Rest & Refresh Women's Retreat

Retreat guests may check-in at Orchid Lodge Samui anytime on Day 1 (Saturday, 8 March). We request that you arrive in Koh Samui no later than 4:00pm, so that you can reach the lodge by 5:00pm. Please let us know your arrival plans so that we can arrange your airport or ferry pickup.

If you would like to spend any extra nights with us prior to the start of the retreat to get further settled in and adjusted to the time difference, you are invited to book at a discounted rate of 2500 Thai Baht (approximately $75 USD) per night. Please let us know your plans so we can extend your room booking accordingly.

We will officially start our retreat with a poolside welcome dinner, where we will get to meet one another and share some ice-breaker activities to relax and get comfortable.  

After dinner, we will have a short evening briefing to go over the plans for the week.

The activities and itinerary for each retreat will vary based on the ladies attending, the time of year, the weather, and what special events may be happening on the island, so no two schedules or experiences will ever be the same.

Our schedules are fluid and flexible, allowing for adjustments and time changes based on the flow of the conversations and the mood for the day.

However, you can expect each day to consist of a combination of:

• Quiet time & personal reflection
• Prayer & Worship
• Gentle movement (walks or stretching)
• Nourishing meals at or outside the lodge
• Bible study and guided discussions
• Outings, cultural experiences, or island-based activities
  

While we highly encourage you to participate in the group activities, you are free to decide how you would like to spend your time so that you can get what you need out of this experience.

We will also have plenty of opportunities for rest, relaxation, and massages, so we will keep the schedule comfortable and relaxed.

The topical themes for each retreat will vary based on the group of participants. I will try my best to customize our studies and discussions based on the spiritual maturity, Biblical familiarity, and personal circumstances of the participants.

Participants of this retreat do not need to be actively practicing Christians. No previous Bible knowledge is required. I want these sessions to be accessible and engaging for women at any stage of her spiritual life who is seeking to grow deeper in her relationship with the Lord.

The purpose of our Bible study sessions is not merely information, but rather, transformation, so our sessions will be highly interactive, conversational, and practical.

Some of the potential topics that we may address during the retreat could possibly include:

• Who is God? What does He tell us about Himself?
• What is the story of the Bible?
• What is the Gospel? Why is this good news for me?
• How to read the Bible: Hebrew vs. Western perspectives
• Understanding your identity: Who has God called you to be?
• Spiritual gifts: What are your spiritual gifts and how can you best use them?
• Living a purpose-driven life: God's will or your will?
• Recognizing & eliminating idols

Our Bible study sessions will also include time for praise and worship, group and individual prayer, and plenty of Q&A and sharing.

A key practice in our discipleship with God is to intentionally and unhurriedly spend time with the Lord. Unfortunately, in our busy, modern, stressful daily lives, we can often rush through or even skip the important daily practice of simply dwelling with God, communicating with Him, and meditating on His word.

During our retreat, you will have ample personal quiet time, however that may look for you and in whatever way you choose to spend it.

We will take you to some of our favorite local spots, cafes, and breathtaking viewpoints around the island of Koh Samui. We will make sure you experience not only the must-see tourist attractions, but also some of the quaint, lesser known hidden gems that are not on the typical tourist itinerary.

We will take a Thai cooking class, visit an elephant conservation sanctuary project, enjoy a waterfall hike, shop the night markets at Fisherman's village, watch a beachside fire show, have a sunset dinner overlooking the water, and tour the island in an air conditioned private vehicle with a professional driver.

We are ready to assist with anything you may need to feel fully rested and relaxed while you are staying at Orchid Lodge Samui.

As part of your retreat package, you will receive 2x one-hour full body relaxation massages with our expert and highly trained massage therapist. If you would like to purchase additional treatments, you may do so at a cost of 1000 Thai Baht per hour (approximately $30 USD/hour). Please let me know if you wish to add additional massage treatments to your booking.

Our schedule each day will remain comfortable and relaxed, allowing you to slow down, properly sleep and rest, read your Bible, lounge by the pool, play with our cats, or just simply enjoy unhurried leisure.

The retreat activities will officially conclude at 1:00pm on Day 8; however, guests are welcome to check-out anytime in the afternoon or evening depending on onward travel plans. Please let us know your departure information so that we can arrange your transfer to the airport or ferry pier.

Retreat guests who wish to extend their stay at Orchid Lodge Samui after the retreat are welcome to book additional nights at a reduced nightly rate of 2500 Thai Baht (approximately $75 USD).  Please contact us directly if you would like to add extra nights to your stay.