Joshua Tree Retreat

Joshua Tree and the stillness of the Mojave Desert has always been an escape from city life, yet haeven is a truly unique slice of the healing desert. The natural restorative energy + magic of this land was discovered by mindfulness teacher + owner Mel Daly, and is what mesmerizes its guests again + again.

Even in the midst of the harsh desert elements, this land is abundant with eucalyptus trees, rare "coyote squash" growing in the back desert, turtle doves building their nests each spring on our patio, wild hares running by the cowboy tub, multiple shooting stars each night above the hot tub and more.

Instead of building fortress-like fences + plucking away any evidence of nature for a "pristinely modern" but sterile environment, we celebrate the healing power of untouched nature - whether simply for much-needed relaxation or for deeper soul recalibration.

The sprawling 5 acre property has three spacious bedrooms offering serenity + rejuvenation, each featuring luxurious bedding, Mojave Desert art and large windows/French Doors out to the panoramic views of Joshua Trees.

The common areas provide ample space for connection and restoration: an indoor yoga studio + sauna room; an outdoor custom eucalpytus wood meditation shala; stargazing hammocks; 2 shaded patios with ample seating for groups + views out to endless Joshua Trees; a large fire pit with seating dug into the earth; a large group dining table + grill/bar for sunset dinners; an oversized sunken living room with large seating capacity for groups, and an open kitchen/dining area perfect for celebrating nourishing meals + connection over cocktails or mocktails.

The spaciousness of haeven and its immersion in the untouched desert landscape makes relaxation easy.

With an array of luxurious + restorative amenities, every ounce of your mind, body + soul has a chance for deep relaxation.

Lounge by the refreshing plunge tub (cold plunge in winter for contrast hydrotherapy, refreshing pool in summer) and bask in the sun on the pool chairs looking out to the majestic Joshua Trees.

Detox your body + calm your mind in the sauna (or treat your body to the anti-inflammatory benefits of contrast therapy - cold plunge followed by sauna or hot tub).

Find inner stillness in the outdoor meditation shala surrounded by our rare cacti garden. Then awaken + invigorate your body in the indoor yoga studio, gazing out through the large sliding doors to let the healing desert energy wash over you.

Savor alfresco meals prepared on the BBQ grill while enjoying the magic of haeven's "golden hour" - the time just before sunset when the mountains + Joshua Trees light up pink.

Wind down the evening stargazing in the hot tub or hammocks, witnessing the multiple shooting stars that dance across this desert sky each and every night. Or bask in the light of the full moon rising over the mountains from the comfort of the fire pit.

With an array of unparalleled amenities, you can sink more deeply into the relaxation of your retreat. Whether attending one of our retreats or hosting your own, everything has been taken care of. Enjoy high-speed internet, an indoor/outdoor bluetooth speaker, and a smart TV for your own enjoyment, to enhance group sessions, set the mood + amplify the healing. Rest easy with unlimited access to laundry and a fully equipped kitchen with 2 ovens, all brand new kitchen appliances, an air fryer oven, smoothie blender, etc. No need to bring your own yoga mat, everything is here for you. Just arrive, rest + recalibrate to the stillness of this unique desert land.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"Writing this now, I’m looking back at my journal entries from this weekend, and I’m inspired by the person I tapped into while I was there, a person who is me, but less apparent in everyday life. My goal is to keep this version of me at all times :)

Saying “yes” to this opportunity was such a gift to myself. My weekend with Mel (the owner) helped me reconnect with practices that I’d started to look at as more “checking the boxes,” and, the unexpected surprise of bringing myself back to my body with movement. I recommend this retreat to anyone who is seeking a deeper connection with themselves. Mel is a gifted healer and creator of nourishing space.."

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"This retreat was one of the best things I’ve done for myself. I was burned out and on a hamster wheel of work, worry, stress repeat. Out of sheer desperation I went on this website and booked a retreat with the owner Mel, knowing little about what was in store for me. Through her pre-session meetings, I got a better sense, but you never really know until you get there.

From the moment I set foot on the property, I felt serene and taken care of. Mel is incredible in so many ways: as a host, a curator of experiences tailored to your specific energy and season of life, and a cook of amazing, nutritious meals. Best of all, she hones in on the practical elements of a spiritual transformation that you can take back to “real life” with you so that your shift transcends the amazing but brief time in the desert.

While meditating at home tonight, I remember a little bit the look of the stars in Joshua Tree, and somehow, I’m accessing the same incredible feeling. If you’re on the fence about booking this, all I can say is it’s worth it."

It is my deepest passion (besides my 2 children!) to help guide humans back to their most joyful selves.

I've been helping individuals find greater joy in their mind, body and soul for 12+ years now, as a certified personal trainer, brain-body expert, mindfulness and mindset coach and yoga teacher.

While I've always been passionate about fitness, wellness, and the mind-body connection, there were times my Capricorn, East Coast, societally conditioned type-A ambitious (but deep down free spirit) self got caught up deep in the rat race.

Thankfully, my body kept speaking to me and bringing me back to myself, my purpose, and my zest for life. From a young age, I remember always thinking how dulled down adults looked - robotically shuffling from a job they hate back to their couch, passing the time with TV, hunched over from "computer life".

Everything I've done - personally and professionally - has been to challenge this status quo. So that my soul doesn't feel like it's being stomped on by the "just suck it up and grind it out, this is just how life is" mentality. And so my body isn't crammed into cubicle hustle life that leaves us feeling like crippled zombies (I say jokingly, but also sadly seriously, as I found myself in this corporate reality for a few rough years).

But all roads kept leading back to the body. The body as our portal to not just health, but greater calm, happiness, wholeness, inner peace, confidence, creativity, abundance, the list goes on. I now know that the human body is our greatest source of power - it holds everything we desire.

It is where we feel joy, it is where we source our energy + vitality from, it is where we can hear our intuition + create our most abundant life, and it is where we quite literally live our lives. Yet, the human body has been pushed to the sidelines in the hustle and bustle of modern life, and it's time to reclaim its rightful place at the forefront of our lives.

It is my greatest passion to help people deepen their relationship with their body, so they can physically, mentally, and spiritually experience the fullness of life that is available to them.

I hold a wide variety of rigorous trainings + certifications:

fitness and wellness: certified personal trainer (ACE), restorative + orthopedic fitness specialist (ACE), fitness nutrition specialist (ACE), and more
pain, the nervous system + brain-body connection: Z-Health Practitioner (4 certifications - R, I, S, and T phase) on the functional application of the nervous system to wellness and performance
behavior change, mindset coaching + mindfulness (ACE-Certified Behavior Change Specialist; advanced mindfulness courses with Eckart Tolle, Dr. Joe Dispenza; student of Deepak Chopra, Rapid Resolution Therapy, and more)
yoga - 200 HR YTT - Yoga Renew

Because motherhood is precious to me, I only run a select number of private retreats personally. For all other retreats, I partner with the Mojave Desert's "la creme de la creme" - the best of the best - healers + practitioners, to bring you a powerful retreat experience that is personally vetted by me. Thus, your retreat is naturally infused with my intention of deeply recalibrating you to your most alive self - in mind, body + soul.

What will haeven reawaken within you?

the power of untouched nature.

a retreat for friends, couples, or solo travelers.

indoor + outdoor spaces to reconnect with nature.

wellness amenities for mind|body|soul

for your ease + relaxation.

What Our Guests Have To Say

- Tash S., U.K.; (solo retreat)

- Robyn D.; NYC; (solo retreat)

- Marilyn M.; California (solo retreat)

meet Mel, owner, and haeven's healers.

your desert reset awaits.