Grail Springs Retreat for Wellbeing — Hotel in Bancroft

I booked a 3 night stay last minute and decided NOT to read any reviews on Google or TripAdvisor until I returned home - maybe I should have read the pros and cons from various sources first...??? Two nights would have been sufficient to go through various body/mind, holistic, relaxation treatments. I'm sure the owner is going to jump out at me as soon as I post this 3 star review, but let me explain my reasoning - bullet points at the bottom - so read through please.

The room with fireplace and queen bed was spacious and comfortable - bathroom decent size with a large corner tub. The TV in the room is archaic and operating "Jellyfin" app to see channels was a joke - but hey....you are not supposed to be in your room, right, but when you are paying well in excess of $550/night, there are certain expectations....you can only spend so much time in public spaces! The staff all extremely helpful and friendly - can't say enough about them.

I met many first timers along with a lady returning for the 5th time. The owner has been running the place for 30 years BUT the property is up for sale. Maybe some changes will be made?? I would love to see updates to the menu. The website advertises all snacks and meals are included, however, there is one snack served each day exactly at 3:45 pm and it is just one sweet piece and a tiny glass of the daily 'elixir' - but you are allowed to have just one glass!! Lunch and dinner are 3 course pre-set vegan menus (they do take gluten intolerance into account). Breakfast offerings on 2 of the 3 mornings were sweet (like waffles) - not good if you don't have a sweet tooth - so toast was the only other option. Having visited resorts across the globe with wellness in mind - healthy food is a HUGE part of the process, but why must it be vegan only? Having no meal selection for lunch or dinner was disappointing, but I guess with just 13 rooms on site you cannot offer a full menu to guests. I drove home and stopped by the grocery store for a big piece of fish for protein tonight (.....sigh.... yum).

Other items on my mind: none of the people offering treatments are RMT. The BRIGHT spot was Sandi offering Thai Massage (which is extra) - but 100% worth it. Sign up sheets for hot tubs and sauna?? The space on the deck is massive and the tubs are teeny tiny. Sign up sheet for hiking a trail? If you don't show up for dinner on time - they will knock on your door.... Treatments depend on which program you signed up for, but lying on a magnetic mat for 30 mins with headphones on to cleanse the body...? Not sure it was worth it or did anything....maybe you just need to believe??? Scheduling of treatments. My first day was booked with 4 treatments back to back to back to back. Had to fit in a nature walk, breakfast and morning yoga that were there anyway. I managed to move one treatment to the second day, as it was hectic. They take the control of booking your appointments away from you - I do NOT agree with this. I like to know what treatments are planned for the duration of the stay at check-in time - not the morning of the day with a little card set outside the breakfast room that you. Lack of fitness facilities. I believe that overall wellbeing includes physical fitness along with great food, quiet time, yoga and other modalities of treatments. Sitting around and enjoying treatments and vegan foods did not address the need for working off the lunch and building an appetite for dinner. With a 100 acres of land - there is so much space.........

In summary, lots of money for a place...

