Best Pilates Retreats in 2026: Reformer, Wellness & More

I’m not saying a pilates retreat will fix everything, but hear me out. A week of daily pilates classes, healthy meals and actual personal time does something to a body that has spent eleven months hunched over a laptop. Pilates builds strength, stability and better movement patterns. A retreat gives you the time and the supportive environment to practise properly. Retreat + pilates = the reset your nervous system has been begging for.

I’ve picked nine retreats below, from a €345 wellness escape in Lebanon to a reformer studio in Thailand. Each one is labelled by what it’s actually best for, so you can skip straight to your kind of trip. All aboard for wellness travel, personal growth, and muscle tone! 🙂

The Best Pilates Retreats at a Glance

Prices move and dates sell out, especially for reformer retreats with small class sizes. Check the current price on each listing before you get attached.

Why Go on a Pilates Retreat?

Pilates focuses on toning and elongating muscle groups, think off-duty ballerina. What matters more is how those muscles move. Pilates is a functional practice built around control, breath and intentional movement, and it works the entire body rather than one show-off muscle group.

It can help with retraining imbalanced movement patterns, building physical strength and improving posture, which is welcome news for my poor aching desk body. Research into exercise for chronic lower back pain has looked at pilates alongside other approaches and found it performs well. If you’re booking a retreat because of an injury or a chronic pain condition, talk to your healthcare professional first and choose a retreat with expert instructors qualified to work with your needs.

A pilates retreat adds the part you can’t get from a Tuesday night class. Daily exercises, expert guidance, healthy meals, no commute, no laundry pile. That’s the transformative power of pilates compressed into an entire week, or a long weekend if that’s all you can carve out of daily life.

So pack your bags and don’t forget your travel insurance 🙂

How I Chose These Pilates Retreats

I don’t list a retreat unless it earns its spot. Here’s what I looked at:

• How much pilates you actually get per day, and whether it’s mat-based pilates, reformer sessions or both
• The experience of the pilates instructors and the size of the group
• Whether complete beginners are genuinely welcome or quietly out of their depth
• Food, because healthy meals make or break a wellness programme
• Spa facilities, pools, saunas, hot tubs and everything else that fills the gaps
• Accommodation quality and whether the best room costs three times the base price
• Free time, because a retreat with zero personal time is a bootcamp
• Location, travel logistics and whether shorter travel times are possible from Europe
• Value for money across the whole package rather than the headline nightly rate

Which Pilates Retreat Is Right for You?

• First time on a retreat: go for all-levels classes and a small group. Fuerteventura or Bali.
• You want reformer: you need a studio with machines on site. Koh Samui or Monda.
• You have a weekend: four days in Provence, with proper gourmet food.
• You want pilates and yoga: Morocco or Fuerteventura.
• You’re watching the budget but still want pilates: Les Baux-de-Provence, at €945.
• You want the cheapest possible reset and don’t mind skipping pilates: Lebanon, at €345.
• You’re in the States: a farm-to-table pilates weekend in Northern California.

Best Pilates Retreats in Europe

Best Overall Pilates Retreat: Pilates Retreat with Reformer in Monda, Spain

Shanti-Som opened in 2011, before wellness was a hashtag, and it’s built around the idea that you can bring the essence of Bali to Europe without the twelve-hour flight. The pilates programme focuses on flexibility, core strength and controlled breath, and it’s genuinely suitable for every fitness level. You’ll work on the mat and get proper time on the reformer machine, plus the option to try aerial pilates with a fitness trainer if you’re feeling brave.

The retreat sits in Monda, a forty-minute drive from Málaga airport, and layers in yoga, meditation, hiking and spa treatments around the pilates classes, so it never feels like a single-discipline bootcamp. Because the organiser regularly rotates which specific retreats are live, I’m linking to their retreat page rather than one fixed date. At the time of writing they have a 4 day option and an 8 day option running, same programme, different length.

Best for: a proper pilates retreat with real reformer access, not just a token session.
The catch: check which specific dates are live when you land on the page, since listings rotate.

Duration: 4 or 8 days
Price: From €1,320 (4 days) or €3,080 (8 days)
Pilates style: Mat and reformer, plus optional aerial pilates
Closest Airport: Málaga Airport (32 km)
Airport pick-up included? No
Skill Level: All levels
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: Yes

Check current dates, availability and price

Best Pilates Retreat for Beginners: 8 Day Recharge, Reconnect and Rebalance Retreat in Fuerteventura, Spain

Azulfit sits with 360-degree ocean views and ancient volcanoes as a backdrop, and the whole point is that you come as you are and pace yourself. It’s exactly why it works for a first pilates retreat. Over twenty class hours across the week blend pilates and yoga for beginners and experienced practitioners in the same room, with warm, experienced instruction that never assumes you already know what you’re doing.

