Take a trip to the wellness center at the ranch’s new Hudson Valley Retreat

Like many people who find themselves selecting to take a more intentional approach to this journey we call life, my 2024 vision board includes certain words that I’m incorporating into my routine: wellness, self-care, mindfulness, and adventure. Overnight stay at Hudson Ranch Valley it allowed me to enjoy all 4 – and more.

When the good folks at Fora, a cutting-edge travel agency that matches you together with your ideal travel advisor, invited me to join a group of press and advisors on a wellness getaway with considered one of their “highly booked property partners,” I believed it might be a nice, relaxing spa trip – then I saw the itinerary. Hmm.

I wasn’t sure about all this, but since considered one of my goals for this 12 months is to be open to new experiences, I agreed to step out of my comfort zone.

So, on a cloudy, barely drizzly morning, I set out with a small group from New York. After about an hour we arrived in Sloatsburg, New York, where the ranch is positioned. The historic mansion – in-built 1902 as a wedding gift from JP Morgan to his daughter who was marrying Alexander Hamilton’s great-grandson – is positioned on a private 200-acre lakeside estate. All but three of the 25 rooms and suites are named after employees’ pets. The well-appointed room I stayed in, with a fireplace, was named after a beagle named “Winston.” That is nice?

During check-in and orientation, we were treated to considered one of The Ranch’s delicious cocktails. Then it was time for the hike I had been dreading a lot. It turned out it wasn’t that bad. We were taken on an hour-long hike on a fairly easy trail, but we provide regular guests 2-hour or 4-hour every day options. Mother Nature was kind to us and stopped the dangerous rain. Fortunately, there was nothing to make me huff and puff, and I didn’t even trip over any roots or rocks as I feared. Special thanks to Brian, the guide, who stuck with me as I kept a slower pace than the remainder of the group. What I learned on this hike is that it isn’t about how far you’ll be able to go, but whether you get the job done – and you probably did!

Back at the Ranch, lunch was served in a communal setting in the beautiful dining room, formerly an orangery. In good company, we enjoyed the impressive views of the lawns and lake while breaking bread. The wonderful meal consisted of beetroot and beans on lentil rolls and the most delicious kale chips I even have ever eaten.

The afternoon was more about wellness programs: a deep tissue massage (thanks, Steve, for getting those knots out), a yoga session, and a short moment of outside meditation that allowed us to appreciate the peaceful surroundings. The ladies who attended the strength training session that I someway missed were greater than pleased.

For dinner, chef Michael Narciso treated us to healthier and nutritious dishes. “Cooking plant-based has its challenges. The dishes we prepare are definitely more creative,” he said, adding: “We give attention to flavors and combos of appropriate flavors and spices.” He definitely nailed this mixture with what he called The Ranch Red Pie, his version of Shepherd’s Pie – minus the meat. There were a lot of vegetables stewed in red wine and tomato paste. Delicious!

Breathing and meditation after dinner left me feeling relaxed and prepared for sleep. And since there was no TV in the room to distract me, I used to be able to unplug and get a good night’s rest.

The sound of Tibetan doorbells ringing on my door at 7 a.m. was a nice touch, although I’m unsure how much regulars appreciate hearing them at 5:30 a.m. Breakfast of signature The Ranch granola and homemade almond milk was delicious (I even have the recipe for each!). Then it was time for morning stretching and a group sound bath with Lorin, our yoga instructor from the night before.

It was an eye-opener to experience the shortened version of what is offered to guests who enroll for a 3-night, 4-day or 4-night, 5-day program in the Hudson Valley (or a 6-night program in Malibu). Here are some takeaways.

(Group) size matters.

Even in the 24 hours I spent at the facility, I could see how interacting with individuals who wanted a similar wellness experience could make a difference in such a small group.

“We try to keep the maximum number of guests to no more than 25,” says Chris Reed, the brand’s vice chairman of world sales. “This is the best place for an optimal connection that we found on a ranch in Malibu. It’s such an intimate show. In some ways you might be vulnerable.

Guests arrive together, embark on a wellness journey together, connect on hikes and other group activities, and once they leave, there’s a good probability they’ll make new friends. “You don’t have that experience with larger properties with 100 or 200 rooms,” Reed says. “It’s almost like summer camp for adults.” I hung out getting to know the other “campers” by hanging out in the lounge, on the patio, or at the drinks dispenser, sipping a cup of ginger-turmeric tea. Even the games room, where Scrabble and Monopoly boards were arrange, was a welcome respite.

Structure may be a good thing.

Generally speaking, I like to keep it casual and relaxed when outing, but the set schedule of activities at the ranch gave me a fresh perspective. They urge guests to “waive your responsibility and have fun!” as considered one of the listed values.

“The average person makes over 10,000 decisions a day,” Reed says. “You don’t have to think here. Everything is planned for you.” Daily hikes, massages, wellness lectures, cryotherapy, infrared sauna, strength training, yoga, sound baths and so forth, the whole lot at The Ranch is organized in an hour-by-hour program, personalized to provide help to “achieve your best results.” Just come, enroll for classes and take a break from normal life. This way, you should have a probability to reset and have a more satisfying experience.

You have to commit to the process.

In The Ranch’s welcome packet, a letter from the staff ends with the words: “Your health, life’s greatest luxury.” This is a wonderful means of pondering to adopt. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle have to be at the top of everyone’s to-do list, especially after what we’ve got experienced during the pandemic.

The Hudson Valley program was designed specifically for the Northeast market, where people may not give you the chance to get out all week. So Monday through Thursday for 4 days, or Thursday through Monday for five days, you may have the probability to “focus on yourself” and “achieve the goals” that got you there. According to Reed, the results were enormous. “People who come for three nights lose five, six, seven pounds and leave feeling mentally clear. So it works; it is still transformative.”

This kind of transformational change may be a process or an final result, but you may have to start or nothing will occur. I doubt I’ll ever go completely plant-based, but I do eat meatless Mondays and fish Fridays. I’ll not give you the chance to go to a yoga class every week, but when I’m sitting at the computer all day, I listen to my posture and give attention to taking 10 deep breaths day by day.

Taking care of yourself isn’t an indulgence, it’s an investment.

Prominently displayed beneath the ranch’s logo on its website are the words “Endurance, Nutrition and Wellness,” all areas we should always give attention to to improve our health. The 30-day pre-arrival pack sent to all guests includes suggestions to provide help to prepare mentally and physically to your stay. It deals with exercise, eating, sleep, awareness and meditation. There is a beneficial packing list and recommendations on selecting the right climbing shoes.

“We’re sending out our preparation guide so you can start increasing your steps and reducing your sugar intake. There is also a health questionnaire,” Reed said. “We check in with you before arrival. We have a dietician before, during and after your stay.” It all comes down to personalized care in a comprehensive, informal, luxurious setting that does not come low-cost. But good things rarely occur. Depending on the season, rates for this fully inclusive program in the Hudson Valley range from $1,792 per person for double occupancy or $3,975 for single occupancy. Isn’t your well-being value it?