Looking for Something Different for Your Next Retreat?  Check Out These Unique Retreat Centers

Every retreat venue has something that makes it truly unique.  For some, it's the breathtaking scenery or the proximity to popular attractions. For others, it's the impeccable menu, welcoming staff, or rich history.  Whatever it is - it makes an indelible mark on visitors that keeps them coming back year after year. If you're looking for something out of the ordinary for your next event, you owe it to yourself to check out these great venues. Manhattan College: Bronx, NY Manhattan College achieved its "One Stop Shop" certification from ACCED-i in fall 2016. Our conference services team offers a one-stop shop style service where clients book everything through this one office. Our campus is situated in the beautiful Riverdale section of the Bronx just steps from the local #1 train which gets guests and visitors into midtown Manhattan in minutes. The seclusion of our hilltop campus combined with the easy and convenient access to NYC and all it has to offer makes our site a unique, safe and cost effective venue for meetings, events, and overnight conferences.  Learn more about this unique retreat venue. [caption id="attachment_16070" align="aligncenter" width="560"] Kelly Commons - Manhattan College[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16071" align="aligncenter" width="549"] Smith Hall - Manhattan College[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16072" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Summer Conferences - Manhattan College[/caption]   Thunderbird Executive Inn & Conference Center: Glendale, AZ Thunderbird Executive Inn is unique because we are located on the historic campus of Thunderbird School of Global Management /ASU. The graduate school was built on the site of Thunderbird Field, a historic airbase established to train American, Canadian, British and Chinese pilots during World War II. Several landmark buildings including the airfield control tower, barracks, and airplane hangars can still be seen on the modern campus.  Learn more about this unique retreat center. [caption id="attachment_16432" align="aligncenter" width="449"] AT&T Auditorium at Thunderbird Executive Inn and Conference Center[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16433" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Thunderbird Executive Inn and Conference Center[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16434" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Luxurious accommodations at Thunderbird Executive Inn & Conference Center[/caption] Capon Springs and Farms: Capon Springs, WV Located on 4,700 acres in the lush, green mountains of West Virginia, Capon Springs and Farms is a popular destination for event planners throughout the region. The venue is a third-generation, family-owned retreat center with many unique features, including one of the nation’s best preserved spring-fed pools. The pool’s natural spring water is known for its alkalinity which neutralizes the buildup of acid in the body. In the 1920s & 1930s, Capon water was used exclusively by two U.S. Olympic teams and the entire U.S. Congress. Today, it is enjoyed throughout the entire retreat facility, as it flows into all guest rooms, the kitchen, and spa. Capon Springs and Farms' pool has been featured in a number of national publications, including the Washington Post, and was the overwhelming winner of Retreat Central's "Best Retreat Center Pool" contest in 2016.  Even its semi-weekly draining is a much-anticipated event known as “walk on the bottom.” Capon Springs' host and group coordinator Jonathan Bellingham says, "I know the healing properties of the Capon pool first-hand. Over the last 30 years from late April to mid-November resort season, I've taken early morning dips, just as my grandfather did during his lifetime."  Learn more about this unique retreat center [caption id="attachment_16355" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Artist's rendering of Washingtonians in 1900 enjoying the healing benefits of the pool's mineral-rich spring waters[/caption]

Image Credit: The Washington Post

[caption id="attachment_16356" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Capon Springs and Farms' spring fed pool today[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16357" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Crystal-clear, mineral-rich spring water maintains a constant temperature of 65 degrees year-round[/caption] Geronimo Creek Retreat, Seguin, TX Geronimo Creek Retreat Center's unique features include its tipi accommodations. Despite their rustic exterior, these tipis feature modern conveniences including air conditioning, satellite TV, kitchenettes with sinks, under-counter refrigerators, stovetops and extra-large toaster oven/microwaves. Each of the 5 tipi is spacious enough for up to six people, and guests have access to their own barbeque pits for grilling, picnic tables and fire pits for chatting or relaxing with friends and family. Be sure to bring the marshmallows! Geronimo Creek Retreat is located north of Seguin, Texas - just a short drive from San Marcos and New Braunfels.  Learn more about this unique retreat location. [caption id="attachment_16358" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Geronimo Creek Retreat's tipis are situated around the venue's private pond[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16359" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Plush interior of one of Geronimo Creek Retreat's unique tipi accommodations[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16360" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Rustic exterior of one of Geronimo Creek Retreat's tipis[/caption] River Road Treehouses, New Braunfels, TX Want to take your next retreat to new heights - literally? Located in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, River Road Treehouses Retreat offers unique accommodations that harken back to your childhood. The moment you arrive at River Road Treehouses Retreat and see the enormous eighty-foot cypress trees with decades-old wild mustang grapevines hanging from their limbs, you realize you are in a very special place. This unique venue features a footbridge attached to the trees to take you safely across the seasonal creek to your private treehouse. The tree houses are located on the opposite side of River Road from the Guadalupe River and provide guests with a picturesque setting that offers an exhilarating experience. You won't have to climb a rope ladder to get to these unique accommodations, and you won't find a "No Girls Allowed" sign on the door.  Instead, each treehouse features plush amenities you might expect to find at a 5-star hotel, and views that are truly breathtaking.  Amenities include air conditioning, wi-fi, satellite TV, kitchen, and full bathroom. In addition to its unique accommodations, the venue's central location provides guests with river access from the property, and easy access to Canyon Lake (a boat ramp is only minutes away), Whitewater Amphitheater and River Road Icehouse, historic Gruene Hall, and New Braunfels, which is only 11 miles from the treehouses.  Learn more about this unique retreat venue [caption id="attachment_16361" align="aligncenter" width="450"] River Road Treehouses Retreat - Morning Dove Haus[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16362" align="aligncenter" width="451"] River Road Treehouses Retreat - Birdseye Perch[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16363" align="aligncenter" width="451"] River Road Treehouses - Robins Roost[/caption] Pali Retreat: Running Springs, CA Pali Retreat's award winning bakery adds homebaked goodness to each guest's stay. From morning pastries to fresh-baked sandwich rolls and breads to evening desserts, all baked goods are prepared on-site and served fresh to our guests. It is that little extra something that adds to their memories and makes their stay at Pali more like home. [caption id="attachment_16352" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Pali Retreat is known for its delicious pastries[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16353" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Guests are treated to a variety of delectable desserts[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16354" align="aligncenter" width="401"] Pastries made fresh each day at Pali Retreat[/caption] Camp Manitowa - Cedar Point: Carbondale, IL Camp Manitowa-Cedar Point is located in the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge on 257 acres of beautiful property. With beachfront on 1200 acre Little Grassy Lake, our camp offers a beautiful setting for any retreats. 5 climate controlled lodges plus 6 rustic villages can host up to 160 people. Outdoor adventure and education programming along with sports, low ropes team building, canoeing, kayaking, water skiing, arts and crafts, disc golf, GA GA ball, multiple campfire rings, and more provide a wonderful array of activities to choose from. [caption id="attachment_16073" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Accommodations - Camp Manitowa Retreat Center[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16074" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Grounds - Camp Manitowa[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16075" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Little Grassy Lake - Camp Manitowa[/caption]