The best type of retreat for executives who cannot switch off

What is an executive retreat?

An executive retreat is built for people in senior or demanding roles. Most mix rest with coaching. You might have sessions on stress, sleep, priorities or how you lead, plus time to walk, eat well and think.

Some are for one person. Others take a small group of people at a similar level, which can help, as no one needs things explained. Retreats for a whole team are a different thing, and you will find those under corporate retreats.

Which type of retreat works best for switching off?

• One to one retreats, where a coach works only with you. Good if privacy matters, or you would not open up in a group.
• Digital detox retreats, where phones and laptops are handed in or switched off. Good if you know you will not stop checking on your own.
• Burnout retreats, if the tiredness has gone deeper than a busy month.
• Walking or outdoor retreats, which keep your body busy so your mind can slow down.

Is it burnout or just a busy patch?

A busy patch ends, and a good weekend puts you right. Burnout is different. It is a deep tiredness built up over months, and rest alone stops fixing it. You may feel flat, short tempered or cut off from things you used to enjoy.

If that sounds familiar, a retreat for burnout may suit you better than a general break. A retreat is not a replacement for a GP, a therapist or medical care. If you feel unwell, cannot sleep or take medication, speak to your GP first.

How long does an executive retreat need to be?

Many busy people can only spare two or three days, and that is a fair start. The first day often goes on simply slowing down. With four or five days, you have time to rest and then to think clearly about what needs to change.

Prices vary a lot. On our site, most burnout and one to one retreats start between about £550 and £1,200 per person. Check the “from” price on each listing, and ask the host what is included.

What should I ask the host before I book?

• What is the rule on phones and laptops, and can I check in once a day?
• Who leads the coaching, and what background do they have?
• Is it one to one or a group, and how big is the group?
• How private is it, and who else will be staying?
• Is there any follow up once I am home?

We do not visit retreats in person, so read each listing in full and check the host’s terms before you commit. If a reply is vague on privacy or phones, ask again. A host who runs retreats for busy leaders will be used to these questions and should answer them plainly.

How do I stop work creeping back in?

Plan it before you go. Set an out of office reply that names someone else to contact. Tell your team you will be offline, and mean it. If you must check in, agree one short slot a day and stick to it.

When you get home, keep one habit from the retreat for the first month. It might be a walk before work, no email after dinner or a phone left outside the bedroom. Small changes you keep are worth more than big plans you drop.

Where should I go?

Somewhere easy to reach, but far enough that you cannot pop back to the office. A farmhouse in Norfolk, a lodge in the Scottish Highlands or a quiet house in the Cotswolds all work. Poor phone signal can be a help, not a drawback. Ask the host what the signal and wifi are like, so you know what to expect.

How booking works with us

We never take bookings or hold your money. You send your enquiry straight to the host, and book and pay them direct. There are no booking fees and no commission. Start with our retreats for executives, or browse all retreats.