How to Plan The Best Team Retreat in Lagos
Let’s be honest, planning a team retreat sounds like a great idea until someone has to actually plan it. Between finding a location that isn’t too far, too noisy, or too expensive (basically, Lagos), and managing people’s “I can’t make it that weekend” drama, it can quickly turn into a full-time job.
But don’t panic yet. With the right structure, location, and mindset, your next team retreat can be a productive, refreshing, and unforgettable experience!
Here’s how you can plan it:
1. Start With Why You’re Having the Retreat
Before you start googling “cute shortlets in Lagos with Wi-Fi,” pause.
Ask yourself: What’s the purpose of this retreat?
Are you celebrating a milestone or closing out a big project?
Do you want to strengthen team bonds and improve communication?
Or maybe you just need a break from Slack notifications and Microsoft Teams fatigue?
Knowing the “why” helps you figure out the “what.” If it’s for relaxation, your schedule should be light.
If it’s for strategy, you’ll need a setup that supports workshops, brainstorming, and quiet focus time.
2. Choose the Right Location
This is where most people who are planning a team retreat in Lagos lose their minds. Lagos has options… lots of options! But finding one that hits the sweet spot between comfort, functionality, and accessibility? That’s the real puzzle.
You want somewhere:
- Peaceful but not boring
- Luxurious
- Private but not isolating
- With stable Wi-Fi, great lighting, and enough space to work and relax
Enter One Haven, a 5-bedroom shortlet apartment in Omole Phase 1 developed by Café One.
It’s specifically designed for teams, startups, corporates, and creative groups who want to work, bond, and recharge in one inspiring space.
Think:
- Spacious living areas for meetings
- Cozy corners for solo work
- Starlink internet
- A fully functional kitchen (because na who don chop dey work)
- Comfortable, fully-fitted bedrooms for a splendid night’s sleep (or daytime naps)
- Large, in-house parking space
- And an ambience that makes you forget you’re still in Lagos
Basically, it’s your dream office-meets-staycation, all for N500,000.
3. Plan a Balanced Schedule
Here’s where most retreats fail: they’re either too serious (back-to-back meetings until everyone’s cranky) or too chill (everyone forgets why they came).
Strike a balance.
A solid retreat schedule should mix work, play, and rest. Your schedule should look something like this:
Morning: Strategy sessions, goal alignment, or creative workshops
Afternoon: Team games, cooking together, or a light local outing
Evening: Chill time, karaoke, or dinner and games
Give your team pockets of “free time.” The best bonding moments often happen when no one’s trying too hard.
4. Get Everyone Involved
No one likes being told what to do for three days straight. So, before the retreat, send a short anonymous survey. Ask them questions like:
- “What’s one fun activity you’d love to do as a team?”
- “What does your ideal retreat day look like?”
Use the responses to build your agenda. This small gesture creates a sense of ownership and fewer complaints when the karaoke machine comes out.
5. Explore
You’re in Lagos! Don’t hide indoors the whole time. Add local flavour to the experience:
- Visit a nearby art gallery
- Try a cooking challenge with Nigerian dishes
- Have a “Lagos Night” dinner party featuring local music and cocktails
The goal isn’t just to bond, it’s to make memories your team will still laugh about months later.
6. Don’t Overplan
Perfection is overrated. Your team doesn’t need a flawless itinerary; they need a genuine connection. If the projector fails or someone forgets the playlist, laugh it off.
When planning a team retreat in Lagos, focus on the energy, not the schedule. Because in the end, the best retreats aren’t about what you do, they’re about how everyone feels when it’s over.
Ready to Plan a Retreat That Actually Feels Like One?
If you want to skip the stress of juggling multiple bookings, noisy venues, and endless WhatsApp chats, One Haven has you covered.
It’s everything your team needs; space to think, room to rest, and the perfect vibe to reconnect. So, book your next team retreat in Lagos at One Haven by Cafe One.