Why We Create Retreats With This Much Intention

When I launched OMNoire in 2017, I wasn’t just starting a company. I was creating the kind of spaces I wished existed for Black women — spaces where joy, luxury, and sisterhood come first.

Over the years, we've been intentional that our retreats are so much more than beautiful destinations.

They are about trust, alignment, and the unseen layers of care that shape every moment.

Not every retreat company operates this way, and that’s why I’ve felt inspired to share the why behind some of our practices.

These guiding principles aren’t just policies. They are our commitments to protect your energy, honor your investment, and design experiences that feel personal, intentional, and unforgettable.

So here’s a closer look at the choices we make, and the intention behind them:

1. Why Luxury Is a Love Language Here

Black women deserve to be surrounded by beauty, care, intention and luxurious travel experiences.

Every retreat we produce is thoughtfully placed in a destination and property chosen to honor that truth — whether it’s somewhere you’ve always dreamed of visiting or a place you never imagined.

When we secure a $700/night resort for $350, it’s not luck.

It’s the result of years of relationship-building with properties around the world who trust our vision and honor the community we bring.

This is how we make world-class luxury not just accessible, but unforgettable.

2. Why Your Early Commitment Honors Our Planning and Your Ease

Planning a retreat is a 9–12+ month process.

When you commit early, it helps us plan without compromise, provide you with ongoing updates, host numerous pre-retreat Zoom calls, and give you the chance to connect with your group long before you arrive.

For you, early booking means greater choice in rooms, lower travel costs, and more time to prepare for your journey.

It’s a shared investment that sets the tone for a richer, more connected experience for all of us.

3. Why We Don’t Share the Hotel Name Publicly

Our retreats are intended to be intimate, private, and safe.

Sharing the hotel name before booking can lead to unregistered guests showing up or people booking outside of our group (this has happened), which affects pricing, availability, and the environment we’ve carefully curated.

We also want to honor the privacy and safety of our retreat leaders, especially those with a large social media presence.

Once your spot is confirmed, you’ll receive all the details, including the property name, amenities, and everything you need to plan your travel with confidence.

4. Why We Don’t Share a Full Itinerary on Our Website

We understand some travel/retreat companies post a fixed schedule, but our approach is different. This is not a group trip, this is an aligned experience.

Every retreat is unique, every group dynamic is unique, and every itinerary is crafted to reflect that, ensuring the experience feels personal, and thoughtfully designed.

We consider group size, arrival and departure times, energy flow, travel time to/from excursions, pacing between activities, free time, and even new opportunities or experiences we may want to weave in.

In the months leading up to your retreat, we provide a working itinerary. As more attendees join, we refine the schedule so it aligns with the needs, timing, and spirit of the specific community we’re bringing together, for this specific retreat experience.

The Well-Being Retreat | Vietnam, May 2025

5. Why Airfare Isn’t Included In Our Retreat Packages

Our guests travel from all over the world, so including airfare would raise the price for everyone.

Instead, we allow you to book your flight based on your own travel preferences, budget, and points or miles if you have.

6. Why We Don’t Include Every Experience and Meal in Your Retreat Package

If the resort isn’t all-inclusive, adding every meal and activity would raise your cost considerably.

Instead, we include select group meals and experiences that align with the retreat theme and give you the freedom to explore, eat, and budget as you choose.

For example, a helium balloon ride might be a dream for some, but not for others — this way, you’re only paying for what truly matters to you.

7. Why We Have Different Retreat Leaders & Themes

While I started OMNoire from a love of hosting retreats, I also wanted to create a trusted home for experiences you can say yes to, knowing you’ll be cared for, seen, and held.

Partnering with retreat leaders, coached, guided, and supported by me, means we can offer more destinations, more dates, and a diversity of experiences that meet you where you are on your journey. From the beginning, I always said I wanted to create the Airbnb of retreats for Black women and women of color.

As a collective, we share our most trusted resources, from resorts we know intimately, to vendors and partners who understand our vision.

Each leader brings their own personality, vision and expertise, yet every retreat remains grounded in the same values, attention to detail, and commitment to creating spaces where Black women feel celebrated and deeply cared for.

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I hope this gives you more insight into the intentional practices that shape every OMNoire retreat. Behind every curated itinerary, every group dinner, and every moment of connection is a deep commitment to your care.

Because retreats aren’t just about travel — they’re about creating spaces where Black women can exhale, feel seen, and return home transformed.

As you consider your next retreat — whether with OMNoire or another company — I encourage you to look for alignment. Ask the questions. Pay attention to whether their values match your needs.

Because the right retreat doesn’t just take you somewhere new.

It gives you back to yourself.