SANIVAN Holistic Retreat & Spa

SANIVAN Holistic Retreat & Spa operates in Hurleyville, New York, in the Catskill region roughly two hours north of New York City. The retreat is housed in the owner's private home and accommodates only three guest rooms simultaneously, which defines its entire character: this is not a large wellness resort but an intimate, personalized experience under direct care. The retreat offers assisted juice fasting programmes tailored to individual needs, and because the facility is small and owner-operated, the approach is flexible and adaptive rather than protocol-driven. Pricing is available upon consultation; the retreat does not publish fixed rates online but works with each guest to design a package matching their needs and budget.

The juice fasting programmes at SANIVAN emphasize assistance and personalization. Unlike a retreat where guests receive a set juice schedule and a standard daily plan, SANIVAN creates an individual protocol for each visitor based on their fasting experience, current state of health, goals for the retreat, and how their body responds once the fast is underway. A first-time faster might begin with a 3-day cleanse kick-start programme, drinking fresh juices and using the sauna to ease into fasting. Someone with prior experience might commit to seven days or longer. The retreat offers what they describe as "intensive fasting retreats using organic produce and herbs," meaning the juices are made from ingredients sourced organically, many grown in the retreat's own on-site gardens or sourced from a local organic food cooperative. This attention to input quality matters; organic juice tastes and feels different from conventional produce juice, and guests often report a subjective difference in how they respond.

The daily schedule during a juice fast at SANIVAN follows a specific rhythm designed to support the fast and the body's shifting energy. A typical cleanse day begins early: warm lemon water with nothing else, allowing the digestive system to wake gently. Stretching or light movement follows, preparing the body for the day. Mid-morning brings the first juice, either fruit-based smoothies or vegetable-based juices depending on the stage of the retreat. A liver or kidney flush mid-day uses specific juice combinations formulated to support those organs' work; timing these organ-specific juices allows a sequential focus rather than a random collection of drinks. Mid-afternoon offers a potassium broth, usually around 4 p.m., timed to replenish minerals lost during fasting and to sustain energy through the evening. Between juices, herbal teas and plain water are available ad libitum. The afternoon and evening include activities: hiking on the retreat grounds or in the Catskill forest, swimming in the ozonated pool, sauna sessions, yoga, or simply rest and meditation. The day concludes with an evening juice and early rest, recognizing that fasting guests often need more sleep.

The facilities at SANIVAN support the fasting experience in concrete ways. The ozonated swimming pool is unusual; ozonation purifies water using ozone gas rather than chlorine, producing a different feel and possibly reducing chemical irritation for sensitive guests. The pool provides gentle movement and weightless exercise during a fast. The sauna, a dry heat room, supports the retreat's cleansing philosophy by facilitating perspiration and a sense of release. A vertical Vichy shower, a French hydrotherapy fixture that delivers water from multiple nozzles, provides massage-like stimulation and circulation support. Meditation gardens with walking labyrinths offer quiet, structured space for contemplation and mindful movement. The intimacy of the setting, only three rooms, the owner present daily, means that if a guest is struggling during the fast, feels dizzy, or needs encouragement at 10 p.m., direct personal support is available. This is not a large staff operating on protocols; it is a caregiver relationship.

The owner, Saniye, is deeply committed to the work and present daily. The retreat emphasizes that the philosophy guiding the work is one of balance and authenticity rather than luxury or perfection. This distinction appears subtle but shapes everything: guests are not served as clients in a high-end resort but welcomed as visitors undertaking a commitment to nourish themselves. The language around this, "making a heartfelt commitment to nourishing yourself, mind, body, and spirit, with simplicity, consistency, and love", is direct and humble, not slick. A guest expecting five-star resort service and a hushed staff might be disappointed; a guest seeking genuine, engaged support and a real connection to the retreat facilitator will find it here.

SANIVAN also offers a 3-day cleanse kick-start programme, positioned as a gentler entry point. Rather than committing to a week or longer, someone can try three days of organic juice fasting, sauna and pool access, and guidance in how to continue supportive practices after going home. This format appeals to people sceptical of fasting, short on time, or recovering from illness; it builds confidence for longer retreats. The retreat also operates a weight-loss programme using juice fasting and lifestyle change (available in 3 or 10-day formats) and offers cooking classes and shopping excursions so that guests can learn how to source organic ingredients and prepare meals that support their wellness goals beyond the retreat. This educational component, helping people sustain their practices at home, reflects a philosophy focused on lasting change rather than temporary extraction from life.

The location's appeal varies. For someone in the northeastern United States, the Catskills are accessible and beautiful: the region is known for hiking, natural landscapes, and a culture of wellness retreats. For someone flying from California or Europe, it requires travel time but is less remote than some retreat destinations. The proximity to New York City (two hours driving) means easy airport access, and the region attracts many people seeking to escape the city's pace temporarily. A guest typically drives from one of the major NYC airports, making it a do-able weekend or short week away from the city. The retreat's modest scale and personal touch attract people who are drawn to small, owner-operated businesses over large corporate wellness operations.

Supervision at SANIVAN is personalized but not medical. Unlike a clinic-based fasting programme with physicians present, SANIVAN offers skilled, experienced guidance from someone deeply trained in wellness and fasting practices. Saniye can monitor for signs of distress, can adjust the juice recipes and schedule if a guest is struggling, and can recommend supportive supplements or herbal preparations if needed. This is not equivalent to medical supervision with blood tests and vitals monitoring. If you have a serious metabolic condition, diabetes, heart disease, or take medications with specific food requirements, you need a medical clinic, not a wellness retreat. But for someone in generally good health seeking to take a supported fasting break, SANIVAN's personalized assistance is meaningful.

The marketing language at SANIVAN around juice fasting is careful and honest. They do not promise to "detoxify" or "cleanse" in the unsupported sense; they describe fasting as a way to "cleanse and restore digestive well-being as well as overall health," positioning it as digestive rest and restoration rather than toxin removal. The emphasis on organic herbs, individually tailored juices, and supportive amenities frames fasting not as deprivation but as nourishment within a new format. This framing allows guests to understand fasting as a real practice with genuine benefits, reduced digestive burden, metabolic shifting, cellular rest, without exaggeration.

SANIVAN appeals to guests seeking a personalized, intimate experience; people comfortable with a smaller, owner-operated retreat over a large facility; and those drawn to a wellness-focused, non-medical approach to fasting and self-care. It works well for someone new to fasting who wants real support; someone returning to fasting and wanting refreshed guidance; or someone seeking to reset habits and learn how to continue at home. It is not the best fit if you need medical supervision for a serious condition, prefer anonymity in a large group setting, or want luxury resort amenities alongside the fasting. It is excellent if you value personal connection, organic quality, and flexibility in programme design.