Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop Retreat Slammed for ‘Underwhelming’ Wellness Experience
Check this out: I’ve been chugging cold brew all morning, but nothing jolted me like the uproar over Gwyneth Paltrow’s latest “immersive retreat.” The actress-entrepreneur hosted a pricey wellness getaway under her Goop banner at a sprawling ranch in California’s Santa Ynez Valley—complete with sound baths, “energy healing” workshops and boutique farm-to-table meals. But instead of glowing reviews, the internet went wild with critiques calling the event “quite unimpressive” and “barely worth the ticket price.”
Social media posts from retreat attendees (spotted on Instagram Stories and Twitter threads) describe sparse décor, an under-attended sound bath in a barn-turned-studio and a line-up of “wellness coaches” whose credentials were allegedly more Instagramable than impactful. One guest told the New York Post, “I thought I’d be floating on clouds, but I ended up sitting on hay bales wondering where the luxury was.” Another TikTok creator lamented, “For the cost, I expected a private villa, not cattle fencing and lukewarm quinoa bowls.”
Page Six also weighed in, noting that several participants peeled off after the first day to explore nearby wineries rather than endure another “guided breathwork session” led by a coach who apparently missed her cue on timing. Sources report that Goop offered refunds or discounts on future events, but by then the online backlash—complete with memes comparing the setup to a glorified backyard barbecue—had already gone viral.
Despite the flak, Gwyneth’s team doubled down on the experience’s authenticity. A Goop spokesperson told People magazine they curated the retreat to strip away distractions and “reconnect with Mother Nature,” citing careful attention to locally sourced foods and eco-friendly lodging. Still, attendees on Yelp and Facebook Reviews gave it a two-star average, calling out what they saw as a mismatch between Goop’s high-end branding and the actual on-the-ground vibe.
Is this a sign that even A-listers can misjudge the wellness market? Commentary from industry experts (via The Daily Mail and Healthline) suggests that demand for luxury retreats is peaking, but expectations are sky-high—and two-day escapes must pack serious value. So far, Goop has yet to announce a retooled schedule for future events, but insiders say a complete makeover—think celebrity chefs, pop-up spas and actual four-poster beds—is already in discussion.
I swear, I could keep bingeing coffee and rant about this all day, but let’s just say I’m curious to see if Gwyneth’s next wellness adventure will truly deliver—or if it’ll just be more overpriced Hay Bale Hotel.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and New York Post, Page Six, Instagram attendee posts, Twitter reactions
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
