SANGHA Retreat by Octave Institute
Suzhou, China
A transformational design-led wellness haven blending eastern and western philosophies
Based near the ancient city of Suzhou, on the beautiful Yangcheng Lake Peninsula, SANGHA Retreat by Octave Institute is an unexpected world of wellness, a blink-and-you-miss-it bullet train ride from the bright lights of Shanghai. Wrapped up in minimal, understated luxury, this 46-acre holistic centre specialises in quantum wellness, where you’ll learn the small steps needed for sustainable, optimal health. Enjoy western and preventative Traditional Chinese Medicine treatments, an expansive spa and pre-planned mindful meals.
our reviewer Jo Fernández says:
‘The name Sangha is borrowed from the Sanskrit word for community, and that’s really what the team, the architects, and even the guests have created here so successfully. It’s a beautiful wellness community for our times, and I left feeling calmer’
Queen of Retreats says:
‘Owner, businessman and author Fred Chavalit Tsao has created a mindfulness community where you take responsibility for your own lifestyle and wellbeing. Start the day with a 20-minute run along the lake to Chongyuan Buddhist temple, a peaceful spot for spiritual sightseeing. It has more than 1,500 years of history and a towering gold effigy of Guanyin, the goddess of compassion, watches over you’
Experiences
Programmes focus on health, quantum wellness and building connection. Choose from Sangha Awakening Journey, which is a personalised quantum wellness break; a Body-Mind Recovery Retreat, or the Family Time Retreat.
Mindfulness is key to all practices. As well as classes and lectures on mindfulness, mindfulness is practised through walking exercises, yoga, breathwork, meditation and sound healing. You’ll also experience mindful eating and cooking.
Your typical day will include spa and medical treatments, including massages, body scrubs and ayurveda therapies.
Practise yoga and Pilates, and join workshops and guided meditation. For parts of your stay, you’re urged to do a digital detox.
The standard of teaching by international experts makes this a special place to try or further explore holistic practices such as Thai boxing, ancient qigong movements, cold water therapy and sound healing.
Spaces
Sangha consists of three areas – ONE Retreat, The Village and Sangha Villa. At ONE Retreat, where you will stay, there is also a spa, a clinic and a cosmetic clinic.
AT ONE Healing Spa has 65,000 subterranean square feet of hanging basket-style spa pods, 26 treatment rooms, a heated indoor pool, a Himalayan salt room, a sound chair, a Kneipp walk, a Finnish sauna, a Turkish bath and watsu pools.
The Village has event spaces, a gallery and a sanctuary while Sangha Villa is a collection of living spaces.
The floor-to-ceiling windows in the main building and bedrooms allow you to soak up the soothing views of the slender trees and the serene, crab-filled lake as you pass from space to space, visually immersing you in nature.
Suites range from Junior with lake and pool views to Spa, which boast private entrances and lifts to the spa and pool. Top-floor Premier Lake View one-bedroom suites have living and dining rooms; two-bedroom versions feature larger living spaces with fireplaces and four and seven-bedroom villas have private pools. Expect warm wood and soft neutral shades.
Sustenance
You’ll eat at the Thought for Food restaurant where the ethos is mindful eating. Set meals are planned around the 24 solar terms of the traditional Chinese calendar.
As well as healthy Chinese dishes, you’ll sample cuisine from Japan, Thailand and India. Executive chef Mickey Chien has more than 20 years’ experience and specialises in French, Italian and Australian dishes.
Sugar and dairy-free meals are prepared with fresh, local ingredients and small portions are devised in consultation with nutritionists. Detox and weight-loss options, including juice and soup cleanses, are also offered.
A well-stocked, attractively presented snack station just outside the Thought for Food restaurant offers juices, fresh fruit and nuts to stave off any hunger pangs.
Drinks include fresh juices such as sweet beetroot juice and a good array of herbal teas and filtered water. Also available are tea, coffee and alcoholic drinks, including wine and champagne.
