The Art of Living

Sometimes you need a break. Not a packed schedule. Not another obligation. Just space to breathe, rest, and reconnect with yourself.

That’s exactly what this is. The most popular way to visit us isn’t a structured program at all—it’s a flexible, all-inclusive getaway you shape around what you need. Come as you are. No experience with yoga, meditation, or Ayurveda required, and nothing you have to sign up for or keep up with.

Every stay begins from the same foundation: comfortable accommodations, nourishing vegetarian meals, daily yoga and meditation if you want them, access to our trails and wellness amenities, and the quiet of our 380-acre mountain sanctuary. From there, the days are yours. Keep it simple and just rest—or add personalized Ayurvedic support for stress, burnout, and deeper renewal. Either way, you’ll slow down and head home feeling more like yourself.

Book an R&R Stay    Book a Wellness Retreat
Find Your Perfect Getaway

Choose the experience that best matches your goals.

R & R Retreat

Offers flexibility, freedom, and time to recharge at your own pace.

  • Flexible
  • Self-directed
  • Yoga & meditation
  • Hiking & nature
  • Spa optional

From $682 for a 2-night stay (+tax)

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Ayurveda Wellness Retreat

Guided wellness support with personalized recommendations and treatments.

  • Everything in R&R
  • Ayurvedic consultation
  • Personalized recommendations
  • Wellness treatment(s)
  • Enhanced support

Packages from $929 + tax

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Included with Every Retreat

  • Comfortable accommodations
  • Three vegetarian meals daily
  • Daily yoga and meditation classes
  • Access to hiking trails and campus amenities
  • Fitness room and steam room access
  • Evening programs and community activities
  • Time to rest, reflect, and reconnect
signature happiness retreat

What Your Days Can Hold

Every day is yours to design. Fill it, empty it, or somewhere in between.

  • Daily yoga & meditation classes
  • Sound baths & nightly kirtan
  • Nature walks & guided hikes on miles of trails
  • The labyrinth & quiet corners for reflection
  • Drum circles & bonfires (seasonal)
  • Archery & hatchet throwing (seasonal)
  • Ayurveda workshops & cooking demos
  • Fitness & steam rooms
  • Add-on spa treatments & art classes
View a Sample Daily Schedule
miles of beautiful hiking trails
R&R Sound Bathing Session

Prefer to do nothing at all? That counts too.

Go Deeper with Ayurveda

Couples, girlfriends, mothers and daughters, men, and solo travelers—each package pairs your R&R stay with Ayurvedic treatments chosen for you. Lighter, calmer, restored from the inside out.

Couples Wellness Retreat

Reconnect over Ayurvedic treatments, nourishing meals, and shared classes that deepen intimacy and ease stress together. From $1,623 per couple.

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Girlfriends Wellness Retreat

Celebrate friendship with Ayurvedic therapies, yoga, and creative workshops made for catching up and slowing down. From $1,623, double occupancy. Call for groups of five or more.

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Mother–Daughter Wellness Retreat

Strengthen your bond with massages, workshops, and peaceful mountain walks made for two. From $1,623, double occupancy.

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Men's Wellness Retreat

Rest, renewal, and reconnection on 380 mountain acres, grounded in the restorative wisdom of Ayurveda. From $929, single occupancy.

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Discover Ayurveda Solo Retreat

A first taste of Ayurveda — Shirodhara, a signature massage, a facial, and a personalized consultation. Arrive depleted, leave lighter. From $1,505, single occupancy.

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Rejuvenating Bliss Solo Retreat

Ayurvedic therapies, yoga, and forest trails to release tension and restore balance — all to yourself. From $929, single occupancy.

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What to Know When Booking

Ayurveda Wellness Retreats

Please note Booking online does not guarantee treatment availability. After you reserve, call the spa at 828.264.8382 (9:00 am–6:00 pm) to confirm your treatments.

Guests without pre-booked treatments are welcomed into our R&R Program. Wellness Retreats are for ages 18+. Additional classes and services are available at an added cost.

Call the Spa
Shankara Spa treatments and therapies

Why Guests Love This Flexible Approach

Some guests spend the morning hiking and the afternoon at the spa. Others fill their days with yoga classes, meditation, and wellness experiences. There is no right way to retreat. The experience is yours to create.

