Andrew Lim
Google
A Beautiful Setting Undermined by Overbearing Host Behavior
I stayed at Casin’ Anand in May for a one-week yoga retreat, and while the property itself is beautiful and the kitchen staff went above and beyond—preparing delicious vegetarian meals daily—my overall experience was, unfortunately, disheartening.
The retreat was marketed as an ideal location for yoga and relaxation, which made the overly watchful and somewhat rigid behavior of the owners, particularly the female host, quite jarring. While I understand the importance of maintaining property standards, the way expectations were enforced felt more intrusive than welcoming. For instance, when I inquired about yoga blocks, I was told, with no small amount of condescension, that “true Kundalini warriors” don’t use props—a sentiment that didn’t align with the inclusive spirit most retreats embrace.
Using the sauna required daily permission and came with strict instructions about towel usage to protect the wood. The A/C remote had a sign warning not to adjust the temperature, and access to the gym was only allowed under staff escort. For the price point, these restrictions felt unnecessarily controlling and not in line with the experience typically offered by wellness-oriented retreats.
Most concerning was a safety incident in which a guest was injured by a pool umbrella that hadn’t been secured properly during high winds. The injury required an ER visit and stitches. Instead of expressing concern, the owners quickly blamed the guest, even though there were no posted warnings or clear instructions about staff-only umbrella usage. Given the distance between the pool and the front office, expecting guests to seek permission each time felt impractical—and avoidable had proper signage or staffing been in place.
This could be a truly wonderful retreat space if more emphasis were placed on guest comfort and less on enforcing rigid expectations. While some guests may appreciate a highly structured environment, others—like myself—may find it counterproductive to the spirit of rest, healing, and hospitality.