Reviews

I arrived at the Wild View Retreat and immediately felt like home. The location is stunning and the retreat was... read moreI arrived at the Wild View Retreat and immediately felt like home. The location is stunning and the retreat was built with a lot of love to details.
Andrey, Erica, Mandy, Suzanna, Amie and all other team members are outstanding, you are treated like a family member while you are gently guided through your week of juicing and yoga. I loved the walks and fitness classes. I will be back next year :)! read less

One of the best weeks of my life. The moment I contacted Andrew, whose dream it was to build this... read moreOne of the best weeks of my life. The moment I contacted Andrew, whose dream it was to build this retreat, he was so kind and reassuring that I booked without hesitation and embarked on my first juice retreat without a moment’s trepidation. Wild View is located a short drive from Faro and is set in peaceful surroundings with only the noise of owls hooting and the wind blowing around the valleys to be heard at night. Andrew and Erika have created a really beautiful and comfortable space. Every day there is a walk, two fitness classes and two yoga classes punctuated by three delicious and colourful juices. You can choose to participate in as much or as little activity as you wish. There is also a beautiful pool and comfy hammocks, where you can rest and relax. In the evening a bowl of warming soup, gathered around big tables, helps build a real community. There were talks and films on nutrition that were really enlightening; I learnt so much that I am incorporating into my life now I am back home. I went alone and met an terrific group of like-minded individuals from around the world. If you want to give yourself the most amazing gift, that will have a really positive impact on your life, take yourself off to Wild View Retreat; like me you will be glad you did read less

 Just had a rejuvenating week with Andrew and his team at Wild View Retreat Nothing was too much trouble and... read moreJust had a rejuvenating week with Andrew and his team at Wild View Retreat Nothing was too much trouble and it has reset me to focus on my well-being nutrition and diet Enjoyed all of the activities and juices. Never once felt hungry my favourite was the Ginger and Apple shots 😀 I met some lovely people and returned home re -energised and 7 lbs lighter 👍 Would recommend the Retreat and would love a second visit read less

I feel so lucky to have just spent two weeks at Wild View Retreat. It's surrounded by incredible scenery for... read moreI feel so lucky to have just spent two weeks at Wild View Retreat. It's surrounded by incredible scenery for days and the facilities are wonderful - best infinity pool I have ever been in. Great roof terrace to watch sunset from, lovely communal kitchen and living area, stunning walks, up to four fitness and yoga classes each day for all abilities with very warm and experienced teachers - studio is also beautiful. Everything is beautiful. Staff incredibly knowledgeable - Andrew's nutrition talks were ace! Definitely recommend visiting. read less

