Local Getaway: Stay at an Elven Haven in Courtenay

Location: Courtenay, British Columbia 

The details: $165 per night plus fees; sleeps four

The amenities: 

Feel as if you are one with nature in this redesigned yurt. For those of you who don’t know what a yurt is, it is a portable, round tent traditionally covered and insulated with skin or felt. Although this yurt isn’t quite portable, it ensures you feel immersed in Mother Nature. 

This space blurs the line between the indoors and outdoors. The hosts meant for this yurt to incite a strong connection in guests with the natural elements just steps outside. It features natural earth tones throughout the space, exposed beams, an open design and broad windows for an excellent view of the surrounding forest. The interior is also dressed with mostly wooden furniture, an abundance of indoor plants and antique decor throughout.

A mystical elven doorway welcomes you as you step towards the yurt. The handcrafted wooden door perfectly reflects what you’ll find behind the doors – a fantastical space, like one you’d find in a fairytale. A riddle saying, “Beyond it, a whimsical world ripe with story and immersed in nature awaits” is also inscribed just above the door. Take a step inside the whimsical space and have your breath taken away!

Inside the yurt, you’ll find two bedrooms, each with a queen sized bed, and a fully equipped kitchen. Head up a hand-crafted spiral staircase to get to the loft bedroom. An intricate elven-inspired latticework railing frames the bedroom. You’ll feel as if you are one with the stars as you look up into the starry night through a rounded skylight right above the loft. The master bedroom is located on the main level. Although it isn’t as fancy as the loft bedroom, you’ll have four wide windows in the room and plenty of pricvacy.

Be prepared to cook up a storm in the kitchen! There is a generous, brand new full-sized fridge, gas range and oven, microwave and coffee machine. Enjoy the intricate details in this kitchen space, such as the handmade live-edge solid wood island bar (made from local wood) and the custom-made concrete countertop. The dining area is complete with a maple-wood dining table, made for you to spend time with your loved ones during the meals shared in this space.

The hosts have left the first illustrated edition of The Lord of the Rings on the live edge bar for a truly well-rounded elven experience. Who else is geeking out with me?!

Feel free to step outside and get a whiff of the fresh ferns after the rain. A large deck is available for you to complete all your outdoor activities. There is a dining table and chairs on the deck, so feel free to enjoy a meal outside, or just sip your coffee during those quiet mornings. 

The wooden elements inside the yurt, in addition to all the plants, truly makes one feel as if they are staying inside a forest. You will be protected from the elements while still getting a taste of being one with nature. A wooden frame and roof was added to this yurt’s original canvas roof for better insulation. With the redesigned roof, this yurt stays warm in the winter and well-ventilated in the summer. 

 You may be happy to hear this yurt was built with our ecosystem in mind. Propane fuels the heating throughout the space and on-demand water heating is available to save energy. Electricity throughout the yurt also comes from Hydropower. 

What’s more, the toilet is a composting model, so all waste becomes soil amendment for gardens and the surrounding greenery. The host reassures visitors that this new toilet model is 100% odor-free, so no worries about any potential smells!

Activities in the area:

This yurt is nestled in an oasis deep inside a rainforest. The best way to enjoy this stay is to unplug and appreciate the surrounding nature. Some activities for you would be to enjoy a walk in the forest, or a yoga session on the large patio. With that being said, there are still plenty of options if you’d like to head outside the forest. This yurt is only seven minutes away from the base of Mount Washington, with plenty of hiking trails that you can embark on with your loved ones. Nymph Falls Nature Park is also just a 25-minute drive away, where you can revel in Mother Nature’s majestic artwork. Head on a walk along the stream and enjoy the satisfaction of the waterfall views at the end!