The Ark Retreat House on Bowen - New w/ lake views

Brand new, The Ark Retreat House is debuting on Airbnb for select dates year round with an ultra-luxurious new Forest Spa experience (see below). This artfully decorated, newly renovated home on a large acreage rests at the end of a gravel road on a rock bluff high above Killarney Lake and old-growth forests. Watch eagles soar and mist rising from the lake from huge windows, multiple decks and patios, or the sunken outdoor tubs at our Forest Spa. There is trail access from the property. This is the perfect place to rest and restore, without being too far away from the cove.
This is a spectacular house in a magical setting perched on a hillside with amazing views over the mountains and forests and bordering the protected lands and trails of Crippen Park. It is the *perfect* destination for retreats and/or friend and family gatherings and events. We are opening the house up for private rentals during select periods throughout the year. We will only accept bookings from people who intend to respect the space as one for contemplative practice, family/friend gatherings, and corporate off site meetings/retreats that feel in alignment.
Although this is a private home, it has been designed for visitors—fresh organic towels, 100% cotton bed linens and down duvets, empty closets and fridges, and amenities suited to group gatherings. You are sure to be inspired by this space as no detail has been overlooked in its design. It was created with the sole purpose of inviting people to step away from busy lives into a nourishing, inspiring setting to refresh, inspire, and help you to reconnect to nature and to those who matter in your life.
Note: In our listings, you will the following 4 listings for The Ark on Bowen:
Floor 1: The Green Suite (sleeps 2 adults) + The Blue Suite (sleeps 3 adults)
Floors 2 & 3: The Main House* (sleeps 8 adults - Floor 2 = spacious living area; Floor 3 = 4 bedrooms)
Floors 1, 2, & 3: Entire House** including both suites (sleeps 13 adults total)
*The Main House listing is listed as: Retreat House with Lake & Mountain Views
** The Whole House listing is listed as: The Ark Retreat House on Bowen
If you are not seeing all of those listings in your search, it is possible that one or more of the listings may be reserved for the dates in your search range, or that your search parameters are omitting some results based on the number of adults specified in the search parameters.
LAYOUT & BEDS:
Upstairs, there are four bedrooms. Two have balconies with spectacular views and 2 twin beds that can also be pushed together to make kings (we have bed bridges to make the mattress seamless). The third room has a bunk bed and a twin bed. The smallest room had a skylight and a twin bed. All bedrooms have closets, bedside tables, dimmable lights, and window shades and curtains. All of the rooms share two large bathrooms, one of which has a large jetted tub. The other has a shower/tub combo. There is also a low seating area we call the “meditation loft” on this level—the perfect place to cozy up with a book or journal and to watch the sunrise or mists rising from the lake.
The main level of the house has a large entryway area with a church pew bench and closet and console table. This opens to the living room and program space (open for yoga, or other flex uses). The space has soaring ceilings and windows two stories tall. There’s a wood stove, built in bench seating, leather couch, and two arm chairs. The focal point, other than the soaring view, is a gorgeous hanging sculpture made from copper vessels that reflects light and can be lit up at night. There is a large built in screen and projector for use to stream yoga classes in the open area or flip to face the living room to enjoy movies at night.
There is a large fully equipped kitchen on the main level—double convection ovens, two fridges and one large standup freezer, gas stove with 5 burners, microwave, and every appliance you might need (including a Breville espresso maker for morning lattes and espressos). Large decks with outdoor seating and terrific views adjoin the main entryway and kitchen. The kitchen deck has a large BBQ. The kitchen has a large custom built wood table with benches and chairs. It can seat up to 12 people, and the bar seating accommodates another 4.
The lower level of the house includes 2 fully equipped guest suites with en suite bathrooms and kitchenettes. They have separate entryways on the ground floor, or can be accessed internally via a staircase. The Blue Suite can sleep 3 people on beds (1 king or two Twin XLs in the main room and 1 twin daybed in an adjoining bedroom). The Green Suite can sleep 2 people (1 king or two Twin XLs) and its en suite bathroom includes a jetted tub (but no shower—only handheld). Both suites have kitchenettes equipped with fridges, microwaves, Keurig/Nespresso coffee makers, toasters, double burner hotplates, tea kettles, cooking and dinnerware. They also each have a TV. See our Green Suite and Blue Suite listings on AirBnb for additional details and reviews.
THE FOREST SPA (LAUNCHING WINTER 2024)
Our new Forest Spa sauna experience is comprised of a sauna building built into the cliff side with views from the sauna window overlooking the forest tree canopy.

