When you think about fire, words like destruction and devastation come to mind, but also, resilience. Fire can burn for hours on end, to destroy everything in its path, yet it also makes things stronger and more beautiful. In the ancient Japanese practice, Shou Sugi Ban, wood is preserved by burning it. Under the crackling embers of the fire, the crisp wood is destroyed and transformed into dark boards to build strength and resistance. This concept of being reborn was the idea and namesake behind Shou Sugi Ban House, a wellness resort in the Hamptons, that inspires people to go back to a simpler version of themselves. In this two to three-night retreat, guests reach new levels of relaxation through holistic healing techniques discovered in the natural world.

Most guests arrive on the property from the retreat’s car service, picked up in sleek black Teslas throughout the Hamptons. As guests step out onto the stone driveway, they are in awe of a large statue of Buddha in front of a light cedar house, already setting the mindful tone of the retreat. Taking a deep breath in, they can taste the salt in the air as the breeze from the ocean tickles their skin. Visitors walk through the Main Barn, revealing winding cobblestone paths for walking mediations that lead to thirteen cedar suites. With its serene landscape of native plants and a vegetable garden, Shou Sugi Ban House is the ideal location for self-reflection.

Stretching across three acres, Shou Sugi Ban House is just blocks away from the quiet beaches in Watermill, New York. This retreat is the perfect way to spend a weekend in the Hamptons, as it is the only comprehensive wellness resort in the area. Inspired by her time working as a corporate lawyer in Japan during the 1990s, owner Amy Cherry-Abitbol wanted to recreate the holistic approaches to wellness she saw in Japan. With a focus on personal experience and ancient healing practices, the resort designs schedules catered to what guests desire from the retreat.

The retreat begins with guest introductions and then a morning yoga session. As community is a key aspect of Shou Sugi Ban House, friendships among guests prevent the day from feeling too structured. However, guests are always welcome to miss sessions for a relaxing soak in the saltwater pool. With walks on the beach at dawn, guests mediate with breathing exercises as the briny sea air enters their lungs in a crisp inhale. After they return, visitors are free to pick from a wide selection of nutritional tea for the tea ceremony.

Alternating spa treatments with an emphasis on mindfulness with boot camp circuits that build physical strength bring people back to the basics of self-care. Bridging wellness of the mind and body creates a holistic approach that is exclusive to Shou Sugi Ban House. With nutrition, mindfulness, and exercise as the foundation for this resort’s programs, guests learn valuable skills that they will use for the rest of their lives.

As one of the best spas in Long Island, Shou Sugi Ban House’s massage treatments certainly do not disappoint. Floor to ceiling windows line the spa, bringing the relaxation from the resort’s grounds inside this luxurious neutral-toned spa. Wooden doors and benches bring a rustic charm into the space, making guests feel close to the comforts of their own home. While there are treatment rooms at the spa, visitors who prefer a more intimate spa experience are welcome to receive treatments in their own cedar suites.

For guests suffering from stress and emotional fatigue, the Edge of the Woods massage is recommended. This Swedish massage uses golden jojoba and rosehip oils to rejuvenate the body. Complete with herbal compresses, elderflower and willow tea infusions are used to calm the mind. The Deep Within massage also embodies this holistic approach. Using hot stones, this full body massage releases deep-rooted stress and tensions. Guests can choose between three aromatherapeutic body balms for a deep conditioning treatment, adding proteins to revitalize dull and tired skin. After treatments, the relaxation continues with a trip to the steam room, infrared and dry saunas.

Positioned next to the Parrish Art Museum, this hidden oasis in Watermill, New York features luxurious cedar suites. With glass doors leading out to a personal garden patio, natural light shines into the room, glowing against the neutral-toned furniture. Thick curtains and fluffy throw blankets add cosiness to this minimalist space, allowing guests to feel extra comfortable. Designed by a local artist, the white oak bed platforms add a custom element in each room. However, the true luxury comes with the attention to detail. The lighting in each suite is designed to complement the guest’s circadian rhythm, allowing them to experience a deeper and more restful night of sleep.

As guests slip on the Shou Sugi Ban House robe and slippers, they feel the soft material weightless against their skin. The smell of fresh linen fills their nose as they wait for their bath to steep. Every night, Shou Sugi Ban House draws a custom bath featuring herbal infusions in a Hinoki Ofuro, a traditional Japanese soaking tub. This wooden tub is famous for being aromatic, strong, and beautiful. After their nightly soak, guests climb into the large bed, and their eyes flutter shut as soon as their head hits the pillow. 

Shou Sugi Ban House extends its principles of returning to simplicity with food as well. The resort features a plant-rich menu that incorporates locally grown produce and herbs from the vegetable garden. Designed by chef Mads Refslund, co-founder of the restaurant Noma in Copenhagen, this menu is constantly changing as guests help prepare each dish. Featuring edible flowers, homemade sauces, and beautiful plating, guests become more mindful of what they put into their bodies and learn how the right food can make a difference in their health.

As one of the best spas in Long Island, Shou Sugi Ban House makes an excellent weekend getaway. With countless programs to help rejuvenate the body, relax the mind, and be at peace with oneself, guests will return to the simpler side of life and learn to appreciate the small things.

Between the schedule of activities, inventive cuisine, and relaxing suites, this luxurious escape from reality will transform guests’ lives.  Just like the ancient Japanese practice Shou Sugi Ban, out of the challenge comes strength and resistance.