About Menla Retreat & Dewa Spa
Menla Retreat & Dewa Spa is a nonprofit retreat center and health spa located in the Catskill Forest Preserve, two hours north of NYC. The facility is dedicated to sharing authentic Tibetan mind-body healing arts and sciences with visitors. Guests praise the friendly and helpful staff, the beautiful yoga sessions and lectures, and the wealth of information shared during their stay. The spa offers various treatments, including the Arica Deep Tissue massage, which many find highly effective. Accommodations such as the Dragon are described as comfortable, spacious, and clean, featuring full kitchens and stunning natural surroundings. The gardens, statues, and wildlife add to the peaceful atmosphere. Guests appreciate the vegan options, including soups, drinks, and desserts, along with homegrown fresh vegetables and herbs. The grounds are filled with wildflowers, and there are nice hiking trails with peacocks and other wildlife roaming freely. The Dewa Spa is a tranquil place with a knowledgeable team skilled in different forms of treatment and relaxation, offering a true gift of peace in uncertain times. The spa facilities are modern and state-of-the-art, and the atmosphere is enhanced by the natural beauty of the surroundings. Visitors also enjoy the food, which is vegetarian but includes eggs and dairy, with fresh fruit juice in the morning and options like roasted pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, bread, and gluten-free bread. Overall, the experience is highly valued, with some noting that the experience is worth the cost despite the prices being somewhat high. The Sanctuary offers a space for healing, where gifted practitioners like Jennifer Muir provide remarkable sound healing sessions that leave a deep sense of renewal.
After an exhausting day of yard work, my body was aching and sore, and fully in need of a massage so I booked on at Dewa Spa @ Menla.
The massage with Jason wasn't just a physical massage — it was an otherworldly, blissful experience. From the moment he began, I could feel that his skilled, intuitive hands knew exactly what I needed. Tight muscles loosened, knots melted away, and I was filled with a deep sense of relief. The music was different from the usual calming playlist — instead, his playlist seemed to align with what my body needed, like everything was moving together in sync. Jason seemed to sense exactly where I needed attention and before...read full review
An abode of peace. Cozy room with a comfortable bed. No television. Only quiet, calm, and serenity in a gorgeous natural setting surrounded by huge steep mountains with wildlife galore devoid of human fear. The turkeys and deer come very close and do not flee humans. Fantastic hiking trails. The food is healthy. The yoga studio, conference center and temple are ideal for retreats, programs, and events. I wish the Mexican cooks would stop trying to make fake Tibetan vegan food and just stick to Mexican cuisine. Spent an intellectually stimulating week that was also relaxing and contemplative.
Ruth was amazing! My husband and I had 60 min massages. The spa is a breath of fresh air from the moment you walk in! We’ll be back!