Tiles by the Sea: A Mahjong Retreat

• Start your day with a delicious continental breakfast. Continue to get to know your cohort as you ease into the morning with hot coffee.

• Kick things off with a guided mahjong session. This session will blend open play with strategy support, and is designed to ease you into the retreat rhythm.

• After a morning of mahjong, you will venture to Mafra Palace, a gorgeous 18th century convent and palace. Explore the awe-inspiring halls and immerse yourself in the history.

• Return to O House and enjoy a tasty lunch prepared in-house by our private chef.

• In the afternoon, dive into a spirited mahjong session. This is also the first tournament-style mahjong session of the retreat, introducing a friendly ladder format that provides structure, without sacrificing fun. This session is themed Azulejo Blue, celebrating Portugal’s iconic ceramic tiles.

• Close out the day with a hearty dinner cooked in-house by our private chef.

• After breakfast, ease into the day with open friendly mahjong play. This session is relaxed, allowing you to find a table that matches your preferred pace.

• Enjoy the next few hours of unstructured free time; this is your chance to explore Ericeira, grab lunch at a local eatery, and relax. You may want to hit the beach, shop for souvenirs, or simply wander the charming village with friends.

• Regroup at O House for the retreat’s featured educational offering: a dedicated Chinese mahjong teaching session. Sara will introduce you to the structure, rules, and style of Chinese mahjong through demonstration rounds and guided practice. This evening’s theme is East Meets West, celebrating cultural connection.

• Enjoy a satisfying dinner cooked in-house by our private chef. Continue the theme with a meal structured around subtle Portuguese/Chinese influences.

• After breakfast, hone your mahjong skills with a coaching clinic. You’ll discuss strategy, learn defensive play tips, and boost your table awareness. You’ll get hands-on practice with these skills as well; after the clinic, you will move into live mahjong rounds.

• After a morning of mahjong, it’s time to switch gears and head to Sintra in an exciting day trip. One of Portugal’s most beautiful cities, Sintra is rich with beautiful natural landscapes and a bounty of historic sites. We’ll kick things off with a group lunch at a local restaurant. Then, we’ll head to Pena Palace, the iconic red and yellow castle that sits at the mountain’s peak. You’ll explore the gardens and halls, and enjoy panoramic views of the surroundings.

• Return to O House and dive back into mahjong with the second tournament of the retreat. This tournament, themed Palace Cup in honor of the day’s excursion, will give you the chance to test your new skills with friendly competition.

• We’ll celebrate a busy day of learning, exploration, and mahjong with a tasty dinner at O House.

• Get a slower start to the day with a late breakfast, allowing you to rest up and reset.

• Following breakfast, we’ll have a slow-paced open play mahjong session. After the more competitive Palace Cup, this is your chance to reset and refresh.

• Enjoy lunch at O House, then take the next few hours for yourself. This is your free time to rest or head back to Ericeira for more exploration.

• Regroup in the early evening for another more relaxed social mahjong session. Let the easy conversation and laughter wash over you as you play and connect.

• End the day with a satisfying dinner at O House, courtesy of our private chef.

• Fuel up for the last full day with breakfast, and then ease into another casual morning of mahjong. This session is your chance to ask any final strategy questions and fine-tune your new skills.

• Enjoy a satisfying lunch at O House prepared by our private chef.

• Celebrate the cumulation of the retreat with a wine tasting at a local winery, where you will treat yourself to delicious Portuguese wines while you enjoy your newfound community.

• Gather back at O House for the final tournament play of the retreat. This tournament, Fado & Tiles, will be a festive commemoration of the camaraderie and improvement that you’ve experienced over the last few days.

• We’ll close the night with a celebratory dinner cooked by our private chef - a moment to share stories, memories, and gratitude.

• Wake up feeling proud of your achievements; over the past several days, you have upgraded your mahjong skillset, met like-minded individuals from around the world, and given yourself a well-deserved break.

• Taking into account early departures, there are no structured activities today. Breakfast will be included.

• We will transfer you to the airport for your departure, ensuring a stress-free transition back into your day-to-day life.

Do I need to have previous mahjong experience?
These retreats are appropriate for all skill levels. Whether you’re a complete beginner or advanced player, Sara will meet you where you’re at and ensure that you’re learning and having fun.

What can I expect to learn from these workshops?
Sara’s workshops will cover defensive strategy, table awareness, and Chinese mahjong. She will also be available to answer specific questions based on your skill level and personal goals.

Do I need to bring my own mahjong set?

No, all materials will be provided!

Do you offer airport transfer?
Yes! Airport transfers are included in the ticket price.

What does a typical day look like?
Although each day looks different, there are some core themes and activities throughout each day of the retreat. We’ll start each day with a continental breakfast, followed by a mahjong session. The morning sessions are either social play or coaching clinics. We will then have lunch cooked in-house by our private chef, followed by another activity block, which will either be another mahjong session, activity, or free time. Finally, we wrap up with dinner and warm conversation with friends.

How do I reserve my spot?
We handle all bookings over email. All you have to do is click on one of the “Book Now” buttons and follow the prompts to send your message. We’ll be in touch shortly to answer questions and get you all registered!

How does the Payment Plan work?Provided that you book your spot at least four months in advance, you may choose to take advantage of our payment plan. This plan spreads the payments into monthly installments of equal price. The number of installments depends on how far in advance you book your ticket. Check out more details in our Terms and Conditions, linked below!

Where can I find your Terms and Conditions?
For detailed information about our policies, including booking terms, cancellations, and liability, please refer to our full Terms and Conditions. You can access them by clicking here.​