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I Stayed at the Same Costa Rica Yoga Retreat as Sonja Morgan And This Is What It's Really Like
The Real Housewives of New York City jetsetter hit the “reset” button in Costa Rica... and so did I.
By Megan Eileen McDonough
If it looks like Sonja Morgan is demonstrating a renewed sense of self lately, it comes in part to some serious mindfulness time and deep breathing, thanks to a a whole lot of yoga. In addition to a domestic trip to a yoga retreat Sonja experienced with Luann de Lesseps in Massachusetts, Sonja also went abroad to experience another such getaway at a property in Costa Rica.
As it happens, I went to the exact same retreat, about one month apart from Sonja's visit. Here are a few fun facts I experienced that you may not know Sonja’s “detox” destination of choice.
Pictures do not do this place justice.
Hotels have a way of making their properties look way better in photos than they do in real life. We’ve all seen those photo fakeouts and know the wonders a fisheye camera lens does to a small space. At The Retreat, however, it’s the complete opposite.
When you’re actually at The Retreat, it looks and feels — somehow — so much better than even dreamy pictures conjure.
You're literally standing on crystal.
As the team began construction, they found large pieces of crystal quartz on the property. The more they worked the soil, the more pieces appeared. Even better, the natural spring water served at The Retreat, flows through these crystals.
Not convinced? You can go on a tour to the local waterfall, where there is a historical gold mine — the waters are covered in crystals. In fact, the entire Altos del Monte, where the Retreat resides, is a Crystal Quartz Mountain. Good vibes all around.
Your days will revolve around incredible food.
Food in Costa Rica is super delicious, but it does veer on the heavy side. At The Retreat, a Diana Stobo property, whose book, “Get Naked Fast” focuses on anti-inflammatory foods, each meal is grain free, dairy free, and refined sugar free. The diet is very plant based, with many of the plants and herbs grown in their garden. Meats are sourced from select local farms.
Naturally, lots of people come here for a “reset” or to lose weight. Ironically, my days entirely revolved around food because there’s so much of it and it’s all so damn good. I wasn’t here to lose weight but I left feeling much lighter in other ways.
You'll get Jurassic Park vibes.
Fellow fans know that in Michael Crichton’s 1990 novel, Jurassic Park supposedly takes place on the fictional Isla Nublar — a mountainous island of lush landscape and 120 miles west of Costa Rica. From my birds-eye balcony view at The Retreat, I could see peaks and valleys, all sorts of tropical trees and the glitter of sea and sky.
The property has been feng shui-ed... twice.
First, celebrity feng shui specialist Marie Knoos came in to do her magic. Then, David Cho, did a second sweep in preparation for an Architectural Digest editorial.
You’ll also meet some pretty interesting people. Stobo notes that several Shamans come here to perform healing and clearing ceremonies on the land. I can personally attest to this, as I met a Shaman from Switzerland on my second night. Her energy and our conversations really helped me in my own healing process. It was unexpected, but very welcome.
Magic is in the air.
It's hard to put it into words, but I definitely felt some serious magic happening here. Between twice daily Yoga with an instructor turned friend, and an aptly named “butterfly bush” where dozens of butterflies dance daily, to the lightning storm I witnessed on my last night, The Retreat sets the hotel bar pretty high.
Now who else is curious to try what worked for Sonja... and for me?
