Joshua Tree Retreat Center / Institute of Mentalphysics

Called the retreat last week and made a reservation with Reyna, I was asked to call the following Monday and talk to Tiffany to make sure everything would be ready for my arrival on the night of July 29^th. I talked to Debbie on Tuesday, Tiiffany wasn’t in the office, and I was told they would leave a map on the office’s door so I could find my studio. Debbie added they would leave the AC and the exterior light on. I arrived at the Center around midnight, there was NO map, NO note, NOTHING at the door. I drove 35 minutes inside the retreat, by myself, looking for any exterior light left on, there was NONE. For those who do not know, the retreat has no lights, is DARK at night. Tired and frustrated I decide to check in at the Best Western.
The following morning I called Debbie and asked WHY they didn’t have anything ready, KNOWING THAT I’D BE ARRIVING BY MYSELF LATE AT NIGHT; her answer was given with an attitude where she simply said: «we forgot.»
I asked Debbie to have Victoria, who seems to be the person in charge, to give me a call. Needless to say I received none.

I attended a conference here and stayed in a cabin. The room was pretty dirty — there was a dirty wash cloth on the floor, the bed spreads actually poofed up dust when they were hit, and the little tiny table, which was about 8 inches, but it wasn’t a square, so it’s hard to describe, had a thick molasses-​y sticky covering on it that took me five minutes to wash off. It was too tiny to hold my laptop and mouse.
The grounds themselves are fantastic. It was established about forty years ago, and the landscaping is mature. Fabulous row of oleander, funnels of some kind of desert tree that I don’t know, but smelled fantastic. The grounds were very clean, and lots of interesting plants. That was my favorite part of the place.
The staff was particularly unhelpful. I’ve been in cheap motels where the one desk clerk seems to be frantic and over worked. I don’t think that’s the issue here. I saw several young people who just seemed like they had been abandoned, and had no idea what to do. The keys to my room didn’t work, and I spent days trying to get one that worked. The internet didn’t work. The young people giving directions and helping with registration smirked, and seemed proud of their ignorance.
The food was awful. Fake eggs, white pasta, white bread, white rice, sugary tomato paste spaghetti sauce. At least the iceberg lettuce was fresh. The cook came running out at dinner literally throwing her arms around one of the serving trays trying to ward off diners, saying «This is for vegetarians only!».
It’s been over a year, so maybe they have internet in the dining hall, but when I was there, the dining hall was closed when there were no meals. Every conference I’ve ever attended had water and tea available for attendees. I guess they were counting on people spending $ 2.50 for a plastic single-​serving bottle of filtered tap water being sold by the vendors.
One of the main lecture halls had doors on both sides that could be opened to get a good cross-​breeze, but they were adamant about keeping them closed, and using only the noisy, inadequate, 40-​year old air conditioning, so the room was probably over 90 degrees.
It just seems to be one of the worst-​managed venues I’ve ever seen a conference held at.
Plus, there is a busy road that runs all night right next to the center.
I guess if you are just going for a camping trip with facilities, it would be OK. I would love to go back for the grounds. That’s why it got three stars instead of 1.
The pool was nice, and I didn’t see anyone using it, although I hate the fact that it closes so early. I love to swim and see the stars at night. The pool was clean, and so was the pool house.

So FLW and LW et al. Would roll over knowing the way this place is furnished, the ad hoc pool area, while newer, with scrolls wrought iron. Well we went down to the ACE and got a suite

The Event that I attended by Alberto Villaldo and the four winds was excellent but the retreat center seriously left much to be desired. I reserved a camping spot and there were not even picnic benches or little solar lights, the area was pitch black and beneath high power wires that buzzed all night. The food is incredibly expensive. 40 $ for dinner buffet which was just mediocre, not even a good salad bar. Highly recommend eating in town, there is one good organic restaurant, natural sisters café, but they can be super busy particularly on sunday when there is a farmers market in the parking lot. What was nice were the fountains and community area but if your planing on camping just camp on blm land across the street its free and the facilities are pretty much the same.

Just attended a retreat here. The center is rented out by various groups for their events. I do not know if the center has retreats of their own or honestly whether they allow the public to use the facilities when it is not being used by a private group.
They have several options for accommodations including private bungalows, shared rooms, dorms and camping. I camped and it was fine for what it was although they state they have showers for campers, the showers are co-​ed and paltry. The toilets are outhouses. Not ideal however I just walked up to the main building for the bathroom.
I saw the two ladies dorms which were pretty tightly packed with twin beds. One of the dorms had three showers and one toilet which was also shared by the pool. The other had nicer showers (one handicap accessible) and three toilets (as I recall) and were cleaner and newer.
Surprisingly, the dining hall had one male and one female toilet. That is a hardly adequate for the 600 plus people at our event. Option B near our event tent was again outhouses. Frown.
The center offered vegetarian meals that where unremarkable.

I stayed here on a private retreat and had a very cute and cozy cottage– loved it :)
very cheap too! the name is confusing so at first we overlooked it as a place to stay when visting joshua tree park– but they do operate a little but like a hostel/​hotel and allow private retreats so i would definitely recomend it to travelers.

It seems they are more concerned with their resort staffing than fronting the desk to their shop. My sister was repeatedly ignored on two separate occasions, and all she wanted was to know how much a book was. Plainly, they saw her, but continued to stock their shelves or talk amongst themselves about an issue that did not involve customer service. I have heard that their drum circles are fantastic, but as a local, would find it unsuitable to support them and would rather spend my money elsewhere!

The Joshua Tree Retreat Center is a true oasis of reflection in the desert. You will awaken to stunning sunrises and fall asleep easily and soundly after gazing the stars above. The facility is clear and tidy with a staff that cares! Historic Frank Lloyd Wright architectural elements enhance the natural beauty of the desert surroundings. A must see and do for the conscious travel buff!

I love the quiet the dessert has to offer. This is a truly wonderful retreat and it has a lot to offer. The management is very caring and well organized. The pool area is absolutely beautiful and large with a large spa as well. The rooms are older but it is nicely appointed and very clean. The view goes on forever and you can enjoy being in nature. Love this place and all the wonderful spiritual events it has to offer.

I was at peace.
I came here for the 10-​day Vipassana Meditation Retreat (
). It was great. Our apartment was the 1 °F — 6 sleeper.
The rooms were clean, the beds were super comfortable and the bathroom was nice. It was actually nicer than my college apartment. Tip: Don’t try to mediate in the beds, you’ll fall back asleep almost instantly.
The rest of the center was very spacious and peaceful. It was amazing to see the sun rise over the mountain ranges on one side and set in the other. Being from LA, when I look into the night sky from my bedroom window, I see pitch black. Here, I was able to not only see the stars but identify the constellations. Also, with the open space I was able to walk and sit around the facility without having to worry about noisy traffic.
During our entire stay, the only issue that arose was with our shower drain, and it was fixed within the hour.