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. We made Font de L'Oca our business and family home in 2026 when we exchanged big city life for something slower and more connected to nature, family, and a different pace of life. 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.
To follow our journey and see how the renovation and business is developing, sign up for our newsletter or follow us on YouTube and instagram.
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.
We live here. We are involved in everything. Hospitality at Font de l'Oca is relational — offered with sincerity, not performance.
Connection with the land is not an add-on — it is the point. The woodland, the mountains, the spring, the seasons: these are the retreat.
We offer structure when it's wanted, and space when it's not. You are never obliged to do anything. This is your time.
Food is important to us. Every meal is made with care, from seasonal produce, and shared at a proper table. The table is where community forms.
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