You stay in a white-washed Spanish villa with a courtyard full of palm trees, a pool, a jacuzzi and hammocks for the in-between hours. Meals are vegan or vegetarian and included daily, breakfast, a light lunch you can take to the pool, and five evening meals across the week.

Best for: your first pilates retreat, or anyone who wants an immersive experience without committing to a hardcore pilates programme.
The catch: this is mat-based pilates and yoga rather than a reformer studio.

For more Spain inspiration, check out my full yoga retreats in Spain guide.

Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Price: From €1,190
Pilates style: Mat, combined with yoga
Closest Airport: Fuerteventura Airport (20 km), transfer available for €40pp
Airport pick-up included? No, but can be arranged for an extra fee
Skill Level: All levels, great pilates retreat for beginners
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: Yes

Check current dates, availability and price

Best Pilates Weekend Retreat: 4 Day Yoga and Pilates Retreat with Gourmet Food in Les Baux-de-Provence, France

Four days, a pine forest, and Les Baux-de-Provence sitting under an intense blue Provence sky. If you want a pilates weekend rather than an entire week away, this is the one, and the food is the real draw.

Mas des Tronflettes is a troglodyte farmhouse renovated in 2022, inside the Alpilles natural park, with a swimming pool, a bowling alley and four ensuite double bedrooms. Days combine graduated pilates and yoga instruction (Hatha, Vinyasa, yin/yang, qi gong) with a nutrition course led by a qualified nutritionist, a food and toxicology talk, and a walk to gather wild medicinal plants. Meals are vegetarian, nutritionally balanced and anti-inflammatory, cooked by their own team. Classes run in English and French.

Best for: a long weekend that pairs pilates with real nutrition guidance, not just movement.
The catch: mat-based pilates only, and it leans as much into detox and nutrition as it does into pilates itself.

Duration: 4 days / 3 nights
Price: From €945 (was €1,050)
Pilates style: Mat, combined with yoga and a nutrition programme
Closest Airport: Marseille Provence Airport (46 km), transfer available for €25pp
Airport pick-up included? No, but can be arranged for an extra fee
Skill Level: All levels
Languages: English and French
Vegan Friendly?: Vegetarian, contact the organizer for vegan needs

Check current dates, availability and price

Best Pilates Retreats in the USA and the Americas

Best Pilates Retreat in the USA: 3 Day Farm-to-Table Pilates Retreat in Vacaville, California

If you can only spare a weekend and it has to be a pilates retreat in the United States, make it this one. It’s set on an organic farm in Northern California with a serious farm-to-table reputation, so you move well and eat very, very well. Cheeky alcoholic beverages available if that’s your gig.

Every day opens with a core strength pilates practice and closes with something softer. In between you can explore the grounds on foot or by bike, join a sourdough baking workshop, or book a massage and stay horizontal by the pool. Accommodation ranges from bell tents to tiny houses to rooms in the main farmhouse.

Best for: a three day pilates escape in the USA with food as the real highlight.
The catch: mat and core work rather than reformer, and three days goes fast.

Check out my complete guide to the best wellness retreats in California for more options.

Duration: 3 days
Price: From €1,121
Pilates style: Mat and core fusion
Closest Airport: Sacramento International Airport (50 km)
Airport pick-up included? No
Skill Level: All levels
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: Mainly vegetarian, check with the organizer for vegan options

Check current dates, availability and price

Best for Mental Clarity: 7 Day Soul Journey Movement Retreat in Nayarit, Mexico

Pilates keeps you physically balanced and aligned. This retreat goes further into the mental side, with daily pilates or pilates-yoga fusion, meditation, breathwork, energy healing and a deep dive into hypnotherapy.

The centre sits on the tropical coast, so downtime comes with breathtaking coastal views and a genuinely nourishing environment. Pre and post-retreat coaching sessions are included, which is rare and makes the work stick once you’re back in everyday life.

Best for: a deeper connection with the mental side of movement, and anyone wanting mental clarity more than a fitness overhaul.
The catch: the price. This is the most expensive option here by a wide margin.

Duration: 7 days
Price: From €6,279
Pilates style: Mat and pilates-yoga fusion
Closest Airport: Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport (74 km)
Airport pick-up included? Yes
Skill Level: All levels
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: Yes

Check current dates, availability and price

Best Pilates Retreats in Asia

Best Pilates Mat and Yin Yoga Retreat: 5 Day Holiday in Ubud, Bali

The Wakanda Resort sits among rice terraces and jungle a few minutes from central Ubud, and this retreat pairs one pilates mat class a day with yin yoga, meditation, breathwork, sound healing and even an ice bath. It’s designed to rebalance rather than exhaust you, which makes it a good pick if you want pilates as part of a wider reset rather than the whole point of the trip.

