The Perfect Work Getaway

Quiet time and space to think
and make meaningful progress on your work

The Ideal Workcation

How much progress would you make on the project you care about
if you had quiet time and space to focus?

This workcation getaway is the best of two worlds:
Join creatives and business-minded friends for wooded walks and delicious meals when you want community,
and slip back to your room when you’re ready to crank on your project.

We provide the space and inspiration, so you can find focus, clarity and momentum.

Our retreats feature:

đź’ˇ Quiet, alone time
🍜 Community meals (optional)
🌳 Hiking (optional)

Who Attends

Our retreats are intimate, up to 10 attendees, and by application only.

We cater to thinkers and innovators who enjoy meaningful work.
Our goal is to support you, so your ideas and projects can come alive in the world.

Our cohorts are themed: some are women-only, others are for entrepreneurs, and others are open to all applicants.

Our attendees are small business owners, leaders within companies, writers, entrepreneurs, executives:
anyone who craves time to think and execute.

We recognize that you’re more than your career, so please
bring your whole selves to this experience. Join us to laugh, reflect and find clarity.

The Place

We’re based in idyllic Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, an historic town at the intersection of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers.

Wander the Appalachian Trail, explore quaint shops, or soak in the Civil War history, all while breathing in the fresh mountain air.

Harpers Ferry is a 75-minute drive or train ride from Washington, D.C., and 4 hours from New York City.
You won’t need a car while you’re here.

Train: Amtrak and MARC trains (Brunswick line) run to Harpers Ferry from Washington, D.C.’s Union Station.
We’ll pick you up at the station.
Fly: The closest airport is Dulles, a 50-minute drive from Harpers Ferry. BWI is an hour drive.
Uber from there, rent a car or talk to us about airport pickup.

Schedule

Everything on our schedule is optional.
Join us as often or as little as you want.
Some attendees appreciate the opportunity to socialize,
while others come to catch up on sleep and think solo.
Both of these styles are encouraged and supported.

Our retreats run Sunday-Thursday: 5 days and 4 nights.
We offer a group walk or hike each morning, breakfast and lunch at the Inn, and
dinners at unique local restaurants within walking distance.

Afternoons are intentionally unscheduled, so you use the time as you choose.
An optional massage is included; we’ll arrange it for you on an afternoon of your choosing.

Desperate for some me-time or feel a burst of productivity? Lounge at our B&B, crank out your project, or take a solo walk around town.

Feel like connecting with others and forging new friendships? Join us for group walks and meals,
and find yourself inspired by the energy of fellow attendees.

Sunday
1-5pm: Arrive and get settled at the Inn
5pm: Group meet-and-greet
6pm: Dinner

Monday
7-9am: Breakfast at the Inn
9am: Hike
12:30pm: Lunch at the Inn
Free afternoon
6pm: Dinner

Tuesday
7-9am: Breakfast at the Inn
10am: Walk around Lower Town, including shop tour and Appalachian Trail Conservancy Visitor Center
12:30pm: Lunch at the Inn
Free afternoon
Massage (or could be Mon or Wed)
6pm: Dinner

Wednesday
7-9am: Breakfast at the Inn
9am: Hike
12:30pm: Lunch at the Inn
Free afternoon
6pm: Dinner

Thursday
7-9am: Breakfast at the Inn
Free morning
12:30pm: Lunch & farewell

What’s Included

Our retreats are all-inclusive, covering accommodation, three meals a day, hikes, yoga and massage.

That frees you from having to think about logistics, so you can put your full brain toward finding flow on your project.

All you have to do is get here, and we take care of the rest.

Remember: Just because it’s included doesn’t mean it’s required. Everything is optional. This is your time.

Comfortable accommodation

Comfortable accommodation

Stay at the beautifully restored Light Horse Inn, where you’ll have a private room and en-suite bathroom, plus reliable WiFi. The Inn is walking distance from Lower Town Harpers Ferry.

Guided hikes for inspiration

Guided hikes for inspiration

Easy to moderate walks (2-5 miles) with stunning views, including sections on the Appalachian Trail and the infamous Maryland Heights lookout. Trails are the perfect place to brainstorm, reflect and make friends.

