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Eaglenest Sanctuary - Rustic and Serene Riverfront Stay

Photo gallery for Eaglenest Sanctuary - Rustic and Serene Riverfront Stay

View of Eaglenest from the river path.
Large bright dining room with long dining table and yew wood detailing
Raw edge work desk in dining room.
Bay window in dining room overlooking the river.
Medicine wheel in the north east of the property.

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 20325.2 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Hot tub
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Cowichan Valley B, BC
  • West Shawnigan Lake Provincial Park
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Kinsol Trestle
    ‪39 min drive‬
  • Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal
    ‪70 min drive‬
  • Duncan, BC (DUQ)
    ‪31 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 20)

Childrens Room

1 Single Bunk Bed

Downstairs Master Bedroom

1 Single Bed and 1 Double Bed

Large Bedroom

+1
5 Single Beds

North Room

1 Single Bunk Bed and 1 Double Bed

Upstairs Master Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Balcony
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden

About this property

Eaglenest Sanctuary - Rustic and Serene Riverfront Stay

This unique rural riverfront home is nestled in Vancouver Islands rainforest. It is perfect for family vacations, meditation/yoga and all retreats.
Enjoy space and relaxation with this 3500 sq. ft. humble oasis overlooking the Koksilah River and surrounded by 15 acres of lush greenery, gardens, old growth forest and river.
There is so much to explore at Eaglenest Sanctuary located in Shawnigan Lake, B.C.

This rustic, unique and spacious home sleeps sleeps 13 comfortably with five bedrooms (2,2,2,4,5 bedroom occupancy), 2 full bathrooms and 1 half bath.

This is a large humble communal space including an open concept living room complete with a , woodstove, reading nook and plenty of seating. It also includes a large dining room that can seat 8+ guests and a fully stacked and operational kitchen with dishwasher, double sink, large refrigerator, electric range and multiple appliances. You will find 3 bedrooms 1 full bath on the main floor as well as an additional cozy reading nook as you enter the home.

On the bottom floor you will find a large multipurpose room for yoga, activity, resting or media with an indoor sauna attached as well as 2 bathrooms and 2 bedrooms.

Outdoors: private access to 15 acres of riverfront with two swimming holes, 2 outdoor showers, outdoor hottub , more than a half acre of maintained grass with a picnic table, fire pit, a complete deck, three gardens and 4.8 kilometers of paths through rainforest.

We are looking forward to your stay!

Property manager

Ezio Cusi

Languages

English, French, Spanish

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Outdoor space
Mountain view

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

Events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events are allowed on site
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
Property Registration Number H193373283

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Shawnigan Lake

Located in Shawnigan Lake, this holiday home is in the city centre and on the waterfront. Merridale Estate Cidery and Damali Lavender & Winery are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those in the mood for shopping can visit Mill Bay Centre and Duncan Farmers Market. Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre and Cowichan Wooden Boat Society are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Cowichan Valley B, BC

What's nearby

  • West Shawnigan Lake Provincial Park - 9 min drive - 6.0 km
  • Old Mill Park - 13 min drive - 9.8 km
  • Kinsol Trestle - 39 min drive - 30.7 km
  • Butchart Gardens - 63 min drive - 55.3 km
  • Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal - 70 min drive - 68.7 km

Getting around

  • Maple Bay, BC (YAQ-Maple Bay Seaplane Base) - 39 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Tim Hortons - ‬24 min drive
  • ‪Cobblestone Inn - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Black Swan Inn - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Old School Coffee - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Drumroaster Coffee - ‬19 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Eaglenest Sanctuary - Rustic and Serene Riverfront Stay pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Eaglenest Sanctuary - Rustic and Serene Riverfront Stay?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Eaglenest Sanctuary - Rustic and Serene Riverfront Stay?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Eaglenest Sanctuary - Rustic and Serene Riverfront Stay located?

Located in the heart of Shawnigan Lake, this holiday home is 1.5 mi (2.4 km) from Kinsol Trestle and within 6 miles (10 km) of West Shawnigan Lake Provincial Park and McGee Creek Park. Shawnigan Lake Museum and Leonard Park are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 22 out of 31 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 31 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 31 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 31 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 31 reviews

7.8/10

Cleanliness

9.2/10

Check-in

8.8/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.0/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Jeffrey I.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A hidden oasis

What a beautiful location and property! Loved the gardens and the in ground stone hot tub! We will definitely be back again this summer to really take advantage of the property and the swimming holes and the outdoor stage!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

David M., Vancouver, Canada

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing property

Love this property! Very beautiful with lots of areas to explore but floating in the river was the highlight. Can’t wait to come back.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Natalie P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great spot

My friends and I had a wonderful time at the eagle nest sanctuary! The property and spacious house made for a comfortable stay with lots of room for activities. The kitchen had all you need and more. Thank you Ezio
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022

6/10 Okay

Shelley N.

