The Secret Retreat Outside Of LA Where The A-List Goes To Get Healthy

Photo Credit: We Care Spa

As I drove through the Palm Desert to Desert Hot Springs, I didn’t know what to expect: the journey to We Care Spa — the LA-living A-list’s go-to destination for health, wealth, and (safely monitored) weight loss, wasn’t the most beautiful I’ve seen. But the retreat itself is like the light at the end of a tunnel — stunning, self-contained, and totally separate from its nearby surroundings.

Which is a great thing, because if someone had told me that I’d voluntarily agreed to fast for four days, I would have said they were crazy. But that’s the name of the game here, and I absolutely lived for my smoothies and soups, running to grab them eagerly at the moment they were available. But let me tell you: I came out of this three-night retreat with an appreciation for my body — and had a better understanding of what the junk I put into it is actually doing to me. But this cleanse is actually not a Beyonce-like cayenne pepper, lemon, and water drink alone: it’s a comprehensive nutritive fast with 12 different teas, pressed juices, shakes, soups, and water, to allow a break from digesting solid foods and to combat toxins, sick cells, and stress. The break from traditional meals also encourages healthier coping skills like breathwork, meditation, and mindfulness to reset emotional blockages and poor diets.

Photo Credit: We Care Spa

And that’s the purpose of We Care: the belief that everyone has the potential to rediscover the joy of healthy living through guided fasting and holistic spa treatments. It’s a 20-acre desert oasis, a transformative retreat with uninterrupted desert vistas, 40+ spa treatments, daily nutrition and yoga classes, evening sound baths, and weekly fire ceremonies, a concept created by founder Susana Belen, who embarked on her own healing journey when she found herself divorced with four children and consumed by anxiety, fear, anger, and frustration. Finding practices that left her feeling strong through intense study and practice, she was able to reform her relationship with food and nutrition and tap into her body’s natural vitality through yoga and exercise. The We Care Spa methods have been derived directly from Susana’s personal experience and ongoing education.

The retreat is such a success because of Susana’s practices, and that they’re paired with her daughter, Susan’s, business acumen and love of hosting, which has created an inviting, nurturing escape for guests wanting to make a serious commitment to their health.  Susan, having worked in the fashion industry in Paris and New York, began partnering with her mom 35 years ago on further enhancing We Care Spa to what it is today — a luxury spa retreat with 28 rooms, paired with cutting-edge holistic treatments, and the same fasting program since the center was created in 1986.  Susan worked with renowned interior designer Debbie Fogel of Fogel Interiors on the redesign of the guest rooms and executive suites, and public areas, while Susan sourced Buddhist and Hindu sculptures from around the world, which now grace the property’s grounds.

Photo Credit: We Care Spa

Susana’s programming is based on the convergence between ancient modalities and modern healing, which has been reflected in the retreat’s architecture and design.  The Suites at We Care Spa feature oversized soaking tubs, showers, air purifiers, reverse osmosis water on tap throughout the property, circadian light system, yoga mats, weights, Rabbit Air purification systems, rebounder trampolines, refrigerators in each room, diffusers with optional essential oils, patios to enjoy the desert landscape, and an incredible Kangen water system on site. The 28 suites are spread across a rich landscape of bougainvillea, lemon groves, beautiful statues of Hindu and Buddhist traditions, large crystals, and shaded meditation gardens.  The property also features two pools, a juice bar, infrared sauna, and steam room.

Dedicated instructors are hand to educate guests about how to create and maintain a holistic life in all areas, including mind, body and spirit, and minimizing toxins.  This philosophy for a healthy lifestyle includes breathwork, meditation and yoga, eating a mostly organic plant-based diet, eliminating gluten and alcohol, minimizing sugar, maintaining a home free of toxic cleaning products, keeping an alkaline PH balance in the body through alkaline water and diet, and conducting a weekly or quarterly fasting protocol. Group classes included complimentary for all guests include yoga, sound healing, meditation, Pilates, a transformational fire ceremony, nutrition, Breaking the Fast course, breathwork, and hypnosis.

Photo Credit: We Care Spa

The Spa treatments — which have been mostly created by Susan — include a system recovery treatment with a castor oil body wrap; a magnesium wrap, crystal craniosacral; chocolate vanilla firming scrub; mud healing treatment; colon hydrotherapy; nutritional guidance; shamanic healing; Thai massage; cupping; CBD massage; hypnosis; reiki; tarot reading; and many more.

Perhaps the wildest thing I did was something called a biofeedback analysis. I was given an advanced scan through sound wave technology that examined my entire body by measuring the frequencies of my cells, tissues, and organs.  The scan told me I was allergic to much more than I thought, and perhaps I wouldn’t have believed it had the scan also not found mold in my system (which, I later determined to be true); but I would not have realized the reason I was constantly feeling poorly if not for We Care Spa.

Photo Credit: We Care Spa

So was it worth it? The answer is a resounding YES. Was it difficult to fast? Um, yes, of course but I felt lighter, cleaner, and more resolved to take are of myself as a result. So whether you need to detox, want a healthier way of life, or simply want to lose weight safely (as some of your favorite stars have done), We Care Spa is an amazing place to do so. Give it (and the road in) a chance.

Photo Credit: We Care Spa

Retreat options start at $2,019+ for two nights, $5,049+ for five nights, and $6,149+ for seven nights.

Photo Credit: We Care Spa