Bliss & Stars

Bliss & Stars

Unhook yourself from the outer world and focus on your wellness at this elegant South African retreat.

Nestled in the calming arms of South Africa’s Cederberg Mountains, Bliss & Stars offers a luxurious and rejuvenating way to experience the wilderness and reconnect with your inner self. Rocky terrain and star-infused skies are all that surround the resort so the call to slow down and appreciate the intricacies of nature is strong. 

 

Delicately constructed to respect the surrounding mountains, Bliss & Stars fuses meditation, movement, gastronomy and astronomy to provide all-encompassing nourishment and wellness for all guests. The retreat consists of chalets and tented chalets tucked unassumingly into the rocks, carefully designed to fuse Nordic minimalism with the light and expansiveness of South African wilderness. Founded as the ultimate antidote to hustle and burnout, Bliss & Stars encourages guests to appreciate the power of nature and being in the present.  

 

 

Highlights & Activities

Telescopes at Bliss _ Stars
Spot stars and planets while learning the ways of astronomy
With a pristine sky, stargazing and planet spotting are the perfect way to welcome the night. Bliss & Stars has powerful telescopes for you to spot the rings of Saturn and craters on the moon. Beyond gazing in wonder at the stars, the retreat offers the opportunity to learn the intricate ways of astronomy.
Meditation Space
Engage in mindfulness for an enduring sense of calm
Foster a permanent sense of stillness and satisfaction with mindfulness coaching, mindfulness movement and by engaging in the benefits of mindfulness tools so that even after leaving the retreat, you will be fully equipped to connect with yourself and bask in the simplicity of life on a daily basis.
Bliss _ Stars_the amphitheatre
Hike among ancient rock formations and indigenous rock art
Hike in the majestic Cederberg Mountains, awe at ancient rock formations and experience the unique beauty of rock art created by the Khoisan people indigenous to the mountains. The rock art dates back thousands of years, bringing into stark perspective how important it is to switch off, respect the local environment and always be present.
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Forage & Dine for the ultimate farm-to-table meal
Experience the true satisfaction that comes from farm-to-table dining with the Forage & Dine experience. Set out to pick your own salad and learn about the nutritional benefits of various plants before indulging in a revitalizing plant-based meal prepared with the seasonal and locally sourced produce handpicked by you.
Relaxing bath
Watch the sun set and the stars rise from your private deck
Each chalet includes its own private deck, the perfect spot for sipping on some nourishing rooibos tea while taking in the sky’s changing colors from dusk to starlight.

Regenerative Impact

Founded with a deep respect for its surrounding mountain range, rivers and rock formations, Bliss & Stars honors life in the South African bush and the local community to whom the land belongs.

Chalet
Carefully constructed to respect the land and a safe distance from the nearby river, Bliss & Stars makes a conscious effort to build using rock and sand that are collected from the property itself. 100% of energy is solar-powered and all water used is from a natural spring. No trails were specifically created for hiking through the land; all hikes follow the paths that animals have already carved out. Thanks to restorative practices including irrigation using wastewater, the retreat has seen local flora flourish after long suffering from drought.
Set in an entirely remote location, tucked in the South African bush, Bliss & Stars is committed to respecting its surroundings by using natural materials created by South African artisans. The retreat’s chalets and tented chalets redefine bush luxury, with each space and experience carefully considered to immerse guests in the majesty of the Cederberg Mountains without compromising comfort. The remote location is free from outside sound and light pollution, so guests receive unparalleled peace and calm.
Aware that not everyone can afford a retreat and escape to their pristine wilderness but wanting to share the benefits of nourishment and restoration with as many people as possible, Bliss & Stars has a bursary program that makes retreats available to everyone regardless of their financial status. 5% of proceeds are allocated to the bursary program. Those hoping to gain a bursary can apply for the program on the Bliss & Stars website.
Careful to restore and regenerate the local environment, Bliss & Stars makes the effort to fish out invasive species from the river to help the positive circularity of the local ecosystem. The wood used for fire to keep guests warm at night is also sourced exclusively from invasive species.

