Hocking Hills has long been one of my favorite places in Ohio. I’ve visited countless times to hike the trails, chase waterfalls, and soak in its natural beauty. So when my husband and I were invited to experience Raven’s Retreat, I expected another memorable visit.
What I didn’t expect was to leave feeling more connected to each other than we had in quite some time.
Life has a way of getting busy. Last year, my husband and I chose to live with my mom and create a multigenerational home, and we wouldn’t change it. But between summer being his busiest season at work, family responsibilities, and me launching a vintage resale business, quality time together had quietly slipped a few notches down the priority list.
We weren’t looking for another vacation. We needed a place to slow down and reconnect.
That’s exactly what Raven’s Retreat was designed to help us do.
Raven’s Retreat isn’t a vacation rental; it’s an adults-only wellness retreat for couples in Hocking Hills is only an hour southeast of Columbus and is the perfect spot for a digital detox.an adults-only wellness retreat, only one hour southeast of Columbus. Your experience begins with a complimentary consult call with Raven, who helps design personalized, curated, customizable retreat itineraries tailored to your interests and goals.
During my call with Raven, she suggested various add-ons to enhance our experience, ranging from sound bathing to a vow renewal ceremony on the outdoor wellness platform in the forest. We chose several, including wellness lifestyle coaching, to help my husband manage a recent diabetes diagnosis.
We received detailed directions to the retreat grounds, complete with photos, and found the property well-marked and easy to find.
I immediately felt at home in The Sculptor’s Art Bungalow, or “Pollinator”, a peaceful sanctuary overlooking a pond and the surrounding forest. The intimate cabin was beautifully decorated, highlighting elements of nature- from brightly colored mushroom tiles in the kitchen area, representative of the fungal species that grow on the property, to a custom walnut headboard made from locally sourced wood, to a stunning swamp rose light fixture made of copper in the bathroom.
The large, oversized windows overlook the pond and allow a unique vantage point of the beehive in the Sassafras Tree next to the cabin. The bungalow was comfortable and made us feel relaxed and at ease, immersing us in nature from the minute we arrived.
The quiet was one of my favorite parts of the retreat. Instead of traffic, we sat on the back deck and listened to birds singing, frogs croaking, and the occasional splash of the fish in the pond. Without even trying, we found ourselves spending less time on our phones and more time enjoying the moment.
Our retreat began with a delicious plant-based meal from Vida’s Plant-Based Butcher in Columbus, delivered directly to our bungalow. That evening, we experienced a relaxing sound bath led by Raven before joining Dustin for one of my favorite experiences of the retreat: a sculpture workshop.
Neither my husband or myself are overly artistic, but under Dustin’s guidance, we spent the next couple of hours creating an oversized, 2’ x 3’ mixed media art piece using reclaimed materials. It was a fun reminder that creativity isn’t about perfection. It’s about creating something meaningful together. We ended the evening around the fire before soaking in the hot tub beneath the stars.
The next morning, I woke before sunrise to watch the light spill across the pond while listening to the deep croaking of the frogs. After a little birdwatching from the porch, I climbed back into bed beside my husband, who was still fast asleep, for one of those rare, unhurried mornings that feel like a luxury.
Later, Dustin led us on a wild edibles walk through the property’s private nature preserve. As we explored the secluded trails, he pointed out edible plants and fungi we would have otherwise walked right past, including cattails, turkey tail mushrooms, wild berries, and even a pawpaw tree.
I was amazed by the abundance hidden within the forest and how easily Dustin spotted them.
The wellness trail is well-maintained and easy to navigate. The main trail leading to the lodge features two functional fitness stations that incorporate natural objects into your workout.
We wrapped up our stay at Raven’s Retreat with a tour of the Art Lodge, a beautiful 4,000-square-foot space that accommodates groups of up to 16 guests. While the Artist’s Bungalow offers an intimate retreat for couples, the lodge provides space for larger wellness retreats, workshops, family gatherings, and creative experiences. The lodge is filled with art pieces designed and created by both Dustin and Raven. Beside each piece of art is a QR code that you can scan to learn more.
The owners of Raven’s Retreat, Raven and Dustin, met through mixed martial arts training and share a passion for helping others live healthier, more intentional lives. Wellness here extends beyond the individual to include creativity, movement, nutrition, and time in nature.
That philosophy also extends to the land itself. Raven’s Retreat is committed to eco-conscious animal and land stewardship, from preserving native habitats to incorporating reclaimed materials into Dustin’s artwork (we used pieces salvaged from Jack Pine Studio in ours), to serving as an animal rescue, making the experience feel even more meaningful.
Although Raven’s Retreat is just minutes from Conkle’s Hollow, Rock House, and other popular Hocking Hills attractions, we never felt the need to leave. Between the peaceful pond, private trails, abundant wildlife, and thoughtfully planned experiences, everything we needed was right there.
Every couples retreat in Hocking Hills, hosted on the property, is unique because it’s built around a curated, customizable itinerary that offers experiences like forest bathing, guided eco walks, art classes, vow renewals, and more, tailored to what matters most to you. This experience isn’t limited to only couples; solo travelers and groups can benefit from the creative and art-infused retreats, too.
For us, that meant slowing down, reconnecting, and remembering that quality time doesn’t just happen. It has to be intentional.
This experience isn’t limited to couples; solo travelers and groups can benefit from the creative, art-infused retreats, too. If you’re running on fumes, in need of a digital detox or simply want to getaway to reconnect with your partner or need time to quiet the noise, check out Raven’s Retreat for holistic wellness, burnout recovery, and nervous system reset.
Sometimes the best trips aren’t about seeing more. They’re about slowing down to savor the place, the moment, and the people you’re sharing it with. Raven’s Retreat gave us the space to do exactly that.
Disclosure: My husband and I were invited to visit the retreat but all opinions are my own. You can view photos and more information from our stay by visiting my Instagram page,
