Sanivan Holistic Retreat & Spa

Saniye greated us very personably. We at first were expecting a more chain massage place experience with the two of us getting a massage at the same time. The energy of Saniye and Ivan is so relaxing, and no fuss they were willing to help us find another place.

In that thoughtful moment, we decided to stay and wait for one another. IVAN IS VERY EXPERIENCED! We are so glad we stayed to receive massages from such a knowledgeable masseuse. He performed 3 types with in the hour! Also even after we were done, we were chatting about my husband's work, how he sits in a particularly awkward chair all day, Ivan brought us back in the massage room to show me how to alleviate my husband's neck pain! What a lovely experience we had. It became the highlight of our trip!

OMG--what a treasure. My wife and I are longtime devotees of wellness and spiritual retreats. Over the years we've stayed at Kripalu in Lenox, the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, Spirit Rock in California, Ann Wigmore in Puerto Rico, Hippocrates in West Palm Beach, 10,000 Waves in Santa Fe, Gurney's in Montauk, Pura Vida in Costa Rica, Dreams Tulum in Mexico, and Plum Village in France. We've been around the block. Just two hours from Brooklyn, Sanivan delivered some of the best food we've ever eaten--anywhere. Breakfasts of French toast, porridge, or eggs laid each morning by the hens in the backyard were followed by sumptuous vegetarian lunches and evening smoothies made with homemade cultured yogurt and berries. The result: eight pounds lost in eight days, without hunger or deprivation. Sanivan is run by Saniye and her husband Ivan, who have made it their life's work to transmit the wisdom of wellness through living it fully and sharing it generously. Saniye does all the cooking, and Ivan is a master ballroom dance teacher and gifted body practitioner, expert in shiatsu, deep tissue, reflexology, and Raindrop therapy. During our eight-day stay, we learned tango, salsa, and merengue, and each received extraordinary bodywork in a beautifully designed spa with radiant floors and heated massage tables. Each day Ivan foraged through the surrounding farm country, sourcing pristine ingredients for Saniye to prepare. Meals were taken beside a kitchen window overlooking a bird feeder alive with activity; during a snowstorm, two deer wandered right up to the glass to nibble fallen seed. Sullivan County revealed itself as a hidden wellness and farm-to-table oasis, with a burgeoning "hickster" scene centered nearby in Livingston Manor. At Sanivan, we ate astonishingly fresh, vibrant food while two feet of snow blanketed the ground. Even in the heart of the blizzard, a local farmer arrived with a sack of organic, greenhouse-grown sprouts--three varieties, still alive with vitality. In a strange and wonderful way, the experience felt more exotic than a tropical retreat. From 1910 to 1970, this area was a thriving Borscht Belt resort region--Hurleyville is where Mel Brooks got his start--before falling into decades of dormancy. Today, it's reemerging as a sophisticated hub for self-starters and adventurers. Two blocks from Sanivan, a Parisian woman and her partner, former Park Slope residents, have opened a gourmet café and are expanding into a farm-to-table restaurant. Nearby, a Kundalini yoga studio operates out of a picturesque red barn. Within 20 minutes are a constellation of small mountain towns experiencing a quiet-edge renaissance: Mountaindale, Smallwood, Cochecton, Parksville, Jeffersonville, White Lake, and Narrowsburg. Add to that a deep fly-fishing culture centered on the Beaverkill River in Roscoe and Livingston Manor, where the sport took hold in the late 1800s and drew generations of New Yorkers seeking the outdoors. As a history buff, I found the layered cultural and communal life of the region endlessly fascinating. Every moment felt exploratory and alive. We're Brooklynites always in search of rest and healing, and discovering that kind of joy so close to home felt like a gift. We'll be back in the spring to swim in the Sanivan saltwater pool and watch farm country wake from its long winter sleep. Addendum from Shoshana (Noel's wife): I'm in wholehearted agreement with everything shared above. I would only add how deeply appreciative we were of our time with Saniye and Ivan--both are genuinely curious, caring, and fully engaged in their respective paths of healing work. It was a joy to spend time together in thoughtful conversation, while also feeling their sensitivity to our need for quiet and alone time, especially during the gentle detox we experienced. Having both a sauna and a gym in the house was an enormous support, and we made grateful use of them throughout our stay.

