Question 1

ABOUT THE RETREAT

Accepted Answer

The perfect winter getaway on the Spanish Atlantic coast, bridging the gap between a classic Airbnb accommodation and a serviced retreat centre. Affordable, bespoke and deeply nourishing.

This private retreat (2 people max) is intended for couples, friends or family members, who fancy the idea of going on an exclusive wellness break together, while also enjoying the perks and homely environment of a typical Airbnb accommodation.

Imagine the freedom of:

•   choosing when to come (i.e. not being tied to specific dates)
•   receiving a personal and tailored program (i.e. no obligation to select package deals regarding meals or treatments/activities)
•   enjoying privacy and quiet time (i.e. no big groups or the hustle of a commercially-run retreat centre)
•   picking what time of day to enjoy your meals and treatments/activities (anywhere between 8am and 10pm)
•   combining the homeliness and independence of an Airbnb experience, with professional, in-house holistic treatments and activities such as yoga, massage, sound healing, guided meditation and more
•   affordable payment in line with your capacity (i.e. ‘sliding scale’ pricing between €75 - €105 pp per night)

The minimum length of stay is 2 nights, and you are welcome to extend for up to 4 nights in total.  If you already know you want to stay longer than 2 nights, best to book this in advance to reserve your spot.

Question 2

YOUR HOST

Accepted Answer

Hóla,  I'm Thalien Colenbrander, your host. Originally from The Netherlands, I've been living in Spain and Portugal for the last few years. I'm a yoga teacher, body worker, singer and sound practitioner. I am fluent in Dutch, English and Italian, and my Spanish is uhm...getting there ;-)  You can read more about me and my credentials on the 'About' page.  My dog's name is Moos. He's a 7-year-old greyhound mix. Like most greyhounds, he's very sweet-tempered, quiet and loves to snooze.

Why I decided to organise private retreats:  I’ve been running regular retreats for a few years now and really loving it, but I also find the organisation and financial risk of booking a venue for a large group quite tiring and stressful. The idea of hosting people in my own apartment and offering them a warm, homey vibe as well as the professionality to be expected from a wellness retreat, struck me as a brilliant win-win solution for myself as well as my guests.

We can't wait to host you! :-)

Note that, during your stay, I will be in the apartment too! You will have a private bedroom but we will be sharing the kitchen, living room and bathroom. If you prefer the apartment completely to yourself, that's possible too (at added cost). Just contact me to work out the details.

Question 3

PRICING

Accepted Answer

The costs per person, per night, are €75 – €105. As a gesture towards economic equity, I work with ‘sliding scale’ pricing. What this means is that you pay according to your capacity within the given price range.

What’s included in the price of a 2-night stay:
– accommodation
– 1 sound therapy* (1 hour)
– 1 slow flow yoga class* (1.5 hr)
– 1 holistic massage (p.p.)* (1.5 hr)
– use of a kitchen, living room with fire place and bathroom
– access to shared outdoor swimming pool, garden and terrace
– barbecue facilities
– WiFi
– parking

What’s not included in the price:
– meals **
– transfers
– horseback riding (hard to resist as the stables are right next door!)
– additional treatments/activities

* If not all of these offerings appeal to you, I can adjust to fit your preference (e.g. receiving 2 sound sessions and no yoga). 
** If requested, I am very happy to prepare delicious and freshly cooked vegetarian or vegan food for you. Breakfast is €10 p.p. and lunch and dinners are €15 p.p. per meal.

Note that if you stay for longer than 2 nights, then for the 3rd and 4th night, you have the option of paying only for accommodation €35 – €65 per person, per night (sliding scale). If you wish, you can book another treatment/activity with me during those last 2 days too.

Question 4

THE ACCOMMODATION

Accepted Answer

The venue for your Airbnb retreat will be a spacious apartment built in typical Andalusian style and located at 600 m from the Atlantic Ocean, on the quiet outskirts of Conil de La Frontera, a charming whitewashed town on the Spanish Atlantic coast.

In the apartment, you can choose between a twin bedroom or a double bedroom (i.e. max 2 people). I only host people who book together, i.e. you will not be sharing a room or the apartment with other guests other than myself. Note that, during your stay, I will be in the apartment too! We will be in separate bedrooms, but we will be sharing the kitchen, living room and bathroom. If you prefer the apartment completely to yourself, that's possible too (at added cost). Just contact me to work out the details.