Grail Springs is a peaceful sanctuary that offers a home-like atmosphere, where you can rejuvenate and find inner peace, nurturing your mind, body, and soul with love and care. ||||Reflecting on my time as a young mom to four boys, there came a point when I felt lost and in need of a sanctuary for rest and rejuvenation. Searching online for a solo retreat coinciding with my 37th birthday, I stumbled upon Grail Springs Retreat Centre in Bancroft, a hidden gem that captured my attention. After reviewing the website, I instantly booked my first one week stay which was the beginning of my healing journey.||Upon arrival, I was greeted with a thoughtfully packed nutritious dinner waiting in my room, setting the tone for a week of solitude and self-care. The room itself was a haven, adorned with a cozy bed, a welcoming fireplace, and views that promised serenity in the morning light. Bathing in luxury with Grail Springs bath products, I found solace in the comfort of my surroundings and drifted into a peaceful sleep, marking the beginning of a remarkable week.||||Each morning brought a renewed sense of wonder, with snow-covered landscapes outside my window providing a picturesque backdrop to my inner journey. Choosing to stay indoors, I embraced the nurturing atmosphere which fostered a sense of childlike surrender and the freedom to simply exist without worries. The aura of love and care that permeated Grail Springs spoke volumes about its origins, leaving me feeling cradled in a cocoon of tranquility and support.||||In addition to pampering myself with spa treatments, I unexpectedly found myself immersed in transformative workshops held in the Great Room every evening, adding a layer of introspection and growth to my retreat experience. What began as a quest for personal renewal turned into a profound journey of self-discovery, resonating with my mind, body, and soul in ways I never imagined.||||Leaving Grail Springs, I returned home replenished and enriched, ready to share my newfound sense of wholeness with my loved ones. The profound impact of my stay led me to make annual pilgrimages back to this magical haven, forming a tradition that has deepened over the years with each visit.||||As someone who has felt a strong connection to Germany from childhood, the familiar landscapes and natural beauty of Grail Springs evoked nostalgic memories of my summers spent in the countryside, adding an extra layer of enchantment to my retreat experiences. The profound magic of this place, coupled with the unwavering dedication of its founder, Madeleine Marentette, continues to shape my healing journey and inspire gratitude for the bountiful blessings of Grail Springs.||||I wholeheartedly urge individuals and couples seeking a transformative escape to consider a stay at Grail Springs, where magic unfolds in every moment and the promise of renewal beckons. My own journey is a testament to the soul-stirring power of this sanctuary, and I invite you to embark on your own path of healing and self-discovery at this remarkable retreat. Five...

Grail Springs is a peaceful sanctuary that offers a home-like atmosphere, where you can rejuvenate and find inner peace, nurturing your mind, body, and soul with love and care. ||||Reflecting on my time as a young mom to four boys, there came a point when I felt lost and in need of a sanctuary for rest and rejuvenation. Searching online for a solo retreat coinciding with my 37th birthday, I stumbled upon Grail Springs Retreat Centre in Bancroft, a hidden gem that captured my attention. After reviewing the website, I instantly booked my first one week stay which was the beginning of my healing journey.||Upon arrival, I was greeted with a thoughtfully packed nutritious dinner waiting in my room, setting the tone for a week of solitude and self-care. The room itself was a haven, adorned with a cozy bed, a welcoming fireplace, and views that promised serenity in the morning light. Bathing in luxury with Grail Springs bath products, I found solace in the comfort of my surroundings and drifted into a peaceful sleep, marking the beginning of a remarkable week.||||Each morning brought a renewed sense of wonder, with snow-covered landscapes outside my window providing a picturesque backdrop to my inner journey. Choosing to stay indoors, I embraced the nurturing atmosphere which fostered a sense of childlike surrender and the freedom to simply exist without worries. The aura of love and care that permeated Grail Springs spoke volumes about its origins, leaving me feeling cradled in a cocoon of tranquility and support.||||In addition to pampering myself with spa treatments, I unexpectedly found myself immersed in transformative workshops held in the Great Room every evening, adding a layer of introspection and growth to my retreat experience. What began as a quest for personal renewal turned into a profound journey of self-discovery, resonating with my mind, body, and soul in ways I never imagined.||||Leaving Grail Springs, I returned home replenished and enriched, ready to share my newfound sense of wholeness with my loved ones. The profound impact of my stay led me to make annual pilgrimages back to this magical haven, forming a tradition that has deepened over the years with each visit.||||As someone who has felt a strong connection to Germany from childhood, the familiar landscapes and natural beauty of Grail Springs evoked nostalgic memories of my summers spent in the countryside, adding an extra layer of enchantment to my retreat experiences. The profound magic of this place, coupled with the unwavering dedication of its founder, Madeleine Marentette, continues to shape my healing journey and inspire gratitude for the bountiful blessings of Grail Springs.||||I wholeheartedly urge individuals and couples seeking a transformative escape to consider a stay at Grail Springs, where magic unfolds in every moment and the promise of renewal beckons. My own journey is a testament to the soul-stirring power of this sanctuary, and I invite you to embark on your own path of healing and self-discovery at this remarkable retreat. Five...