How a family, a masia, and a belief in the restorative power of nature came together in Catalonia.
When we first visited Font de l'Oca, we didn't know what to expect, but as we stepped through the gate it captured us with its magical charm; the bird song and views over the valley helped us breathe more deeply and left our shoulders relaxed. As we explored we were inspired and although we weren't ready for such a big life change, the building and land convinced us not to let the opportunity go. And so we leapt.
We're Lena and Jose, and from 2027 we'll be living here with our two young children. We're making Font de l'Oca our business and family home in 2027, exchanging big city life for something slower and more connected to nature, family, and a different pace of life. We'll have our own section of the house — so guests have the run of the estate while we remain close by. Our backgrounds meant this decision was not an obvious choice (Lena is a psychologist, Jose is a producer), and so we're learning as we go. We don't get everything right and things may not be perfect but know that we consider every aspect intentionally with the hope that we are creating something meaningful. If you have ideas or feedback, we're always open to learning and evolving.
What we do know is that Font de l'Oca is an off-the-beaten-path sanctuary. Words don't do it justice; it is a place that needs to be experienced. We invite you to join us and hope you find what you are looking for.
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The building is 19th century — built, as most masies were, to last. The walls are thick stone. The ceilings carry their original painted beams. The floors are terracotta, worn smooth by generations of feet. There is a small chapel at the edge of the garden, its arched door still intact, ivy growing slowly up its south wall.
The previous owners had kept it with care. Much of what makes it extraordinary is what was never removed: the tilework, the stone staircase, the handmade ironwork, the spring that still runs through the grounds just as it always has — cold, clear, and patient.
We are restoring it with the same philosophy: preserve what is irreplaceable, and bring in only what is truly needed. No unnecessary renovation. No aesthetic imposition. We want the building to remain, in its bones, what it has always been — and to add, around those bones, the warmth and comfort that will allow people to arrive and genuinely let go.
"We want guests to feel the history here — not as a museum, but as something alive."
Between us, we have backgrounds in wellness, education, and design. We have both spent years working with people — in different contexts, in different countries — and we have seen, again and again, what happens when someone is given real time: unhurried, nourishing, restorative time in a beautiful place.
People arrive carrying things. They leave a little lighter. Not because anything dramatic has happened, but because something small and important has shifted — a habit broken, a perspective opened, a conversation had. This is what we want Font de l'Oca to offer: not transformation as a product, but conditions for transformation as a natural consequence of rest, nature, and care.
We will welcome both people who come to lead — retreat facilitators, workshop teachers, corporate groups — and people who come simply to be. The estate is large enough for both. The philosophy holds for both.
Font de l'Oca is a family-run project. From 2027, Jose, Lena and our two young children will live here on the property, in our own section of the house. We'll work here, be present, and be involved in the daily life of the estate. Hospitality is not performative but relational — offered with sincerity. We welcome guests not just as customers, but as part of something shared.
Our aim is for you to feel nourished and recharged so your batteries (and heart) are full. We care about the details, through expert-led retreats, well-resourced materials, nourishing meals, and restful spaces, we meet people where they are, whether for healing, exploration, play, silence, food, detoxing, or rest. During your stay, you will access resources developed by knowledgeable professionals in a safe, nurturing environment.
Play is an antidote to anxiety and tension. While life is complex, we honour the healing qualities of curiosity. This might mean learning something new, attending a retreat, or simply enjoying spaces designed for exploration and play.
Slowing down is a way of life here. We honour balance, between stillness and activity, self and other, rest and movement, while grounding in the present moment. From food grown with care to deep, undisturbed sleep, this is an invitation to live slowly and wholly, offering a different rhythm in a fast-moving world.
Font de l'Oca is not finished. We are in the middle of the renovation, making decisions every day about what this place will become. We share the process openly — on Instagram, in our newsletter, in conversation with anyone who wants to follow along.
If you are a facilitator looking for a venue — we'd love to speak with you. If you're someone who has been waiting for a place like this to open — join the list. We'll be in touch before anyone else.
Abrazos, Lena & Jose
