South African flag waving with Table Mountain and a city in the background.

The Sweet Life Annual Retreat

Your Sweetest Chapter Awaits!

Join us in Cape Town,South Africa  for 6 days | 5 Nights of luxury, legacy, and soulful alignment

 November 5–10, 2026

Join us in Cape Town!
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The Sweet Life Experience is more than a retreat - it’s a journey into the art of living fully, freely, and sweetly.

Over six unforgettable days at the legendary Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town, you’ll wake to lush gardens, savor chef-crafted meals, and feel deeply held in an atmosphere of ease and elegance.

Your days will unfold with a balance of soulful connection and curated adventure:

  • Signature Sweet Life Sessions blending astrology, music, creativity, and manifestation.

  • Curated excursions - from a full-day safari to cultural tastings - that celebrate South Africa’s richness.

  • Wellness rituals designed to ground and restore you.

  • Moments of indulgence - from afternoon teas to golden sunsets - reminding you that luxury is your birthright.

This is where rest becomes revolutionary, where creativity and ritual unlock your next chapter, and where community becomes family. You’ll return home not just refreshed but transformed, carrying sweetness, practices, and memories that stay with you long after Cape Town.

The Experience November 5-10 2026

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The Resort

EXPERIENCE TIMELESS INDULGENCE IN THE SHADE OF TABLE MOUNTAIN

Set in the vibrant heart of Cape Town, this luxury hotel and spa offers easy access to all that's happening in this dynamic city.

Mount Nelson has long been regarded as one of the city's most iconic retreats. It offers the perfect combination of leafy tranquility and contemporary buzz. Whether dining on charismatic Cape cuisine, soaking up the sun or exploring the buzzing streets, your time here promises endless memories to cherish.

For more details about The Mount Nelson, you can visit their official website.

The Pinnacle of the Sweet Life is Community!

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Three women in bikinis enjoying drinks while standing in a swimming pool with a scenic beach and hills in the background on a cloudy day.
People seated at a dinner table in a restaurant, with a woman in a white shirt making hand gestures, a plant, wine glasses, and a candle on the table. Other diners are in the background.
Women sitting at a table outdoors, with plates of food, bottled water, and bowls in front of them, engaged in a communal meal or gathering.

What’s Included

Your Sweet Life Experience package has been designed to wrap you in ease, beauty, and unforgettable moments from beginning to end.

  • 6 Days / 5 Nights at the legendary Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel in Superior Rooms (including daily breakfast)

  • Welcome Dinner at the Belmond — a curated culinary journey — plus the indulgent Afternoon Tea experience

  • Full-Day Safari + Outride Adventure, including breakfast and lunch, with private group transfers

  • A signature Sweet Life Cultural Experience (such as a hands-on cooking class or wine tasting)

  • The Art of Aligning: Rhythm + Ritual for a Sweet Life workshop, co-facilitated by Founder Rakita Lillard-Brown and special guest SonjaMarie of Wordlife Astrology

  • Sweet Life Chats — intimate, soul-stirring conversations designed for reflection, legacy, and growth

  • Private group transfers, including airport pickup and curated excursions

  • A luxury retreat gift, thoughtfully curated as a keepsake of your journey

What’s Not Included

To give you the most flexibility and freedom, the following are not included in your retreat package:

  • International airfare to/from South Africa

  • Travel insurance (highly recommended)

  • Gratuities for drivers, guides, and hotel staff

  • Personal expenses such as spa treatments, souvenirs, or additional drinks/meals not explicitly listed above

Every detail of the Sweet Life Experience is designed to surround you with ease, beauty, and transformation. From luxury accommodations to soulful sessions and once-in-a-lifetime excursions, this journey is a complete investment in rest, legacy, and the sweetness you deserve.

Retreat Packages

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A luxurious hotel bedroom with a large bed, nightstands, lamps, a framed mirror, sitting area with chairs and a table, large windows with curtains, and a chandelier.

Your Investment in Sweetness

This retreat is more than a getaway - it is a curated journey of rest, legacy, and luxury designed just for you.

✨ Early Bird Special (reserve by December 1)

  • Solo Occupancy: $7,500

  • Shared Occupancy: $5,500 per person
    Secure your place early and save up to $2,000.

✨ Standard Rate

  • Solo Occupancy: $9,500

  • Shared Occupancy: $7,500 per person

Only 12–18 spots available—designed for presence, not perfection.

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Flexible Payment Plans

We believe luxury should feel accessible. That’s why we’ve created a simple payment plan to make your Sweet Life retreat possible with ease.

  • Deposit: $750 (non-refundable)

  • Remaining Balance: Divided into 8 monthly payments

  • Bonus: Secure your spot by October 30th, and your first monthly payment won’t begin until January - giving you the gift of time during the holiday season..

