posted by Catherine on Jun 17
This amazing and secluded eco retreat is the perfect haven for those seeking to get back to nature or just to get away from everything. A perfect eco holiday!
Nestled in a valley and surrounded by great mountains is the Kw’o:kw’e:hala eco retreat. This eco retreat will no doubt be a world away from where you are at the moment! Surrounded by wooded hills and Indian Reserves on the Coquihalla River and just across the US border on Highway 1 – you won’t have to fly here – your journey being park of the vacation.
What Makes It ‘Eco’?
Their theory of ‘back to basics’ is a great starting point for this resort, as it suggests that there is a stepping back if you like from the compulsive and consumer world that we face everyday. There is very little here to stress you out!
They also offer the chance to live in an environmentally friendly way as everything you require on your vacation has been chosen specifically for it’s eco-credentials. You don’t have to worry about the consequences of this or that – they have done all that for you. You know that you can relax and enjoy yourself without destroying the very place you are visiting.
Food is another pleasure here. They offer slow food, whole food, simple food – all organic of course and much grown on site! With their chefs working for you – all the meals are not only good for the planet – but healthy for you too!
They even offer vacation packages that include your choice of ‘learn a new eco skill’ courses. For example, a course on how to make home-made gifts, how to grow your own vegetables and how to make jams and jellies!
What Can You Do There?
Well, the main attraction could be to do absolutely nothing there! Just to relax in this isolated location beside the creek and away from anything disruptive or noisy. The resort only has a handful of buildings here so it has a low impact on the area and guests can only hear to sounds of the forest rather than hoards of other guests charging around!
The relaxing Wood-Fired Sauna which stores it’s heat for days is included in most of the packages, along with the wood-fired hot tub. There are riverside hammocks, shared washroom block, central kitchen and dining area.
The Accommodation:
There are 3 main cabins around the grounds, as well as the shared buildings.
Forest Cottage is surrounded by trees – as it’s name suggests, and is the most private of the 3 cabins here. It is actually an entirely recycled building so to speak having been moved from another site and upgraded using unwanted wood from a nearby mill.
Homestead Log Cabin is the largest cabin and is in an open area to allow you the views of nature and everything passing by. The cabin was built nearly 100 years ago and has quite a local history!
Othello Cottage is the final cabin – but no less eco! Made from building from the old Kettle railways in the early 1900′s with it’s original Shakespearean name!
It overlooks the river and has an eco toilet and outside solar shower facilities to tempt you outside!
There is also the The Riverside Nest, which is a large tented ‘room’ outdoors where you can sleep under the stars – day or night – just you.
Anything Else?
The resort has won a Responsible Tourism ‘Ethical Escape’ excellence award, and is part of the WWOOF Canada association of organic farming and outdoors. Recently, the Organic Earth Magazine voted Kw’o:kw’e:hala as one of the ’5 Best Eco Getaways’ in Canada and it has also been awarded 5 Stars by Eco Hotels Of The World.
On a more personal note, they offer advice to all guests on the use (or the non-use) of electrical appliances like hair dryers and straighteners – and also over zealous toiletries and perfumes!
There is also the added bonus to those seeking peace and quiet that it will be children-free! Unless the whole site is booked by 1 family or group – children are not allowed on site – all 7 acres of it.
Quiet.
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