Disconnect to Reconnect at Water & Woods

A visit to the new retreat center in Kaleva

By Rachel Soulliere | Oct. 10, 2026

In August, Kaleva welcomed its first wellness retreat to the heart of Manistee County. Located at 15271 Makinen Road, Water & Woods offers a wide variety of experiences that focus on nature, healing, and connection. Guests can enjoy winding trails, serene landscapes, individualized programming, and a rich history that owners Jen and Kat LaTosch have dreamed of for years.

While Jen, a practicing attorney specializing in family law, and Kat, a nonprofit organizational development consultant and facilitator, have a home base in Ferndale, northern Michigan is where they visit to escape, disconnect, and slow down, which sparked the idea to open their own wellness retreat.

“It really is all about unplugging from the noise of life to get back to your center and purpose. We were so passionate about this dream and spreading this message that we decided to just go for it and put everything we could into Water & Woods. It’s a passion project we believed in and wanted nothing more than to build it,” says Kat.

After two years of searching for the perfect space, Jen suggested they look at an 80-acre property in Kaleva that had everything they were looking for; meadows, woods, and wetlands. It was on the market for a year and a half and there were a handful of outdated buildings and cabins that needed to be restored, but after visiting, the LaTosches knew they had found the one.

“It took one trip here and we knew it was the right place,” Kat tells us. “The woods, wildlife, lake on the property and history was unmatched. The buildings are unique and created by the original owner, John Makinen. From an old chicken coop made of old refrigerator panels to a boat house made from railroad ties, there’s a theme of here building new out of old. Jen and I knew we would love nothing more than to be stewards of this land and continue the work that Makinen started.”

As a Finnish immigrant who settled in Kaleva in the early 1900s, Makinen repurposed materials and hand built many of the buildings on-site. This also includes the traditional Finnish sauna that the LaToshes plan to refinish and old deck boards left behind that will now become the outdoor shower for guests of Water & Woods. These are two upcoming restoration plans on a long list of upcoming projects, including a garden, pavilion and lodge, to help get the wellness retreat to a place of year-round operation within the next five years.

Lightening the Load

Current accommodations at Water & Woods are up and running. From locals looking for a getaway to visitors coming to enjoy a retreat featuring reiki, sound baths, meditation, massage, and hiking, there is a price range, stay, and programming for everyone.

When guests arrive, Kat says it takes some time to unwind and settle (in part because there is no Wi-Fi). She tells us attendees start noticing a difference and impact by the 24-hour mark.

“By the time people leave here, you can physically see the difference. We’ve had some retreat attendees come here burnt out and leave feeling like a new version of themselves,” says Kat. “But sometimes the end result isn’t going to be nirvana and joy, sometimes it’s leaving here being able to sit with some of the heavy things that you couldn’t before.”

There are three cabins that have been completely renovated by Jen and Kat that are currently available for rent when there aren’t retreats. During retreats, guests can choose to stay in one of the three light and airy renovated studio cabins or in solo or double occupancy safari-style tents with beds, amenities, and all the creature comforts. There are also campsites available where you can bring your own tent or camper for a rustic camping experience.

“We’re not a spa, we’re not a resort, but we do offer everything you need and nothing you don’t. It’s hard to hear your inner voice if you’re uncomfortable, so we go above and beyond to offer things like comfortable beds and blankets and catered meals from a chef who anticipates and cooks for every dietary need,” says Kat.

In tune with the needs of the local community and the reality of price being a barrier for wellness retreats and stays, the LaTosches made it a point to offer discounts through their Water & Woods newsletter and offer special deals for locals. Currently, if you are a Kaleva local looking to book a stay, they are offering a 50 percent rental discount on the cabins (on average $225 a night normal price, $112 discounted rate).

“Water & Woods is for everyone. Everybody has stuff they carry, and everyone faces adversities. I want all people to feel safe, included and welcome here regardless of what they are carrying on their shoulders,” says Kat. “I want everyone to have a place to lighten that load for a minute to tune into who they are to go back and be a better person, self, and contribute to making the world a better place.”

Planning for 2027

As of printing, Water & Woods has hosted four retreats, and planning for 2027 is already underway. Future programming will range from weekend retreats such as a Dream Builders weekend for those wanting to reconnect to their goals, vision, and purpose to a songwriters retreat for musicians who need a place to get away, write, and connect with other musicians.

They are also planning to offer single day events and access to their meditation walking labyrinth that will be available to the public next year.

“Our 2027 programming will focus on helping attendees tune into their natural rhythm to help open up creativity, wonder, awe, and other things that help people unblock,” says Kat. “Our connection to media is so visual and auditory that we don’t do a lot of smelling or using our other senses. By tapping into those other senses, we can better look inward and make sure people leave with clarity and the tools they need to come into their inner wisdom.”

Stay up to date with upcoming retreats, rental deals, discounts, and events at waterandwoods.com.