Suites open onto private balconies over the rice fields or the infinity pool, and meals are plant-based and vegetarian, cooked in-house and included. Groups stay small, a maximum of fifteen people, and the airport transfer is included, which is a nice touch after a long flight.

Best for: pairing pilates with proper stillness, in one of Bali’s most photogenic settings.
The catch: one pilates class a day, mat only, no reformer.

Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
Price: From €1,211
Pilates style: Mat, one class daily, combined with yin yoga
Closest Airport: Ngurah Rai International Airport (26 km)
Airport pick-up included? Yes
Skill Level: Beginner to intermediate
Languages: English, with Indonesian also spoken
Vegan Friendly?: Yes

Check current dates, availability and price

Best Reformer Pilates Retreat: 7 Day Fitness, Meditation and Reformer Pilates Retreat in Koh Samui, Thailand

Absolute Sanctuary has a dedicated reformer pilates studio, the first in Thailand. If you want a week built around machines rather than a token reformer class, start here.

The package includes unlimited access to group fitness classes and four personal training sessions, so you can build real physical strength across the week. Balance comes from the spa steam room, one included massage and a menu that runs from infrared saunas to Thai full body massage. There’s a pool for afternoons with a holiday read, and a scooter and an island if you’d rather explore. All meals are included and there’s a juice bar to keep you topped up.

Best for: reformer retreats and a genuine fitness overhaul.
The catch: this is closer to a fitness programme than a gentle wellness week. Come ready to work.

Duration: 7 days
Price: From €2,349
Pilates style: Reformer and mat
Closest Airport: Samui Airport (1 km)
Airport pick-up included? Yes
Skill Level: All levels
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: Yes

Check current dates, availability and price

Best Pilates and Wellness Retreats in Africa and the Middle East

Best Pilates and Yoga Retreat: 8 Day Ashtanga and Pilates Retreat in Essaouira, Morocco

It’s no secret that I’m a little in love with Morocco. And Ashtanga. And pilates. This retreat gives you all three, with three hours of movement a day, daily pilates and Ashtanga classes, mobility work and walks.

The lovely lodges keep things in balance. Modern, tasteful rooms set in a grove of olive, almond and citrus trees, a swimming pool, a hammam, a sauna and three nourishing meals a day. The schedule is full, and there’s still time to explore the medina of Essaouira 14 km away or book a surf lesson on the coast nearby.

Best for: a yoga and pilates retreat where both practices get equal weight.
The catch: three hours of movement a day is a lot if you’re brand new to either practice.

Check out more retreats in Morocco and the best riads in Marrakech.

Duration: 8 days
Price: From €1,440
Pilates style: Mat, combined with Ashtanga yoga
Closest Airport: Essaouira-Mogador Airport (2 km)
Airport pick-up included? Yes
Skill Level: All levels
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: Yes, but let them know in advance

Check current dates, availability and price

Cheapest Wellness Escape (No Pilates): 2 Day Wellbeing Retreat in El Koura, Lebanon

A quick note before you book: this one is not a pilates retreat, but it’s so lovely yet affordable that I wanted to include it here. I’m including it because at €345 for two days it’s the cheapest wellness escape on this list by a wide margin, and if you want a short reset without the pilates focus, it’s worth knowing about.

LipHe sits among olive trees in Lebanon’s North Governorate, in eco-friendly cabins with a chemical-free bio swimming pool, an infrared sauna and Yin and Hatha yoga sessions. There’s nutritional microscopy, massage, acupuncture and daily health talks, all built around a whole food plant-based or alkaline menu using mostly organic, home-grown ingredients.

Best for: the lowest price on this list, if pilates isn’t the priority for this particular trip.
The catch: genuinely no pilates. Book Les Baux or Fuerteventura if pilates is why you’re going.

Duration: 2 days / 1 night
Price: From €345
Pilates style: Not offered. Yin and Hatha yoga only
Closest Airport: Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport (34 km), transfer available for €61pp
Airport pick-up included? No, but can be arranged for an extra fee
Skill Level: All levels
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: Yes

Check current dates, availability and price

Reformer Pilates Retreats vs Mat Pilates Retreats

This is the single decision that changes your whole week, so get it right before you book.

