Retreat yourself!
Retreats at The Benninghofen House are magical and memorable. The serene spaces and lush backyard, against the backdrop of a vibrant city, make this the perfect getaway location to restore and renew.
Join us for a 3 night, all-inclusive Women’s Art Retreat, or reach out through our contact page to discuss private retreat options for your group. Corporate retreats, book clubs, bible study groups, family reunions, and friend groups welcome! We can sleep up to 10 in our boutique hotel apartments and can help you customize your retreat in any way with meeting/work spaces, workshops, yoga, massages, local excursions, day trips, and more.
Women’s Art Retreat - Acrylic Painting 3 Night All-Inclusive Experience The Benninghofen House Hamilton, Ohio July 9-12, 2026
A Restorative Weekend of Art, Wellness, and Connection
Plant yourself somewhere beautiful and let your creativity blossom during a three-night women’s art retreat at The Benninghofen House in Hamilton, Ohio. This nurturing weekend is an invitation to slow your pace, put down roots, and give yourself space to grow through creativity, rest, and meaningful connection. Set within a beautiful historic home, the retreat offers a gentle balance of artistic exploration, self-care, and community—allowing you to bloom where you are planted.
Your Stay
Guests will enjoy a three-night stay in a private room in our charming boutique hotel apartments, where historic elegance and modern comfort create the perfect environment for rest and renewal. Bathrooms are shared with one other person.
Nourishing Meals
Like sunshine and soil for the soul, nourishing food is a cornerstone of the weekend. Throughout your stay, you’ll enjoy thoughtfully prepared meals made with fresh, seasonal ingredients. From hearty breakfasts to comforting dinners, each meal is designed to nourish both body and spirit. One evening will feature pizza baked in our backyard pizza oven—a warm, communal experience meant to be savored and shared.
Creative Acrylic Painting Workshop - Big, Bold, Botanicals
This retreat welcomes everyone—from experienced painters to joyful beginners—into a supportive space where creativity can unfold naturally. Led by local art instructor Melissa Peterson, the acrylic painting workshop focuses on expressive, bold botanicals inspired by nature and the blossoms in The Benninghofen House gardens. Through guided demonstrations and playful exploration, participants will paint florals and plants using loose, relaxed brushstrokes that celebrate color, light, and movement.
Workshop Objectives
Participants will:
Learn to cultivate strong, engaging compositions
Work from still life arrangements, including fresh flowers from The Benninghofen House gardens, as well as photo references
Experiment with color mixing, blending, and a variety of application techniques to create rich textures
Build layered color using acrylic paint’s quick-drying properties, allowing for easy adjustments and creative freedom
Optional, beginner-friendly morning yoga/mindfulness sessions will be offered to gently awaken the body, quiet the mind, and spark creative energy for the day ahead.
The intimate nature of the retreat allows beginners to receive personalized guidance while providing experienced painters with dedicated studio time to focus deeply on their craft. All painting materials are provided—just bring your curiosity, creativity, and willingness to explore.
A Weekend of Wellness and Reflection
Beyond the painting studio, this retreat is about tending to the whole self. Guests are invited to enjoy:
Optional morning yoga/mindfulness sessions to start each day with intention
Cozy evenings with tea or wine and heartfelt conversation in the welcoming common spaces of The Benninghofen House
Ample time for personal reflection and self-care, whether that means journaling in a quiet corner, taking a peaceful walk, or simply soaking in the charm of this historic home and the delightful city of Hamilton, Ohio
Join Us for Inspiration and Renewal
Arrive exactly as you are and leave feeling refreshed, inspired, and in full bloom. Whether you’re hoping to reconnect with yourself, explore a new artistic medium, or enjoy a restorative getaway alongside like-minded women, this weekend was created to help you grow, create, and flourish.
Space is limited to preserve the intimate nature of the experience. Reserve your spot today and join us for a beautiful weekend of creativity, connection, and self-care at The Benninghofen House.
3 Night Retreat Schedule:
Thursday evening
Arrival and check in, make yourself at home
Review the weekend itinerary, introductions
House tour
Friday
Gentle morning yoga (optional)
Breakfast
Painting Workshop 2 hours
Lunch/Break/Free Time
Painting Workshop 2 hours
Dinner
Free Time
Relaxing in the peaceful spaces of The Benninghofen House, and enjoying the delightful backyard oasis and gardens
Soaking in the hot tub
Sweating it out in the sauna
Strolling around the historic Dayton Lane Neighborhood, exploring nearby shops, parks, Great Miami River walking trail, sculptures, and murals
Reading, napping, drawing, painting, anything that makes you happy
Saturday
Gentle morning yoga (optional)
Breakfast
Painting Workshop 2 hours
Lunch/Break/Free Time
Painting Workshop 2 hours
Dinner
Free Time
Sunday
Gentle morning yoga (optional)
Breakfast and group reflection
Goodbyes and check out
Meet our art instructor:
Melissa Peterson
Artist, Instructor, Creative Collaborator
Melissa Peterson is an experienced art instructor based in Hamilton with over 20 years of teaching in a variety of settings. From leading children’s art camps to guiding high school students, she has dedicated most of her career to inspiring creativity in the classroom. Recently, Melissa has partnered with the women of Brightwall Collective, contributing her talents to community mural projects.
Outside of teaching and painting, Melissa enjoys reading, cooking, and tending her garden. Her life experiences include traveling abroad and living in three different states, all of which have shaped her creative perspective. At home, she and her husband stay busy (and entertained) with their three children. Melissa’s favorite part of her journey as an artist and educator is meeting new people, building connections, and sharing in the joy of creativity.
Accomodations
Retreat guests stay in our 5-star rated, unique boutique-hotel apartments at The Benninghofen House. Each guest will have a private bedroom and share a bathroom and kitchen with another person.
Investment (payment plan available)
3 Night Art Retreat $895 per person Includes - private overnight accommodations for 3 nights, 4 acrylic painting workshop sessions and supplies, 7 meals and snacks, optional yoga, hot tub, sauna, recipes from the retreat
Commuter Option - No overnight accommodations (limited availability) $595 per person Includes - 4 acrylic painting workshop sessions and supplies, 7 meals and snacks, optional yoga, hot tub, sauna, recipes from the retreat
Additional information
*Repeat Retreat Guests - 15% discount for guests who have retreated with us at The Benninghofen House in the past. Welcome back! Reach out to Bekki to set up your discounted retreat. 513-291-0117
*Extended Retreat - Additional nights can be added before and after the retreat for an additional fee.
*Payment plan available. A $250, nonrefundable deposit is due to book into a retreat with the remainder due 30 days prior to the retreat. Choose the payment plan option at checkout to pay your deposit, and an invoice will be emailed to pay the remainder by 30 days before the retreat. You can pay on the invoice anytime.
*Cancelling a retreat - No refunds unless canceled at least 30 days prior to the retreat. You may transfer your booking to another person (no fee) or to a future retreat if you are within the 30 day period for a rebooking fee. If you are doing a payment plan and cancel your retreat, the $250 deposit is nonrefundable, but the deposit can be used toward a future retreat. Cancelled retreat credits must be used within 1 year of the cancelled retreat.
Photos from past retreats at The Benninghofen House
