As a luxury travel reviewer I have spent years developing high expectations for comfort. I have experienced remarkable hotels and resorts worldwide with the softest bedding and robes private infinity pools attentive butlers and no need to handle daily tasks on site. Once accustomed to that standard of ease it becomes difficult to forget.

So when my sister began urging me to join a women's retreat at an adult summer camp in Northern California I felt doubtful.

I grew up camping but gradually moved away from it

I am not opposed to camp in principle. I attended summer camp as a child and continued recreational camping with friends into adulthood. However after having children the demands of packing gear and managing cleanup made the activity less appealing for leisure. Camping no longer held the same appeal.

At the same time my career as a lifestyle writer shifted toward luxury travel coverage. Gradually I grew used to premium comforts and if honest became attached to them.

My sister invited me to an adult summer camp

My sister whose preferences often differ from mine enlisted two of our longtime friends from high school and college to attend as well. It seemed like a deliberate appeal to FOMO and it succeeded. Roughly a week before the retreat I agreed and reserved my flight.

I anticipated basic lodging shared bathrooms and an overall sense of roughing it.

Instead I encountered several pleasant surprises.

The camp had been renovated recently and appeared more refined than expected certainly more upscale than the Southern California camp from my youth. Our cabin for the four of us included heating and air conditioning a private bathroom plenty of charging outlets and was impeccably clean. The meals in the dining hall were excellent with many vegetarian choices available to me.

It resembled a conference center set among trees more than a rugged outdoor experience.

Yet the lodging was not the only source of comfort that stood out.

The greater revelation was recognizing how many kinds of comfort exist beyond luxury features.

I discovered ease through community and downtime

There were 175 women at the retreat many older than our group. My companions ranged from age 48 to 51 but numerous attendees were in their 60s 70s and even upper 80s. Being among women with extensive life experience felt surprisingly steadying. The setting seemed free of pretense or expectations.

Another comfort I had nearly overlooked was the chance to be an off-duty parent in a child-free space. My sister has three children my two friends and I each have two. For several days no one required snacks or transportation and no one pleaded for more screen time.

Instead I had moments for pursuits I rarely prioritize now. I attempted to learn Mahjong crafted beaded bracelets and made candles. I relaxed during a sound bath and experienced forest bathing.

The specific activities felt secondary.

Luxury hotels aim to provide comfort as their core function.

Over time however I had come to define comfort narrowly as something carefully arranged and material such as finer linens superior rooms and enhanced facilities.

I departed adult summer camp with a renewed sense that some of the most meaningful comforts have little connection to thread count.