Lido Atelier
An elegant coastal retreat concept by designer Paula Fletcher, Lido Atelier offers refined coastal day retreats for small mixed groups and a signature 7-day immersive retreat crafted especially for women who are drawn to the restorative rhythm of the ocean.
Rooted in considered design, natural beauty and saltwater ritual, Lido invites you to escape the everyday and step into a slower, more sensorial way of being.
From guided swims in Sydney’s iconic ocean pools to intimate gatherings on the South Coast, every detail is curated to help you swim, wander and belong.
Retreats we offer
Coastal Rock Pools · Northern Beaches Day Retreat
Boutique elegance. Coastal rock pools. A day to Swim • Wander • Belong.
Follow the tide along Sydney’s Northern Beaches, moving between iconic ocean pools, cliff-top walks and coffee stops. There’s space to float, linger on the promenade and connect with other guests who love the ocean. A softly structured day that feels like a mini coastal holiday — without leaving the city.
Our day retreats are perfect for locals, Sydney visitors and cruise passengers looking for a slow, design-led day by the water.
Harbour Slow Luxe · Sydney Harbour Day Retreat
Boutique elegance. Harbour beauty. A day designed to restore.
Slip into a slower rhythm along Sydney’s harbour foreshore with a gentle swim at MacCallum Pool and a luxe picnic-style morning tea with iconic views. From there, choose a shorter half-day wander or stretch into a full-day adventure with extra hidden-cove swims, a long seaside lunch at Balmoral and private transport back to your hotel.
Lido Escape: The South Coast Edition 7 Days
Two coastlines. One deeply restorative week.
Seven slow days across two shorelines. Spend three nights on NSW’s South Coast swimming ocean pools, wandering headlands and savouring long, local lunches, then three nights in Manly with harbour swims, rock-pool dips and easy coastal rituals. A considered escape for women who crave space to reset, reconnect and return home lighter.
Our harbour and coastal day retreats are available as private experiences for up to six guests, and can be shaped as half-day or full-day escapes. They work beautifully as small offsites for teams, client hosting or women-in-leadership days — just mention a private or corporate booking in your enquiry and we’ll tailor the format around your group.
Lido Atelier — Created by Paula Fletcher
A boutique coastal retreat and lifestyle brand, shaped by a lifelong love of the sea.
I’m Paula — a building designer, mother and former accountant who found her true rhythm in the ocean. I’m not a competitive swimmer; I don’t swim for pace, I swim for peace.
The sea is where the noise in my head drops away and I can just be. I scream underwater, laugh on empty headlands and dive in even when it’s freezing, because if I stay away too long, my soul starts to ache.
Lido Atelier was born from that pull to the coast: to create slow, salt-soaked days for women who feel the same — women who need space, silence, design, nature and a moment to feel whole again.
We walk the headlands, swim in rock pools, eat well, talk softly and laugh loudly. Along the way, many of us rediscover a lightness we thought we’d lost.
Our retreats are rooted in the coastlines that have shaped my life — from years of family holidays on the South Coast of NSW to countless mornings in Sydney’s ocean pools — and in the places I hope to spend more and more time in the years ahead.
Lido Atelier Coastal Rock Pools · Northern Beaches Day Retreat
Indulge in a beautifully curated day along Sydney’s wild northern coastline, where sculpted rock pools, headlands and open ocean come together in effortless harmony.
Our boutique experience begins with a guided wander between much-loved coastal rock pools, pausing for unhurried swims, coffee by the water and moments to simply stand, watch the waves and feel the sun on your skin.
This salt-kissed journey is complemented by a relaxed beachside lunch at a favourite local restaurant, where fresh, coastal-inspired dishes and crisp glasses of wine (or sparkling water) invite you to linger a little longer.
Every detail is thoughtfully considered — from small group intimacy to personalised hosting, unhurried conversation, and the quiet magic of moving with the tide.
Whether you're visiting Sydney or a local ocean swimmer at heart, this one-day retreat offers a day to swim, wander and truly belong along one of the world’s most beautiful stretches of coast.
Walking & pace
This experience includes walking between several coastal rock pools (around 6–8 km in total) with a few stairs. We move at an unhurried pace with plenty of pauses to swim, sit with a coffee or simply watch the waves.
Who this retreat is for
Perfect for guests who:
Feel most at home around ocean pools, headlands and open coastline.
Enjoy moving their body outdoors and feel comfortable walking between rock pools and headlands at a relaxed pace.
Are curious about exploring the Northern Beaches rock pools with someone who knows the area
Prefer small groups, relaxed conversation and no pressure to perform — this retreat is limited to six guests.
Sydney visitors and cruise passengers looking for a slow, design-led day by the water.
Lido Atelier Harbour Slow Luxe · Sydney Harbour Day Retreat
Indulge in a beautifully curated day along Sydney’s iconic harbour foreshore, where luxury meets nature in the most effortless way.
Our boutique experience begins with a gentle coastal walk and a refreshing swim at historic MacCallum Pool, followed by a lux picnic-style morning tea with iconic harbour views. From here, we continue along leafy headlands, hidden coves and sweeping vistas at a pace that suits your group.
