Sustainable Weight Loss Retreat in Marbella & the Algarve with Nutritionist-Led Meals, Daily Hiking, Pilates & Spa Therapies

The programme runs at two Shanti-Som properties: one in Marbella, Spain, set in the foothills of the Sierra de las Nieves with a Mediterranean climate that makes outdoor hiking and swimming viable almost year-round, and one in the Algarve, Portugal. Both locations run the same expert-led programme, just shaped by different surroundings — Marbella leans into mountain trails and coastal walks, while the Algarve property is opening in February 2027 and is now taking bookings.

Each day follows a rhythm: morning sessions of Pilates, circuit training or power yoga; afternoons of guided hikes, swimming or stretching; three chef-prepared meals; and spa treatments woven in around the schedule. It's structured, but it's not a bootcamp. The retreat is explicit that the exercise is varied and adapted to your fitness level, and that the point is to help you find forms of movement you actually enjoy, because that's what you'll keep doing once you're home.

The nutrition side is where a lot of the work happens. You'll have a consultation with the nutritionist to understand your body's needs, a body composition analysis at the start and end of your stay, and a healthy cooking workshop so you can see how the meals you're eating are actually made. Meals are calorie-controlled but varied and flavourful — the FAQ on the retreat's own page addresses the 'is the food restrictive?' question directly, and the answer is no.

What separates this from a standard weight loss camp is the combination of spa therapies and psychology with the exercise and food. Metabolism-boosting spa treatments — deep tissue massage, body wraps, hydrotherapy — are built into the programme rather than sold as extras. Mindset coaching sits alongside the nutrition work. And the language throughout is anti-deprivation: no crash diets, no punishing regimes, no hidden supplements to buy, no shame-based motivation.

The follow-through is real, too. Every guest leaves with a personalised take-home plan covering nutrition guidelines, exercise routines and mindfulness strategies. The team stays available for follow-up consultations, and plenty of guests come back for annual maintenance stays. It's built for people who want the retreat to be the start of something rather than a one-off reset.

What's included

- Accommodation at the boutique Shanti-Som property - Three nutritionist-designed meals daily plus healthy snacks - Personalised fitness sessions in small groups (maximum twelve) - Daily Pilates, yoga, circuit training, hiking and swimming - Spa treatments: deep tissue massage, body wraps, hydrotherapy - Nutritional consultation with a nutritionist - Body composition analysis at start and end of stay - Healthy cooking workshop and demonstrations - Mindset coaching sessions - Personalised take-home meal plan - Take-home exercise guide - Mindfulness strategies for continuing at home

What's not included

- Flights to and from Spain or Portugal - Airport transfers (confirm at booking) - Travel insurance - Personal expenses - Optional personal training sessions - Additional spa treatments beyond those included in the programme - Follow-up consultations (available but not part of the standard package)