Saniye and Ivan are both the most gracious humans. Every meal that Saniye made for us were delicious and made with love. Ivan has the best positive energy and always eager to teach you about nutrition for self healing.
As soon as we walked in we left are stress at the door. We immediately felt relaxed. And we cannot wait to come back again.

Sanivan provides a wonderful and intimate retreat experience. The food (mostly consisting of fruits and vegetables from Sanivan's gardens, whole grains, and vegan proteins) is out of this world. The owners are not just accommodating, they are also trained in the healing arts. You will leave Sanivan feeling as though your body, mind and spirit have been transformed and rejuvenated. This is a three bedroom "bed and breakfast" experience, and includes three meals a day. The spa treatments, sauna, and cold plunge pool will invigorate and recharge your system. Give yourself the gift of a Sanivan retreat experience. You won't regret it .

Sanivan is such a special place because of the two caretakers, Saniye and Ivan. It is a beautiful, space full of love, healing, and peace. I have returned three times this year and know I will return again and again. I did a juice fast and they also serve the most delicious plant-based meals which I had on my first visit! I am learning Kundalini yoga at Sat Nam and healing my soul because of Sanivan. Blessings for all who visit.

I recently had the most incredible experience at Sanivan for a massage, and I cannot rave about it enough! From the moment I walked in, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace and tranquility. The atmosphere is serene and calming, and the massage itself was nothing short of therapeutic bliss. Every touch felt intentional and soothing, melting away stress and tension I didn’t even realize I was holding onto.

What really sets Sanivan apart is how detoxing and rejuvenating the whole experience is—truly holistic in every sense. I left feeling lighter, more centered, and completely recharged. If you’re looking for a place that will nurture both your body and spirit, Sanivan is IT! I highly recommend them without any reservations. Five stars!

My mother reserved two rooms at Sanivan, and when we got there we discovered that the guest rooms were part of someone's private home with shared bathrooms. (During the booking, my mother had been assured of an en suite bathroom.) There was very little privacy, and the images on the website had to have been stock images as they were in no way indicative of the actual house. At first the owner, Sanye, was pleasant, but after a sleepless night with the portable window unit air conditioning banging on and off and making loud dripping sounds, my mother and I decided to move to a different location. We understood that Sanivan is a business for the people living there, so although we felt like the place had been falsely represented we offered to pay half of the fee for the remaining two nights that we had reserved. (There was an empty guest room during our stay, and we knew our reservation had not prevented other bookings.) When we told Sanye that we were leaving, her pleasant demeanor drastically changed and she made several rude comments. She later followed up by sending insulting emails to my mother.

I don't wish Sanye ill or want her business to fail, but I also think she needs to honestly represent what she’s selling and treat people well regardless of her own personal opinions.

My mother reserved two rooms at Sanivan, and when we got there we discovered that the guest rooms were part of someone's private home with shared bathrooms. (During the booking, my mother had been assured of an en suite bathroom.) There was very little privacy, and the images on the website had to have been stock images as they were in no way indicative of the actual house. At first the owner, Sanye, was pleasant, but after a sleepless night with the portable window unit air conditioning banging on and off and making loud dripping sounds, my mother and I decided to move to a different location. We understood that Sanivan is a business for the people living there, so although we felt like the place had been falsely represented we offered to pay half of the fee for the remaining two nights that we had reserved. (There was an empty guest room during our stay, and we knew our reservation had not prevented other bookings.) When we told Sanye that we were leaving, her pleasant demeanor drastically changed and she made several rude comments. She later followed up by sending insulting emails to my mother. I don't wish Sanye ill or want her business to fail, but I also think she needs to honestly represent what she's selling and treat people well regardless of her own personal opinions.

Me and my friend went for massages for my birthday with Ivan….let me tell you….10/10 definitely would recommend! If you’re thinking about it, DO IT! He is not only skilled but also has a big heart and you can tell he loves what he does! Definitely will be coming back!

Saniye and Ivan were wonderful hosts. Saniye communicated via email, in both timely and clear manners. I cannot speak highly enough of the meals we enjoyed. We made our time our own and had flexibility in our activities including yoga and dance lessons. The town is lovely and the trail is a nature lovers dream. A true treasure. All the rest and relaxation we were hoping to enjoy.