Art of Living Retreat Center

Words can hardly capture how exceptional this retreat in the Blue Ridge Mountains was. My wife and I stayed at the same location as the spa, which we visited right after arrival—a perfect way to begin. Our room was clean, comfortable, and offered unbeatable views. The grounds were beautiful throughout. While the walk to dining and activities was pleasant, convenient shuttles were available when we needed a break. Meals were served buffet-style, entirely vegan, and absolutely delicious. The staff and fellow guests were warm, welcoming, and came from diverse backgrounds, making for engaging conversations. What truly set the retreat apart was the overall vibe—calm, positive, curious, and deeply relaxing. We’ll definitely be back.

Beautiful setting on the side of a mountain with expansive views. Insanely delicious, nourishing, and satiating interesting fresh food. Comfortable private accommodations. The class offerings were too notch and professional but low key. I went with a friend but it would be easy to go solo and many did. Friendly helpful staff everywhere you needed. Friendly relaxed atmosphere among visitors. I arrived leather fried and worn out and in less than 24 hours I was deeply relaxed and my nervous system was in restore. I will return!!

I very much enjoyed Chip Conley's retreat, and the Art of Living was a lovely place. Four stars because there was no air conditioning and it was a bit warm in the rooms at night. Also, I am not used to eating 100% vegan, and I would have appreciated a few more options. I'm glad I brought my cooler along with some extra food to snack on. I would absolutely go back for another Retreat as they have many, many great facilitators who work out of this Retreat center.

My first retreat at art of living was magical. From the moment I caught the first glimpse of the magnificent beauty of the hazy blue sky blanketed over the majestic blue ridge mountains, I was captivated by its divinity. Every person who works there embodies the peace, compassion and kindness ingrained into the culture. The food was delicious and nourishing. The venue for our retreat was comfortable and convenient. I was grateful to be able to walk the beautiful grounds and hills to stay connected to nature and get lots of steps in as well to keep my body moving and healthy too. I would definitely attend another retreat in the future. Very grateful for the wonderful opportunity and experience.

Art Of Living retreat center reset my life. I went on the R&R retreat and I learned so much from the classes I took from Allie and Monica, the food was delicious and every staff member was friendly and helpful. The atmosphere is unparalleled, every time I walked the property I found a new corner of beauty. I can’t wait to go back.

This place is magical! I felt such a sense of peace and calm while staying there. The food was AHHHMAAAZING!! The staff and volunteers were soooo kind and friendly, always around to guide and help you. The views are absolutely stunning 😍 I would definitely come back and stay longer next time to just soak up the positive energy and relax awhile. My only suggestion is to bring a mattress topper to add more cushion to the bed. I shared a room with 2 others and had a twin bed, which was fine for me, but it was a lil uncomfortable on the body.

I had a great weekend doing the Happiness Retreat at Art of Living. I started the weekend with the Royal Treatment at the spa, which was out of this world. The retreat itself was transformative and left me walking away feeling more balanced, connected, and calm. The instructors - Kelsey and Azeem - were awesome! Oh and the food and facilities were great too. Highly recommend!

This was a life-changing experience. I wasn’t quite sure what we were getting into, but with the gorgeous mountain setting and glowing reviews, it felt worth a try. What we left with was so much more—a completely new way of being in the world. I’ve always struggled with meditation, but I realized I was missing the tools to truly calm my nervous system. The breathing techniques we learned unlocked a deeper sense of peace and presence, making meditation not only possible but powerful. Kelsie and Shyam were exceptional instructors—knowledgeable, supportive, and deeply authentic. The vegetarian meals were delicious, and our stay at the Spa Inn was incredibly comfortable. It’s like an upscale wellness camp for the soul. I can’t wait to return.

This place is heaven on earth!!! The sunsets and sunrises are simply stunning to begin with. They have the best organic spa in the nation too. I treat myself to a massage or marma facial every time Im there. I highly recommend this place. Did I tell you about their signature Art of Living Part 1 course? It is a game changer for a busy bee like me! Do sign up for this 3 day / 3 hours a day workshop while you are there.

Clean rooms, nice accommodations, great views. Food is ok, very western style Indian -included in the price. Could use more technique and fresh offerings. The teas and coffee are top notch in all the conference rooms. Check in process is wonky but over all a good place to attend workshops and retreats.