Reformer retreats are rarer and they fill up faster, because a studio can only take as many people as it has machines. On this list, Koh Samui has a dedicated reformer studio and Monda includes reformer sessions alongside mat and optional aerial pilates. Fuerteventura, Les Baux, Bali and the USA retreats are all mat-based.

Are Pilates Retreats Suitable for Beginners?

Yes, most of them, and no, not all of them. A retreat that says “all levels” and means it will give you expert guidance, correct your form early and never make you feel like the slowest person in the room.

Look for these before you book your first time away:

• All-levels classes with genuine modifications, not just a mention in the brochure
• Small groups, ideally under fifteen people
• An introductory session on day one
• Optional private classes you can add
• No expectation that you’ve touched a reformer before

The most beginner-friendly picks here are Fuerteventura, Les Baux and Bali. The Koh Samui fitness programme is the one I’d save for later.

How Much Does a Pilates Retreat Cost?

Based on the retreats above, here’s the realistic range:

• Budget and short: €345 to €950 for two to four days, simpler rooms, mat-based classes or, at the very bottom of that range, no pilates at all
• Mid-range retreat: €1,100 to €1,500 for five to eight days, private room, healthy meals included, some wellness extras
• Reformer and multi-day fitness retreat: €2,300 to €3,100 for a week, structured studio time and more personal training
• High-end wellness programme: €6,000 and up, with coaching, therapies and a small group

What pushes the price up: number of nights, a private room over a shared one, reformer sessions, spa treatments, a nutrition consultation, airport transfers, private classes and the destination itself. Booking last minute rarely saves you money on retreats, because the cheapest rooms go first.

What to Look for When Choosing a Pilates Retreat

• Hours of pilates per day: two sessions a day is a pilates retreat, one mat class alongside other practices is a wellness holiday with pilates in it
• Who’s teaching: check the qualifications of the pilates teachers, especially for reformer
• Group size: smaller groups mean more hands-on correction
• Food: confirm vegan or allergy needs as special requests when you book, never on arrival
• Free time: a good wellness programme leaves gaps in the day
• Travel: for shorter travel times, a European retreat you can reach by train or short flight beats a long-haul trip for a four day break

Pack grip socks, a reusable water bottle and comfortable layers. Most retreat partners provide mats and small props, and you’ll want your own socks regardless. My full yoga retreat packing list works for pilates too.

Pilates Retreat FAQ

Are pilates retreats suitable for beginners?

Most are. Look for all-levels classes, small groups and instructors who offer modifications. You don’t need prior reformer experience for any of the pilates retreats on this list.

What is included in a pilates retreat?

Typically accommodation, daily pilates classes, most meals and use of the facilities. Spa treatments, private sessions, airport transfers and excursions are often extra. Check each listing before you book.

Are pilates retreats worth it?

If you practise twice a week at home and want a jump in strength and body awareness, a week of daily classes with expert instructors moves you further than three months of scattered sessions. The mental clarity is a bonus most people don’t expect.

What’s the difference between a pilates retreat and a yoga retreat?

Pilates is more structured and strength-focused, built around control and stability. Yoga adds breathwork, philosophy and a wider range of styles. Plenty of retreats combine both, which suits most people better than either alone.

Are there reformer pilates retreats?

Yes, though they’re less common because each participant needs a machine. Koh Samui has a dedicated reformer studio and Monda includes reformer sessions with mat pilates. Always confirm how many reformer classes are included rather than assuming.

How long should a pilates retreat be?

Four days is enough for a pilates weekend reset. Seven or eight days is the sweet spot for real change in how you move. Three days works if you’re travelling locally.

When is the best time to book?

Two to four months ahead for European summer retreats, earlier for anything with a small reformer studio. Shoulder season, April to June and September to October, gives you better weather and better prices.

Ready to Book Your Pilates Retreat?

Prices, dates and inclusions change constantly, so check the current listing before you commit. If you want one recommendation: book Shanti-Som in Monda for the best all-round balance of pilates, food and spa facilities, or Absolute Sanctuary in Koh Samui if reformer is the whole point.

Wherever you land, sort your travel insurance first, pack the grip socks, and let someone else cook for a week. Your next retreat is the easiest good decision you’ll make all year 🙂

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Amélie

Amélie is a health and wellness junky. Certified yoga instructor with Yoga Alliance in the Vinyasa and Ashtanga styles, she has a Yoga Instructor Certification – Level I (300 hours) and Yoga Instructor Certification – Level II (200 hours) under her belt. She also has a certified Open Water Diver certification with PADI and SSI Scuba Schools International Freediving Level I certification with SSI Scuba Schools International. She’s been vegan for over 15 years and is obsessed with anything wellness-related.