Desert Lily
Retreat Spaces
We all know that our lives tend to be too full, too busy, with too much noise. In addition to developing healthy sabbath rhythms, we need times to get away for rest and renewal. It's for that purpose that I encourage everyone to take an extended spiritual retreat that's more than two days, to a special and sacred place outside your home. This isn't quite like a vacation - usually it looks like setting aside intentional time to be alone with God,
sometimes with others, but mostly in silence and solitude.
Let's prioritize this annual time, for our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual rest.
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Below I've listed out some options in the Carolinas of places to take your spiritual retreat. Some I haven't been to, but some I have, so I've left a personal review under those. If you know of any others not on this list, please let me know! I hope to keep adding to it and expanding into other states and countries as well.
Valle Crucis Conference Center
Location: Banner Elk, NC
Housing:
- Hermitage Single occupancy: $60/night, $360/week; Double occupancy $90/ night, $540/ week
- Rooms in Main House
Meals additional cost
Offers themed & hosted retreats
High Pastures
Location: Burnsville, NC
Housing:
- Dorm room starting at $49/person
- Cabins starting at $119/night
Meals additional cost
Catered meals available for groups of 12 (3 meals for $59, 5 meals for $89, additional meals for $17 each)
Offers themed & hosted retreats
Well of Mercy
Location: Hamptonville, NC
Housing:
- Guest house $110/night (Suggested donation)
- Cottage: Single occupancy $140/night; double occupancy $180/night (Suggested donation)
Meals included
Scholarship available: Retreat Mercy
Offers themed & hosted retreats
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Review: Well of Mercy offers a secluded retreat in the woods, with outdoor trails, labyrinth, and a cozy fireplace. The aesthetic is more simple to encourage spacious peace. One can find solitude and rest here, even if on a budget. They do offer additional services for healing if desired, and some retreats they host online so you can join from the comfort of your home. All in all, it's an enjoyable stay.
St. Francis Springs Prayer Center
Location: Stoneville, NC
Housing:
- Private room in Main House $130-170/night
- Cottages & Cabins same cost
Meals included
Offers themed & hosted retreats
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Review: St. Francis is the ideal retreat center for anyone seeking rest in beauty and comfort. They have updated facilities which include small private spaces, a library, three chapels, wooded trails, a small waterfall, bookstore, labyrinth, and patios. The beds are decently comfortable, the food outstanding, volunteer hosts are attentive, and even when full it feels fairly secluded and quiet.
Mepkin Abbey
Location: Moncks Corner, SC
Housing:
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Private room $300-350 for 3 days; $650/ week (Suggested donation)
Meals included (Vegetarian only)
High demand
Offers themed & hosted retreats
mepkinabbey.org/retreat-center
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Review: If you've ever wondered what it's like to live as monks do, then this is the place to be! Mepkin Abbey is an active monastery for Trappist monks who live and work there, and invite others to join them. In the retreat area, you'll have access to a small kitchenette, library, and chapel. The grounds offer the most stunning views of the Cooper River, moss-covered oaks, and bountiful gardens. You are invited to participate in the seven worship services each day if desired, which I highly encourage attending at least one. One should be aware that the meals follow the monks' diet and are strictly vegetarian and simplistic. This is a retreat of stripping away our usual physical comforts, so I'd encourage you to embrace it as you are able, and you will have an unforgettable experience there.