A stay at the Art of Living Retreat Center is truly an experience. Located just outside the quirky town of Boone, NC the Center is a mecca for peace, recharging, and mindfulness. A friend and I booked the R&R (rest and relaxation) Retreat and spent several days exploring the grounds, attending meditation sessions, honing our yoga skills, learning to sing in Sanskrit, and enjoying the AMAZING, artfully prepared plant based cuisine. The Center is comprised of a variety of buildings including the main building (houses reception/check-in, dining area, Kirtan hall, gift shop, and cafe), the spa building which contains not only the spa, but also the yoga studio, meditation room, fitness room, steam room, another gift shop, and many of the retreat accommodations. There is a large meditation hall, buildings for specific retreat types, an outdoor labyrinth for active meditation, and pottery studio. Although there is a shuttle on-call that is able to quickly and conveniently transport attendees to and from various buildings we opted to walk the majority of the time in order to enjoy the mountain air and truly appreciate the scenery. One morning on our walk up the hill to breakfast we had to stop for several minutes because the sunrise was so glorious it demanded our full attention and appreciation. The R&R retreat is a great way to dip one's toes into a yoga/meditation retreat. Upon check-in they provide a schedule with a variety of options to craft a unique experience. Sessions include yoga, meditation, Kirtan (chanting), a wellness workshop, Ayurvedic education sessions, sound bathing, and even a dance party. Optional add-ons include spa treatments and pottery sessions. One can attend as many or a few of these as desired, to truly create a unique and relaxing experience. The grounds have several gentle hiking trails which are clearly labeled and absolutely doable for most fitness levels. The retreat rooms are absolutely fine. I didn't expect 5 star hotel accommodations so was quite satisfied with my comfy twin bed and soft white towel. There are bathrobes and spa slippers in each room, and extra blankets in the closet in case of a chill (I didn't need them). The bath products in the shower (shampoo, conditioner, body wash) smell amazing, and there is a hairdryer if needed. We attended several different yoga classes and meditation sessions, and each yoga teacher and meditation leader brought something different and unique to the practice. The food - oh the food - plant based cuisine for every meal focused on vegetables, fruits, beans/lentils/legumes, and grains. There are some dairy options which are usually clearly labeled, except for the last morning where the chai came out simply labeled "chai," then was later adjusted with more complete signage stating "contains organic, whole milk." There is a theme every evening for dinner (Italian, Indian, etc) and everything is flavored and prepared beautifully. If you were to get hungry between meals there are also fixings for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with a variety of breads (including multigrain and gluten-free). I would go back just for the food and am still dreaming of the soups, breakfast potatoes, charred broccoli, and especially the cardamom, rose, coconut milk rice pudding. I loved my experience at the Art of Living Retreat Center and absolutely recommend it for anyone looking to unplug, unwind, recenter, enjoy some delicious food, and acquire some tips for living a more intentional, fulfilling life.

I recently visited and enjoyed my stay. The grounds are beautiful and the staff is friendly, welcoming and knowledgeable about the community. The food is absolutely amazing and since my visit I haven't eaten meat. Saying that say the food was so good that it changed my mind about my relationship with food-particularly meat.

Unfortunately, I got terrible bed bugs all over my legs. I have never had bed bugs and I am aghast enough to provide a review (and I never leave any yelp reviews). See my picture. :-( I should note that any person with physical disabilities or mobility issues - this place is not for you. The views/location is beautiful, but it is located on a steep mountain. My room (Spa-West) was a full mile (I calculated it with my speedometer) down a steep, steep mountain away from the main meeting rooms and location where you eat. I witnessed a poor woman in her mobility scooter try to climb it and the mountain was too steep for her mobility scooter to travel. They provided shuttles, but the shuttles themselves were difficult to get into - several women I was with couldn't climb in, it was too steep a step into the shuttle. There was no way for a person who had difficulty standing and climbing to enter the shuttle. The food did not agree with me. I stopped eating it after the first day. It was all a flavorless mush that upset my stomach and gave me terrible gas. See other reviewers pictures - they are accurate. I have a pretty stable/strong digestive system - so it was pretty upsetting to see it react so poorly to the diet. Strangely, all of the food provided is mushy--it is scooped into your plate. No solids. I live in CA so I know excellent vegetarian/vegan food. This is not it. No fresh, crunchy veggies to be had. All plain, flavorless mush.

