MasQi, The Energy House
Alicante, Spain
Boutique-style wellness haven in a peaceful natural park
Located in the stunning natural park of Sierra de Mariola between Alicante and Valencia, this 19th century restored farmhouse turned retreat offers life-changing wellness programmes. Join daily yoga and meditation in the spectacular dome and enjoy energy therapies and ayurvedic treatments in the Massage House. Discover healthy, macrobiotic cuisine, connect with nature, soak up the stillness, recharge your batteries and take away tools to live better at home.
our Reviewer elizabeth bennett says:
‘MasQi is Sonia’s life’s purpose and she really is the soul of the place. She goes out her way to make guests feel at home and was a supportive presence throughout my stay. It was the therapy work with Sonia that was also the most transformative’
Queen of Retreats says:
‘Founder Sonia Ferre has put her heart into MasQi, and her passion and dedication reverberates throughout the retreat. The circular wooden dome with transparent triangular panels means you can practise amidst the trees with a chorus of birds and a front-row view of the ever-changing sky. MasQi is inland and 900m above sea level so it’s less hot than the coast. Take flip flops or sandals to move between bases and trainers for outside the retreat’
Experiences
There’s a choice of several programmes, all designed to tackle issues and improve mental and physical health. Renewing Vacations is for anyone looking for calm, rest and confidence, while Anti-Stress will calm your mind and improve your sleep, and Transform will get to grips with areas of your life that aren’t working for you. The 21 Days to Change Your Life programme offers yoga, meditation, mentoring, energy therapies and treatments, and personal growth talks.
There’s also Express Detox, a four-day break, during which you’ll purify your body inside and out, and the more in-depth Deep Clean Detox, which can last between four and 21 nights – your choice.
The Yoga Wellness programme features different styles of yoga, including vinyasa, iyengar and hatha. You’ll also learn to meditate in different ways, such as through mindfulness, yin yoga or the vibration and sound of the ancestral gong or harmonic bowls.
Therapists have their own specialities, spanning ayurveda, bodywork and physiotherapy, and treatments offered include reiki, reflexology, tarot, natal chart reading, and chakra and meridian-balancing. Founder Sonia offers a counselling-style, life coaching session to give you clarity for decision-making and support for instilling change.
Other times, relax on the lawn in front of the house or on a sun lounger on the wooden platform. Step out on one of the numerous walking trails that start from your front door or take a dip in the pool.
Spaces
MasQi is remote and ‘civilisation’ can be reached only by car or a long walk. The lawn at the front of the house has views of the surrounding mountains and plenty of places where you can relax, including round the outdoor seasonal pool.
Most times, you’ll move between your room in the main house, the dome and the Massage House, which has five treatments rooms, each tastefully decorated in calming hues and with subtle nods to spirituality, such as mandala wall units. The counselling room is glass on two sides, with amazing floor-to-ceiling views.
On the ground floor of the main house there are two cosy lounge areas with squishy sofas, bright cushions and baskets of blankets, while the reading corner comes with a well-stocked library.
Ten bedrooms, which can be single or double, are spread over two floors of the main house and have beautiful views of either the Sierra de Mariola or the gardens. They’ve all been lovingly restored with traditional features such as beams, exposed stone walls and Juliet balconies, and feature wooden furniture, colourful textiles and cosy rugs.
Choose from single, queen or king-size beds. All have a private hi-spec bathroom with shower and natural shower products. The biggest rooms – the suites and junior suites – have their own living spaces, while the ‘Namaste’ bedroom has its own wood-burning stove.
Sustenance
Guests eat at separate tables. If you choose to dine with other people, you’ll sit at a long wooden table in the dining room.
Except for one fish course served once or twice a week, all food is vegan. Elegant and tasty dishes are created by the in-house macrobiotic chef with a focus on seasonal and local produce.
Breakfast is the same each day – miso soup, rice porridge, fruit, apple cake and homemade bread, with nut butters and sugar-free jams.
Lunch is served at 2pm and dinner at 8pm – both offer four courses. Starters might be a crunchy salad, followed by soup or a wholegrain dish, and the main course is usually protein-based. Expect pulses, tofu, tempeh or fish, with seasonal vegetables. Sugar-free desserts finish off your meal. Most dishes are gluten-free, but bread is available on the side.
Kukicha tea, a macrobiotic speciality, which is alkaline and antioxidant, and lemon-infused water are available during the day, while healthy soft drinks, tea, coffee, wine and beer are available at lunch and dinner.
