As Lent approaches, many people look for ways to step back from the busyness of daily life and refocus on prayer, reflection, and spiritual renewal. One of the best ways to do this is by staying at a monastery guest house.
Whether you're traveling and need a peaceful place to rest or you're intentionally seeking a retreat, these guest houses provide a unique opportunity to slow down, pray, and immerse yourself in a quiet, sacred atmosphere. Some offer structured retreats, while others simply welcome guests who bring their own spiritual reading and personal reflections.
If you're longing for an oasis away from the noise of modern life, here are some of the best monastery guest houses to consider for your next retreat!
Saint Leo, Florida
The Benedictine monks of St. Leo Abbey in Florida live their lives as a sacred offering to God, embracing the monastic tradition of praising Him through prayer, known as “opus Dei.” Visitors are warmly invited to join them in this ancient practice.
The abbey’s retreat centers welcome both adults and teenagers seeking a quiet space for spiritual renewal. A guest house by the lake offers peaceful lodging, where guests can enjoy meals shared with the monastic community—often following moments of prayer, which all are encouraged to attend.
Beyond its spiritual retreats, St. Leo Abbey also features one of the largest Catholic gift shops in central Florida, offering something for every visitor. Whether you seek silence, reflection, or a meaningful souvenir, this abbey provides a welcoming and enriching experience.
Darien, Connecticut
Located on a tranquil, 10-acre property overlooking Long Island Sound, the Convent of St. Birgitta offers a peaceful and spiritual environment for retreats or getaways. The Vikingsborg Guest House, open all year to individuals and groups, has historically been an attraction for artists and academics.
While visiting the convent, guests can explore the woodland walks, gardens, stone hermitage, and docking area that offers incredible water views of Long Island Sound.
While some monasteries are only open to adults, the Vikingsborg Guest House is open to singles, couples, families, and groups.
Hulbert, Oklahoma
Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey is a men’s Benedictine community of the Solesmes Congregation, originally founded in France. The Oklahoma abbey counts 55 monks.
Guests at the Abbey are invited to assist at Mass and to pray the divine office with the community. While male guests are welcome to meals with the monks in the refectory and stay in one of the monastery’s several guest rooms, there are separate guest houses for the women and two additional family guesthouses.
For the past 22 years since the Abbey's founding, the Benedictine monks have dedicated themselves fully to God, embracing silence, solitude, constant prayer, and willing penance.
Westfield, Vermont
The Monastery of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Westfield, Vermont, offers a warm welcome in the spirit of St. Benedict’s teaching: “Guests shall be received as Christ Himself.”
It is the only women’s monastery of the Solesmes Congregation in the United States. Here, the liturgy and Divine Office are chanted entirely in Latin, except for the Mass readings, preserving a deep sense of tradition and reverence.
Women seeking prayer, peace, and silence can stay in one of the monastery’s guest rooms and experience the rhythm of Benedictine life. Guests are also invited to share meals with the nuns, enjoying their hospitality and communal dining simplicity.
A favorite spot among visitors is the monastery’s cozy reading nook, filled with books on prayer, monastic spirituality, and the lives of the saints. Outdoors, guests can walk the Way of the Cross while taking in the breathtaking scenery of Jay Peak and the surrounding dairy farms.
Before you leave, be sure to catch a sunset from the monastery grounds—it's a sight you won’t forget!
Big Sur, California
Free from the distractions of the internet and cell service, New Camaldoli Hermitage in Big Sur, California, offers a peaceful retreat for visitors ages 16 and up.
Male guests have a rare opportunity to stay in repurposed monk cells within the monastic cloister, immersing themselves in the simplicity of monastic life. Others can choose between a room in the main retreat house—nestled near a garden overlooking the ocean—or a private hermitage for complete solitude and silence.
Surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of Big Sur, the Camaldolese monks dedicate their days to a life of prayer, work, and deep union with God. A stay here invites visitors to step away from the noise of the world and embrace the peace of spiritual reflection.
Make sure to take a virtual tour before booking to check out the greenery and ocean-side views!
Abiquiu, New Mexico
Nestled in the remote beauty of Abiquiu, New Mexico, the Monastery of Christ in the Desert offers guests a peaceful retreat centered on silence and solitude. The monks’ mission is to help each visitor deepen their search for God, encouraging prayer, reflection, and time immersed in Scripture—both during their stay and beyond.
As part of the Benedictine tradition, manual labor plays an important role in daily life. Guests who wish to participate can join the monks in short periods of work, experiencing a small but meaningful part of monastic life.
All visitors are also welcome to share in meals with the community, fostering both spiritual and personal nourishment in this sacred, tranquil setting.
Bethlehem, Connecticut
The Community of Regina Laudis in Bethlehem, Connecticut, welcomes men and women seeking to experience the Benedictine way of life. Guests are invited to embrace a rhythm of quiet reflection and spiritual connection through daily Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours.
For those interested, the abbey also offers opportunities to participate in monastic farm work, when available. However, what truly sets Regina Laudis apart is the one-on-one meetings with a guest mistress, where visitors can engage in meaningful conversation and spiritual guidance.
The guest refectories and common rooms provide space for fellowship among visitors, while separate guest houses for men and women ensure a peaceful stay. Guests can also come together in shared spaces such as the church, the Art Shop, and other areas across the abbey grounds, making for a balanced experience of solitude and community.
