Imagine all the charm of farm life — without the chores. It’s become a widely shared fantasy. Romanticized images of rural life on social media have captured our collective imagination, giving rise to a new type of luxury getaway: the idyllic farm retreat. Unlike traditional agritourism, where visitors may expect to roll up their sleeves and sweat a bit, these escapes are all about enjoying the bounty and serenity of farm life while relaxing in a luxe, rustic setting.
Unlike traditional hotels, luxury farm stays invite us to participate in nature rather than passively admiring it from a plush suite. Hands-on experiences like harvesting, foraging and animal care allow us to connect more deeply with the wild world and rediscover a more straightforward and fulfilling pace of life.
For wellness enthusiasts, the appeal is obvious. Living on a farm offers daily access to things like hyperlocal produce, fresh eggs, grass-fed meat and clean air — not to mention a deeper connection to nature, which has been proven to increase the production of serotonin, decrease levels of stress hormone cortisol and positively impact the autonomic nervous system.
Imagine meandering through fragrant gardens, riding horses at sunset and dining on meals prepared with ingredients harvested that morning. This elevated farm experience, complete with gourmet cuisine, holistic spa treatments and opulent accommodations, is calling to travelers worldwide. Here are a few of our favorites.
Photography by Gentl & Hyers
Dawn Ranch
Located beneath the towering canopy of California’s redwood forests, Dawn Ranch is a rustic-luxe retreat just an hour from the Sonoma Coast. This 86-acre property offers a mix of cabins, cottages, chalets and glamping tents, situated within a historic orchard, providing the perfect setting for outdoorsy activities like kayaking the Russian River or bird watching. Evenings are spent around the communal fire pit, where guests can roast s’mores, savor a glass of Sonoma wine or go full-country, strumming on guitars provided by the resort’s partnership with Fender. For a slower pace, a soak in the property’s redwood hot tubs or a forest bathing session in the Redwoods provide a rejuvenating experience made all the more magical by the rugged-yet-soothing beauty of Northern California’s stunning natural landscape.
Photography provided by Eumelia
Eumelia
This organic farm stay in Greece is as ecologically sound as it is luxurious. For 15 years, it has adhered to permaculture and biodynamic farming principles, ensuring that every aspect of the guest experience is rooted in sustainability and a meaningful connection to the land. A stay at Eumelia always includes hands-on experiences, such as the Olive Harvest Retreat, where participants pick olives from centuries-old trees and learn about the health benefits of this ancient elixir. For wine lovers, the farm’s vineyards provide a backdrop for tastings and grape-harvesting workshops. Eumelia’s focus on wellness is emphasized through its organic and vegetarian meals, made with ingredients sourced within a kilometer of the dining table. Its eco-houses, designed with bioclimatic principles, offer an ideal resting place after a day of cooking classes, yoga or hiking the majestic Mount Taygetos.
Photography provided by La Donaira
Finca La Donaira
Perched high in the Serranía de Ronda, Finca La Donaira combines the beauty of rural Andalucía with luxury farm living. The estate’s renowned equestrian center features over 80 Lusitano horses, and guests are given riding lessons or guided trail rides through the countryside. Its biodynamic farm produces nearly everything guests consume, and many choose to join daily tours of the estate, learning traditional farming techniques while sampling organic produce. With only nine rooms, the retreat feels intimate. Yoga and pilates classes are held in the open air, and treatments in the wood sauna and hammam induce deep relaxation. Herbal therapies used in the spa are sourced from a medicinal garden boasting more than 350 species of healing plants. Visitors can also experience unique activities like bee-sound meditation or forest bathing with Andalusian donkeys. The farm’s commitment to sustainability is reflected in its farming practices and ongoing efforts to preserve local wildlife and rare animal breeds, making La Donaira a standout for eco-conscious travelers.
Photography provided by The Farm at San Benito
The Farm at San Benito
Anyone who loves farm life but isn’t ready to give up their monthly mani-pedis, facials or acupuncture appointments will find the perfect balance at The Farm at San Benito. This retreat features a kitted-out medical center that caters to guests’ health journeys — whether it’s smoking cessation, sleep support, managing chronic health conditions or a more standard health detox. While high-tech treatments like IV drips, oxygen bars and infrared exposure abound, all guests are encouraged to take time to explore the 5,700-square-foot farm, from which almost all of the ingredients for its farm-to-table meals, herbal compresses and coconut oil–based spa products are sourced. Daily yoga classes, nature walks and mandala flower meditations round out the experience, making for a truly holistic wellness destination in a serene, farm-centric setting.
Photography by Bonnie Pop
Sterrekopje Farm
A masterclass in bucolic luxury nestled in the heart of South Africa’s Franschhoek wine country, this healing farm spans 123 acres of wildflower gardens and regeneratively-grown farmland. The owners created the retreat to help guests shed that persistent call toward productivity in favor of a slower pace of life. Days unfold here leisurely, filled with mindful activities like pottery, stand-up paddling and calming spa treatments. Guests are encouraged to embrace simple pleasures — sipping warm cacao at sunrise, reading in the garden, slipping into a midday nap, journaling by the pool or just watching clouds drift by. Resident animals like donkeys, ducks and pigs make sweet, spontaneous meetings as they wander the farm without agenda, soaking in the peacefulness of their surroundings. At Sterrekopje, each minute of the day seems to expand, making it a sought-after sanctuary for those craving an escape from the frenetic pace of modern life.
