Heaven! What a beautiful place to focus on yourself and connect with others. The yoga is incredible. I love the on site lake for an afternoon dip! And the meals are outstanding.

There is a lot to love about Cocoon. Setting is beautiful, food is great. Vila Nova M is a cute little town with a couple of fun, scenic, delicious restaurants although you will need a car to get around and not feel trapped. The roads aren't really set up to bike, so the bikes sound better in theory than in reality. As with any new resort, there are a few kinks to work out that would really make this retreat center amazing. One is, they need to do everything possible to get a handle on their insect situation. Spiders in rooms/beds and mosquitoes swirling our heads during dinner certainly hindered the enjoyment of the week. Plant marigolds, get fans, get screened in doors for rooms so we don't have to choose sleeping with unwanted critters or sleep in a hot box as there is no A/C. Have more insect repellent avaialbe or at least warn guests to bring their own. While there were citronella candles on occasion, there weren't enough of that sort of thing. Fans in rooms would also go a long way in helping guests sleep well; it would circulate air and help drown out noises. While I was there during the Springtime and only had a couple of hot, sleepless nights, I hate it for the people whom have booked Cocoon during the summer when it will be much hotter. Not sure how they will be able to sleep in such hot conditions with not even a fan. The staff introduced themselves once we were together as a group in the beginning and much to my amazement we were asked to scrape our plates, stack in one pile and return to kitchen afer every single meal. I found this absolutely repulsive. Sometimes even feeling rushed as the staff would want the dishes occasionally while people were still leisurely enjoying their meals. I found this practice especailly tacky and uncalled for. It doesn't seem like it would have been too much for the staff to have handled in a more civilized manner and if it is too much to ask, then I would encourgage Cocoon to consider adding additional staff to their team. I would have gladly paid more to avoid that unpleasantness. With regards to the facility, the rooms/bathrooms were great and I loved both the indoor yoga space and outdoor yoga space (as long as there was a breeze outside). It was nice to have space around the lake to lounge. The TP was cool in theory but absolutely infested with spiders, so consider yourself cautioned. It was neat how they have peacocks and a couple of small dogs. I heard there were goats but never saw them. With a full retreat, it would have been nice if we could have had more areas conducive to hanging out. There was one main spot but a couple of more loungy areas would have been nice, especially considering you are kind of stranded there unless you have a car or planned acitivity. The main chef, Aly, was very talented and came up with delicious and interesting meals at dinnertime. It was great to observe her passion in explaining the inspiration behind each meal she prepared. She is a gem. Breakfast on the otherhand, was mostly the same thing everyday; it was great to begin with but got old pretty quickly. Consider changing it up. The insects, lack of air circulation and 3 times daily scraping and stacking policy will be the reasons I will not return to Cocoon, sadly, unless one day these situations are resolved. Otherwise, the setting, the staff, the yoga space were all great. I would have loved giving them a better score but this is in hopes to get their attention because these are easy fixes in my opinion and reallty impact the overall experience and happiness of the guest. I was not alone in my opinions, as these were chatterings of many throughout the week.

This place is M A G I C A L!!! After two days here, spending both of those days in a hammock, I spontaneously combusted into the cacooned larvae of a spotted moth! Great experience, great price, and now I can eat all the deadly mold I want! 11/10

I had the best time leading a retreat in this incredible and magical place. Awesome spot, wonderful staff and gorgeous food. I cannot wait to head there again for more!

It was magical! This place was home to one of the best retreats i’ve been on. amazing staff, location, food, and energy.

I had such an incredible experience with such wonderful people!! Truly magical!! I can't wait to come back soon!!!

What a beautiful space Anton has created and manifested! As a student, teacher, and yoga studio owner I appreciated so much the clear, safe and FUN space Anton held at Cocoon! It was my dream retreat. Sleep, Eat, Yoga, Rest and Repeat. Great opportunities to explore with others and no pressure either. The asana was amazing and the collective group was so enjoyable to be around. Love it Anton and Cocoon Staff!!

