Welcome to our Conversation with the founder of Helios Retreats, Hugo M Mensch. We ask some of the most inspiring moments that influenced the opening of each destination. This is our way of sharing the creative process through the stories and tales behind the brand.

We first heard all about Mykonos and Morocco. For this issue, we spoke with Hugo about the paradisal Bahamas retreat. Known for its pink sand beach, turquoise ocean waters and how the Fyre Festival documentary on Netflix indirectly ended up painting the scene for his retreat in the Caribbean.

What makes The Bahamas a must-go-to destination?

Eleuthera is a beautiful island in the Caribbean, not easy to get but, as you arrive, instantly worth it. A natural treasure right at your doorstep.

Coconut palms everywhere and a secluded stretch of private pink sand beach that goes on for miles untouched. Probably one of the cleanest ocean waters you’ll ever swim. An idyllic escape, unlike any place I have ever been. 

Tell me about your most iconic Bahamas moment.

There have been many. From Australians travelling across the globe and staying with us for two weeks instead of one, funny moments between the boys and the girls crossdressing, to a Caribbean Halloween party around the bonfire. But, if I have to pick one, It was during my first ever retreat in Eleuthera. We had a group of lads coming from London to spend a week with us.

Travelling from Europe, it’s going to be at least a 10-hour journey until you get to us. As they arrived, the sun was just about to set on the horizon. The sky had cotton candy clouds with shades of pink. We went to the beach as these boys couldn’t contain themselves and all went for a swim, still wearing their travel clothes.

I still have a video of it on my mobile phone I watch it now and then as a reminder of how lucky we are to visit incredible places like the Bahamas. It makes me a little proud of doing what I do when I witness events like this.

What’s the most unusual thing that’s happened while you were in the Bahamas?

Haha. I should probably use the prolific saying; what happens in the Bahamas stays in the Bahamas. The isolation from the outside world and everyone; the island fever really gets to you. It is fair to say we get to live our best island life there. We get to know everyone closely.

Guests will join us as strangers and form strong bonds; they leave us with new friendships for life.

What is the best meal – or drink we must try during the retreat?

You should try their local grouper, absolutely delicious! Or, if you’re not too calorie-conscious, definitely try their famous Conch fritters, a traditional battered clam they serve everywhere in the Bahamas.

The Caribbeans love their rum. The Bahama-mama will give you a run for your money if you’re out and about, no pun intended.

I want to spend a day and a night in Eleuthera. What shouldn’t I miss?

Take a ferry boat from North Eleuthera across to colonial Harbour Island, one of the most stylish and naturally beautiful islands in the Bahamas. It is famous for its pink sand beaches, pastel-coloured houses and the ‘buggy life’ – the only way to travel on the island is in golf carts. I can’t explain in words how fun this island is.

Every traveller is looking for something different. What’s so unique about the Bahamas?

Being on an isolated island has its unique perks. You can completely relax and enjoy the moment as it is. Helios Retreats The Bahamas is truly, the definition of a paradise: rough around the edges, slow pace and rudimental. If the internet goes down for a few minutes - put the phone away and enjoy the natural beauty around. Other guests may sometimes forget to clean the sand off their feet and bring it to the villa, but that’s what happens when you’re at a gorgeous Caribbean beach. You couldn’t expect paradise to be any different.

The Bahamas is a place to enjoy reggae nights around the bonfire, sandy feet and slowing down.

Enjoy the moment, feel the breeze on your skin, watch the stars, listen to the birds in the morning, the crashing waves and take time for yourself. If being isolated from the world somehow gets to you, take a walk along the beach and delve into this stunningly beautiful place, leaving all the worries behind.

Can you tell us how you decided to open a retreat in the Bahamas? How did that happen?

The story behind Helios Retreats in the Bahamas is quite unusual. I never thought about opening a retreat in the Caribbean, let alone in Eleuthera. One day I received an email from a very sophisticated gentleman offering us to run a retreat in his villa named Helios House. It was love at first sight, of course.

Recently, The Bahamas also became known for one of the biggest festival flops - the Fyre festival. What was meant to be a Millenials paradise turned out a nightmare for festival-goers and organisers alike. How did you dissociate from being related or compared to them at all?

We were lucky our first ever retreat happened just before Netflix had released the documentary. Literally, as we returned, the internet was buzzing. We got our fair share of comments on our pictures and videos of people saying it looked like a Fyre festival, etc. We used that to our advantage and even joked about it.

Ja Rule, if you’re ever looking to do a festival in the Bahamas the right way, we can help!

The next Helios Retreats Bahamas runs from October 24th to the 30th and is available for bookings here.