4.9 (1.8k reviews)

I went to AOL for a Rest and Relaxation Retreat to celebrate my 60th birthday on my own! I had a wonderful time and want to return every year to celebrate my birthday! The staff was so kind and accommodating, my hotel room was perfect, the activities and workshops were inspiring and my Wellness Spa massages were incredibly relaxing and restorative! I have already recommended AOL to everyone I know!

Nancy B.

I had a wonderful visit to The Art of Living Resort. My room was very nice, and the food served was great! The staff were all very nice and helpful. The grounds were beautiful, and the availability of the shuttles made getting around easy.    

JoAnna M.

This was my first time at The Art of Living, what a beautiful experience from the scenery, to the teachers, employees, and the amazing food. Everything was nourishing to the mind, body, and soul. Everything was filled with love and presence. I can’t wait to go back, highly recommend this experience to decompress from life and recharge.

Stephanie L.

My stay at the Art of Living Retreat center was way more than I knew I needed! The campus is gorgeous, the staff is phenomenal and the food was delicious and the best my body has felt eating in over 6 years. I can’t wait to return and try some of the classes I couldn’t attend this time. I will absolutely be back!!

Mary A.

Beautiful spaces indoors and out, excellent classes, and powerful treatments. I was there with an R and R special and it was perfect to design my own program and learn from some amazing teachers. So much gratitude!

Lily

“Loved every minute; food was exceptional.”
“This was an amazing experience for us! Thank you for your service for making us better humans.”
MIDWEEK RESET SPECIAL

Stay Three Nights, Pay for Two

Escape the routine with a restorative midweek reset—yoga, meditation, nature, and wholesome meals in peaceful surroundings. Available for stays including Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday nights. Popular dates fill quickly.

Call 800.392.6870 and ask for the Midweek Reset

Food for Body, Mind, & Soul

Freshly prepared and served in our bright dining hall overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains, your retreat includes three nourishing vegetarian meals daily inspired by Ayurvedic principles to support balance, digestion, and well-being.

Learn About Dining
Dining with a view when you enjoy a meal on the deck of the Purna Dining Hall.

Our Accommodations

Prices include room, daily vegetarian meals from dinner on the night of check-in through lunch on the day of checkout, R & R activities, and campus amenities. (Rates below are per person.)

Private Hotel Room | King or Two Full Beds

Ideal for individuals, couples, or friends seeking hotel-style comfort and amenities.

  • King bed or two full beds
  • Flat-screen TV
  • Refrigerator
  • Private bath
  • Hair dryer
  • Complimentary WiFi
  • Access to the coffee/tea lounge
  • Desk and office chair

Starts at $818+ tax; 2-night stay, based on selected dates.

Private Hotel Room | Twin Beds

Ideal for individuals, couples, or friends seeking hotel-style comfort and amenities.

  • Twin beds
  • Flat-screen TV
  • Refrigerator
  • Private bath
  • Hair dryer
  • Complimentary WiFi
  • Access to the coffee/tea lounge
  • Desk and office chair

$748+ tax; 2-night stay, based on selected dates.

Private Retreat Room

Ideal for individuals, couples, or friends seeking simple surroundings for peace and clarity.

  • Twin beds
  • Private bath
  • Complimentary WiFi
  • Access to the coffee/tea lounge
  • Desk and office chair

Note Room may contain extra single beds.

$682+ tax; 2-night stay, based on selected dates.

Premium 1-Bedroom Apartment

Fully furnished 665 sq.-ft. apartment (max: 2 persons)

  • 1 queen bed
  • Kitchenette
  • Balcony
  • Washer & dryer
  • Hair dryer
  • Iron & ironing board
  • A desk, chairs, and a nightstand
  • Flat-screen TV with cable
  • Complimentary WiFi
  • Refrigerator, stove range & microwave

Note Furniture may vary; each apartment is different.

$950+ tax; 2-night stay, based on selected dates.

Premium 1-Bedroom Apartment with Loft

Fully furnished 995 sq.-ft. apartment (max: 4 persons)

  • 1 queen bed and 2 twin beds or 1 full bed
  • Kitchenette
  • Balcony
  • Washer & dryer
  • Hair dryer
  • Iron & ironing board
  • A desk, chairs, and a nightstand
  • Flat-screen TV with cable
  • Complimentary WiFi
  • Refrigerator, stove range & microwave

Note Furniture may vary; each apartment is different.