Liked: Location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness, communication

It is very rustic in need of some repairs.Needs soft spots on deck repaired .Had electrical issues.

Wonderful property needs some upkeep and updating , bathrooms and Laundry rooms need better cleaning before guests arrive. Will consider renting again for group over 10 .Had electrical issues but found second fuse box and moved coffee pots to dinning room when running dishwasher worked out the problem .
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Sacred Circle Dance workshop

Eaglenest Sanctuary is a wonderful retreat center with many artistic rooms and furnishings, The hot tub right beside the river and the shower on a tree is super artistic. The river trail is right beside the building which is wonderful to hear at night as the river rushes by while you sleep. Sure beats traffic, There is a trail to the famous Kinsole Tresel and trail for moderate hikes,The best part was there are no big rules to adhere to. Edsio was hardly there and not watching to make sure we took care of his buildings. He is a wonderful host.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Lundgren J.

Girls' getaway

A group of 15-or-so of us found this gem of a getaway for a pre-wedding girls' retreat and it was absolutely perfect!!! This location has everything that any girl would want. It is an absolutely beautiful house and, then after you throw in a sauna, hiking and amazing view overlooking the river, you basically have everything that anyone would want (and I didn't even mention the open "dance floor" downstairs!). Thanks Ezio!!! It was the first perfect weekend before an absolutely perfect wedding. I got engaged right after my sister-in-law got married so we will be calling you again soon :)
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Shahid C.

Amazing Scenery!

We held a family reunion with 12 people, who all fit very comfortably in the home. We stayed a couple of nights but wished we had stayed longer. There are many outdoor activities most of which are walking distance from the home. The highlight of the weekend for the kids was swimming hole in the river which was very accessible. Would have given 5 stars, except for the fact that we did have to do a bit of light cleaning around the house when we first arrived. The host explained that he was busy and another party had just left, so it was understandable. Asides from that it was a perfect stay!

10/10 Excellent

Christine R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Stay

We had a wonderful Bachelorette weekend celebrating our friend. So much outdoor space for games and a well-stocked kitchen!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

8/10 Good

Monica L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful

Lovely stay. We had a very relaxing time enjoying the river and beautiful grounds on this property. Would stay again
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Shaun W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location, listing accuracy

Good Place to Stay

We had a great time. Awesome outdoor activities!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2022

6/10 Okay

Willa Y.

Liked: Check-in, location
Disliked: Listing accuracy

I would rent again.

The property is very rustic. The woodwork inside beautiful. The phone number on the website is incorrect and the property description is a bit confusing. I would happily rent again... in the summer next time.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Brayden G., Victoria, Canada

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful location

Our group of friends decided to enjoy a weekend away. We loved the secluded location and the wonderful property. We can't say enough good things. We hope to be back soon.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

David G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

River

Beautiful stay next to the river.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2021

8/10 Good

Linda K.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Tranquil and regenerative property

Eaglesnest is truly a sanctuary. The property, nestled in stunning forest along a welcoming river provides for rich outdoor exploration and fun. Ezio was a gracious and generous host. His many talents enrich the grounds and building with beautiful craftsmanship. There are multitude of quiet nooks of to discover. The house was a bit grubby, hotel like shine not to be expected. But the uniqueness and warmth of the house made up for any shortfalls.

8/10 Good

Todd W.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Surprise Birthday Sanctuary

This is by far the most peaceful and serene property I have ever experienced. It is situated on a beautiful river in the middle of the forest at Shawnigan Lake. It is rustic, but charming and very comfortable. Ezio - the owner was very welcoming! You greet him at his house, which is just down the road from the retreat. He will give you a property tour and explain in detail where everything is located. There is a stage, a meditation area fire pit, and many other outdoor amenities. It is such a beautiful place! The reason for my visit was for a surprise birthday party. We had about 8 people total, but this house could easily accommodate more. There are so many rooms with so many beds. The indoor sauna was amazing! The hot tub location is great, but it definitely needs to be cleaned after every visit! I believe that all of the water provided to the house is from the river, so as you can imagine, the hot tub looks and feels dirty. There was a lot of debris in the hot tub and it was a dark green color. It also had a funky smell. With it being warm water it was a breeding ground for bacteria. I would say that this was the only complaint that I had for the trip. Thanks again Ezio! Kind regards, Todd & Sasha

10/10 Excellent

James A.

