Life moves fast, which is why soft-life travel is an emerging trend for 2026. It’s all about choosing places that restore. It’s the kind of luxury that lets you appreciate those detailed moments as you peel back the layers throughout the day.
Mornings finally get to start slow. Instead of chaos, the soft life is about catching the light of the sunrise through the linen curtains as you are tucked under the weight and warmth of your duvet. Breakfast is at a time that allows you to be present. Your days are filled with honoring both your mind and body for the ability to give you so much out of life, including the opportunity to be in this moment. This is the essence of soft-life travel in 2026.
Great Oak Manor in Chestertown, Maryland, is a go-to destination that allows you to honor yourself with a soft life. Tucked into a landscape along the Chesapeake Bay, the adults-only retreat fosters an atmosphere that is uninterested in urgency. Instead, Great Oak Manor offers something increasingly difficult to find: the permission to slow down without explanation.
The Soft-Life Experience At Great Oak Manor
Husband-and-wife team Werten Bellamy and Kellye Walker purchased the historic property in response to three pain points they recognized in themselves and those around them.
The first was losing connection with the people who mattered in their lives due to busy schedules. The second pain point they noticed is that people are starving themselves of their true passions in life because responsibilities come into play, regardless of their career paths. Lastly, a pain point that crystallized during the COVID-19 pandemic: people are planful about many things, except intentional well-being.
“We encourage people to treat themselves to some alone time where they can give themselves a space and unstructured time that allows their mind to wander without social distractions,” Bellamy tells Travel Noire. “That is deeply restorative.”
Whether you are traveling solo, with a significant other, or by yourself, Great Oak Manor allows guests to focus on the gift of undivided attention. Great Oak Manor addresses all of these pain points by providing guests with a canvas to reconnect on its 18 acres. At least 12 acres are waterfront. Guests are spending time together or fostering their relationship with themselves through unique programming.
Programming At Great Oak Manor Is Where Time Slows Down
Oak Manor offers guests opportunities for shared learning, relaxation, and personal restoration through its Women’s Wellness Series. The StressLess Retreat is a transformative journey that helps participants uncover hidden sources of stress, understand their impact, and take control through practical tools and strategies.
The My TYM Retreat (pronounced time) is a restorative retreat designed for women who would benefit from spending time taking a self-care journey through tea, yoga, and meditation.
Each retreat combines expert-led practices such as yoga, meditation, and tea ceremonies, offering tangible, practical tools for stress management and self-renewal. Bellamy and Walker assembled a team of wellness experts who will guide the journey. Dr. Denee Choice is a stress management coach. Luisanna Tejada and Avery Parker are certified yoga instructors, and Sarah Scarborough is a tea ritual specialist. Together, they offer incredible insight into mindfulness, self-care, and relaxation for a truly restorative experience.
Other key experiences include the Taste of Great Oak Manor. The weekend experience showcases the journey and culinary gifts of talented guest chefs from around the country. The experience includes a champagne welcome with chef selections, a fireside chat, and curated meals. The guest chef also guides participants through an intimate cooking demonstration and a hands-on cooking lesson.
Key Dates For 2026
- Taste of Great Oak with Chef Angel Barreto of Anju: May 15-17
- StressLess Retreat: July 10-12
- Taste of Great Oak with Chef Matt Adler of Cucina Morini: Sept. 11-13
- Taste of Great Oak with Chef Matt Conroy and Isabel Coss of Lutèce: Oct. 16-18
- My TYM Retreat: Nov. 6-8
In an era where travel is often measured by moments captured and shared, Great Oak Manor resists the high-performance ethos. While Bellamy and Walker found themselves unintentionally traveling along the path of five-star property, it’s a journey they welcome. But their true purpose is to become the go-to destination for people who want to experience the true meaning of being restored.
