relax . refresh . renew . breathe

Feel refreshed with a botanical facial, an invigorating pedicure or a moisturizing hair masque.

Release tension and support wellness with a massage. Pamper yourself, unplug, and return home looking and feeling renewed. Find a carefully curated collection of beauty and wellness products and gifts in The Spa Shop. Take a yoga class. Sip mimosas on our porch.

This is your Island Retreat.

#myislandretreat

About Us

Our Mission

To provide a refreshing atmosphere of renewal and self-care through fitness, pampering and retail.

Our Vision

To embrace the unique environment of Bald Head Island and transfer its sanctuary feel to our clients through our services and buying experiences.

Our Story

Island Retreat Spa and Salon was founded by BHI Limited and built into the “Crew’s Quarters” building at 6 Maritime Way around 2009. After its sale to an island homeowner in 2013, the Spa was operated for 3 years before being sold to the Guthrie family in early 2016. Much of the foundation for Island Retreat was already in place, but the Guthries took a fresh approach to its overall aesthetic and vision.

In 2017, Island Retreat expanded its wellness mission to include selling cold-pressed juices and non-alcoholic health beverages, it offers fitness & yoga classes, and now energy therapies such as Reiki and Acupuncture are available to its list of regular offerings.

Island Retreat is a true destination for full mind-body-spirit self care.

"Whether you are longing for a solitary escape or a pampered afternoon with friends, find the perfect place to unwind on Bald Head at Island Retreat Spa and Salon."

– KATIE GUTHRIE, OWNER

Meet our Team

BEST IN THE REGION

Our team of expertly trained fitness, wellness and beauty professionals are here to guide you through your self-care journey.

All of our staff are highly-vetted, have full licensure and are up-to-date certifications in their respective areas of work.

Read our Reviews

Spa Management Team

Katie Guthrie

Owner & Spa Director

Katie and her husband Greg purchased Island Retreat in early 2016 following what she calls a "spiritual nudge" to pursue an opportunity they could not ignore. Having spent decades vacationing on BHI and working on-island in both restaurants and property management, the appeal of running one of its business drew her towards embracing the island's healing properties and pressing forward with re-thinking the spa's mission and vision. Read more...

Jori Fabanich

Assistant Spa Director, Nail Technician

Hi, I'm Jori! I've been a licensed nail tech for five years and I specialize in natural and structured gel nails. I can't wait to make you feel your prettiest! In my off time, I love hiking with my hubby and two pups or lounging at the beach! I look forward to meeting you!

Sara Murdoch

Spa Coordinator, Hairstylist

coming soon!

Laura Smith

RYT-500, Spa Coordinator

Laura began practicing yoga in her thirties as a way to cope with anxiety. She was immediately struck by the way the brain and the body were connected and thus the transformative nature of the practice of yoga. Read more...

Massage, Energy & Bodywork Therapists

From Deep Tissue and Swedish techniques to classic Thai Massage, Cranio Sacral Therapy, and Myofascial release, our practitioners are skilled in techniques to offer relaxation and maximum therapeutic benefits to our guests.

Angela Wheeler

LMBT #15636

Angela has over 23 years of experience in the health and fitness industry, joining Island Retreat Spa in 2018. She is a Carolina native, and has trained Read more...

Leslie Blackmon

LMBT #6389

I have been a licensed massage therapist since 2006 & have attended many continuing education certificates including reflexology, hot stone therapy, healing touch level 1, Cranio sacral therapy, taut band therapy & lymphatic drainage for detox. Read more...

SaraJo Nelson

LMBT #6266

SaraJo was first licensed as a massage therapist in 2006 and has continued her education in Lomé Lomé Hawaiian massage, Integrative Reflexologgy, Thai Vedic Massage, Thai Yoga Massage, Nurturing the Mother Massage, 200hr Yoga Teacher Training and Cupping. Read more...

Karen (Ren) Treinen

LMBT #19711

YACEP, E-RYT 500

After experiencing the powerful healing quality of a dedicated yoga practice Karen was inspired to complete her 500 hour teacher training in 2012.

Anna Huddleston

LMBT #22052

Anna has always been on the trajectory of helping people through mind/body/spirit. She graduated East Carolina University for Kinesiology (movement of the body) and later was called to her passion for spiritual health and became Reiki II certified. That rapidly followed a desire to fuse the two with massage therapy. Anna loves facilitating a safe environment for Therapeutic Massage to help people move without pain.

Justin Whisonant

NC LMBT#20808

NC M#81963

Hailing from the picturesque landscapes of Upstate New York, I ventured to the vibrant city of Wilmington, North Carolina, where I have called home for the past six years. My journey in the beauty and wellness industry began as a skilled nail technician Read More...

Rebecca (Becky) Beverly

NC LMBT#20949

Massage is Becky’s true calling! After dual careers of more than 20 years, Becky decided her next chapter in life would need to be as rewarding and beneficial to others as herself. Read more...

Skincare Experts

Our estheticians are passionate about healthy skin and promote wellness from the inside-out. Utilizing advanced training and professional regimens, our expert team works with each guest to customize their experience.

Melissa Rumsey

Lead Esthetician

NC Esthetician #15677

A coastal NC native, Melissa has been practicing esthetics since 2015. Her calming presence radiates her love for natural beauty and self-care. She strives to offer her clients the results they are seeking while promoting deep relaxation throughout her treatments. Read more...

