Welcome to Le Refuge Wellness Retreat

After going through several losses this year of a marriage and the death of a loved one, I needed a sanctuary to regroup my mind and heart. I found the perfect place here! It’s so beautiful and tranquil and Nat was the perfect guide to meditation and mindful thinking. I would highly recommend coming and I know I’ll be back.

If you are looking for serenity, rejuvenation, meditation or simply a quick getaway, Le Refuge is the perfect place to go. Nathalie goes above and beyond to create a unique experience for each guest, that is hard to find.

And the beauty that surrounds Le Refuge is simply priceless. From the hummingbirds, the relaxing sounds of the river, all around serenity, it is truly a hidden gem that you will want to visit again and again. You will not be disappointed!

I LOVE this retreat center. I've been going for over 8 years and when I need a reset in my life and some deep wisdom, I seek it out. Aside from the beautiful location and surroundings, your guide Nathalie is a wise woman with so much knowledge. Bring a notebook as you will want to capture this wisdom and revisit time and time again. It is all delivered with humor and an awesome french accent!

I always leave feeling nourished, put back together, and like I've bumped my vibration 10 fold!

Come with an open mind and heart and you will receive exactly what you need.

I would recommend Le Refuge to anyone on their journey of healing, meditation, awakening, and fond of belly laughs. You will leave with deep inner Rememberings, new knowings and some fabulous "Natisms".

Nathalie’s space is so special, it is my honor to write a glowing review. It was the perfect place for me to write my book. You’ve seen the pictures but what you can’t see is the spirituality that exists here. As soon as you arrive you can feel the positive energy everywhere. Nat has created a Shelter Of Peace, a holy space that allows your creativity to flourish and your mind body and soul to relax and renew yourself. And Nat was the perfect host, always making sure I had everything i needed. She is delightful and joyous to be around. The space i rented has two large bedrooms, living room area, dining room area, a full kitchen fully stocked and a work space which allowed me to write. If I could give this space and this host 6 stars out of 5, i most certainly would. Also, while you are there, book a massage with Nat- you will feel like a new person. I was there for a month and the time flew by. I will make this an annual journey.

I spent my first silent meditation retreat in this serene space; I couldn't have asked for more special time nor a more fitting spot. It was an absolutely serene time, surrounded by massive, shading trees and constant sounds of the river. There is a secluded deck that sunrise and sets are incredible to be present with.

I recommend this space to anyone seeking some beautiful, relaxing, healing space. It was an absolute blessing for me.

By “still center” I mean the wondrously quiet and sane, down-to-earth and away-from-the-luxe aspects of Vail that the area is perhaps better known for. In short, heavenly. Nathalie is a marvelously warm, generous, and accessible host to what is indeed a perfect refuge: quiet, comfortable, beautifully appointed, close to nature, super clean, convenient, and fully stocked with all kitchen basics. On-site parking; free town bus serving the entire Vail Valley is an eight-minute walk from the apartment. Major grocery store a ten-minute drive away.

I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to do my first solo retreat at beautiful Le Refuge. I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful place and experience. I feel so fortunate to have had someone like Natalie guide me through this process. The retreat included massages and yoga classes. Natalie is very knowledgble, responsive, kind, and compassionate. She really understands the process of a solo retreat. Natalie and Le Refuge is the hidden jewel! Thank you Natalie! This was a life changing experience!

This is my first experience with Mindfulness Meditation and Yoga, spending a full day with the healing and calming energy of Nathalie. I didn't really know what to expect, however I did know that I was looking for healing and clarity since I was going through some life challenges at the time.
Nathalie's gift provided me with the serenity and the clarity that I was searching. We practiced meditation, yoga and she gave and incredible massage. We had a delicious lunch and I even took a nap!
You are a blessing, thank you Nathalie!!

This was my 4th trip to LeRefuge! Every trip better than the last. The food was wonderful as it has always been, and Nathalie was such a kind and generous host! She seems to know what I want and need before I do! This time the lesson I took away profoundly impacted my life in a positive way! I was able to get lots of rest, and take really good care of myself which as a mother of 2 doesn't happen often enough! Nesteled between peaks and next to the river, we watched blue jays eating seeds on the deck and listened to the soothing sounds of the river below. LeRefuge is my home away from home!