My first visit to this wonderful retreat center back in June 2022. Boone was a cute little town. I chose to take the shuttle bus from the airport. Hickory hop. Such a convenience and affordable choice, I got picked up from the airport, 2.5 hrs ride to the top of the mountain. I had to hop on and off once during the ride but it was great to stop and take a bathroom break. Make sure to book it ahead of time and confirm it with the bus company. Coz flight time might change and such. I pay an extra $50 round trip (to get to the retreat center) I stayed at the single hotel room with two standard sized beds. The building is located near the cafeteria. So I literally took a walk like 5 mins up a small hill to get breakfast. Very grateful that I did. The view was magnificent. I saw sunrise almost every single morning. I stayed from Wednesday to Sunday. The bed was comfortable and they provided shampoo/ conditioner/ body wash in the shower. A hair dryer on the wall in the bathroom too. Also tissue boxes. Enough towels for me to use and change during my staying. I would say the room is quite equipped and they have free coffee and tea and water served on the ground floor in a communal room with a few cozy chairs. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were served at certain hours so be sure to read the brochure on day 1 when you arrived. Unless you plan on fasting. The foods were amazing!!! Vegetarian and vegan options!!!! Aryuvedic meals are designed to nourish your body. I absolutely love the meals there! Lots of spices and veggies! The view is beautiful too if you love being outside. They have a deck with tables and chairs for you to sit and eat with other ppl. I took a full body prayer retreat 5 days with Jacqui bonwell and Johnny Gillespie. Super grateful to practice and learn from these wonderful and insightful Senior teachers from Massachusetts and Delaware. It was such a great experience besides spending lots of time with the teachers and a group of likeminded people. The atmosphere of the center has given me a sense of safety, peace and support. Everyone I have met was so friendly and nice. They have a labyrinth next to a fire pit where we gathered twice in those five days. They hosted kirtan, poem reading and chanting! It was so much fun!!! I spent a lot of time being with nature too when I wasn't in the class. They have trails to explore on the site. Saw a coyote at 5 am in the morning as I was walking. So be sure to keep an eye on the road. Also a huge deer going in and out of the woods. Totally recommend this place to anyone who wants a piece of quiet to reset & restore. They also have programs that run by special guest teachers or the regular teachers who teach there too. They have a big building for spa/ massage/ aryuvedic. But I didn't try them though. I heard from my friends who have tried and had an amazing experience with the massages.

The facility was excellent, clean and beautiful. The people working here are kind and considerate. The food was delicious and varied. I stayed in a dorm style room and it was adequate for my needs. The workshop I attended was engaging and motivating. I also attended a yoga class and a mindfulness class. Both were lovely. The sunrise from the deck outside the dining area was breathtaking. I have an electric car that needed charging. There is only one charger on the property. When it was already occupied when I got there, I felt a bit nervous. There was no system to ask the person, who was all charged up at that point, to share. I think they should have a system in place to be able to contact the owner of the car. Also, probably 2 chargers would be better than 1, now that electric cars are more prevalent.

This Art of Living Retreat Center is one of the most amazing retreat centers in United States. At the top of Blue Ridge Mountains of Boone, NC and nestled amongst beautiful greenery, it is the perfect place to find peace and go deep. The center has a really nice peaceful vibration, which is very difficult to put in words. The Art of Living Foundation teaches breathing techniques, meditation and practical wisdom for life. I did the Art of Living workshop around years ago, and it has truly improved the quality of my life in every aspect. My highlight from Art of Living has been the SKY breathing technique, but there are so many more aspects to them. If you visit the center, you should definitely experience the Happiness Retreat. If you have done the introductory workshop, then definitely explore the advanced retreats. The volunteers and instructors here are really friendly and helpful. Can't recommend this place more!

Wonderful place to recharge, renovate. Highly recommend their massage services. The hotel room was comfortable and we appreciated their complimentary herbal tea blends.

My dil and I did the mother/daughter retreat and thoroughly enjoyed it! Neither of us are vegan but enjoyed trying the food that was served and never went hungry! We enjoyed the presentations, yoga, meditations, transit rides and the drivers, and last but not least, really enjoyed our time at the clay studio.

The Art of Living retreat center located on the Heavenly mountain in Boone NC, is true to its location name, heavenly abode. From the time I stepped in the retreat center, I felt the serene vibes from the place. The staff are super friendly, the center super clean and the ayurvedic food was the best I have ever eaten in my life. I had registered for the silent retreat at the center, it was truly a vacation to the mind and the whole experience very rejuvenating. I plan to come atleast twice a year to the center and hopefully try Ayurvedic spa treatment next time. It was all booked in advance and heard great things from my fellow participants. This is a must visit for everyone for a true vacation to the mind and soul. Thank you

AOLRC has become like a home away from home, and one of my family's favorite places. The location is amazing, the spaces are beautiful, and the people are the best part. If I need to rejuvenate, this is where I'm going. And if I'm leading a retreat, this is where I take them!!