Stephanie Washburn

Esthetician

NC Esthetician #

Grace McLamb is a licensed esthetician and lash tech who is passionate about healthy skin and proper skin care. She first became interested in skin care in 2017 when she was a competitive ballroom dancer ... Read more...

Whitney Smith, NP

Owner, Wave Aesthetics

Whitney is a licensed Nurse Practitioner with a combined 9+ years of ICU nursing experience & a Master’s degree as an acute care nurse practitioner.

Whitney spent the majority of her nursing career in the cardiovascular surgical ICU and continued on with her nurse practitioner degree transitioning into a Neurocritical ICU practitioner role. Whitney further advanced her practitioner skills by completing her initial Neurotoxin and Filler certification with Med Aesthetics training in Raleigh, NC along with multiple additional advanced trainings in neurotoxin and filler injections.

Outside of work, you can find Whitney spending time with her husband, 2 daughters, & mini golden doodle. She enjoys golfing, staying active with outdoor activities, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Hair & Makeup

Our team of licensed stylists have had expert training in color application methods and in cutting techniques that follow the latest trends. Nourishing Kevin.Murphy color and widely-used Redken allow for detailed formulations to help our guests achieve their desired looks with thoughtful quality and care. Children ages 5+ are welcome to receive services with adult supervision.

For Wedding Parties, our team often expands to bring in additional wedding stylists so we can accommodate any group size!

For Bridal hair and makeup inquiries, please contact our Wedding Team Coordinator at weddings@islandretreatspa.com.

Sara Murdoch

NC Cosmetology Apprentice

(will be fully licensed July '24)

Sara's bio...coming soon!

Ryan Bridgforth

Master Stylist

NC Cosmetologist #120501

I love being in the business of making others feel beautiful! I believe if you look good you feel good! It’s always a pleasure meeting new people behind the chair! I am originally from Connecticut where I worked as a stylist for 15 years but I am loving every minute of becoming apart of North Carolina! I specialize in dimensional, creative colors and trendy haircuts, as well as keratin treatments! I look forward to each new day and the opportunity to style my next guest!

Nail Care Technicians

Our fully licensed, caring and professional team of manicurists are here to provide expert nail care and incredibly relaxing service!

Ann Arroyo

NC Manicurist #1519

Ann is a Long Island native and now 26 year Southern infused nail technician. A trade professional for over 25 years, owning and operating many salons, Read more...

Jori Fabanich

NC Manicurist #85874

Gabrielle Kruchek

NC Manicurist #91562

Meet Gabrielle! Specializing in Spa Pedicures with gentle technique and precision. Aspires to have all of her clients feeling new and refreshed with beautiful hands and feet. In her spare time she enjoys spending quality time with her significant other and son, cooking/baking and being outdoors.

Brooke Fogle

NC Manicurist #88403

Hi! My name is Brooke Fogle and I’m a nail tech. I’m originally from California, and have been living in North Carolina for 2 years. My husband and I have twins who we just adore! Aside from nails, I love sitting by the pool, cooking, and doing crafts! I’ve been doing nails in North Carolina for 2 years and I love it! My favorite service to provide is a structured gel manicure. I have loved serving those who come to Bald Head, and hope that their time is made more enjoyable by coming to the spa!

Justin Whisonant

NC LMBT#20808

NC M#81963

Yoga & Fitness Instructors

Laura Smith

Yoga Instructor

RYT-500

Alicia Linstead

Barre Instructor

Living in San Francisco fifteen years ago and on a quest to recover from a back injury, Alicia found and immediately loved The Bar Method. During the process of healing her back and became a dedicated Bar Method read more...

Stephanie Washburn

Yoga Instructor

RYT-200

Stephanie is a RYT-200 having completed her training through Yoga Salt in Wilmington, NC. On the mat, Steph focuses on breath work, and offering modification for yogis of all experience levels. Incorporating gentle hands-on assists and relaxing touch as well as uplifting meditation is a passion of hers, read more...

Jennifer Kuzmuk

Yoga & Mat Pilates Instructor

E-RYT-500

Jenn has been a yoga student for more than 20 years, practicing different lineages such as Iyengar, Vinyasa, Baptiste, Yin and Ashtanga. Jenn’s classes are filled with her passion for the power and peace a yoga practice brings and demonstrate how yoga is a beautiful way to express yourself from the inside out. Read more...

Body Mechanics & Alternative Therapies

Helping you achieve your optimum wellness through dynamic alternative therapies.

Stretch Therapy - coming soon!

Chiropractic Therapy - coming soon!

Greg Guthrie

Certified Health Coach

Experienced Hiking Guide

Greg’s first passion is in feeding people. Utilizing his long career as a professional chef as the foundation of his Health Coaching program, Greg works with clients to not only inform, but to teach them how to rebuild their habits by way of finding what foods, exercises and passions inspire them to live a healthy lifestyle. Read more...

Visiting Wellness Practitioners

Island Retreat will host visiting wellness professionals with various backgrounds in the health and wellness sphere. From breath work to feng shui, acupuncture and more, we look forward to featuring new ways to practice self-care on-island and at home through the exceptional offerings by our visiting pros!

For a full list of upcoming workshops, courses and other opportunities to grow on your self-care journey, please view the Courses tab on our Mindbody page

or click here for our Class Schedule.