Le refuge was like being in a sanctuary. Nathalie, the host was amazingly welcoming, kind, and accomodating, not to mention an excellent cook, massage therapist and healer, and mindfulness coach. To be in her presence is an experience that leaves you feeling so good. I was there with my son for some healing time, and she embraced us both and in addition to a the lodging she provided a retreat experience that will have a life long impact on my son and I. I absolutely loved waking up and opening the entrance door to hear the soothing sounds of the river below (which we bathed and fished in ) after a restful night sleep in a super lush comfy bed and making coffee in the well equipped kitchen. At night, we enjoyed the outside patio and dining to the sounds of birds and water. The special touches she has provided inside the refuge are many, from a very well stocked up kitchen, a luxurious bathroom, and peaceful bedrooms with a library of books and work desk space, and a cozy living room with a plush couch and TV and fire place... I want to return there on vacation every chance i get in the future. Thank you Nathalie for providing an excellent, memorable experience for us. Your place definitely exudes peace, tranquility, joy, and inspiration.

Le Refuge was the perfect place for us to stay during our vacation in Vail. Beautiful and restful, it had a nice kitchen, which kept us from eating out every meal. Nathalie is very nice, and made sure we had everything we needed while we were there. Lots to see and do during the summer. Highly recommend Le Refuge for your stay in Vail.

I just spent a most wonderful and peaceful time at 'Le Refuge' in Vail.

Set by a roaring river with a lovely view on the mountains and evergreens, I found the perfect spot to regroup, recover and regenerate. 'Le Refuge' is a perfect place to meditate and leave the world behind. After many months of rebuilding my flooded Boulder home, Natalie Nguyen, owner of 'Le Refuge', helped me find me the serenity and calm that I needed to come back to myself. She is a most loving and knowledgeable hostess and well trained in the healing arts. I got to sleep as much as I needed, eat magnificent food, meditate, practice yoga and a mindful state of doing absolutely nothing, except for what I desired: in my case quietly reading on a sunny deck, watching the hummingbirds and paint at night....And Nathalie's massages are truly magical and profoundly healing!

I've returned home more rested, equipped with a practical and feasible set of tools on how to keep this pristine energy going while back in my busy everyday world.

Thank you Nathalie and 'Le Refuge''! I will be back as soon as I can!



Martina Hoffmann, 'La Copinette'

Boulder, CO

www.martinahoffmann.com

This review comes several months after my retreat weekend at Le Refuge with Nathalie. I have thought about the experience there numerous times over the past several months. I don't usually write reviews, but feel compelled to write this one.



I luckily took a spot on one of my good friend's girl's weekend when one of the initial four people couldn't attend. I had not previously done any meditation or wellness retreat but have wanted to for a long time. I was hesitant because I didn't want a overly structured weekend, with a lot of expectations of doing yoga 5 times a day, etc. Le Refuge was the answer to something I didn't even know I needed. Nathalie opens space for the weekend to evolve in a way that matches where you are. Her informal, unassuming, and inviting personality and her deep intuition were apparent from the moment I stepped into Le Refuge. She followed our lead on the kind of experience we wanted and also was able to provide structure if we needed it. The food was incredible, flavorful, and nourishing. One of the best things about the experience was that I knew, even if I didn't meditate every day following the retreat (which I haven't) or if I fell back into the pace of work and life (which I did),...that I learned some lessons and ways of being that are like little tools in my pocket. And they work, if I choose to use them. I will definitely go to Le Refuge again and highly recommend it. Nathalie - thank you for doing what you do - opening up a healing space for people. You give so much and also model taking care of yourself. That is something to model for sure.



Mimi "La Petite Souris" 🙂

My 3 girlfriends and I went to Nathalie's for a girls retreat. None of us had ever done anything like this, and we didn't know what to expect. When we arrived, it was better than coming home in a way! We were greeted by Nathalie and she showed us around the place and we started settling in. In our condo, there was a fire burning, a hot pot of fresh soup cooking, and some nice snacks set on the table for us to eat! There was always tea or coffee to help ourselves to. We are all wives and mothers and it was SO nice to have someone cooking for us! Over the course of our stay, we experienced amazing food, and yoga whenever we wanted it! She showed us some proper yoga form, and encouraged us" to take it easy on ourselves'! Nathalie is a very experienced in mindfulness meditation, and we all had an exceptional introduction to mediation because of her! We were so inspired by our experience with the mediation that we all continue a "practice" to this day. I had a cold while I was there, and Nathalie took care of me better than my anyone that I can remember! She brought me hot tea, and had me lay on her "Bio Mat". By the time I left, I only had the cold for a total of 3 days! Resting, and taking really good care of myself helped me get well so fast! As my friends and I were talking and the trip was winding down, we realized that this had been the best vacation of our lives! So peaceful, easeful, restful, and full of love!!! We didn't want to leave, so much so that our dear friend was crying when it was time to go. Thank you Nathalie for such a perfect experience, we will all remember it for the rest of our lives!!!! Amber.

