Euphoria Retreat

A breath of fresh air within the forested hills of Mystras—an UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Peloponnese—Euphoria Retreat beckons travelers seeking a private destination to recharge.

• The indoor-outdoor pool, where guests can lounge in the sun or relax with the built-in hydrotherapy jets
• The private location, surrounded by nature in the heart of the Peloponnese
• The variety of treatments, from a private Byzantine ritual in the hammam to the specialized chakra balancing

Situated at the foot of Mount Taygetus in the Byzantine city of Mystras, Euphoria Retreat is an ultra-private, holistic wellbeing destination where guests can recharge amidst nature. Just a two and a half hour drive from Athens and less than an hour drive from Kalamata, the property sits at the heart of the Peloponnese, and its surrounding olive groves, tall pine forest and medieval castle set the scene for a transportive wellness getaway. Created to encourage transformation and healing through a balanced life and healthy spiritual connection, the philosophy of the retreat combines both Greek and Chinese healing practices, which share a common ground in the understanding of the cosmos and human nature. The retreat's process is catered to the individual's wants and needs. Guests can choose from different programs, signature retreats or mini retreats, or they can visit the property and book treatments as they wish—some of the programs focus on weight loss, while others hone in on anti-stress or graceful aging. Mingling with other guests is optional and though other guests can be found in the public spaces, the property still fosters a sense of personal privacy.

Upon arrival, relaxation settles in rather immediately, as you are welcomed by the staff and sat amongst the plush purple couches in the open-air lobby. The 45 rooms and suites are spacious and minimalistic, adding to the overall zen atmosphere, with wooden furnishings, marble bathrooms and views of either the famous Mystras Castle, the village of Mystras or Euphoria Retreat’s private forest. The Superior Deluxe and Executive Deluxe guest rooms include verandas and private balconies or terraces respectively, and both have roomy showers with waterfall shower heads. (The views of citrus groves and the valley are a highlight.) For guests seeking more space, accommodations include the Euphoria Junior Suite, Euphoria Executive Junior Suite and a Heritage Leoncini Suite, all with adjoining living areas and unique touches like antiques from the owner’s private collection. The Mystras Suites each promise designer furniture and beautiful textiles, and the Byzantium Grand Suite (considered the Presidential Suite) has two bathrooms, a custom steam shower, its own private garden with a dining table and California cedar hot tub and a dedicated concierge service to ensure an exclusive and personalized stay.

Of course, all experiences center around the property’s most amazing feature: the spa. A spiral staircase in the entry showcases one of the oldest therapies in the world—a cold and hot foot bath that reduces pain, increases circulation and supports injury recovery—and leads to the various areas of the spa. The relaxation area is well crafted, with lounge chairs set among the landscaped gardens and access to the outdoor pool. For a more unusual sensory experience, the indoor Sphere Pool, which has walls lined with strong hydrotherapy jets, can be accessed through a hatch from the outdoor pool or from the inside. The spa offers a huge range of treatments, including consultations, energy healing, body treatments, holistic facials, healing sessions and more; but a highlight is the signature Euphoria Byzantine Hammam Ritual, a private hour-long hammam experience incorporating a series of rejuvenating and cleansing treatments. Outside of the hammam is the Tepidarium, a heated muscle relaxation area, and there is also a Laconium Finnish sauna, a cold plunge pool and a Speleotherapy Salt room.

It’s very easy to spend the day moving from the different relaxation areas, as well as the fitness center, yoga rooms and the surrounding private forest. Led by professional instructors, the various fitness classes and hikes can be taken as a group or as a private experience. For those who are more advanced in their fitness practices, private sessions would be more beneficial, as the group classes and hikes tend to lean towards beginner levels.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner take place at the Gaia Restaurant, where the chefs use fresh, nutrient-dense ingredients to create specially designed menus inspired by Greek and Mediterranean cuisine.

Those who are searching for an extremely tranquil, holistic wellness experience in Greece that feels both luxurious and private