Weight-Loss Drug Users Flock to Luxury Retreats, Paying Thousands for Guided Health Programs

A COVID survivor who shed over 100 pounds on a GLP-1 drug spent about $6,000 on a week-long wellness retreat in South Carolina that tailors its program for users of such medications.

After surviving severe COVID-19 in early 2021, Stamie Giallourakis lost more than 100 pounds on a GLP-1 prescription and enrolled in Hilton Head Health’s newly launched GLP-1 retreat, paying roughly $6,000 for a week-long stay plus $700 for specialized programming. The South Carolina-based resort combines nutrition counseling, strength training, yoga, meditation and community support to help participants sustain weight-loss outcomes.

The offering arrives as the share of American adults using GLP-1 drugs rose from an estimated 3 % in 2022 to 11 % this year, fueling growth in wellness tourism projected to reach $1.4 trillion by 2029. Similar programs operate at Skyterra in North Carolina, Unite Fitness Retreat in Utah and Pritikin Longevity Center in Florida, with weekly fees ranging from $3,850 to $5,900. Clinicians acknowledge the potential benefit of structured lifestyle guidance but caution that such pricey retreats may target a vulnerable, affluent segment. Participants like Giallourakis report personalized attention and plan to continue habits at home, viewing the experience as a long-term health investment.