I Tried The Ranch Hudson Valley. Here’s What Happened When I Gave Up Sugar, Alcohol and My Phone

And then there are the mornings. At 5:30 a.m., I was gently woken by the sound of chimes—a surprisingly peaceful way to ease into the day. From there, it was straight into guided hikes through winding forest trails. I won’t pretend I was thrilled that first morning, lacing up before sunrise, but something shifts once you’re out there. The air is crisp (I went in March, just before the warm spring air was in bloom), the group energy is motivating and by the time you’re climbing your second hill, I was fully in it. By day two, I started to understand why people come back. Again, again and again.

The programming throughout the retreat leans into that same balance of rigor and restoration. Much of that programming takes place in a 2,000-square-foot former ballroom that’s been reimagined as The Ranch gym. And when it’s time to recover, the 5,000-square-foot solarium becomes the main draw, with a year-round heated pool, infrared sauna and hot and cold contrast plunge pools. There’s also a heated outdoor pool and Jacuzzi (seasonal), which adds another layer of relaxation when weather permits.

This particular retreat, timed to International Women’s Day, layered in lots of connection. Led by Tata Harper, the experience went beyond physical reset. Harper hosted a sensorial skincare masterclass, and there were fireside chats, vision-setting and breathwork sessions.

But let’s talk about the part I was most skeptical about: the food. The Ranch follows a hyper-clean, plant-forward philosophy, excluding alcohol, dairy, soy, processed sugars, diet sweeteners and gluten to support recovery and cellular repair. There are optional additions like organic eggs and responsibly sourced poultry and fish, but for the most part, it’s about simplicity and nourishment. Going in, I genuinely didn’t think I could survive without sugar, alcohol or dairy. And yet…not only did I survive, I didn’t miss them nearly as much as I expected.

That said, I didn’t walk away with some dramatic, overnight physical transformation. There were no instant, visible results. But, my sleep improved (amazing what not sleeping next to a snoring husband will do), and I felt more regulated overall. It made me think that if I kept even a fraction of these habits going, the real benefits, like sustained energy, would eventually come.

Another unexpected highlight was the digital detox. Without the constant pull of my phone, I found myself more present, both with myself and with the other women there. I met women from all walks of life, each coming in with their own reasons for being there, and somehow we all found common ground. There’s something about shared early mornings, long hikes and collective exhaustion that bonds you very quickly.

So, does The Ranch Hudson Valley live up to the hype? Yes, but this isn’t a passive, lounge-by-the-pool kind of retreat. It’s structured, disciplined and at times physically demanding. But that’s also what makes it effective. You’ll leave feeling different.

If you’re open to pushing yourself, even a little, then this is the retreat for you. And, if you’re curious about what happens when you strip away the emails, wine, late-night scrolling and replace them with movement, nourishment and actual rest, this is also for you.

For me, the biggest takeaway wasn’t just the workouts or the wellness programming. It was the rare chance to fully unplug (even briefly) from everyday life, and realize just how good that can feel.