Visiting The Sanctuary

Day Visits
If you wish to visit and see the Sanctuary, we welcome day visitors by appointment. You may phone us at 828-626-3966 or make arrangements by email at lightweave@aol.com.  Once an appointment is set we will send you specific directions.

Personal Retreats
The Sanctuary is ideal for personal retreats. It is the perfect place to read, write, paint, meditate, or to use as your base camp for exploring endless miles of national forest trails into the mountains. Guests have a variety of accommodations to choose from. Most prefer our secluded Hermitage with it's nice porch overlooking the River. The more rustic-minded often like the Tree House. It is the ultimate getaway place. But there are many choices offering various degrees of privacy and amenities.

Group Retreats
The Sanctuary is available for group retreats and is especially ideal for those focusing on Earth oriented themes or simply those who like to be close to nature while spending time together. We can provide beds for groups up to 20 with accommodations ranging from indoor guest rooms to outdoor shelters. Larger groups would need to bring their own tents. The rate for a group of 10 or more is $35 per person per night, and guests may use all accommodation options including the Lodge. Groups will need to bring their own food, sleeping gear and towels. The lodge kitchen, including two refrigerators will be available for group use. Groups of 10 or more will have the whole Sanctuary to themselves.

Events
The Sanctuary is available for weddings or other ceremonies or rites of passage, as well as day-long workshops and retreats. The rate for day use is $15 per person. This includes full use of the common kitchen at the lodge, meeting space, the sauna and other facilities. Guest are responsible for their own food preparation and clean up. The common kitchen at the lodge is available for guest use and one refrigerator at the lodge is specifically for guests. The kitchen has cutlery, pots and pans, and dishes for guests to use. The hermitage has a small countertop with a hotplate and a small refrigerator. Guest are also welcomed to cook over an open campfire if they wish.

Work/Trade
From time to time we are able to offer short-term lodging on a work/trade basis of three hours a day of work for each nights lodging. Normally work/trade is offered for up to three nights for first time guests. Longer work/trade stays are available for returning guests and in certain other situations. Also, longer stays may include a combination of work/trade & payment, according to a guest's needs and resources. Day visitors may also choose an hour and a half of work in lieu of the $15 day rate. Depending on the time of year, the work might involved gardening, landscaping, lawn mowing or indoor house work. And occasionally we can use the specialized skills of an artist, carpenter or others. The work / trade option is available for all of the accommodations except the Hermitage & Elfhaven Lodge. If you are interested in this, write and request our work/trade reservation form: lightweave@aol.com

Toilets
We have two indoor toilets and a shower inside the lodge and one outdoor shower and composting toilet -- all of which are available to guests. We also have portable composting toilets which can be placed in or next to your lodging.

Bedding
Linen and towels are provided for the hermitage & Elfhave lodge. The rates quoted for the Balihouse, Gnome Lodge, Treehouse and Hobbithut are on a 'bring your own bedding' basis, if you are flying in to Asheville and don't have room to bring your bedding and towels, we can provide linen and towels for an extra charge of $10 per day.

Transportation
The Asheville airport is about 45 minutes from the Sanctuary. We can pick you up and return you to the airport or bus station if needed, including a grocery stop en route to the Sanctuary if you need this. The charge is $50 round trip or you can catch a shuttle from the airport to Barnardsville (6 miles away) for $45 each way.

Pets & Children
While stepping away from daily responsibilities such as child and pet care are often a vital element of "getting away from it all," we know that sometimes circumstances dictate otherwise. The Sanctuary is neither "child proof" nor "pet proof." However, when closely supervised, we have successfully accommodated both. Rates for children, ages 3 and up, are the same as for adults. There is a $15 per night surcharge for pets except for the hermitage, where this is included. There is plenty of outdoor room for pets including plenty of covered porch space, so to we don't permit pets inside the lodge.

Payment
We do not require a deposit for personal retreats but we do ask for a three day notice if you have to cancel. We do normally ask for a deposit for groups of 5 or more. We accept checks, cash and travelers checks. Unfortunately we aren't set up for credit cards.

Spiritual Guidance
If you are going through a major life transition, seeking insight & understanding related to personal issues & concerns, or simply seeking to deepen your connection with Divine Presence, spiritual counseling and guidance are available upon request. This is not based on a specific faith tradition or religion but honors the essence of all. This is offered on a donation basis. Simply indicate your interest in this on the reservation form and we will set aside time for it once you arrive. More information on Michael's spiritual perspective is available upon request.

