Brand new, The Ark Retreat House is debuting 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. Search for our Green Suite and Blue Suite listings online 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 cliffside 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.