$1,090+ tax; 2-night stay, based on selected dates.

FAQ

The most popular way to visit us is a flexible, all-inclusive wellness getaway designed to help you slow down, recharge, and reconnect. Unlike structured programs, this experience allows you to create your own rhythm—choosing from daily yoga and meditation classes, spa treatments, nature walks, and time to simply rest.

While many of our retreats follow a set schedule or specific curriculum, our Wellness & Relaxation Retreat is intentionally unstructured. You’re free to design your days based on what you need most—whether that’s rest, movement, healing treatments, or quiet reflection.

Your stay includes

  • Comfortable accommodations
  • Three daily vegetarian meals
  • Access to daily yoga and meditation classes
  • Inspiring and educational workshops and activities
  • Evening programs like kirtan and guided meditation
  • Use of campus amenities, including nature trails, a labyrinth, and fitness facilities.

Spa services and Ayurvedic treatments are available at an additional cost.

Yes—this is the heart of the retreat. You can choose how you spend your time each day. Many guests blend scheduled classes with free time, spa treatments, and time in nature.

You can stay for as little as two nights or extend your visit for a deeper reset. Many guests find that 3–5 nights allows for a more complete sense of rest and renewal.

Absolutely. This is one of the best options for first-time retreat guests. There’s no required experience with yoga or meditation, and no pressure to follow a strict schedule.

Each day is yours to design, but a typical rhythm might include

  • Morning yoga or meditation
  • Nourishing breakfast and lunch
  • Time for a spa treatment, nature walk, or rest
  • Afternoon workshop or creative activity
  • Evening meditation or kirtan.

You can participate in as much—or as little—as you like.

Not at all. Everything is optional. You’re welcome to join classes, explore the grounds, or simply rest. This is your time.

We offer fresh, nourishing vegetarian meals prepared with seasonal ingredients. Our cuisine is inspired by Ayurvedic principles and designed to support balance, digestion, and overall well-being.

Spa treatments are not included in the base R&R package, but can be added to your stay. Our Wellness Retreat option includes a certain number of treatments—feel free to add more at an additional cost. We recommend booking in advance to ensure availability.

No, this is not a silent retreat. However, many guests naturally experience quiet moments and a sense of calm during their stay.

Yes—many of our guests travel solo. The environment is welcoming and supportive, making it easy to feel comfortable whether you’re seeking solitude or connection.

Yes, free Wi-Fi is available, although many guests choose to unplug during their stay to fully immerse themselves in rest and renewal.

We recommend bringing

  • Comfortable clothing for yoga and relaxation
  • Walking shoes for trails
  • Layers for changing mountain weather
  • A journal or book for quiet time.

If you’re planning to experience spa treatments—or they’re included in your package—be sure to bring clothes you don’t mind getting oil on, if applicable.

Check-in begins at 4:00 pm, dinner is included on check-in day. Check-out is 11:00 am; you’re welcome to store your luggage in our Dining Hall and enjoy the facilities longer on your day of departure; lunch is included with your stay on this day. Specific details are provided in your confirmation email.

The Art of Living Retreat Center is located in Boone, North Carolina, about 90 minutes from Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Detailed directions are provided after booking or you can get more information → here.

Yes—your accommodations, meals, and daily classes are included. Additional services like spa treatments and art classes are available à la carte. Some spa treatments are included in our Ayurveda Wellness packages.

That’s perfectly okay. Many guests arrive unsure—and leave feeling exactly the way they needed. This retreat is designed to meet you where you are.

Yes. This retreat is especially supportive for those experiencing stress, fatigue, or burnout. The combination of rest, nourishing food, and optional wellness practices helps restore balance naturally.

Every season offers something unique—from vibrant fall foliage to peaceful winter stillness and lush summer greenery.

Yes, many guests pair their stay with one of our Signature or Guest Presenter programs. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to get acclimated with the property and atmosphere, arrive prior to a scheduled program, or add a couple of days on the end of your program to integrate learning and begin transitioning back to daily life.

Reserve Your Retreat Today

All that's left is to pick your dates—we'll be waiting.
Book an R&R Retreat    Book an Ayurveda Wellness Package