Accommodations & Rates
We offer an eclectic variety of accommodations from standard indoor guest rooms in the Lodge to camping, with lots of options in between. Electricity is available in the Lodge, the Hermitage, the Gnome Lodge and the Zen porch. The Balihouse, Tree House and Hobbithut do not have electricity. In addition to the toilet & shower in the lodge, we have an outdoor composting toilet and shower and several portable composting toilets which can be moved and used at any of the shelters.

Hermitage (Electricity)
The hermitage is a very small two story cottage beside the river. It has a nice porch overlooking our cascading mountain stream. It also has a small outdoor 'kitchen' area with coffee maker and small refrigerator. It has electricity and a 5 gallon keg of fresh spring water is continually available for use. It also has a composting toilet.
Lower - Enclosed room with built-in single bed. Small electric heater
Upper - This room has a double bed, only three walls, with the fourth side is open to the covered deck. There is also a single bed on the deck.

Rate:
$75 per night (single or double or single & one pet)
$25 per night for each additional person.
Linen and towels are included in this rate.

Balihouse (No Electricity)
This is a 10x10 open pavilion beside the river. It has a raised floor with bamboo screens that can be lowered for privacy. It has two single beds.

Rate:
$35 per night per person, bring your own bedding

Tree House (No Electricity)
Our tree house is reached by a rope ladder. It is a 10x10 three sided structure with the fourth side open to the cascading river, 30 feet below. It is quite rustic but enchanting. It has a single cot and a chair. The ultimate getaway place.

Rate:
$35 per night per person, bring your own bedding

Hobbithut (No Electricity)
This is simply a double bed with a roof on it. It has three walls and a screen which can be lowered on the fourth side. It sits on a small hill with a good view of the whole property.

Rate:
$35 per night per person, bring your own bedding

Gnome Lodge (Electricity)
This is an extension off the main porch of the Lodge. The lower level is enclosed on three sides with the fourth side overlooking the Japanese Garden. It has a single bed, electricity and a nice sitting area overlooking the garden. The small loft, which is reached by a ladder, has a double bed (on the floor) and also electricity.

Rate:
$35 per night per person, bring your own bedding

Zen Porch (Electricity)
We have two single beds on the south facing porch, overlooking the Japanese Garden, with a nice sitting area. A cozy corner with electricity.

Rate:
$35 per night per person, bring your own bedding

Elfhaven Lodge (Electricity)
The Lodge has six bedrooms, three up stairs and three downstairs. Linen & towels are included for all the lodge rooms at the rates quoted below

The Bamboo Room (downstairs)
A three sided room with the fourth side opening to the sun deck and overlooking our vegetable garden. It features a caponied queen size bed and lots of tropical of plants. A touch of island life in the mountains. Rate: $75 per night, single or double.

The Cubbyhole (downstairs)
A small indoor bedroom with a twin bed tucked beneath the staircase leading upstairs. Very private and directly across the hall from the bathroom. Rate: $50 per night.

The Brownie Room (downstairs)
One of our guests woke up one morning and saw a troop of brownies, running across the floor! Hence the name. OK, we don't promise that you will see any wee folk, but you will enjoy a nice room with a full size bed and rocking chair. Also next to the bathroom. Rate: $50 per night single or $75 double

The Wisteria Room (Upstairs)
This is an upper level verandah with three walls. The fourth side directly overlooks the sundeck, garden and the stone circle. It features a queen size four poster canopied bed, and yes, there is wisteria growing into the room. Rate: $75 per night, single or double.

The Cardinal Room (Upstairs)
This small room features two twin beds, built-in closets and a nice window seat. Rate: $50 per night single or $75 double.

The Hummingbird Room (Upstairs)
This room is next to and identical to the Cardinal room with two twin beds, built-in closets and a window seat. Rate: $50 per night single or $75 double.

Camping
If you prefer the privacy of your own tent, you may camp at the Sanctuary. All Sanctuary facilities are available to campers.

Rate:
$35 per night for up to two people per tent. $10 for each additional person

Reservation Form:
Specific directions to the Sanctuary are sent once a reservation has been made.