Cocoon is such a special place! Hidden in the countryside, surrounded by acres and acres of land with families of peacocks and a swimming lake. It gives a real opportunity to completely switch off from busy city life. Aly did such a fantastic job on the food with super tasty, local produce. Incredible yoga with a beautiful shala to practice in. I LOVED my visit! Thank you. x

Cocoon is just pure magic. From the beautiful rooms (and super comfy beds), the yoga shala, the nature surrounding it, the food, everything is truly awakening every sense in the body and makes you come alive! Obrigada for a wonderful week spent retreating there <3

Absolutely divine! From the stunning farm vistas, simple elegant rooms, abundant delicious organic meals to the gorgeous lake and kind, attentive staff I can't say enough. Will absolutely go back for another retreat.

This was an experience of a life time! It was more than I ever expected from a yoga retreat; an all encompassing yoga practice twice a day, incredible fresh cooked meals, an opportunity to build friendships, local excursions, a serene and relaxing environment that supports the body, mind and soul...

This place is magical. I spent a week at Cocoon for a yoga retreat and I absolutely loved it. Everything is perfect — the food, the lake, the rooms, the views, the staff! MAGIC <3

Cocoon is simply magical. I spent a week there on a yoga retreat and couldn't have asked for a more beautiful experience. The property itself is breathtaking, and the amount of love that has gone into the space is palpable. From the incredible local food to the clean and comfortable rooms, not one detail lacks care. Counting down the days until I can go back!

Cocoon Portugal is heaven on earth! So beautiful and peaceful. Top notch yoga classes and food. The staff there are amazing, so kind and helpful. Peacocks are roaming the property and you can pick figs off the tree. 15 min drive from gorgeous beaches and cute towns. Love this place and cant wait to go back!

Cocoon is a place where all of my senses come alive. The crisp clean air makes breathing deep only natural. I love the thick fog in the morning, the lake to swim in after practice, the fresh food right off the farm, the cozy comfortable beds, the tea selection and cuuuuuute mugs. The Shala is beautiful to practice in & the property is gorgeous to explore. I’ve had the pleasure of staying in spring and autumn; they are both equally beautiful times of year to visit. I swam in the lake in April and in October gorgeous spot, I hope I get to visit again!

Magical - the main word that comes to mind when I think of Cocoon. From the community, to the premises, to the fresh farm-to-table food, yoga, atmosphere, greenery and the rooms, this place radiates a rare kind of tranquility. The yoga space lights up with the morning sun — the perfect place for asana. The rooms are spotless and bright, and the gardens are beautiful. But the thing that really makes Cocoon stand out is the community. Anton, Jon, Stu, Ali, Nicole, Taylor and the rest of the staff work hard every day to make your stay outstanding. Every detail is thought out with care. The whole environment reflects the kind, supportive, strong and loving values of those who contribute to the overall experience. Take a stroll around the property, explore the orchards on a bike or just sip a glass of wine and watch the peacocks walk by while watching the sun go down. Eat homemade pizza right from the outdoor oven, or laze out with a book in one of the hammocks. And don't forget to go skinny dipping in the lake! A true peaceful Portuguese gem. Anton and the team have put their heart and soul into Cocoon and you can really feel it. Whether you're looking for a place to host your retreat or just want to escape for a few days, look no further. You won't regret it!

I hosted a retreat at Cocoon in August 2019 on behalf of Yoga On a Shoestring and thought it was a beautiful place. The interior is simple, yet stylish and good quality. The setting is stunning, being surrounded by acres of wild nature meant it was peaceful and secluded and swimming in the lake is the best! The food was delicious, fresh and tasty. I really enjoyed exploring the surrounding beaches and area. The Yoga spaces are great, really well equipped I particularly loved the outdoor platform! All in all a wonderful experience and one I hope to repeat in the future. And lastly but not leastly thanks to all of the staff especially Stu who was really helpful and friendly to all and looked after the group really well.

Nothing better than the countryside of Portugal with a delicious lake to get refreshed, peacocks to keep you company and fresh sheets to sleep in. Clearly this place was put together to ensure comfort. It was a treat to visit.

HIGHLY recommended. For those who will be in the area - this retreat center is an absolute must do experience. From peacocks roaming the farm, to incredible food and staff, to yoga with talented teachers, to meeting people from all over the world - Cocoon Portugal is the place to be.

This place is a piece of heaven on earth - beautifully secluded, delicious love-filled food, a well-equipped yoga shala (with the best Manduka mats and props) and such warm hosts. Waking up to the misty sunrises and majestic peacocks was breathtaking... but the best thing by far was the daily skinny dips in the lake!

