EmpowerHer Unleashed Online: Breaking Free from Sabotage and Embracing Your Full Potential

When choosing a women's retreat, which are often so relational, respect for the retreat leader who sets the tone is paramount for me. Marilena falls on the "ideal" end of the leader spectrum. She's funny, kind, open about her own journey and open-minded about yours, detail-oriented/hyper-organized, and both highly spiritual and simultaneously down-to-earth.

Marilena personally walks the walk. One example with my jet-lagged brain: I am not a vegetarian, but she is...and she practices radical acceptance...including of ants that bite her, relocating them, rather than ending them, as I did. She also offered guests a variety of meat-based dishes daily without judgment, as I am allergic to dairy but enjoy a high-protein, lower carb diet. She always checked with me and the restaurants we ordered from, communicating in Greek for me, re: my dairy allergy and never made it feel like a burden. You can't buy genuine caring/compassion and she cares and goes the extra mile for each person. A leader has this dedication or they don't--Marilena has it in abundance.

Surprisingly, I experienced rather excruciating sciatica, starting the first day of the trip (attributed to the long plane ride). This was a contingency I had certainly not prepared for. Marilena was incredibly sympathetic and I was still able to participate in adapted versions of a great deal of the original itinerary, thanks to her flexibility and tailoring of the program. For instance, when I went into town to a physiotherapist appointment, I was able to meet up for what was ultimately my favorite dinner of the trip afterwards. Ironically, the experience of being so vulnerable while traveling and then cared for so generously by the group, while honestly being a burden/inconvenience, was probably the biggest growth experience for me...and was definitely not on the itinerary ;-) This was only possible because Marilena genuinely cared, was radically inclusive, and was flexible with her plans.

In addition to accommodating my injury and food allergy, she adapted the itinerary to our preferences. For instance, she offered a meditation session, and asked me which of several meditations I'd like first, and then led me in that experience on the spot with accompanying music selection selected for my taste, in a location of my choosing, from options provided. Marilena had delightfully "over-prepared," with indoor options for our continued engagement had the weather made many of our outdoor options impossible. Thankfully, the weather was amazing throughout the trip.

Ms. Georgiou is a sensitive soul who cares deeply about each participants' health/wellness, personal growth, and experience on the retreat. She engages in lighthearted, fun banter at more social times--like meals or taxi rides AND is wholly there for the serious, deep discussions about creating a meaningful life and our place in the universe as well. She also offered interesting Greek and Cyprian cultural insights and stories throughout, enhancing my understanding.

Within a week, I left feeling retreat participants were like friends. I would happily participate in future retreats led by Marilena, and encourage you to experience her sincere dedication to warm hospitality and personal growth as well!

The photos are accurate--this place is gorgeous!

The Mykonos Pantheon Luxury Suites unexpectedly provided an extravagant welcoming meal on our first night for the other group they were hosting and our retreat benefited as well. There was wonderful live Cyprian music and unlimited drinks and a delicious multi-course meal including fresh calamari and a wonderful salad--two of my favorites.

The pool was too cold for me to swim in, but the hot tub was the PERFECT temperature--not too hot and very comforting with perfect jets so I could enjoy the foot and back massage even longer. Also, I was the only one in the pool at the time that I went swimming and it never seemed "crowded" even though there were a lot of people staying here during the week of the retreat. They had a lot of nice touches--including sun umbrellas in the pool area with fringe that sways in the breeze. The views this place offered, and perfect island breezes elevated conversations and meal experiences.

Right across the street was a small beach--a lovely addition. However, please be aware that there isn't a proper staircase down--irregular boulders with sand on them and not a proper accompanying hand rail to hold all the way down. I would have attempted it when I was younger, but only made it half way down at my current age. There's a more approachable beach in walking distance of the hotel for those feeling less adventurous.

Breakfast was consistent--with lots of options, including scrambled eggs and hardboiled eggs and a meat (bacon or amazing sausage--recommended) in addition to fresh fruit basket and an assortment of pastries and breads and cheeses and sliced meats (ham and salami) and yogurts. Tea and coffee were available each morning.

The cleaning ladies were incredibly dedicated. I was so exhausted after my flight on the first day that they let me into my room a little early to sleep while she was still cleaning the room, and she very sweetly covered me with a blanket. Such a genuine, caring touch. She made beautiful designs of the towels each day--shaping them into swans, etc. It was a nice treat to see what it would look like--a bit of novelty each day! The place was immaculate!

I took a star off of the review because we were originally promised a sea view, but they had overbooked their best rooms, so we only received the sea view rooms on the last two days of our 7-day stay. The sea view is what make the place so special! If you can get a sea view room, it's a 5-star experience! I had a beautiful, spacious veranda the last two days and could enjoy the view from the air conditioning inside my room through the FABULOUS windows as well. I took so many photos of the windows because I loved the turquoise, wooden shutters that allowed you to adapt to your preferences throughout the day. Besides being beautiful, I could let in fresh air, but block out excessive sun and partially close one shutter, leaving others, etc.. SO much more adaptable than curtains.

Also, the Suites' chef left on the second day of our retreat so there was some unexpected scrambling re: meals. The first meal this was an issue for was lunch and I ultimately ended up walking to a restaurant a few blocks away and having one of the best meals of my stay.

Air conditioning worked great in the rooms! Bar staff were friendly.

I had a lot of ants (30+) gathering at the doorway of my room on the second-to-last day. I think they may have been looking for shade or water though because there were no crumbs anywhere for them to eat (spotless cleaning!) and they were coming through a hole in the doorway...not going to the kitchenette area. Another woman had them in her room below mine as well and said one bit her.

Also, I personally considered this a bonus, but there was a celebration nearby on our second-to-last night and we were able to enjoy the fireworks and live music from our hotel. I brought ear plugs (and you should too) so had no trouble sleeping through it after I went to bed, though I heard from other participants that the music continued until the wee hours of the morning keeping them awake.

The place also had 2 charming cats onsite, which was a delightful addition, IMHO. They were very well-behaved and if you didn't want to interact, you needn't. However, if you LOVE cats like me, it was so nice to be able to approach and pet them--made the place feel more personal/home-like.