alone, finding a safe spot where you can meet other like-minded ladies is essential. That’s how I found Goddess Retreats – a women-only wellness retreat where you can comfortably show up exactly as you are. I especially love the fact that its wellness retreat in Ubud is tucked amongst quiet rice fields just outside the bustling downtown area. But it’s more than “just” a peaceful place to stay. It’s a sanctuary designed to help women reconnect with themselves or recover from burnout through holistic healing, nourishing food and cultural experiences.

I recently joined the 7-day Ubud Healing Retreat programme intending to just see what it’s all about. But I left with so much more. As I moved through the week, I quickly realised this wasn’t about squeezing as many yoga classes, day trips, or spa treatments into the itinerary as possible. Instead, it was about slowing down, listening to what my body needed, and embracing Bali’s traditional healing practices with an open mind.

Here’s my personal experience after a week with Goddess Retreats, and what makes it one of the best wellness retreats in Bali.

Key details on the Healing Goddess Retreat in Ubud

Duration: 7 days, 6 nights.
Number of participants: 18 to 19 ladies.
Price: Starting from USD 3,695 in a shared room or USD 3,895 in a solo room.
Daily inclusions: Three healthy meals, snacks and refreshments, spa treatments, yoga, housekeeping and turn-down service.
Check-in time: 12pm.
Check-out time: 3pm.
Note: Return car transfers from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport are available pre- and post-retreat. Hotel transfers are also available within selected areas.

A safe wellness retreat in Ubud for female travellers

Surrounded by lush tropical gardens and the gentle sounds of nature, Goddess Retreats immediately felt warm, welcoming and deeply restorative. Rather than feeling like a hotel, it feels like a beautiful home shared with women from around the world who have all come for different reasons, yet somehow find common ground. My fellow retreat participants came from different backgrounds and ranged in age from 17 to over 70. Not all of us were solo travellers: some came with colleagues, and some were mother-daughter pairs.

I stayed in the Frangipani Villa, which has four private en-suite bedrooms, a shared living room and kitchen, a swimming pool overlooking rice paddies, and two spa rooms. My bedroom blended traditional Balinese details with modern comforts. But as lovely as my room was, it’s the shared spaces that really form the heart of the retreat. There’s a main pool surrounded by individual daybeds, a sauna and ice bath, and a long table for communal dining. The whole space struck the perfect balance between quiet “me” time and genuine connection.

Unlimited spa treatments were the upgrade I didn’t know I needed

If there was one part of the retreat I looked forward to every single day, it was the spa and skilled therapists. Goddess Retreats offers an optional unlimited spa upgrade, which may seem a bit much at first, but trust me, it’s the best gift for yourself!

Each day, I found myself floating between massages, scrubs, facials and hair spas. The Cleopatra Facial uses Sensatia skincare and LED light therapy, which left my skin glowing, and the avocado hair mask made my locks silky smooth. But my favourite was The Metabolic Booster, which included a thermal contrast therapy, full-body red light therapy, mineral salt scrub, a lymphatic-drainage massage and Guasha facial. I also tried cupping and acupuncture for the first time, and surprisingly, I’d do it again!

Rather than feeling rushed, every treatment was thoughtfully delivered by experienced therapists who seemed to understand exactly what my body needed. It transformed the retreat into something even more restorative, allowing me to fully embrace the slower rhythm of life in Bali.

Traditional Indonesian healing experiences rooted in culture

One of the reasons I chose the Ubud Healing Retreat was its focus on authentic Indonesian wellness traditions. Beyond massages and yoga, the programme introduces guests to local healing practices that have been passed down through generations.

Throughout the retreat, I experienced everything from yoga and Ayurvedic treatments, to traditional energy healing sessions with respected Javanese and Balinese healers. One of the most memorable moments was taking part in a Melukat water purification ceremony at Pura Mengening temple. Other highlights were the Javanese Ruwatan cleansing ritual, and traditional Balinese bodywork. Even simple chats with the healers gave me valuable wisdom to take home. I left with a deeper appreciation for Indonesia’s spiritual heritage, but more importantly, I felt lighter than when I arrived.

Nourishing food that never felt restrictive

Wellness retreats sometimes have a reputation for serving food that feels limiting rather than nourishing. Goddess Retreats completely changed my mind. The menu focuses on fresh and wholesome ingredients, with plenty of tropical fruits, homemade snacks, nourishing salads and my favourite: Indonesian nasi campur for dinner that didn’t lack spice!

After chatting with some of the ladies with specific dietary needs (vegan, nut-allergies and coeliac), they were very well-catered for too. The kitchen team carefully separates cooking utensils to prevent contamination, so no one has to worry about what they eat. What I loved most was that meals became another opportunity to connect. Sitting around the table and sharing stories over beautifully prepared food became one of the highlights of my stay at Goddess Retreats.

My final thoughts on Goddess Retreats

I’ll admit: nowadays, many “retreats” feel like a curated vacation. So I was pleasantly surprised that Goddess Retreats is what I believe a retreat should be: a safe space where you can simply rest. Sure, having access to traditional healers and spa treatments was part of the perks. But beyond that, what made the retreat so special was the community: from the retreat hostesses who carefully planned each day so I could switch off completely, to the inspiring women who joined the retreat. So, whether you’re travelling solo, turning a new chapter, or just craving some “me” time, the Ubud Healing Retreat at Goddess Retreats is a great gift you can give yourself.

Good to know before you book Goddess Retreats

How it works:
There are weekly slots, so you and a group of ladies check in and out on the same day. But you choose your own programmes. There are group activities and excursions, as well as solo activities each day. Your itinerary depends on the package you choose – from adventure (think whitewater rafting, cycling, and Mount Batur hiking), to spiritual (temple-hopping and traditional healing rituals).

What I packed for my Ubud Healing Goddess Retreat

• Yoga clothes
• Shorts and tank tops
• T-shirts to cover my shoulders and chest for temple visits
• A light jacket
• Swimwear
• One pair of flip flops and one pair of sneakers
• Lounge wear, toiletries, and sunblock
• Optional: dresses for dinner out, and opening and closing ceremonies

Instagram: @goddessretreats
Best for: Female solo travellers looking for a reset in a safe space.
Must-try programmes: “Eat, Pray, Love” Sacred Temple Journey, The Metabolic Booster, Spiritual Amerta Purification Ceremony, Traditional Balinese Bodywork, Cupping and Acupuncture.
Good to know: There are two retreat locations, one in Seminyak and the other in Ubud.
Insider tip: Let the retreat hostesses design your full itinerary if you don’t know which programme to choose. And you can join as many or as few as you want!
Address: Jl Raya Mas, Mas, Ubud.

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