In the days before mobile devices and pervasive internet, retreats could have a productive use. Get people out of the office, clear their heads, get them focused on whatever task you think is necessary to perform away from work (brainstorming, team building, etc).<p>Now that's all changed. The last couple of retreats I've been on, people are on their phones handling emergencies all day long and then quickly pull back to their hotel rooms after hours to catch up on work that needed attention while they were gone.<p>And I've never heard of a company that pays for space away from the office for one to work. That seems like a stretch to ask for.