About Menla

Mission & Vision

Surrounded by thousands of acres of Catskills forest preserve, Menla is nestled in a magical mountain valley. Throughout the year, guests enjoy deep serenity, abundant wildlife, and can explore many different levels of hikes.Area Information:Menla is 1,500 feet above sea level and set on a 325-acre private nature reserve. At 3,720 feet above sea level, the peak of Panther Mountain is one of the tallest in the Catskills. Menla is located in a region of the Catskills renowned for its unspoiled beauty, variety of wildlife, abundance of rushing streams and rivers, and ancient forested mountains.The Catskills are one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world and used to be connected to the Alps before the continental divide. Aside from its natural splendor, the area offers such activities as hiking, swimming, kayaking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. For avid downhill skiers, the noted Belleayre and Hunter Mountain resorts are just half an hour away.An easy drive from New York City, Menla is located in Phoenicia, NY—voted one of the “Top 10 Coolest Small Towns in America”—and just 20 minutes away is the most famous small town in America, Woodstock, known for its deep-rooted culture of music, art galleries, and great restaurants.Meals:Menla’s wellness cuisine is centered around serving fresh, delicious and healing foods. We source primarily from local farms with an eye toward seasonal and organic fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes. We also receive a wonderful bounty from our on-site organic garden throughout the year.Our Executive Chef, Charles Goodall, loves to explore the fantastic flavors of various regional cuisines through their use of different ingredients, particularly herbs and spices. He and the kitchen team create combination of traditional and modern dishes that showcase what the Hudson Valley has to offer in a delicious and healing way.Most of our offerings are vegetarian and vegan with an emphasis on excellent taste and texture as well as balanced nutrition and wellness promotion.We work with a number of dietary restrictions and allergies, so let us know your needs in advance, and we’ll work with you to give you a fantastic dining experience during your time with us.Accommodation:Upon arriving at Menla, you enter into a natural paradise. Our accommodations are extremely comfortable, and the décor is accented with a touch of Tibet. Guests can choose from a variety of different rooms, from our deluxe private suites to shared housing.Additional Activities:○ Skiing (Belleayre, Hunter, and Windham Mountains)○ Hiking○ Art galleries○ Fine dining○ Antique shopping○ Music○ Theater (Upstate Films, Woodstock Playhouse)

Upcoming Retreats at Menla

Getting Here

Location icon Menla, 375 Panterkill Road PO Box 70 Phoenicia, NY 12464 United States

Customer Reviews

4.85 out of 5.0 average rating

5.0
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Our Destiny Lies in Our Origins Retreat
The staff was very kind. The food was delicious. My room and bed were very clean. The grounds are lovely to walk. I wished I would have booked an extra day to enjoy the walking paths, indoor and outdoor meditation areas, and book a massage.

5.0
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Breathtaking, every moment
I loved every moment being at menla. I stayed in dragon 5 and even with 4 other people there, 2 of which strangers at first, it was my home away from home. The food was AMAZING and the serenity unmatched. I especially loved all the creeks and rivers running through the property. The birds and deer were beautiful sources of happiness throughout the day. Every member of staff was beyond friendly and a joy to interact with. Thank you thank you thank you!!

5.0
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Wonderful
The staff are friendly, polite, helpful and genuinely kind. Food is outstanding. Facilities are clean and comfortable. The setting is gorgeous: full of flowers and trees , ringed by mountains, with a river, waterfalls and a pond.
This was our third time there, and we’ve loved it each time.

5.0
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Exquisite
While I can't speak to the accommodations for multi-room occupancy, my time in a private room with a stream outside my window allowed me to quickly settle into stillness and inner connection. Greeted by wild turkeys, deer and rabbits, the abundant expression of forests, waterways and mountains provided opportunity for deepening into the natural world in all of its abundance. The crisp air and even an afternoon rainbow added to the ambience and invitation to relax and breathe. The food was delicious, varied and healthy; the staff friendly and present to our needs; the public spaces filled with beauty augmented by extraordinary photography, sacred tapestries and clean design. The single "caveat" is to be aware that ability to walk on uneven ground and to navigate steps (or make arrangements for assistance) might be critical for your full, unfettered enjoyment of your time there. I hope a return visit is in my future. Robin H.

4.0
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Lovely location with beautiful views and a peaceful feeling
I came as part of a retreat with a plus size wellness group and loved the Menla campus. The space felt peaceful and was so wonderfully green and bright. There were stars everywhere in the sky at night. Wild animals were everywhere - I saw bunnies, deer, turkeys, chipmunks, all sort of birds.

I loved being there, getting to feel connected to nature, and to catch up on reading.

There was food every day offered by Menla staff. Good quality, though very high fiber. Worth considering bringing a beano tablet with you.

Staff had some awkward moments. My group was definitely treated with the sense that we were a fat camp (we were not) and talks were very gendered, even though I am nonbinary I was lumped in with women and sacred womanhood talk.

The Spa was wonderful - big showers, the robes fit my plus size body, no one was weird about my body. I got a wonderful and super relaxing facial and I took a salt bath which was wonderful. The tub might not be well suited for a very tall person but I am 5'2 and so I fit perfectly fine.

We had a bonfire, which was so nice. They offered smores supplies. Loved it.

Overall a wonderful experience. I would love to come back.

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