Nestled along the Sebastian River and the Indian River Lagoon in Sebastian Florida, ChoZen Retreat is a unique escape for those seeking to reconnect with nature and themselves. For those travelers seeking a meaningful, nature-centric getaway that supports conservation efforts, ChoZen Retreat offers a refreshing alternative to traditional resorts. Here, you can rejuvenate your spirit, connect with like-minded individuals and contribute to a greater cause – all while enjoying the comforts of a thoughtfully designed retreat.
Why ChoZen Retreat Stands Out
- Nature Immersion: Set on a 22,000-acre nature preserve, it’s a stark contrast to nearby developed areas of single family homes or rows of beachfront hi-rises. Once you’re inside the complex, nature is your home.
- Sustainability Focus: Repurposed buildings, low-impact additions and eco-friendly practices.
- Founder Tony Cho recently told me in an interview that the purpose of the retreat is to: “experience nature in a comfortable, modern, contemporary way, having all the amenities that you would want, but really connecting people with nature.”
Are you ready to explore off the beaten path? Let us inspire you!
Overnight Stay Options: From Luxury to Camping
Perfect for retreats, family reunions, weddings or even solo getaways. Options include:
- Harvest House with 11 bedrooms. Includes communal kitchen, cafe, gift store and adventure center.
- Birding Lodge with 11 bedrooms and kitchen.
- Smaller buildings such as the Owl’s Nest with four suites and the Waterlily Cottage.
- Geodesic domes
- Campground
- Cosmic Airstream from the documentary Path of the Panther.
- Cho says: “We are accessible to all different socioeconomic backgrounds from pitching a tent to a luxurious accommodation which has ensuite bathrooms with a pool in front of a river.”
What to Do at ChoZen Retreat
- Explore Nature: Wander through lush landscapes, community gardens and a food forest with more than 350 fruit trees that Tony Cho and his family have been planting for the last 15 years.
- Hike and Walk: Two and half miles of trails throughout the property
- Adventure Awaits: Try seaplane eco-experiences and canoeing or electric boat rides on the Sebastian River.
- Relax: Unwind at the upcoming spa and amenity deck.
- Birding: Pull out the binoculars to experience one of the birding capitals of North America with osprey, owls, hawks, herons and egrets.
- Cho says, “When I’m working on my computer in my backyard, I hear a dolphin; I hear manatees; I hear owls, and I see a red-shouldered hawk.”
A Retreat That’s Part of the Community
- Artisan Market: Held monthly in the fall and winter on weekends, the market features more than 30 vendors, live music, food and local products.
- Community Programs: Weekly events to connect with like-minded individuals. Join ChoZen flow fitness classes, permaculture tours or Garden Days on Fridays.
How to Book a Stay at ChoZen
ChoZen Retreat isn’t a traditional hotel where you can book an overnight stay any time of the year.
- Individuals: Join a signature retreat weekend such as:
- Florida Safari Weekend Getaway in conjunction with the monthly Artisan Market.
- Embodied Soul Experience “designed for women entrepreneurs, leaders, healers and creatives”
- Modern Samurai Retreat “where ancient samurai teachings and ninja techniques meet modern leadership challenges”
- Private Events: Rent a section of the property for weddings, reunions or gatherings in any of four sections of the Retreat:
- Harvest House that includes the community center.
- The Sanctuary with four custom-design geodesic domes, a Safari camp, the Cosmic Airstream and the four-bedroom Florida Villa
- The Estuary with an 11-bedroom lodge, the Owl’s Nest and a campground space with 11 camping platforms.
- Cho says: “We’ve had celebrities who visited and a couple who booked out The Sanctuary privately for a week.”
Why You’ll Love It
If you find yourself singing, “Let’s Go Fly A Kite” while at ChoZen Retreat, don’t be surprised. You’ll be channeling one of the former homes of the Sherman Brothers, who wrote the score for the movie, Mary Poppins.
Whether you’re exploring the preserve, sampling local flavors, or simply relaxing, the ChoZen Retreat offers a refreshing alternative to traditional resorts.
Cho says, “I feel like people are kind of getting sick of just going to a place where they’re just going to be pampered and lay back. They want to feel like they’re actually having an impact. What we’re creating here is more of an impact hospitality experience. It’s having an impact on the individual in a positive, holistic way because we believe that nature is the medicine.”
How to Get There
Sebastian, Florida is located east off I-95 about halfway between Jacksonville and Miami and about 90 minutes east of Orlando. The Chozen Retreat is located, in part, on the Sebastian River, which is a tributary of the much larger Indian River Lagoon.
For more information, visit ChoZen Retreat. The address is: ChoZen Retreat, 11115 Roseland Rd., Sebastian, FL 32958. Phone is: 305-723-9956.
And look for dolphins when you’re at the Sebastian River. Several hundred spend most of their time in the Indian River Lagoon and its tributaries.
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