Choose a half-day escape, ending after a restorative harbour walk, or extend into a full-day retreat with additional swims in tucked-away local spots and a long seaside lunch at one of Balmoral’s renowned waterfront restaurants, before private transport back to your hotel.
Every detail is thoughtfully considered — from small group intimacy to personalised hosting, meaningful connection, and the restorative power of saltwater rituals. Whether you're visiting Sydney or seeking a unique local escape, this experience offers a taste of slow luxury in one of the world’s most spectacular coastal settings.
Walking & pace
This experience can be tailored to your group, with around 3–4 km for a gentler half-day or up to 8–10 km of guided coastal walking for a fuller harbour wander. There are stairs, inclines and some uneven paths, but the day is broken up with a harbour swim at MacCallum Pool, a lux picnic-style morning tea, rest stops and (for full-day guests) a long seaside lunch at Balmoral. It’s best suited to guests who feel comfortable walking at a relaxed pace for a few hours with breaks.
Who this retreat is for
Love the idea of a gentle coastal walk and harbour swim, rather than a hardcore fitness day.
Appreciate good food, beautiful views and thoughtful, design-led details as much as the swim.
Are visiting Sydney — including cruise passengers — and want a hosted, local, non-touristy harbour experience.
Feel drawn to the idea of slow luxury by the harbour more than a big, busy beach scene.
Want to share the experience with a small group, limited to six people.
Lido Atelier Escape 7 day retreat
Begin your Lido Atelier journey with an enchanting three-night escape to the unspoiled South Coast of New South Wales.
Swim in crystal-clear rock pools.
Unwind at boutique vineyards.
Dine exquisitely and explore the coast by paddleboard and foot — all in the embrace of raw natural beauty.
Daily yoga and additional guided practices (for example breathwork, meditation or sound), shaped to suit the group and the season.
Visit charming local coastal towns.
Luxury accommodation meets coastal elegance: bespoke furnishings, sweeping views, and serene interiors. Your stay includes personalised service, yoga, breath work and meals curated by renowned chefs — all designed to create moments of stillness, connection, and quiet delight.
This is a space to slow down, immerse in saltwater ritual, and gently shift into the rhythm of retreat.
From the South Coast, we head north to Sydney for a joyful three-night immersion in its most iconic coastal experiences.
Based in the laid-back elegance of Manly, you’ll explore the city’s iconic rock pools — swimming, wandering, and soaking in the sunlit calm of the shoreline.
Evenings bring exceptional dining at Sydney’s finest coastal establishments, creative cocktails by the sea, and shared laughter with like-minded guests.
You’ll stay in five-star beachfront luxury, where every detail is curated to elevate, restore, and celebrate the art of living slowly.
This intimate women-only retreat is limited to 12 guests.
To enquire about availability, inclusions, private group bookings or future dates, [get in touch]. We’d love to welcome you.
FAQs
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No as we will be swimming in Rock Pools, you need to be comfortable in the water
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Absolutely, there will be plenty of opportunities for longer ocean swims with water safety, ocean conditions permitted.
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Gentle restorative yoga, this is not a boot camp
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Yes we can, after booking there will be some boring form filling to complete and everything will be covered
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Nope but I do insist on a dip
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Our harbour day is designed as a full-day experience, but in some cases we can offer a shorter half-day option.
Private groups (up to six guests):
If you’re booking the day as a private group, you can choose either a half-day or full-day format when you enquire. A half-day usually includes the harbour swim at MacCallum Pool, lux picnic-style morning tea and a gentle coastal walk, with a relaxed finish at a convenient harbour ferry point so you can easily return to the city.Shared dates with other guests:
On shared departure dates we generally run the experience as a full day so everyone enjoys the same rhythm. Half-day spots may occasionally be available, but only when they don’t impact the experience of guests staying on for the full day.
If you’re interested in a half-day version, just mention it in your enquiry and we’ll let you know what’s possible for your preferred date.
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Our Coast Rock Pools retreat is designed as a full-day experience so the group can travel the coastline together without needing to backtrack or juggle different finish points.
On shared dates, this retreat runs as a full day only.
A shorter half-day version is available for private bookings (just your group and your host). In that case, we usually finish at Freshwater after our coastal walk and swim before private transport is arranged back to Manly or your accommodation.
If you’re interested in a private half-day coastal experience, just mention it in your enquiry and we’ll tailor the day to suit your group.
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Yes. Our Sydney day retreats are ideal for cruise passengers and short-stay visitors. Just share your ship’s arrival and departure times in your enquiry, and we’ll let you know which options fit comfortably within your schedule.
Let’s Begin
At Lido Atelier, we believe luxury should feel effortless. Our retreats are designed to restore, reconnect, and elevate — with every detail thoughtfully curated, so you can simply arrive and exhale.
Whether you're interested in joining a scheduled retreat, exploring private group options, or just want to learn more, we’d love to hear from you.
This is your invitation to pause, wander, and belong.
Let’s craft something beautiful, together.