As a complete ‘retreat novice’, I set off for Wild View at the end of July, not quite knowing what... read moreAs a complete ‘retreat novice’, I set off for Wild View at the end of July, not quite knowing what to expect (not that the pre-visit information hadn’t been thorough – it was – more that I hadn’t had the head space to read it!) But head-space was one thing I needed, and a week away from all family and work commitments was just the ticket.This particular retreat was a juice fast, comprising three juices and a soup each day. Period. Whilst some of the other guests faced this with a certain trepidation, I was unfazed, revelling in the luxury of being handed my ‘meals’ with no requirement on my part to cook or wash up or cajole small people to finish up their dinners. The juices were full of all the nutrients needed and, honestly, I didn’t feel hungry at all, all week. I actually felt completely sated, with none of that “I’m SO stuffed” or gluttony guilt – and experiencing none of the usual ‘sneaky treat’ cravings of chocolate, biscuit...or even jelly babies....Not just detoxing on the inside but also exercising the body, the retreat put on a walk, two yoga classes and two fitness sessions each day. Excited with the novelty of doing things for myself rather than taxiing kids to the likes of football or rugby practice, I went to everything. The training staff were excellent and clearly experts in their respective fields, but also extremely approachable and able to tailor exercises to individuals. They also made a point of repeating some of the basic skills and manoeuvres so that we could continue our own routines at home. Perfect.The fitness plus the juices (and the bliss of afternoons lounging by the pool overlooking the incredible backdrop of Portuguese mountains… - oh, and the on-site massages) started paying off quickly. I felt energised and rejuvenated, and I was astounded to notice the dismissal of small complaints – sensitive teeth no more for example – and great hair, skin and nails!Not really that astounding though, seeing as I had just cut refined sugar completely out of my diet, but a sharp kick up the backside to remind me that our bodies have to deal with what we shovel into them. And we only have ourselves to answer for that.A key part of this retreat was the nutrition advice. The retreat staff put on talks, presentations and documentaries so that they not only told you what to do, but more importantly, why. They were on hand throughout our stay to answer any questions and give guidance. And what I loved was their complete honesty and down-to-earth attitude: that it’s normal to want that beer or that pizza – and okay to even have it every once in a while! There was also a trove of knowledge amongst the other guests and I immensely enjoyed both their company and their chat. I learned so much in a week about nutrition and diet and decided there and then to make several changes (I am ashamed to admit that, whilst I lead a very active and sporty lifestyle, I have paid little heed to what I am eating – the wonders of a high metabolism negating any real need for taking much care).I bought a juicer and a nutri bullet upon arriving home and have been replicating the retreat juices with my kids every day since (as well as creating some new concoctions of our own!) Getting the kids involved has been great. They keep a ‘Juice Diary’ with the ingredients and mark a star rating for each. They have never eaten so many vegetables or had so much fun in doing so! I find that sometimes, a juice is all I need for a meal and the kids have it as a supplement. I have also made soup, my own pasta sauce, my own salad dressing, flapjack and several smoothies. White foods have been replaced by brown and wholemeal versions with no fuss at all and we are experimenting with lactose free products. Food just tastes better and it is all good for us!I have much to thank the staff at Wild View – I arrived there looking forward to a nice break away, and left with a whole new lease of life and armed with strategies healthy lifestyle for both me and my kids. I would highly recommend a retreat at Wild View – I will certainly be going back. read less

“All I hoped it would be.” I have done a few retreats over the years, generally fasting ones, so a vegan week was a new concept... read moreI have done a few retreats over the years, generally fasting ones, so a vegan week was a new concept for me. I have to say that I may be a convert. The week at Wild View was one of the best that I have been on.
The food was utterly delicious, varied and wholesome, more importantly, it was something that could be sustainable and carried on into the ‘real world’ in life away from the retreat.
Jo from #modernfoodstories was an amazing chef and very informative. She gave a couple of workshops during our stay which was certainly a bonus!! She was also good fun and beautiful.
We were give nutritional talks which were fun and educational. Andrew, the founder, is a qualified nutritionist and is all about the gut! He is a very charismatic man. He is easy to listen to and is totally engaged with everything going on at the retreat. He is also totally invested in you as his guest and client. Great voice, great delivery, and all round nice guy. He and his wife Erica, make a great team. She has been the designer of the interior of the retreat and I have to say that you can see that it has had love, time and money invested into the property helping to create a unique ambience.
The yoga was every morning after a morning guided walk. It was lovely that all the staff joined us for the walk.
This retreat week was run by Suzanne who is also a yoga teacher. The yoga was twice a day and I loved it. It was strong enough not to be boring for the intermediate but also not too challenging for beginners. She took us through the whole week, taking us on our own journey to progress to a point that would inspire us.
She is a fabulous woman, very special. She is encouraging and nurturing. No problem too small or too big There aren’t many humans like her on this planet.
I can miss out the rest of the stuff as they all impacted in the week and made it what it was. Adrian was a dynamo of cleaning, mending, digging, keep fitting!!! I can’t mention all that he did.... so so much.
I will definitely be returning and I do hope to see familiar faces.
Well done.... you’ve got it right. read less