Former British Olympic gymnast Ellie Downie MBE will host an intensive fitness retreat at Paradis Beachcomber Golf Resort and Spa in Mauritius between 3-7 April 2026.

Downie competed for Great Britain at the 2016 Rio Olympics and multiple World and European Championships before retiring in 2023.

The retreat is part of a range of workshops Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels group is introducing for the first time, to enhance its signature wellness concept, called The Art of Wellness.

This concept currently includes bespoke treatments and targeted therapies at its spas, but it will now involve a calendar of wellness-focused events hosted by visiting practitioners.

The group is responding to growing demand for meaningful escapes that offer more transformative experiences, rather than solely relaxing ones.

The Ellie Downie retreat

Downie will teach guests her Strength, Length and Tone (SLT) method. The workouts will focus on building strength, improving flexibility and balance.

These classes will be taught twice a day – at 8 am and at 3 pm, with bonus classes at 12:30 pm on alternate days.

“After retiring from elite sport, I realised how important it is to find joy and balance in movement – not just push for performance,” Downie told Spa Business. “Wellness and holidays are the perfect match for that! You finally have the space to slow down, breathe and reconnect with your body. That’s why I love Beachcomber’s approach to wellbeing – it’s holistic, genuine and all about nurturing every part of yourself, not just ticking off a workout.

“At Paradis Beachcomber, everything from the ocean breeze to the island’s calm energy helps you reset. Through my SLT method - we’ll blend strength, flexibility and mindful movement, with plenty of fun and laughter along the way. I want everyone to leave feeling stronger, lighter and completely re-energised – because that’s what a holiday should do!”

A spokesperson for the resort told Spa Business the retreat will be offered exclusively to the resort’s in-house guests as part of Beachcomber’s commitment to enhancing the guest experience.

“The goal is to continuously introduce new and inspiring wellness opportunities, and collaborations with renowned experts such as Ellie allow Beachcomber to do exactly that,” the spokesperson said. “There is no additional charge for guests to participate in the sessions - attendance is included as part of their stay.”

Other retreat programming

Other retreats Beachcomber is introducing include those led by the following practitioners:

• Caroline Bienert – 2-9 November 2025: A New York-trained nutritional therapist and renowned wellness expert specialising in metabolism, who will be hosting her retreat at Trou aux Biches Beachcomber.

• Lymféa – 10-17 December 2025: Exclusively for Dinarobin Beachcomber, Lymféa will offer a week of holistic workshops in December 2025, dedicated to the art of letting go, grounding and inner reconnection.

• Laure Dary – 11-17 January 2026: Laure is a wellness coach in pilates, yoga, floor barre and holistic wellness, bringing her expertise to Paradis Beachcomber.

• Agnieszka Koiarska Martinache – 1-8 February 2026: Collaborating with Dinarobin Beachcomber for select workshops, Martinache will teach aerial yoga.

• Sarasvati Mallac – February 2026: Paradis Beachcomber and Dinarobin Beachcomber will welcome artist Sarasvati Mallac for a week where she will explore Mauritius’s traditional music and healing vibrations.

• Ania Tippkemper – 9-14 March 2026: Tippkemper is a certified vinyasa yoga instructor who will host her retreat at Trou aux Biches Beachcomber.