What a High-ROI Offsite Actually Costs (and Where Smart Teams Invest with Intention)

Most teams know they should be doing offsites. Far fewer understand what they cost, and even fewer know how to build a realistic company offsite budget that supports the kind of experience they want.

There’s no shortage of vague advice online, but none of it answers the real question companies are asking:

“What does a well-designed, high-impact offsite actually cost, and how do we make sure we invest in the right places?”

This guide isn’t about cutting corners. If anything, it’s the opposite.

At Get Lost, we create bespoke, non–cookie-cutter offsites for teams that want deeper connection, stronger alignment, and meaningful experiences. A great offsite is an investment, and it deserves thoughtful planning. The purpose of this article is to bring clarity, not encourage companies to go cheap.

Why Offsite Budgets Vary So Widely

Ask five companies what they spent on their latest offsite and you’ll get five very different answers. And they might all be right.

Budgets shift dramatically depending on:

• location (local, regional, international)

• timing (peak vs shoulder season)

• rooming (single vs shared)

• duration

• programming level

  
  

Once you understand these variables, the ranges start to make sense.

So… What Do Companies Actually Spend?

Across the retreat and hospitality landscape, companies investing in intentional, well-executed offsites tend to fall within a clear, predictable range.

Typical Budget for a 3–4 Day Offsite

Most organizations invest:

USD $2,000–$4,000 per person EUR €1,800–€3,700 per person

This typically includes:

• quality accommodations

• meals and beverages

• transportation (sometimes excluding flights)

• meeting space

• curated activities

• facilitation or guided sessions

• buffer and incidentals

This is the level companies spend when they want more than a getaway. It’s the range for offsites designed to create alignment, clarity, and momentum.

How to Think About Per-Night Costs

A clearer way to think about budgeting is through per-night averages:

• Single rooms: ~$750–$950 per person per night (≈ €700–€900)

• Shared rooms: ~$450–$650 per person per night (≈ €420–€600)

Shorter regional offsites with lighter programming may fall closer to $500–$1,000 per person (€470–€930), but these tend to be simpler, travel-light events.

Where Offsite Budgets Actually Go

Spending usually follows predictable categories:

• 30–35% accommodation

• 20–30% food and beverage

• 15–20% activities and programming

• 10–20% transportation and transfers

• 5–10% meeting space, AV, staffing, buffer

Accommodations tend to lead the list not because they’re luxurious but because rest and comfort directly affect how productive people are the next day. Activities and programming fall in the middle of the budget yet often shape the most meaningful memories.

What a High-ROI Offsite Actually Looks Like

A high-return offsite isn’t the cheapest one. It’s the one where every dollar or euro supports connection, clarity, and culture.

From our experience designing retreats for global teams, the strongest offsites include:

• a clear purpose

• a structured agenda

• comfortable rooms (ideally single occupancy)

• nourishing meals

• one or two standout experiences

• facilitated or guided sessions

• space for organic conversation

• a setting that encourages people to think differently

A strong offsite doesn’t spread the budget thin. It places intention behind every part of the experience.

Where Smart Teams Spend With Intention

This isn’t about saving money. It’s about ensuring budget goes toward the parts of the offsite that actually enhance impact.

1. Choosing the Right Time

Shoulder-season dates can offer better venues, quieter environments, and more flexibility without compromising quality.

2. Picking a Destination That Supports the Agenda

The best destination isn’t always the trendiest one. It’s the one that helps your team relax, focus, and fully engage.

3. Prioritizing Comfortable Rooms

Well-rested people participate more and collaborate better. Many companies choose to invest more here because it directly improves outcomes.

4. Selecting Fewer, More Meaningful Activities

One excellent shared experience is often more impactful than a packed itinerary.

5. Working With Integrated Venues

Venues offering accommodations, meals, meeting space, and activities keep the experience cohesive and reduce logistical complications.

Intentional choices lead to better outcomes, not necessarily lower costs.

A Realistic Mid-Range Example

Here’s what a 3-night regional offsite for a 25-person team often looks like:

• Accommodations: USD $20,000–$30,000 (≈ €18,500–€27,500)

• Meals and beverages: $10,000–$18,000 (≈ €9,300–€16,700)

• Activities and programming: $7,500–$12,500 (≈ €7,000–€11,600)

• Transportation and transfers: $5,000–$10,000 (≈ €4,700–€9,300)

• Meeting space, AV, buffer: $3,000–$6,000 (≈ €2,800–€5,600)

  
  

Total: ~USD $45,000–$75,000 ~€42,000–€70,000

(~$1,800–$3,000 per person or €1,700–€2,800 per person)

This reflects what many companies invest when they want a thoughtful, purpose-driven offsite rather than a standardized package.

Our Philosophy at Get Lost

Every team has its own rhythm, culture, and pace. Because of that, no two offsites should ever look the same.

Get Lost doesn’t use templates or pre-set retreat packages. We design bespoke experiences shaped around your goals, your people, and the tone you want to set. Our work is rooted in intention, creativity, and a deep respect for how teams connect.

This guide exists simply to help companies understand the landscape so they can invest in the elements that matter most.

Final Thoughts

A successful offsite isn’t defined by how much you spend. It’s defined by the clarity of purpose, the environment you create, and the experiences that stay with people long after they return to work. With a thoughtful company offsite budget, you can design an experience that supports your team’s goals and delivers long-lasting value.

If you want help shaping a budget, choosing the right destination, or designing an offsite that feels thoughtful, inspiring, and unforgettable, Get Lost can help you bring it to life.