Are you ready to savor rest, power, and legacy?
Reserve your place today and step fully into the Sweet Life.

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Past Retreat Reviews

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Two women are standing on a beach, smiling and laughing with each other, wearing summer clothing. A third woman is visible in the background, also on the beach, wearing sunglasses and a black outfit.

“The Sweet Life speaks for itself - explore our [Review Page] to read more inspiring words from our community.”
→ Read More Reviews ➝

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Message from the Host

When I hosted my very first retreat, I knew in my spirit that this work was bigger than a getaway. It was about creating sacred spaces where Black women could exhale, be poured into, and remember that sweetness is their birthright. Year after year, each retreat has deepened that mission - becoming richer, more intentional, and more transformative.

Now, as we step into this next chapter, I’m in awe of how far we’ve come. What began as intimate gatherings has grown into immersive experiences rooted in luxury, legacy, and community. Together, we’ve watched sunsets, shared laughter and tears, and crafted memories that ripple far beyond the moment. And with each retreat, I’ve raised the bar - because you deserve nothing less than extraordinary.

This year’s Sweet Life Experience in South Africa is the most elevated offering yet. From the gardens of the iconic Belmond Mount Nelson to the breathtaking safari landscapes, every detail has been chosen to remind you of who you are: worthy of beauty, rest, and abundance. This isn’t just a retreat - it’s a celebration of your becoming, and an invitation to step into a life more aligned, more expansive, and undeniably sweeter.

I cannot wait to welcome you, hold space for you, and journey alongside you in Cape Town.

With sweetness and deep gratitude,
Rakita Lillard-Brown
Founder & Curator, The Sweet Life Retreats

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After the Retreat

Follow-Up Coaching Sessions: Personalized virtual coaching sessions to help integrate the retreat's lessons into daily life and continue the journey of self-love and growth.

Sweet Life Community Membership: Access to an exclusive online community for ongoing support, shared resources, and monthly group discussions.

Mindfulness and Wellness Toolkits: Curated kits featuring guided meditations, journaling prompts, and wellness rituals to maintain the retreat’s peaceful mindset.

Seasonal Sweet Life Retreats: Invitations to quarterly mini-retreats or workshops focusing on different aspects of personal growth and wellness.

Digital Course on Embracing Sacred Sweetness: A self-paced online course that delves deeper into the themes explored during the retreat, offering continuous learning and reflection

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FAQs

  • We’ve designed two simple ways for you to secure your spot:

    1. Pay in Full – Receive an additional 5% savings when you pay your package in full. (Please note: this discount does not apply to Early Bird pricing.)

    2. Holistree Payment Plan – Begin with a non-refundable deposit of $750, followed by easy monthly installments to make your investment more accessible.

  • Your retreat booking is considered confirmed once your payment is made. Your deposit, is non-refundable under any circumstances due to upfront costs we must incur.

    Minus your deposit, if cancellation takes place prior to 90 days 25% of your payments will be forfeited, if cancellation takes place prior to 60 days, 50% of your trip fee will be forfeited.

    Cancellation shall not be made within 60 days to the retreat, any cancellation made within this period shall attract a 100% forfeiture of your trip fee.

    Similarly, no cancellation can be made upon the commencement of the retreat.

    If cancellation takes place during the retreat, 100% of your trip fee shall be forfeited.

    You agree that neither Holistree LLC nor its hotel partners or vendors will be liable or responsible for a cancelled retreat for circumstances beyond reasonable control, including acts of civil or military authority, national emergencies, fire, mechanical breakdown, flood or catastrophe, acts of God, epidemic, pandemic, insurrection, war, riots, or failure of transportation, communication, or power supply.

    At the sole discretion of Holistree we reserve the right to cancel a retreat for attendees’ safety, act of God, government policies or any unforeseeable reason.

    Upon the occurrence of such cancellation, Holistree will provide a credit for a future retreat, valid for up to one year.

    Due to the current climate, we strongly encourage attendees to purchase “Cancel For Any Reason” or “Cancel for Work” insurance.

  • Our retreats range in size. Sometimes as small as 5 and as large as 25. We will list the availability.

  • Upon registration, you will receive a welcome message with general trip information within 48 hours.

    If you opted for an installment plan, you will also receive a reminder prior to payment date.

    As the date of the retreat approaches over the next few months, you will receive emails on specifics relevant to your trip and a final itinerary 30 days before our retreat.

  • While we try to cover many things there are sometimes expenses you will still incur.

    You will need to have a card on file with the hotel when you check in.

    Alcohol and food beyond the resort's inclusive menu can be charged to your card, as well as any additional spa services you opt for.