I want to preface this review by saying that the retreat that I attended at the Art of Living Retreat Center was phenomenal! However, this review is of the Center itself, not the particular workshop and facilitator for my retreat (which I would give 5 stars to): The grounds: The best thing about the Center is the property. The views are gorgeous and the facilities for group sessions were very comfortable. Buildings are far apart so if you don't like walking up and down hills, you may want a car. Watching the sunrise over the mountains was the highlight of my trip. The rooms: I stayed in the "retreat" rooms and I knew that they wouldn't be luxurious. However, for around $100 I expected more. They were clean, but, that was about it. I have stayed in monasteries and other religious hostels and the rooms were similar to those with just a bed, desk, and bathroom (and those are usually $25-50 a night). I had registered for a triple (to save money) and thankfully I did not have a roommate. However, on my second night, some sort of alarm went off and kept me awake the entire night. It wasn't loud enough to be a fire alarm (at least I hope) but I figure that if an alarm goes off, someone should be alarmed and come and check on it. When I told reception the next day they didn't seem very concerned. The food: A lot of people complain about the food-- I thought that it was very good for cafeteria, vegetarian food. I didn't like everything, but I could always find something tasty. The breakfasts weren't great as they were mostly vegetables and even the bread was gluten-free. That being said, I did bring my own snacks for off times. Classes: I took a yoga and meditation class while there. The yoga class was very crowded but great! The teacher did a good job leading all levels and made good corrections. The meditation class, however, was just someone pressing play on a recorded track on their phone. Not exactly what I was looking for. The staff: The staff was all perfectly nice. I heard that some people had more attentive staff than others, but my interactions with everyone were pleasant. Overall, when I go to a retreat center, I like to leave feeling refreshed and getting woken up by an alarm all night does not leave me feeling that way. If you come, be prepared to pay more for the nicer rooms. I also found out after the fact I could have just paid for my retreat classes and an extra facility fee and stayed elsewhere. In hindsight, I would have considered that so you might want to call and ask.

Limited parking at the dorm-style building. Had to drop off my luggage, get someone to watch it, park several buildings away, hike back up a fairly steep hill to my building, then schlep my luggage up three floors in a hot stairwell. (There is no AC, which I knew, but thought it would be cooler in October.) The scratchy bedsheets and thin towels are what you'd expect from a dorm so you might want to bring your own. At reception, a band that entitles me to meals was wrapped around my wrist and I was instructed to leave it on for the entire length of my stay. I personally find this a bit unhygienic. At the first session of the writers workshop, we were made to remove our shoes before entering the venue. Had I known in advance, I would have worn socks! The bathrooms are in a different area so the expectation is that we'd use the bathroom in our bare feet?!? And there were no tables in the first session ~ how to take notes? Or write since this is a writing workshop? This experience feels more like a convention than a retreat ~ yet one held in a beautiful setting.

The Art of Living Retreat Center located on Heavenly Mountain in Boone, NC is a treasure that must be experienced to be believed. I went for the "Stepping into Silence" retreat which is a combination of their Happiness Retreat and their "Deep Dive Into Silence" retreat. It was absolutely amazing. After 24 hours, I did not miss my phone or small talk. It truly gave me a time to go "inside" and find a peace and calm that had been lacking. Each day I woke up to climb to the top of the mountain to watch the sun rise. (See picture below). Then it was time for yoga (which was new for me, but so great). Then on to Breakfast. Now, I must stop to talk about how amazing the food is at Art of Living. When I first heard that it was all vegetarian, I was hesitant. But let me tell you, it is A+ restaurant quality food. Everything is perfectly seasoned. There is a diverse menu at every meal that has options for everyone. Their chefs are beyond talented. After food, it was back for breathwork and meditation. Then lunch and 2 hours of time in nature for hiking or reflection. More classes. More time outside. Then dinner, and one last class of the night before bed. You will want to spend your free time outside, because not only is the area gorgeous but the weather is perfect. And the scenery! Like the name of the mountain, it is heavenly! And just pray you get a morning with lots of fog. There aren't words for how magickal that is. I left Art of Living feeling relaxed and energized. I was more focused. And I was grateful for all the wonderful things in my life and very clear on what I needed to let go of. I cannot wait to go back.

The retreat area is beautiful nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains! I had booked a "shared" retreat room which is quite spartan. I was fine with the "spartan" quality except for the mattresses! The mattresses were somewhere in between what you would expect at a child's summer camp or a women's prison. You pick! Also there was only one blanket per bed and one very flat sad pillow. I mean it is a meditation and yoga retreat but I don't expect to be punished? I had to go back to the friend desk and upgrade to a regular hotel room for the addition $450! Not sure if this is part of their business plan, but I suspect I'm not the only guest to have done this once they felt the quality ( or lack thereof) of the mattress. Additionally, since this is a yoga and meditation Retreat I would expect more yoga and meditation sessions to be offered throughout the day! On a very positive note: Grounds are beautiful, staff very helpful and friendly. Food was very good given the vegan vegetarian theme! Special shout out to Rosemary and Sydney at the front desk for being so kind and accommodating to change my room and also afford me a slightly later checkout! Their gracious Hospitality definitely added to the enjoyment of my stay !