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Stories featuring Bliss & Stars

Stories featuring Bliss & Stars

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Advancing Regenerative Principles: Key Design Thinking Takeaways from the Summit

Following our Regenerative Travel Summit 2023, where we convened thought leaders, innovators, and change-makers from across the globe, our primary focus was singular: “How do we instill regenerative principles into the daily lives of travelers?” The insights from this groundbreaking summit will be explored in this article, highlighting the emerging thematic clusters.

Advancing Regenerative Principles: Key Design Thinking Takeaways from the Summit

Following our Regenerative Travel Summit 2023, where we convened thought leaders, innovators, and change-makers from across the globe, our primary focus was singular: “How do we instill regenerative principles into the daily lives of travelers?” The insights from this groundbreaking summit will be explored in this article, highlighting the emerging thematic clusters.

Regenerative Travel 2023 Impact Awards – Winners

The Impact Awards celebrated people and projects that had embodied the spirit of regeneration—improving people’s lives, our communities, and the world around us. We had searched the globe for inspiring changemakers who had worked to solve our biggest challenges and had inspired positive action, both inside and outside of travel. Without further ado, the winners of the Impact Awards 2023.

Join our Regenerative Design Thinking Booth at the Regenerative Travel Summit 2023

We invite you to actively participate and contribute your insights on “how we can effectively instill regenerative principles into the daily lives of consumers and travelers” at the Regenerative Travel Summit 2023.

Advancing Regenerative Principles: Key Design Thinking Takeaways from the Summit

Following our Regenerative Travel Summit 2023, where we convened thought leaders, innovators, and change-makers from across the globe, our primary focus was singular: “How do we instill regenerative principles into the daily lives of travelers?” The insights from this groundbreaking summit will be explored in this article, highlighting the emerging thematic clusters.

Regenerative Travel 2023 Impact Awards – Winners

The Impact Awards celebrated people and projects that had embodied the spirit of regeneration—improving people’s lives, our communities, and the world around us. We had searched the globe for inspiring changemakers who had worked to solve our biggest challenges and had inspired positive action, both inside and outside of travel. Without further ado, the winners of the Impact Awards 2023.

Join our Regenerative Design Thinking Booth at the Regenerative Travel Summit 2023

We invite you to actively participate and contribute your insights on “how we can effectively instill regenerative principles into the daily lives of consumers and travelers” at the Regenerative Travel Summit 2023.

Event: From Traveler to Change Maker 5:30 – 7:30pm, September 19th 2023 in New York City with andBeyond

In a world where travel has the potential to be a catalyst for positive change, individuals are realizing the immense power they hold. Beyond being explorers of new horizons and collectors of experiences, travelers are stepping into the role of change-makers, using their voices to reshape the travel industry and the world at large. The question is no longer “What can one person do?” but rather “What can we achieve together?”

Hotel Location

Bliss & Stars

Not far from cultural Cape Town, Bliss & Stars spans 1,350 hectares and sits in a valley surrounded by the Cederberg Mountains, on the banks of the Doring River. There is full privacy and zero distractions from the outside world in this peaceful area of rocky and luminous South African wilderness.

Hotel Address

Cederberg Mountains, South Africa

Closest Airport

Cape Town International Airport

Travel Time From Airport

4.5 hour drive

RT+ Membership Perks

Receive $99 travel credit towards a 3-night minimum stay on a group/scheduled retreat or $299 travel credit toward a 3-night minimum stay when booking a private retreat

– Private session with one of the owners (astrophotographer) where you will hear about the importance of the night sky for our well-being, be taken on the journey through the cosmic landscape and the beginnings of the universe, get introduced to astrophotography and will have a private night photography session (weather permitting)
– Private 1:1 somatic stress release session with one of the owners (meditation teacher)
– One of our ritual boxes (Rest, Thrive, or Bliss) – clean, non-toxic Bliss & Stars skincare line

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