Cocoon is an extraordinary place to drop in, practice, and connect. Magical moments are revealed daily – the peaceful quiet of the morning sunrise, the reflection of the countless stars on the lake, refreshing post-practice dips, the abundance of delicious, local food, the beauty of the yoga shala with everything one would need. At every turn, you feel cared for and nourished by the staff and the space that has been so carefully, lovingly created. Amid our week of practice, I appreciated the opportunity to visit the surrounding area, including the nearby beach and sunset at the lighthouse, which truly can’t be missed, so access to a car would enhance anyone’s visit. So looking forward to my return to Cocoon!

Simply incredible. Everything about Cocoon is magical. The morning fog on the lake, the stars, the bike rides, the goats, sheep, PEACOCKS, dogs, etc. It all makes for an amazing, rejuvenating experience. The staff is so nice and helpful. The food is just incredible and fresh. The yoga space is beautiful and peaceful. The surrounding area is lovely. Would recommend a car to explore the towns, beaches, etc. Can't wait to visit again.

I absolutely enjoyed my time at Cocoon with The Sacred Fig and Kula Yoga Project. All of my expectations were met per the information given to us by the website and emails. One thing to note is that if I communicated any discomfort or a need to the staff they immediately made an effort and then solved said discomfort. I do wish I would have brought a car because the surrounding area is worth the exploration. Nevertheless, Anton and the crew organized trips to the local light house (stunning) and other outdoor activities outside of the farm. My favorite part of the farm is the clothing optional lake, it was the perfect temperature and absolutely picturesque. The food must be mentioned too, I don’t know how the chef made the perfect proportioned meals... plus everything was beyond delicious. One more notable mention is that the peacocks are special too :).

I have been to many retreat centers around the world and Cocoon is one of the best. As a group leader, there is a notable difference when you are offering a yoga experience at a place that is not exactly designed for yoga groups, and when the curators of a property are yogis themselves and understand what the offering needs to be. Cocoon felt very much like home and very reflective of the vibe of my studio (Kula Yoga). Lots of natural details, reclaimed wood and rustic farm vibes with a soft, clean color palette in the rooms and throughout the property. I loved the roaming peacocks, the misty morning sunrises, the access to a swimming hole, the lovely yoga space complete with the kind of props you need and want (and rarely find) on a yoga retreat. There is the right amount of common space and private nooks, depending on your needs. I know the effort and the love it takes to create a space with your bare hands, to think about how every detail will land with your customers....I feel all of this in what the team of owners have done at Cocoon. It is not so much a "business" as a home that they care about and have put their love and vision into. Do not expect "a hotel" but rather the experience of being a guest on someone's farm, as if you have been invited into someone's family. I do think visiting Portugal's beaches is a must and experiencing sunset at the lighthouse is a must, which means you need a car or have transportation arranged.

Super special spot! Honestly, one of the best places I've led a yoga retreat-- amazing practice space with all the prop amenities one could wish for. The rooms are beautiful, the land is rich, the location is a perfect spot to unplug. Its run super smooth and easy, the food is amazing, all in all-- its just so good!!!!!!!!

From the minute you pull up to Cocoon, the rest of the world drops away. There is some kinda magic in the air at this place— and in the water, and in the incredible food... This was my first ever yoga retreat and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. The rooms are beautifully simplistic, the staff welcoming, and the peacocks wondering the grounds truly make it a place like no other. Already planning my next trip back! Thanks for everything!

after many years visiting retreat centers around the world, i believe that cocoon truly stands out as a lustrous gem. it is a place built for people who want to root themselves in their senses, put feet on the earth, slow down, show up, and practice yoga. everything one needs for practice and play is brand new, well thought out, and organized. and the food is insanely delicious. i hope to keep coming back season after season.