Beautiful center! I've always had positive experiences here. The views are gorgeous, the accommodation is comfortable, the food is delicious and healthy, the people here are friendly, helpful and serve with their whole heart and the vibes are so positive. It feels like home away from home. I always leave feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

I'm sitting here on my last morning before I leave this magical place. I am holding back the tears of how majestic this world is after viewing the most beautiful sunrise. Living at the beach, I get to watch ocean sunrises, but this was so different. A different kind of beauty. On to the review- I had no idea what to expect of this place. I didn't research too much in to it because I wanted to just "be". It is extremely pricey and therefore I thought it was going to be a boujie, hippie place. Let me forewarn you if that is what you are thinking -It is neither. This is a place of nothing fancy, yet everything remarkable. There aren't "hippies" but people of all different colors, cultures, ages and religions. The place is an Ayurvedic (which is typically Hindu- but you don't feel pushed into Hinduism at all. We chose the girlfriends retreat which put us in a bedroom with 2 beds, a TV, and basic amenities. The bed was comfortable and the view was amazing. We stayed in the spa building. There is quite an uphill/downhill distance from the two main buildings you are in. You can be brave and hike, or take the free shuttle which runs very frequently. We drove up and down more than taking the shuttle. We had a 2 night, 3 day stay and during that visit we ate at the cafeteria (food is included) all of our meals. They do have a cafe that serves smoothies, too. The food was delicious. It was vegan and vegetarian depending on your choice. The staff here are just so extremely nice. Darrell at the dining hall will greet you, and Benji at the spa will make you smile. The chanting sessions at night called Kirtan were ran by a beautiful woman inside and out. The staff that work here seem to live here as well. I had two spa treatments. You want to find out what your dosha is before booking the treatments. If you do not know then Benji can help you or you can pay to have it done. The main meeting hall was not open but it is absolutely breathtaking. I felt like I was in India. There are two gift shops to buy all kinds of books, clothing, jewelry, Ayurvedic items, etc. You come here for peace and a simple life. To find solitude in the beautiful surroundings. Once again, this is not a boujie place. You pay for the experience and grounds. A few suggestions- the guided "hike" is not an easy hike if you are not used to moving quickly up and down big mountains. It is a simple hike but not easy if you are not used to the elevation. Be prepared to drink a lot of tea! You don't need any makeup- at all. Definitely get a spa treatment that you can't get anywhere else. Take all of the classes that you can to expand your knowledge. Watch the sunrise from the dining hall. Bring a hairdryer-be prepared to walk a lot. Don't be like me and talk to people that are in "silent" sessions. Yes, they have those like in Eat, Pray, Love. Also, just let nature embody you. This is a magical place.

My Art of Living class was fun be prepared for a lifetime of spam afterwards. They have a lot of different email addresses (Sri Sri this, Guru that, Art of Living this) so you don't just move it to spam and you're done. Unsubscribing is futile. I'm so stressed because of these emails that I need another Art of Living class. But I won't give them the satisfaction.

Nestled deep in the forested mountains of Boone, NC, The Art of Living Retreat Center offers guests the most perfect place to slow down, reconnect to ones inner space and very deeply relax and rejuvenate. The food is absolutely delicious, and lovingly made and served. I was fortunate to receive two spa treatments, and both were positively divine. Springtime in the forest offers abundant bird songs to lift your spirit and reconnect you to nature's divine gifts. Getting to be at The Art of Living Retreat Center when Gurudev, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is there is an extra special gift to those who visit during his stay. His joyful, kind, compassionate, patient, peace-filled way of sharing, teaching, guiding and non-judgmentally holding your hand on the path to better living is so rare on this Earth, and such a deeply welcome gift to the heart of the sincere seeker, or anyone who finds they may just be a little too hard on themselves day to day. The volunteers, staff and other visitors could not have been more open, friendly and generous. Smiles are abundant on this campus, as are warm hearts, happy to help, have a friendly conversation, or share helpful wisdom for the journey. I found myself sitting near the fountain one day simply meditating with the sound of the flowing water and found that so deeply restful. The mountain views are absolutely stunning, and can bring any one home to the heart and to the breath very quickly. While I did not explore the hiking trails on my short visit, they are abundant and I'm sure they are a great place for more solitude in nature. Throughout the campus there are plenty of benches to dive into a meditative practice or simply rest and listen to the birdsongs. The Art of Living Retreat Center is about 15 minutes out of the town of Boone, which offers you the convenience of going into town if needed, and freedom from road traffic, and other sounds or noises that are present in town. This is quite simply a heavenly mountain-top, heavily forested and private sanctuary for all beings to find that perfect and divine stillness within and to come back home to the SELF, enabling one to re-enter a full life with greater joy, spaciousness and ease. I am most grateful to all who work and volunteer here. Thank you to all who made this space a reality. It is a wonderful blessing and gift to all those who come to rest, learn and reconnect. Many blessings to all who are most fortunate to visit. OM

