Mornings start quiet at Menla. Dew hangs on the wildflowers, and the scent of cedar mixes with incense as the day gets moving around the main lodge and Buddha statue.
What to Expect:
🧖♂️ Tibetan-inspired massages, herbal soaks, and holistic treatments in Dewa Spa
🏞️ Hiking trails, outdoor meditation spots, forest views, and peacocks wandering the lawns
🔥 Finnish sauna, steam room, and seasonal outdoor pool
🌱 Satisfying vegetarian meals featuring local harvest
🧘 Yoga, sound baths, and group retreat programming in the sanctuary
Important Information:
✔ Book treatments and day spa passes in advance (retreats fill quickly)
✔ Swimsuits required for outdoor pool; sauna/steam are coed—bring a towel and footwear
✔ Wheelchair accessible entrance and restrooms
✔ Arrive 15–20 minutes early to complete forms and transition from the drive
Haley's Pick 🍽️
You probably know her as @milehighandhungry. Each week, Haley shares the one place she’s obsessed with right now. From hidden gems to hot new openings, if she picks it, it’s worth the hype.
Haley's Review of Riot BBQ
Riot BBQ on South Delaware feels like a backyard cookout run by a Top Chef, because it is. Chef Manny Barella and pitmaster Patrick Klaiber have teamed up to blend Monterrey flavors with Texas-style smoke, and the results are seriously craveable.
The brisket steals the show: tender, deeply smoky, and finished with Barella’s bold spice rub. Get it solo or wrapped in buttery Raquelita tortillas. The pulled pork brings heat with ancho, guajillo, and morita chiles, and the al pastor ribs are sticky, sweet, and slightly charred in all the right ways.
Even the sides are insanely good! Think crunchy pepita-macha slaw and banana pudding served in a jar that tastes just like childhood (but better). Every bite feels intentional.
It’s barbecue with heart, history, and just the right amount of heat. Riot BBQ isn’t just a meal, it’s a moment worth lining up for.
– Haley @milehighandhungry
Local Insights
🔁 Sound Bath Rotation: Check the weekly schedule—sound baths and meditation sessions rotate locations between the main sanctuary and outlying studios.
🥾 Trails After Treatments: The woodland trails are quietest before lunch and after group programming winds down late afternoon.
🧖♀️ Pool/Steam Window: The outdoor pool and sauna are rarely crowded on weekday mornings right after opening—bring a robe for the short walk.
⏱️ Book in Advance: Massage and specialty soak slots fill up fast during peak retreat weekends—reserve at least two weeks out if timing matters.
What folks are saying
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Based on the 50 most recent Google reviews
Guests speak highly of Menla’s serene mountain grounds and the skill of therapists in both traditional Tibetan and familiar massage modalities. The Dewa Spa receives consistent praise for its peaceful setting, high standards of cleanliness, and variety of treatments, from sound baths to herbal soaks. Reviewers note the relaxed pace, attentive staff, and thoughtful vegetarian meals included with day programs or overnight retreats. Some remark that booking popular treatments can require advance planning and that accomodations are simple but functional. The grounds and retreat facilities are frequently described as restorative, with rare criticisms limited mainly to room preferences or peak period busyness in the spa common areas.
Last updated on
October 9th, 2025
