Yoga and Detox Retreat in Andalusia's Sierra de las Nieves

Shanti Som sits in the Sierra de las Nieves, a protected mountain range in Andalusia, about 20 minutes from Marbella and 45 minutes from Málaga airport. The hotel was built with local materials and follows Feng Shui principles, and the grounds are planted with pine trees and semi-tropical gardens. There are 15 rooms, all with balconies looking out over the countryside. Rooms are simple and not large, but comfortable. There is no wifi in the rooms.

The daily schedule depends on which retreat you book. Yoga and meditation classes run every day, often several times a day, in small groups. The yoga room is used for different styles and the teachers adjust to all levels. If you're on a detox, fitness or weight-loss programme, you'll also have dietary consultations and sports activities. Spa treatments are included in many packages. The spa has a circular hammam and a sauna, but no Jacuzzi. Massages range from Ayurvedic and aromatherapy to detox massages, exfoliating scrubs, wraps and anti-aging facials. You can also book kinesiology or conscious nutrition sessions.

The restaurant serves three meals a day, included in the retreat price. The food is organic where possible and combines Asian flavours with Mediterranean cooking. Vegetarian, vegan, lactose-free and gluten-free dishes are available if you ask. There are a few communal tables, so it's easy to chat with other guests if you want to.

The clientele is mostly solo travellers, and historically more women than men, though that has evened out. The hotel is adults-only because the facilities aren't suitable for children and to keep the atmosphere calm. Most people book at least a week. The staff — 28 of them — are focused on wellbeing, and the team includes Reiki healers, Pilates teachers and spa practitioners who give individual attention.

What makes Shanti Som different from a standard wellness hotel is the combination of a small, intimate property with a serious spa and a daily programme of yoga and meditation. It's not a party place or a family resort. It's for people who want to disconnect, eat well, move a bit and get treated. The tailor-made format means you're not stuck with fixed dates; you choose when you go and for how long, and the activities are adjusted to the theme you pick.

What's included

- Accommodation in a room with balcony - Three daily meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) - Daily yoga and meditation classes - Group Pilates classes - Spa treatments (depending on programme) - Dietary consultations (for detox, fitness, weight-loss retreats) - Sports activities - Access to heated pool, hammam, sauna - Welcome drink and orientation

What's not included

- International flights - Airport transfers (can be arranged at extra cost) - Travel insurance - Personal expenses - Additional spa treatments - Alcoholic beverages - Excursions not included in the programme