La Vida Surf - Yoga Retreats — Hotel in caïdat d'Ounagha

I attended a 1 week yoga retreat at the beginning of February 2025. Logistics were well planned - I was able to share a transfer (therefore cost) with other guests to and from Marrakech and the night out in Essaouira went smoothly. The accommodation was beautiful with plenty of lounging areas and sunshine though no-one spent a lot of the time in the pool - it was winter :-). We did suffer some power cuts, but it is in a remote area. Housekeeping was erratic, which is the only negative point, I would have liked to have fresh towels and bins emptied more frequently. Food was amazing - fresh ingredients and lovely flavours - better than anything I had anywhere else in Morocco. The chefs were so happy and dedicated which was imparted into the food. The most important part of course is the yoga. Generally comprising morning circle, talk on the day's chakra, journaling on the same, hatha session, lunch, free time (or walk / workshop), yin, dinner. Last day included an evening in Essaouira which is a nice laid back seaside town (quite a relief after Marrakech) which was enjoyable as the group had all bonded. I hadn't previously focussed much on chakras and never journaled, but I really got the combination with asanas towards the end of the week and it was fairly life changing. Unknown to me, my chakras were not in good shape but they are now - it was pretty emotional. All of this is down to Rebecca's amazing teaching - I haven't done a retreat like this before where it's a group of people (including other men - whoop!) taken through what I can best describe as a journey, though from the outside it might look like a series of yoga classes, primarily through asanas with a bit of pranayama. Her instructions were good and I loved the flow. It was the right level of intensity for me (intermediate) - not suitable for complete beginners, but if you do a regular yoga class you'd be fine. I would not hesitate to recommend la vida surf (without the surf) to anyone. Huge gratitude to Rebecca and...

Review of Yoga Retreat in Morocco

The villa is in a remote location, about 25 minutes from the beach and 1km down a rough track from the road. Once there, you are very isolated. Photos suggest yoga is held on the beach, but all classes are at the villa.

The food is fresh and well cooked, but almost entirely vegan. If you are vegan you’ll be happy, but for others the options are very limited — even eggs and dairy are rare, portions are small, and several guests went to bed hungry. Snacks were not provided despite being advertised, and water beyond the initial 5-litre bottle must be purchased. There are no decaf options, and alcohol is not available (something not mentioned on the website).

Cleanliness and comfort were disappointing. Rooms were not cleaned daily, towels were limited, and the yoga deck and pool were only basically maintained. With no ceiling fans, eating indoors in 35°C heat was uncomfortable, and the portable AC units in some rooms were ineffective. A power cut left us in 34°C heat overnight with no AC, and the response from staff was unsympathetic. Internet and power are unreliable, making it difficult for anyone needing to work or stay in touch with family.

While the yoga itself was varied and well taught, almost everything else — from airport transfers to activities — comes at an additional cost. Combined with inconsistent pricing and begrudging refunds, the retreat felt very poor value for money. With a few simple improvements (snacks, reliable water, fans, clearer communication), this could be a great experience. As it stands, the charges are first class, however it does not deliver on its promise of a...

Review of Yoga Retreat in Morocco||The villa is in a remote location, about 25 minutes from the beach and 1km down a rough track from the road. Once there, you are very isolated. Photos suggest yoga is held on the beach, but all classes are at the villa.||The food is fresh and well cooked, but almost entirely vegan. If you are vegan you’ll be happy, but for others the options are very limited — even eggs and dairy are rare, portions are small, and several guests went to bed hungry. Snacks were not provided despite being advertised, and water beyond the initial 5-litre bottle must be purchased. There are no decaf options, and alcohol is not available (something not mentioned on the website).||Cleanliness and comfort were disappointing. Rooms were not cleaned daily, towels were limited, and the yoga deck and pool were only basically maintained. With no ceiling fans, eating indoors in 35°C heat was uncomfortable, and the portable AC units in some rooms were ineffective. A power cut left us in 34°C heat overnight with no AC, and the response from staff was unsympathetic. Internet and power are unreliable, making it difficult for anyone needing to work or stay in touch with family.||While the yoga itself was varied and well taught, almost everything else — from airport transfers to activities — comes at an additional cost. Combined with inconsistent pricing and begrudging refunds, the retreat felt very poor value for money. With a few simple improvements (snacks, reliable water, fans, clearer communication), this could be a great experience. As it stands, the charges are first class, however it does not deliver on its promise of a...