What is this experience?
Set in Bali’s central highlands in the lush Ayung River valley near Ubud, Four Seasons Bali at Sayan is a wondrous, stylish space to retreat with friends and family.
Enjoy graceful suites and villas ensconced within 18 acres of verdant forest complete with rice paddies. Enjoy peace and solitude, indulgent spa treatments, sumptuous feasts and memorable culture.
Led by internationally-trained facilitators with backgrounds in trauma-informed yoga, somatic movement, and nature therapy. Suitable for all experience levels. The maximum group size of 12 guests ensures a genuinely intimate experience where connection forms naturally.
Typical daily rhythm
The QoR Edit
Why we chose this retreat
"The Elevation Barn is one of those rare finds — a retreat that delivers on every promise, and then some."
Our editor Emma visited in September 2025 and described it as the most considered retreat environment she'd encountered in a decade of retreat reviewing. What makes it exceptional isn't any single element — it's the totality. The setting (a beautifully restored Balinese property surrounded by rice paddies) is genuinely stunning; the hosts hold the space with rare warmth and expertise; and the programme is intelligently sequenced to move you from arrival anxiety to deep rest within 48 hours.
We only recommend retreats we've experienced first-hand. This one earned our full endorsement.
What makes it special
Honest considerations
Retreat dates & pricing
All programmes run Saturday to Saturday. Prices are per person and include accommodation, all meals, transfers, and the full programme.
Your accommodation
Three room types, each designed for rest and renewal. All include en-suite bathrooms and garden access.
Facilities & space
Every element of the Elevation Barn is designed to deepen your retreat — not distract from it.
Your hosts
Led by credentialed practitioners with a combined 22 years of retreat facilitation across Europe and Southeast Asia.
Sofia has been teaching and facilitating since 2014, working across Portugal, Bali, and the UK. Her work draws on trauma-informed yoga, somatic experiencing, and Jungian depth psychology.
Jamie is a certified nature and forest therapy guide who has worked across Bali, the Azores, and Scotland. He brings a quiet, grounded presence that guests consistently describe as transformative.
"We don't try to fix anyone. We create the conditions in which people can remember who they already are."
— Sofia & Jamie
Food & nourishment
Three meals a day, plus snacks, herbal teas, and cold-pressed juices throughout. Every meal is a considered act.
The kitchen at Elevation Barn is plant-forward, locally sourced, and prepared with extraordinary care. Inspired by Balinese tradition and guided by seasonal availability, meals are designed to nourish the body and delight the senses — never to restrict.
Some fish and ethically sourced chicken are available. All dietary requirements are accommodated with advance notice.
Dietary needs we accommodate
Sample menu
What guests say
47 verified reviews
Guests consistently describe Elevation Barn as transformative without being prescriptive. The hosting team receives exceptional praise across all reviews — particularly for their ability to hold space for guests arriving at different emotional starting points. Food is regularly cited as "unexpectedly exceptional." The setting — rice paddies, open-air yoga shala — appears in nearly every review as a decisive factor. Solo travellers note how naturally community forms.
"The most present I've felt in years. I arrived exhausted and depleted. I left feeling like myself again — and I hadn't realised how far I'd drifted."
"Sofia and Jamie hold the space with such warmth. The food alone is worth the trip — and I say that as someone who came for the yoga."
"I've done a lot of retreats. This one is different. It doesn't try to fix you. It just gives you the space to remember who you already are."
"Genuinely transformative. The quality of everything — the facilitation, the food, the setting — exceeded every expectation. Already looking at dates for next year."
Location & getting here
Gianyar, Bali — set in the cultural heartland of the island, 40 minutes from Ubud.
Explore the area
Beyond the retreat, Gianyar and the surrounding area offer some of the most culturally rich experiences in Bali. Our team's personal picks:
Frequently asked questions
Full refund up to 90 days before arrival. 50% refund between 60–90 days. Credit note only within 60 days. No refund or credit within 30 days. We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance. Cancellations must be submitted in writing.
A 25% deposit is required to secure your place — no payment is taken today when you enquire. The balance is due 60 days before your arrival date. We accept all major cards via our secure payment processor.
Light, breathable clothing for warm tropical days and cooler evenings. A journal (we provide one, but you may have your own practice). Insect repellent and sun protection. Yoga mats and all equipment are provided, but you're welcome to bring your own. And above all — an open mind.
Yes, fully. The kitchen accommodates vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, and most other dietary needs with advance notice. Please note your requirements when booking. Severe allergies are taken seriously — the team will contact you directly to discuss.
Absolutely. Around 60% of guests attend solo. The intimacy of the group (max 12 guests) means community forms naturally and quickly. Solo travellers consistently cite the connections made as one of the most unexpected highlights of the experience.
Wi-Fi is available in communal areas and rooms but is intentionally kept at reduced speeds during the programme hours. The team encourages a gentle digital detox — but it is never compulsory. Most guests find they naturally disconnect within the first 24 hours.
Our promise to you
Every retreat listed on Queen of Retreats meets our rigorous standard of quality, care, and integrity.
Our prices reflect those set by each retreat. By booking through Queen of Retreats, you receive the same rate, alongside considered advice and ongoing support.
Every retreat is visited and assessed in person by our editorial team — we only list what we genuinely believe in.
All payments are encrypted via Stripe. Your 25% deposit is held securely and your booking is fully protected.
We prioritise retreats that invest in local communities, sustainable practices, and ethical hospitality.
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