Our Process
How We Score Every Retreat
RetreatVault doesn’t accept paid placements, affiliate commissions, or sponsored content. Every score is independently calculated using the same weighted methodology across all 120+ retreats.
Philosophy
Built by an Analytical Chemist
RetreatVault was founded on a simple premise: if you’re spending $5,000–$50,000 on a wellness retreat, you deserve data you can trust — not marketing copy.
Our scoring system was designed by an analytical chemist with deep experience in quantitative evaluation. The same rigor applied to laboratory analysis is applied to every retreat in our vault: controlled variables, weighted criteria, reproducible methodology, and zero conflicts of interest.
Where possible, retreats are visited first-hand. Where not, we rely on a triangulation of multiple verified data sources — never a single point of reference. The result is the most comprehensive, unbiased wellness retreat rating system available.
The RV Score
15 Weighted Categories, One Number
Each retreat is scored 0–10 across 15 categories. The final RV Score is a weighted average, with weights calibrated to what matters most to informed wellness travelers. Categories like Nutrition and Medical carry more weight than Add-Ons because peer-reviewed research shows they drive outcomes.
Nutrition & Food Quality
Menu analysis, dietary accommodation, organic sourcing, chef credentials, on-site gardens.
Fitness & Movement
Class variety, instructor qualifications, equipment quality, outdoor programming, personal training availability.
Mindfulness & Meditation
Daily offerings, teacher lineage, meditation spaces, silence options, breathwork programs.
Spa & Relaxation
Treatment breadth, therapist training, facility quality, hydrotherapy, signature experiences.
Sleep & Recovery
Mattress quality, blackout capability, noise environment, sleep programs, evening protocols.
Medical & Clinical
Physician credentials, diagnostic capability, lab access, treatment protocols, clinical research.
Personalization
Intake assessment depth, custom programming, staff-to-guest ratio, follow-up protocols.
Amenities & Facilities
Architecture, pools, grounds, room quality, common spaces, overall property impression.
Pricing & Value
Cost relative to inclusions, service bundling, hidden fees, cancellation policies.
Activities & Excursions
Off-property options, adventure programming, cultural experiences, nature access.
Education & Workshops
Lecture quality, workshop depth, take-home knowledge, expert faculty, cooking classes.
Ease of Travel
Airport proximity, transfer logistics, international accessibility, visa requirements.
Sustainability & Ethics
Environmental certifications, energy sourcing, waste management, community impact, local employment.
Social Proof & Reputation
Google/TripAdvisor ratings, press coverage, industry awards, longevity, word-of-mouth.
Add-Ons & Options
Upgrade availability, extended programs, specialist consultations, aesthetic services.
Score Tiers
What the Numbers Mean
The absolute pinnacle. Fewer than 5% of retreats earn this distinction.
Outstanding across nearly every dimension. Worth traveling for.
Strong programs with clear strengths. Great for specific goals.
Solid fundamentals. May excel in one or two areas.
Data Sources
Where Our Data Comes From
No single source is trusted in isolation. Every retreat is evaluated using multiple independent data streams, cross-referenced for accuracy and recency.
Retreat Websites
Every program page, menu, rate card, and facility description is manually reviewed and cataloged.
Google Reviews
Aggregate ratings and sentiment analysis across hundreds of verified guest reviews.
TripAdvisor
Cross-referenced ratings, review volume, and recency-weighted sentiment scoring.
Industry Awards
World Spa Awards, Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, Forbes Travel Guide designations.
First-Hand Visits
Select retreats are visited personally by our team. On-site observations calibrate our scoring models.
Published Research
PubMed studies on retreat outcomes, fasting protocols, and wellness modality efficacy inform category weights.
Ongoing
Scores Are Never Final
Retreats evolve. Chefs change. New programs launch. Facilities renovate. We re-evaluate every retreat quarterly and update scores to reflect the current experience — not what it was two years ago. The Vault Score History chart on each retreat page shows exactly how a property’s rating has moved over time.