love love loved the retreat center. the food was amazing, the staff extremely welcoming and the walks in the woods invigorating. My only criticism were the pillows on the bed. It was like sleeping with a brick covered by a pillow case. A fellow retreat person said she had a terrible sore neck, one used towels to create a pillow, I used the duvet from the bed. sleep is restorative. And sleep is important at a retreat and the pillows complicated it.

I visited the retreat for a 5 day ayurvedic detox cleanse after checking out spas all over the country. There are plenty of places where you can spend a LOT of money and be pampered, but my interest was to improve my health and well being and was glad I chose AOL. AOL was also a fraction of the cost compared to most of the places I found while searching, and the only place I found with the added plus of Ayurvedic focus. My cleanse exceeded my expectations. Kim runs the program, she was attentive to our every need, she is kind, caring and supportive and went out of her way to ensure we had the everything we needed for a successful cleanse. This is not something I would do at home, but in the retreat environment and fresh air of the mountains I left feeling lighter in mind, body and spirit. The included massages were incredible, and yoga, mediation, chanting and ayurvedic health style, cooking and healthy eating classes were included as part the cleanse. All of the staff I encountered were friendly, pleasant, and helpful. The food we ate while cleansing was fresh and delicious but simple to support the cleanse. And I loved the loose dosha teas and clean water refills that were always available in the lobby outside the beautiful mediation room. The rooms at the spa were simple and clean, with a tv, small fridge, and private bathroom. Next time I may stay in a retreat room instead of hotel style, I did not turn on the TV once and don't think the other differences matter. There is no AC in the rooms. There is a ceiling fan in the room, and additional fans in the closet if needed, but the mountain air is cool and clean and I felt it best to sleep with full open windows(there are screens). The bed was comfy and I slept better than I usually do at home. There were also spa robes in the closet to don prior to massage. The last day we ate in the main dining room outside on the terrace with beautiful mountain views. I saw many comments in the reviews, and I am HAPPY they do not allow smoking on site. I found the food to be simple but fresh, and was actually surprised to see some cereal, coffee and other additional not so healthy items so there appears to be something for anyone on a vegetarian diet. I did not see anything that looked like it came from a can or was previously frozen. The is a wonderful place to be quiet and reflective, especially while cleansing. I felt it was a great bargain and wonderful experience, and would love to return with my family.

Stepping into silence was a transformative experience. I would recommend it to anyone that is ready to shift toward the positive in their lives. Poornima was full of wisdom and made the whole experience rich. Thank you!

This place is truly magical! I have been to several retreats, and this was the most spiritual one by far. The spa services were fantastic, and the happiness retreat, which I participated in, was beyond what I had ever imagined. On top of that, the food was amazing! I will definitely be back for another retreat very soon.

Best retreat spot that I have been too. I did the Silent Retreat program and it was mind blowing. I have never felt so rejuvenated from a holiday What I liked the most: the program itself, the retreat location (there are some beautiful trails around) , the vegan food , the ayurveda massages. Definitely going there again in early Spring for a retreat !

They truly do not even deserve one star. This facility is very dirty and disgusting with roaches and mold all over. No one cleans well nor do they care. They mix things in your food without telling you particularly if you have allergies. You chance your health going here. They are truly out of integrity on every level and you will be ripped off going here and could possibly die since there is NO notice about food ingredients. BUYER BEWARE. FIND A BETTER PLACE TO GO SO YOU WON'T GET SICK NOR BE DISAPPOINTED!!! BAD PLAYERS. BAD BUSINESS. SAVE YOUR MONEY!

This place gives you the truest rest for the mind and body. From the blissful, yet light yoga, delicious and healthy food and deep meditations, this place is true to its name a Retreat Center in the Heavenly mountains. I come here about twice a year, sometimes bring my family as they also have kids programs. The programs offered by Art of Living are customized for a novice, beginner, intermediate and advanced levels and everyone feels comfortable. They also have a Spa which i plan to use in the future - have heard my co-participants rave about it Add the Art of Living Retreat center and its programs to your bucket list!