There is a kitchen, bathroom, living room, and a shielded balcony which looks out on a lush garden with a large pool. The garden and pool are shared with a few neighbours.

Bonus if you are an animal-lover. There are many animals on the outdoor premises (all very friendly) like dogs, cats, a goat, rabbits, a Vietnamese piglet and…9 Andalusian horses. No surprise as the riding stables are very close by. 
A supermarket and a restaurant are in the immediate vicinity and can be reached on foot in 5-8 minutes. In Conil there are a variety of good and affordable restaurants.

Question 5

GETTING THERE

Accepted Answer

The closest airport is Jerez de la Frontera (75km drive or 50 min) and the second closest is Seville airport (160km drive or 1hr 45min). If travelling from the airport, I recommend renting a car or booking a cab to get here. I can help you arrange that. Another, cheaper, option is to travel to Conil via public transport and then either get a cab from the bus station or walk the distance (its only a 25 min walk).

Question 6

BOOKINGS

Accepted Answer

You can book via the Book Now button below. If you have questions prior to booking, feel free to contact me via info@thayoma.com, or write/call to +31616815485. I'm available on WhatsApp/Signal/Telegram.

Looking forward to hosting you :-)

Question 7

FAQ

Accepted Answer

Why do you use sliding scale pricing, and how do I know what to pay?
As a gesture towards economic equity, I work with what’s called ‘sliding scale’ pricing. What this means is that you pay according to your capacity. Why I do this: Self-care and ‘getting away from it all’ for a few days can be a profoundly healing experience and much-needed in the world we live in. Unfortunately, many people cannot afford the high costs of going on a regular serviced retreat. That's where I come in. How do you know how much to pay? Well, knowing how to rate your capacity requires a moment of honest self-assessment. A complex web of income, wealth, class, race and other factors make up the realities of our ability to pay. I invite you to follow these guidelines below in choosing your price.

Consider paying higher on the scale if you:
– own the home you live in
– have investments, retirement accounts or inherited wealth
– travel recreationally
– have access to family resources in times of need
– work part-time by choice
– have a relatively high degree of earning power due to your level of education (or gender and racial privilege, class background, etc.). Even if you are not currently exercising your earning power, I encourage you to recognize this as a choice.
Consider paying lower on the scale if you:
– are supporting children or have other dependents
– have significant debt
– have significant medical expenses not covered by insurance
– have educational expenses
– receive public assistance
– have immigration-related expenses
– are a Spanish national 
– are a senior citizen with a fixed income
I ask you to assess yourself sincerely; I trust the choices you make, and therefore will never question you about them or take offence :-)
What kind of treatments / activities do you offer?
Thai Yoga Massage, Lomi Lomi Massage, Vinyasa Yoga, and Sound Therapy/Healing. You can read more about these on the designated page (you'll find it via the menu on this website). My other offerings include personal training, fireplace & acoustic live sing-along, guided meditations, cacao ceremony and Authentic Relating Games. Combining your stay with a plant medicine ceremony (kambo, aya, bufo) are also an option as I work together with a trusted professional in this field who facilitates these ceremonies nearby. 
Can I come with more than 2 people?
Yes, this is negotiable.  I could supply airbeds or alternatively book a second apartment, hotel or hostel close by. Best to contact me to discuss the possibilities.

Can I bring my pet and/or child?
Children (max 2) aged 8 and older are welcome and will pay only for accommodation, i.e. €35 – €65 per child, per night (sliding scale). Dogs (max 1) are welcome at no charge. Please let me know in advance if you are taking your dog.
How do I book/pay?
Booking can be done via the Book Now button. Paying: You can transfer the money to my (Dutch) bank account or pay via PayPal. I ask for a 25% to fix the booking, the remaining 75% will be due upon arrival. You can pay in cash (Euro) or by bank transfer. If you already know you want to stay longer than the standard 2 nights, best to book this in advance to reserve your spot. You will find all this info on the booking form too.

What is the cancellation policy?
If you must cancel your booking 30 days prior to your arrival date, you can reschedule or receive a voucher for the entire amount. If you wish a refund of your deposit, I will refund you the amount minus a small service charge (€10). If you cancel less than 30 days prior to the retreat start date, a refund of the money is not possible.

THE HEALING HABITS RETREAT
21-26 January 2023

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THE HEALING HABITS RETREAT 21-26 January 2023

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THE HEALING HABITS RETREAT
21-26 January 2023