Destination wellness brand Sensei has opened the doors to its second retreat, Sensei Porcupine Creek, in Rancho Mirage, California.

Launched in 2019, the brand’s original property Sensei Lāna'i, A Four Seasons Resort, is set on the Hawaiian island of Lāna'i.

Sensei was founded by tech billionaire and hotelier Larry Ellison and Dr David Agus – director of the University of South Carolina’s Institute for Transformative Medicine. Their joint vision is to inspire people to live longer healthier lives.

As the first standalone retreat under the Sensei brand, the newly-launched Sensei Porcupine Creek features 22 accommodations and has been designed as a desert oasis.

The retreat is home to spa and fitness facilities, a diagnostic centre, an 18-hole golf course, professional tennis facilities and a private Sensei by Nobu restaurant.

At the heart of the nature-centric retreat stands the Estate House which neighbours a lagoon-style pool, garden spa treatment rooms, a fitness pavilion and a yoga pavilion, all boasting views towards the Santa Rosa Mountains to ground guests in nature.

“The launch of Sensei Porcupine Creek is a thrilling next step for the growth of our brand,” said Alexandra Walterspiel, COO of Sensei.

“As our first property fully operated by Sensei, we’re able to support a wider range of wellness intentions that allow us to bring an even more integrated approach to our guest experience.

“The 230-acre private estate has impeccably designed grounds that immerse our guests in the healing properties the desert landscape is known for, and we couldn’t be more delighted to see our team bring our vision to life.”

Evidence-based wellness

Sensei Porcupine Retreat is offering a variety of evidence-based wellness packages, which guests can tailor to suit their needs from start to finish. The destination offers a similar selection of spa, nutrition and movement retreats found at its sister facility.

All retreats provided are underpinned by the Sensei Way philosophy which distils preventative health science into three simple paths for everyday living: Move, Nourish and Rest.

Sensei Guides are the stewards of Sensei Porcupine Creek’s offerings. They work with pre-arrival specialists and sports performance coaches to curate itineraries based on individuals’ goals by incorporating tailored activities including spa treatments, yoga classes, meditation, indoor and outdoor lectures and classes and daily hikes, as well as nutrition consultations, golf, tennis and more.

Spa treatments on offer range from a Gua Sha facial and Desert Herb Poultice and Oil Massage to an exclusive ritual incorporating Sensei-developed thermographic technology that creates a visual map of the body, revealing asymmetries, muscle tightness and possible areas of inflammation.

Sensei’s ultimate mission is to help equip guests with the tools to learn how to improve their daily practices to reach their personal health goals.