I was stressed out, sleep deprived, and mentally fried—not exactly a wellness poster child.
But I had a plan to change the narrative: Escape for several days of serious self-care (with a generous side of pampering) where I’d enlist a team to help me build healthy habits that would last long after checkout.
This Shangri-La to which I was headed—formally known as Sensei Porcupine Creek—lives in the sun-drenched foothills of the Santa Rosa Mountains in Rancho Mirage. Tranquil and intimate with just 22 chic lodgings (one-bedroom casitas to multi-room villas), the ultra-luxurious desert haven features a private 18-hole golf course, a world-class tennis facility, yoga and fitness pavilions, a pool, spa, and museum-worthy art. (We’re talking endorphin-inducing outdoor sculptures by Keith Haring, Robert Indiana, Jaume Plensa, and Yoshimoto Nara, among others.) All food is courtesy of Nobu (yes, that one).
The property was once the 230-acre private home of Silicon Valley zillionaire Larry Ellison. In 2022, the Oracle cofounder partnered with renowned oncologist and biomedical researcher Dr. David Agus to transform it into a science-backed wellness retreat. The main goal: provide guests with a 360-degree reset fueled by three core pillars—move, nourish, and rest. They call it the Sensei Way.
Self Portrait by Keith Haring is one of many major works of art at Sensei Porcupine Creek.(Austin John)
Ready, Set, Reset
As I prepped for my stay, visions of a calmer, healthier life swirled. I opted for the Rest and Reset Program, which had me at “slow your pace, restore balance, and uncover strategies to manage stress and improve sleep.” Luxe accommodations, spa treatments, and customized one-on-one sessions were, obviously, part of the allure.
Fret not if sleep issues and whacked-out nervous systems are foreign concepts to you. The resort offers a wide menu of packages led by knowledgeable Sensei guides and wellness practitioners. Options include immersive tennis and golf-focused programs, a Sabbatical Experience for guests looking to plant themselves for 30-plus days, and a three-day Guided Wellness Experience ideal for newbies, or anyone seeking a mind-body jumpstart. Guests who prefer a freestyle reset are more than welcome—as long as they stay at least two nights.
Now back to moi.
Well before making my way through Sensei’s gated entrance and along the long, curvy drive, I filled out an extensive pre-arrival questionnaire, spilling the beans about everything from how I nourish my mind and stomach to my interest in new types of movement to my overall intentions for my stay. Next came a customized itinerary (tweakable, thankfully) and a call with my Sensei guide, Brooke Damerel, also a nutritionist. As part of the Rest and Reset package, I was sent a Whoop 4.0 wearable (with a year of service) to track my sleep data.
A serene estate room at Sensei Porcupine Creek(Courtesy of Sensei Porcupine Creek/Noah Webb)
Let the Wellness Games Begin
The flight from SFO to Palm Springs was a breeze, as was the short drive to the resort. After a few sips of an electrolyte-infused welcome mocktail and a stop at the stunning Estate House—the resort’s hub for dining, reception, and lounging—I was escorted to my casita.
One long look inside and a mishmash of thoughts hit at once: 1) How am I ever going to leave this glorious Japanese-inspired sanctuary with a private outdoor jacuzzi? 2) OMFG! The (healthy) snack situation is on fire; 3) Damn, Ellison sure knows how to luxury.
I flop onto the bed, study my itinerary, and promise myself to stay open, present, and game for whatever pampering—or gentle pushing outside my comfort zone—lay ahead.
Over the next five days, between one-on-ones with experts in sleep, mindset, and nutrition, I hike, tree pose, sound bathe, swim, reflect, and journal, fully charmed all the while by Sensei’s attentive staff and otherworldly, zen surroundings.
While I could write a full tome about the experience, I’ll narrow down my summary to a few things that made my Porcupine Creek experience an exceptional one.
Eating three meals a day at Nobu is a great way to live.(Courtesy of @senseiporcupinecreek)
Eating Nobu Three Meals a Day
Reserved exclusively for resort guests, Sensei by Nobu’s breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus are designed by chef-legend Nobu Matsuhisa with healthy input from Dr. Agus. You better believe I enjoyed my fill of black cod miso, yellowtail with jalapeño, and rock shrimp tempura.
One evening at the separate sushi bar was extra special when I resisted my usual investigative-journalist urges and let the chef choose my nigiri, sashimi, rolls—even dessert. Zero regrets.
Unsurprisingly, every bite throughout my stay was delicious, from breakfast bao and organic eggs to a filet, ribeye, and wagyu burger with date-onion jam. But the dish I will forever dream about is the one I ate every day: a deceptively simple plate of sliced red and yellow heirloom tomatoes with Matsuhisa dressing, bonito flakes, and microgreens.
Turns Out, I Can Be a Vision Board Person
Damerel and a smorgasbord of colored paper, glossy magazines, markers, glitter, and dried flowers greet me when I arrive for the Map Your Year session. “Go ahead, create your perfect world,” she says. I snag a slice of cardboard… and freeze. I’m someone who rarely dares to put dreams to paper but remembering my promise to lean in, I grab scissors and glue and go for it.
The final vision board? Hazy pinks, earthy tones, a carefree woman in a field, sherbet-hued desserts, and phrases like “trust the unfolding,” “enjoy it all,” “harmony,” and “lightness.” I feel unexpectedly calm and hopeful, then promptly float off to the spa for my Gua Sha Uplifting Facial.
A spa treatment at Sensei Porcupine Creek(Courtesy of Sensei Porcupine Creek/Chris Simpson)
On the Road to (Peacefully) Counting Sheep
My mindset guide Per Erez, who radiates near Gandhi-like tranquility, goes over my Whoop band sleep data and leads me through a few exercises. After teaching me Resonant Frequency Breathing (four-count inhale, six-count exhale), we review the verdict: My sleep quality is not great, shocking absolutely no one.
The good news is, he says, I could improve this tiresome state of affairs. Erez’s recommendations include turning lights out at least an hour before my usual midnight; writing down a “worry list” before bedtime so I’m not kept awake, ya know, worrying; and using breathing techniques both to regulate my mood and support my cardiovascular health throughout the day and to help lull me to sleep at night.
Guess what? Since returning home and actually following some of this advice, I’ve been waking up noticeably more rested and energized. I still enjoy-slash-crave my morning coffee, but I did switch to half decaf. Baby steps.
// Sensei Porcupine Creek, 42765 Dunes View Rd. (Rancho Mirage), sensei.com
The yoga pavilion at Sensei Porcupine Creek(Courtesy of Sensei Porcupine Creek)