This place is nothing but heaven. I have been here so many times and it always surprises me with its beauty. This retreat center is located in the laps of beautiful mountains surrounded by long trees. I immediately go into meditative state when I come here for retreats. I forget my worries and become one with nature by breathing such fresh oxygen. I would definitely recommend anyone and everyone to come here, unwind and be with yourself.

I was anxious about attending the retreat. I don't believe the AOLC website gives enough information for first time guests. The positive online review did not give much detail about the center while the negative reviews gave much more detail. I used Waze and double checked the directions before leaving home and had no issues arriving at the center. Once off the main road signage is very good. My hotel room was in the Spa West building down the hill. I drove down, parked and took the elevator to my floor and was pleasantly surprised by how nice the room was. It has been updated from the online photos and is restful and beautiful. There is no air conditioner but the updated rooms have ceiling fans and there were box fans in the closet. Even with the fans it was warm overnight, about 74 in the room, but not unbearable for August in North Carolina. The spa treatment I had was Sundarya which is a 90-minute massage followed by a salt scrub. I can't say enough about how wonderful that was. The waiting area for the spa was beautiful and I wish I had spent more time relaxing in that room. The treatment room are on the second floor and are in converted hotel rooms. I had read a negative review stating that fact but to me it was a positive. Windows looking toward the mountains, peaceful music, and total privacy. Cynthia treated me with such respect and I could feel the care she has for her clients. At the beginning of the treatment she sang a short chant and blessed me with health - mentally, physically, and spiritually. After my treatment I was escorted to the steam room where I sat for a bit and then showered to remove all the oils and salts. The steam room is another converted hotel room so it is a bit small. There are four seats in the actual steam room but I would not want more than two people at a time in the area as it is a bit tight. There was only one other person in the room when I arrived and she quickly left so I had the whole room to myself. The dining hall is about 1/2 mile uphill from the spa with a change in elevation of 183 feet. Fortunately, there is a shuttle on-demand. The walk is not terrible but I found myself so hot and sweaty once I arrived at the dining hall it took some time before I was comfortable again. Caffeinated coffee is available in the dining hall along with teas and decaffeinated coffee. They also offer ayurvedic tea blends in the lobby of the spa but it would have been nice to have other tea options. I had read negative reviews about the foods served but I thought it was all delicious. Dinners included peanut vermicelli with teriyaki "chicken," and rice with palaak paneer. Several vegetables were offered as well as salads. Breakfast was typically an egg-substitute dish, oatmeal with toppings, fruits, GF bread and a fabulous sourdough bread. The dining hall was spacious with several levels of seating as well as outdoor seating. Doors and windows were open with fans blowing. I feel the name of the Happiness Retreat has a superficial attachment but as it is the prerequisite for all other retreats, I signed up for it. The leader was engaging. By the end of the weekend, the closeness I felt with the other participants was surprising. So far, I have continued the practice after arriving home. I did feel like there was a bit of "hard sell" at the end of the retreat - whether it was additional retreats or payment for the app. I feel after the retreat, participants should be given the recording we used during the class or one month free on the app. I am currently in the 14-day free trial period of the app and do enjoy using it. It's only been a week since the retreat and I find myself revisiting some of the principals that were discussed. I look forward to attending other retreats.

What a wonderful weekend! Truely peaceful and relaxing. The staff and instructors are just wonderful. I loved that everyone works many different jobs. So you would see someone driving the shuttle then behind the desk and then leading the Kirtan! So much fun! Thank you!!

The most beautiful yoga retreat and spa getaway I could hope for. The hiking trails are fabulous too

Just what was needed! The center, the programs, the staff, the food, the grounds, and the energy was all amazing!

This is an amazing retreat center. I was so impressed with how friendly and knowledgeable the staff and facilitators are. I also had a wonderful massage in the spa. It is a comfortable place to relax. If you can get away and unplug, I certainly recommend doing it here.

Beautiful location with incredible views. I did the Happiness Retreat, which was a deeply spiritual experience.

The transportation sucks. I only counted two shuttles and there was no schedule. They said I could call and they would send the shuttle for me buy that was a lie. I had to wait until one came around and hope that it wasn't full. The area is very hilly if your room isn't near the dining hall you are in trouble. The path to the main hall from the dining hall was torturous. My thighs, calves and back hurt for two days following my visit. The food is cafeteria style processed vegan food. I was very disappointed. I will never visit this location again. It doesn't matter who is speaking there, I will never go again.

The serenity of this place has stayed with me even weeks after leaving. There is clearly something very special about it. Between the staff, the guests and the retreat offerings -- one is surrounded by kindred spirits and endless beauty of all kinds. Can't wait to return!!