A place with potential that needs some major improvements. Recently spent a week on their farm after hearing about them and following them on Instagram and I personally don’t think it holds up to all of the positive reviews I read before arriving. The CONS: The retreat: Some of the retreats held here are very expensive. I would expect them to clean the room (not change the sheets as I understand it is an eco friendly place) but minimum sweep the floors, wipe down the bathroom, and make the beds, more than only 1x the entire week we were there. The other people I shared a room with had the same complaint. The staff: we didn’t see the owner but the place is small, so we heard the staff. Some of them had tensions between them and I thought it was really unprofessional to discuss those things when we could hear them during breakfast through their kitchen. This happened more than once during the retreat and multiple people commented on how we could hear that they weren’t all getting along. We are doing yoga so we can definitely feel when there is bad energy! Besides one person, the rest of the staff did not make an effort to help, explain things, or interact with us. Didn’t find this very welcoming. Giving back to Portugal: I am half Portuguese and didn’t find one thing about this retreat that incorporated the local culture. This was a huge disappointment. Why not cook with more Portuguese influence or organize activities so that those visiting can feel a bit of the strong culture in Portugal? I felt like I could have been literally ANYWHERE while I was on this retreat. Also, when one staff member asked us to pay in cash he said it was: “because if you use a card we have to pay tax and you have to pay tax, so we will charge you more.” This comment really bothered me. The retreat should be enriching the community and paying all their taxes, not opening discouraging tax from being paid! Transportation: they should stress that you really need a car to get around. It’s really not optional and this was a big downside for me. The yoga space: the kitchen separator should be bigger as it was very distracting to hear the cooking during yoga. PROS The location is beautiful and the decor is great. You can tell it’s a new spot and a lot of detail went into planning it. The vegetarian meals were very good. We enjoyed our time practicing yoga as the yoga teacher we had was great. All in all, I think it has a lot of room for improvement and I would have been disappointed if I spent more on this retreat than I did, which I know others visiting with other yoga teachers have.

If heaven is a place on earth, it's right here at Cocoon. I had the honor and luxury of hosting a retreat here in May with a friend of mine, and it surpassed every expectation and hope we had for our retreat experience. Comfortable beds, cozy rooms, hammocks, delicious and healthy food a plenty, gorgeous surroundings, just to start... The people though, wow, they really added something special to our experience, meticulously meeting needs before we even knew we had them. So welcoming and helpful is an understatement. And then there is the outdoor shala. I wish I could practice there under the old growth trees every day. It's transformative. The peacocks, the cutest little dogs, the refreshing lake, the teepee... No detail went un-missed. I couldn't recommend this place more if you're looking for a place to really disconnect from the fast paced world and immerse yourself in nature and community. 500 stars. Om Shanti. Jai. xo Meg

Nous avons passé une magnifique semaine à Cocoon. Chaque détail a été apprécié: la qualité de l'accueil, les chambres, la décoration, les repas... On s'est senti comme à la maison :-) Et la région est splendide...A découvrir!

It is with every small, nuanced detail that love shines through Cocoon Portugal. From the architecture, the way the beautiful yoga blankets were carefully arranged, the perfectly equip yoga room, the linens and comfortable beds…an adapter in every room, each meal a feast for the eyes and belly. Most importantly the staff was extraordinary! Our hosts saw to every detail without ever being asked. The chef and her crew dazzled us with bright smiles and inspired meal after meal! It wasn’t just the excellent service, it was the spirit of this place. It's close to a charming town but we felt "cocooned" inside the landscape that surrounded us. It's very grounding, connected and peaceful. We had surfing, wine tasting and hiking which were amazing, but we would have been very happy to simply stay put and go slow. A yoga destination and more!

Cocoon Portugal is my favorite retreat center I have ever visited. The chef prepared delicious local food, the staff was so kind and helpful and the rooms were beautiful. I enjoyed taking walks around the property to see the sheep, goats, peacocks and chickens. There are two little dogs there that will melt your heart! The outdoor yoga Shala was so peaceful and I loved being able to practice in nature. This time I came as a participant but I will definitely be returning to lead a yoga retreat there next season.

This place is heaven!!!! A dream within a dream. Words can’t describe how much this place has given me. Anton and his staff are the nicest people on Earth and as an added bonus damn sexy as well lol. Adopt me por favor - obrigada!!!

Beautiful environment with an amazing person at the helm. Anton is great. Find a way to make it here.

Cocoon is perfection! The food is incredible and staff couldn’t be more accommodating. Every detail was thought of from the bed linens to the outdoor yoga Shala. Can’t wait to go back!

Paradise as a retreat. Great staff, super friendly and with tons of knowledge. If you’re looking to renew yourself, have a healthy experience and love nature, this is your place!!