Outside, guests can enjoy the same views and while forest bathing and stargazing from 2 sunken plunge baths outfitted with hot and cold water to suit individual tastes and a large private deck that traces the jagged edge of a cliff face of moss-covered stone and ferns.

The Forest Spa sauna experience has been designed for 2 people, for 90 minutes per session.

When guests rent the whole house, they can adjust the guidelines to suit their group. Our whole house listing includes the Main House (sleeps 8), the Green Suite (sleeps 2), and the Blue Suite (sleeps 3) for a total of 13 guests. Your can find the whole house listing (sleeps 13) by name as The Ark Retreat House on Bowen, or you can find the Main House listing (sleeps 8) as Retreat House with Lake & Mountain Views.

Please keep in mind the new sauna level is very private but the staircase to access it is also used by the owner from time to time to access his home at the very bottom of the property.
PET POLICY:
We are not opposed to four legged guests, but please inquire before booking because we need to be sure that (1) your dog will not be disruptive to other guests; (2) you are willing to bring a dog bed and not allow him/her onto the furniture; (3) that you are willing to pay a cleaning fee that is dependent on the length of your stay because we must undertake a much more thorough cleaning protocol after your stay to ensure that allergy-prone future guests are not affected.
ATTENTION FAMILIES:
We warmly welcome families with children provided parents/caregivers are diligent in maintaining the peaceful tranquility of The Ark on Bowen to respect the peaceful enjoyment of our other guests. If you need use of a travel crib for infants/toddlers, just ask!
Please be advised that the property is perched on a hill that is steep in places. There are wire fences that are meant to prevent adults and kids from falls, but it is advisable that very young children be watched closely when they are outside. The gardens are fun, but potentially dangerous for little ones who do not have sure footing.
If you are in need of babysitting, please let us know wand we may be able to help you out with in-house care.
PARKING
There is parking for 5 vehicles max.
MISCELANEOUS
The gardens are beautiful and you can access multiple trails from the property. The house is a short 8 minute drive from the cove, and it is close to many special forest and ocean wonders on Bowen that we can share details about when you book. We are happy to work with you to make this space work for your wedding or other special event. The owner or caretakers may be staying in the cottage on the lower part of the property during your stay so we are on hand if you have any need for assistance, but out of sight so that you can enjoy total privacy.
Please note that according to municipal bylaws, we are not permitted to host commercial retreat activities in this house. Our licensing is only for family and friend gatherings, corporate/business off site meetings and retreats, and family and friend events.

Guests will have use of the entire main house and grounds, including 4 bedrooms upstairs and 2 fully equipped guest suites (3 additional bedrooms) with separate entryways on the ground floor of the house (the Green Suite and the Blue Suite, listed separately on AirBnb). There is a separate caretakers cottage on the lower part of the property (out of sight of the main house) that will be occupied by the owner or caretakers during your stay. Should you have news for assistance, we will be readily available!
There is a caretakers cottage on the lower part of the property that will house the owner or hosting staff while you are visiting. They will be available by phone or in person to help with any needs you may have during your stay. Saskia will also be available by text and phone at any time.
~ Access gorgeous trails in old growth forests right from the property or off the small dirt road you take to access it. The Killarney Lake loop trail, a beloved trail on the island, is a two minute walk from the house.
~ You’re only 8 minutes from the cove, but you will feel like you are in the wilderness.
~ The views from the house and the shifting moods of nature that you will witness right from the house are unbelievable. Breathtaking. Quieting. Soul stirring. It’s just beautiful.
~ The famous Opa tree (a GIANT cedar) is close-by, at Xenia retreat center. They also have a Labyrinth you can walk there.
~ Leap from a public dock into the Howe Sound from the end of Mt Gardner Road. The views there are breathtaking and it’s only a 15 min walk from the house.
~ You’ll pass meadows with horses and farms with other animals, and forest trails galore as you make your way to the house. This is the perfect place to get away from it all and reconnect with a slower pace without sacrificing comfort.
~ The stars. You can see them at night. A LOT of them!!
You can walk to the house from the ferry on forest trails in about 40 mins, bike in 20 mins, or drive in 8 minutes. There is parking for a max of 5 cars at the house.
This is a contemplative space—serene, beautiful, built with care and sparing no expense. We want the space to be treated with utmost care and conscientiousness, and we do not want to invite groups or events that will be disruptive to our neighbours. It’s a pretty special spot. ;)
We welcome groups of friends and family seeking a place to retreat, as well as corporate and non-profit groups seeking off site gathering space. Our current licensing does not permit the sale of ticketed events.
Business Licence No: 00000504