Meals that fuel creativity

Meals that fuel creativity

Breakfasts, lunches and dinners are provided, including food from delicious local restaurants like the popular vegan Kelley Farm Kitchen. We lean healthy and are happy to accommodate dietary restrictions with advance notice.

Relaxing massage

Relaxing massage

A one-hour swedish and stone massage awaits you. This luxury treatment at the popular VIVO day spa will help you unwind.

Your Host

Hi! I’m your host, Lexi Grant. I’m a media innovator, an entrepreneur and a mom to two young boys.

I founded Retreat & Create because I wanted this experience and couldn’t find it.

While working a demanding role at a media startup, I wanted to get away from the responsibilities of work and home, and
give myself space to brainstorm and get work done… while feeding my soul with rest and time in the outdoors.

I improvised by attending a women’s yoga vacation, but felt awkward when I skipped scheduled activities to work.

I attended business conferences, but found myself exhausted after a few days of speakers
and high-pressure networking, desperate for down-time before going home to my family.

What I really needed was a combination of the two. A space to rest, reflect, write and
strategize, to let my creative juices flow. And in an ideal world, I wanted to be inspired by the energy of other women, too.

After a few fast-paced years building media companies,
I moved my family to Harpers Ferry, WV, and realized this historic mountain town was
the perfect place to create what I craved.

I share more about my approach to business and life at alexisgrant.com.

FAQ

Q: Is this a conference? A vacation?

This isn’t a conference. You’ll leave here feeling refreshed and productive, not
exhausted from networking and behind on your work.

This also isn’t quite a vacation, because you can do work while you’re here. Though if you want to steer your time more toward rest and fun,
be our guest! Either way, we won’t give you the evil eye if you skip a group activity to make progress on your project.

Take what you want, leave what you don’t, and make this experience exactly what you need.

Q: What’s a workcation?

A getaway that’s productive while also rejuvenating, relaxing and fun.

Q: Could this be a company retreat or a group getaway?

Sure! Most attendees come solo, but you’re welcome to coordinate with friends or colleagues.
We can accommodate groups up to 10.

Q: Is it really all-inclusive?

Yes. We organize accommodation, all meals, hikes and massage.

This allows you to reserve brain space to do some big thinking and make progress on your projects.

Q: What if I want an extra experience or supplies during my stay?

Just let us know! While we don’t cover the cost of extras, we’re happy to help you organize it.
Whether you want a yoga class or a white board, we can usually make it happen.

If possible, let us know about these wishes before your stay, so we can have it ready when you arrive.

Q: Why join this retreat rather than create your own?

Of course you could DIY a workcation! We invite you to steal our ideas if you’d rather organize your own.

Here are the benefits of joining us instead:

We organize everything. All you have to do is show up.

No spending hours scouring reviews of hotels or restaurants… we’ve done that for you.
You’ll arrive to comfortable accommodation, a quiet space to work, yummy meals and amazing views from the trails.

How often have you showed up somewhere feeling inspired to work, only to discover there’s no WiFi?
We take care of important details, so you can focus on work and make serious progress… or simply unplug and relax.

You’ll connect with other inspiring professionals.

Socialize as much or as little as you want. Focus on work or take some solo time in the afternoon,
and know you’ll have a group friends to laugh with over dinner. Our hope is that you’ll take some of these friendships home with you.

Q: Why are some of your retreats for women only?

We aim to foster a safe, supportive space, and we understand that for some women that’s best achieved around other women.
Our hope is that by providing that space, we’ll create opportunities for women to grow as leaders.

Apply

Sadly, we’ve cancelled our fall retreats because of uncertainty around coronavirus.
Hope to return in 2022.

SEPTEMBER 2021: Women only
Sunday, Sept. 19 – Thursday, Sept. 23

OCTOBER 2021: Entrepreneurs & business-minded creatives
Sunday, Oct. 17 – Thursday, Oct. 21

Cost: $1,999 for private room + private bathroom
Or $1,600 for private room + shared bathroom
All-inclusive: 4 nights of accommodation and all (12) meals

For the safety of attendees and organizers, we require proof of Covid vaccination to attend.

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Get a taste for the R&C experience through our Instagram feed.