My dear friends and I went to Le Refuge with the expectation of just getting away for a couple of days, and spending some quiet time with each other. What we experienced with Nathalie was far beyond what we had hoped for! She made us busy moms feel completely nurtured, cared for, and loved the entire time. From the delicious meals she prepared, to her sense of humor, homey accommodations, and beautiful spirit - we just soaked it all in. We were all new to mindful meditation, and loved the easy way she taught us to be still, without judgement or expectation that we would be "good" at it. We carry her with us into our practice, however imperfect that may be from week to week 🙂 She touched us all very deeply, and taught us so much. We can't wait to go back!

I took my daughter to experience LeRefuge w me this summer. We shared an amazing experience w Nat from the moment we arrived. It rained the entire drive to Vail from Denver but when we ate our first dinner together, which was delicious, we saw the most incredible rainbow form over the mountain! It was just like the one on the luck charms box! It was so complete with very color of the rainbow with thick bans of color and fullness that I knew it was a good decision. Not only was learning mindfulness an enlightening experience but we wanted for absolutely nothing during our two week stay. Nat filled our fridge with the freshest fruits and every item that my daughter, who has struggled with an eating disorder, wanted to eat.



Nat arranged for us to do the fun dad and daughter activities during our free time with the best experts in the business e.g. Paragliding, I wanted it prove to my daughter that she can not only trust me and that I always have and always will Love her for who she is and that she can trust others. She had to when she kept from the top of that mountaintop. She soared for 15 minutes high above the valley and river. She and I meditated - yes I even meditated for 45 minutes one time and I would have never dreamed of doing such a thing prior to our visit.



Recently I was able to share my experience with a parent whose daughter is beginning.the journey my daughter has been on. I am so thankful for having met Natalie and Experiencing Le Refuge myself'

Natalie has taken the principles of Buddhism, Yoga, Massage, Energetic Healing, Music, Mindfulness to create a space that encourages meditation, healing, growth, introspection, and inner change. I spent a weekend with Natalie and wished I could have spent a month! Natalie is mindful of the person she is with and sensitive to the needs of that person in a way that facilitates change and opening. I have some unique food needs and Natalie prepared the healthiest, tastiest meals for me...When I left Vail to return to Denver, I was felt relaxed, refreshed rejuvenated, and inspired...like I had left this crazy, frenetic world and travelled to a different space in time. Thank you Natalie for sharing ---- I highly recommend this individual experience...you too will be writing a review....

A safe and comfortable place to spend the week. We had everything we could have wanted including Yoga, meditation,and a nap in the hammock. The well stocked kitchen and large fridge were great. Nathalie was helpful and available if we needed her, but most of the time we felt as if we had the place to ourselves. Loved being in a neighborhood instead of in a big stack of condos.



If I close my eyes I can still hear the rushing creek and taste the crisp mountain air. Some places just make the cells in my body feel happy. This is one of them.

THIS IS A VERY SPECIAL RETREAT, WHERE YOUR WORRIES ACHES AND PAINS DO NOT EXIST. NATALIE WILL FIND SECRET SPOTS ON YOUR BODY THAT WILL TUNE UP YOUR MIND AND YOUR BODY. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE FOR ME. I AM A RETIRED SKI SCHOOL INSTRUCTOR AND MY SENIOR BODY HAS BEEN WELL CARED FOR BY NATALIE FOR 11 YEARS THIS WONDERFUL RETREAT WILL HELP CALM YOUR INNER SELF. DON T MISS THE EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY TO CLEANSE YOUR MIND AND BODY.

My husband and I just spent a day at Nathalie's beautiful home in Vail for a customized "retreat" that included mindfulness/meditation training, partner yoga, rest & relaxation, a yummy and nutritious lunch, and deep conversation. Nathalie instantly made us comfortable with her warmth and kindness, and she is completely knowledgable and passionate about what she teaches. She exudes calm and peacefulness - she lives it! We came away very refreshed and motivated to incorporate more mindfulness into our lives!