Pros
Most team members cared deeply about their work and guests. Internal camaraderie was the only saving grace. But leadership took advantage of this dedication, manipulating and exploiting it rather than supporting or rewarding it. Guest reviews were often excellent—but only because individual staff went above and beyond under impossible conditions. The Views are breathtaking.
Cons
I strongly advise caution before accepting a role with this company, especially in management. If you do accept a position with them, I cannot stress enough- GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING, and keep record of every conversation you have with them. On the surface, the brand sells nature, luxury, and purpose. In reality, staff are worked to the point of burnout, and the operation is deeply mismanaged. Retreats are chronically and severely understaffed—deliberately so. Managers are expected to be on-property 10–12 hours a day, with no boundaries around time off. Being salaried means you are paid less per hour than your direct reports, and you will likely be asked to “fill in” regularly without recognition or relief. During slower periods, staff is cut even further, ensuring you’re still working excessive hours simply because “that’s what you signed up for.” Compensation is not up to NYC standards and even more so because they want you to fulfill multiple roles under the guise of it being one position. Don't be fooled! There are no real benefits, and things like meals and proper outdoor gear are not guaranteed. Training is often nonexistent, and new hires are expected to figure things out on their own because onboarding is rushed and reactive. There are no consistent systems or communication channels. SOPs, if they exist at all, are ignored or change week to week. Most employees, including myself, had to research labor laws just to advocate for basic rights. Middle and upper management are frequently absent, especially during high-pressure moments. Concerns raised to leadership—whether about pay, workload, safety, or boundaries—are dismissed, forgotten, or deflected with vague “development opportunities” that are impossible to engage with due to the extreme time demands. Employees who set boundaries are gaslit or punished. Injury and safety incidents are mishandled. I was injured on-site, given a list of urgent cares instead of being allowed to see my doctor, and was denied access to proper workers’ comp channels. HR asked for personal medical details that should have gone directly to an adjuster. It felt like textbook liability avoidance. If you’re considering this role: know your worth. Ask hard questions. Don’t be fooled by pretty marketing. You’ll be walking into chaos, with little support and a leadership team more interested in appearances than accountability.