The retreat center situated in the heart of the Blue ridge mountains is a must visit. Amazing facilities, fantastic spa, and simply delicious food!! I had signed up for a 4 day retreat, which rejuvenated and helped me slow down from my hectic and fast paced life! Will definitely visit again!!

I visited the Art living Retreat first time and it is most beautiful place the energy is good and everyone so helpful and the mountains are so beautiful

The rooms were very comfortable and the conveniences were quite abundant !Anytime I visit the retreat center I would highly recommend staying at the spa

I attended a Stepping into Silence Meditation Retreat where I expected to learn breathing and meditation techniques to help me obtain some semblance of peace while maneuvering through a multitude of stresses in my life. What I received was two days jammed full of therapy telling us all to let things go and forget about the pain life had dealt us and move on or we would never heal. I did glean a couple of breathing techniques that were different and the yoga was nice but we were encouraged to enjoy time in nature while we were there even though the schedule they had for us was so full we hardly had time to think between sessions. Our meals were vegan and excellent. The spa (for an additional fee) was superb but hard to squeeze in considering the time constraints. It was stressed that we should not miss any session because they built on one another or we would get bumped into a different program. I was so traumatized after one of the sessions required sharing our problems with fellow participants that I spoke to the facilitator and was told I would never be ok if I did not let things go despite being still in the midst of the crisis. I chose then to leave the center after completing less than half of the program. I cried most of the 3.5 hours home and wrote to request a refund. I was told the director would contact me and am still waiting on that but am so disappointed that I paid so much money and had to relive my horrors instead of learn helpful skills to assist with them.

Art of Living's Retreat Center is my Home away from Home! More than just a beautiful location in the middle of Blue Ridge Mountains, it offers some great educational courses which I have had the good fortune to take. It has helped my journey of self discovery profoundly!

This place is magical. I don't know how but I do know that it offers peace in a way I can't describe. The food was amazing. The retreat was amazing too! I woke up to snow early so I made the most difficult decision to head out and get down the mountain, giving up the last day but I left knowing that I would be back.

So far its beautiful and nice people, but HOT! NO AIR CONDITIONING! I am very sensitive to heat and the website didn't say anything about not having A/C! It's about 40 degrees warmer here then home! UHG!

This place is magical!! Absolutely beautiful, serene with very unique, uplifting programs offered throughout the year. Food is so amazing...I crave for that food after each retreat. Massages are so authentic. Great place to go for a retreat with your family or co-workers

I was only expecting a spa retreat but it was so much more! I loved the R&R retreat which offers many classes which are optional so you can set your own schedule and mix in spa treatments. Every single one of the staff was amazing and enhanced the whole experience. I can't wait to go back!

The Environment is Peaceful and Serene. The Views are Breathtaking. You can participate in the daily yoga or meditation sessions or go around the property on a guided or self-guided tour. The food here is simple and healthy. All in all a great experience. Note: Head over to the reception for all details.

I enjoyed the vegetarian meals and the clean fresh environment. All the staff was friendly. And the Event was excellent... Same time next year I will be back... felt good in my body and spirit. Thank You for everything....

I have been yo Art of Living Retreat twice. Each time attending the same spiritual growth weekend retreat. The temple is a special place. The grounds are peaceful and calming. The vegetarian food is delicious. The staff are friendly and accommodating. I know I will be back!

The grounds are beautiful, but the accommodations are horrendous. Dorm-style, VERY UNCLEAN with thin paper sheets covering the disgusting stained mattresses. My mattress had blood on it, and the toilet had feces stains. No maid service. No soap or shampoo, so bring your own. One smelly towel per person, so if you're staying for a while, good luck. No WiFi service in the building I was in, and there were weird people who didn't work at the retreat lurking around my building at all times of the night (could be dangerous for single women staying here alone). NO SECURITY--NONE! This is a hazard for any women (or even skinny men like me) staying in the unlit, dark dorms with dark surrounding and weird men lurking about. The Indian workers at the retreat were very helpful, kind, and nice, but the front desk manager wasn't. The food was horrible. Bland vegetarian Indian food with NO SPICE or flavor whatsoever--can you imagine? Yep, it was disgusting slop. The grounds were beautiful, though, and I loved the yoga and meditation instructors and high-quality speakers. I did come away feeing somewhat refreshed. But the lack of cleanliness, comfort, WiFi, and decent food made the VERY LONG TRIP up to the retreat not worth it (five hours by plane and three hours by shittle bus). There are other retreats that would be worth the money. Not this one, even if the speakers are great (which mine were). Better to YouTube them instead.