Great location, great house

I rented the Eaglenest Sanctuary for a weekend getaway with nine friends. It comfortably accommodated all of us and was clean and well organized. The house is beautiful, nestled in the woods besides the river, with a nice garden. Hot tub and sauna were excellent. Ezio was a great host - very communicative, responding promptly to all of my questions. I'd certainly stay here again and would recommend it to anyone looking for a spacious, comfortable place.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2018

10/10 Excellent

Glenna E.

Peaceful, beautiful location and space

We had such a memorable weekend at the Eaglenest Sanctuary. Everyone in the group enjoyed the gorgeous, private location and the awesome space the big house provided. The host was so amazing and made us feel so welcome and at home. We had such a special weekend enjoying the patio, green space, river and spacious house. Would definitely recommend and will come again!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2018

6/10 Okay

Alexandra M.

Beautiful grounds, funk house, rustic for sure

This was a nice place for a few families to stay together (lotsa beds). Private and quiet. The water system is pumped up river water, although Ezio provides well water also. We found that the well water jugs were a little dirty, not all but some. The dishwasher is a little spotty (i think because of the water pressure due to the pump from the river?) and the house could use a bit more cleaning but was nice enough for a group of people, especially since we spent 90% of our time outdoors.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Dionne P.

Stagette bliss

This was the perfect spot for my stagette. The grounds are amazing, the house is well furnished, comfy and cozy. This place has so much to offer including a hot tub, river swimming, sauna, fire pit (we didn't use it there was a fire ban) and nearby trestle walk. This is a perfect spot if you're wanting to have some privacy and make as much noise as you want!!! Would highly recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jim M.

Great place to come and dewind!

We were a group of 16 celebrating new years and a friends champagne birthday. The place surpassed our expectations and acommodated all our needs. The sauna off of the yoga/dance room was the best part for me personally. Having a hot sauna and ggoin into the little shower to cool down :) The woody features of the place give a very rustic look. Definately take the time to come to rhis beautiful sanctuary!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Nikola P.

Yoga Retreat

We had a wonderful yoga retreat at the Eaglenest Sanctuary. The house provided plenty of space for all our activities: yoga, meals, evening Satsang by the fire... The house itself was obviously a labour of love with every detail carefully planed and designed. Nested in the forest and beside Koksila river, it provides a lot of opportunity for the outdoor activities, weather permitting. We strongly recommend the Eaglenest for a yoga retreat or similar.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Great for a group

The location of this retreat is superb, next to a river and the trans canada trail. It was perfect for our dancing group. The house is artistically designed and provides good accomodation. Highly recommended!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Michael H.

An Amazing Weekend Retreat!!

We held a reunion with a group of 15 friends who had not all been together for 15 years. From the moment we arrived at The Eaglesnest Sanctuary, all life's hassle's were left behind!! The owner takes the time to make sure you feel completely at home with all the amenities on site and even the ones that are not far offsite. We have never stayed anywhere with such a relaxed atmosphere. With all the detailed hand crafted stylings of the house, pathways, outdoor tub and shower to the majestic river and forest views there was not a moment unappreciated by all that attended. This place was built with love!! The accommodations were very comfortable and was roomy enough for 15 people without getting in each others way. We made full use of the outdoor stage and danced and frolicked through the night. The medicine wheel provides a perfect setting to relax or meditate. We should also mention the most used feature, the sauna with a built in stone shower. This place is like no other!!! We are planning another stay already and will be back many more times! Thanks to the Owner and his Wife for making us feel like family, really!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Katherine W.

Exceeded All Expectations!

We are fresh from a weekend spent at the Eaglenest Sanctuary and all I can say is WOW! This property and house are beautiful and the host is most gracious and accommodating. We hosted a 40th birthday there and it was the perfect venue for this event. I could ramble on and on but I will just say this, book this rental!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Denise M.

Team Rental

We were looking for a house/place to rent for our team - with enough beds for 14, enough space to hang out, and a space to eat together. Eaglenest had enough bedding, towels and dishes to accommodate us. There were laundry facilities to wash uniforms if needed. The wifi was a bonus for our players and the remoteness was perfect peace and quiet instead of a hotel. Ezio was a gracious and attentive host.

About the host

Hosted by Ezio Cusi

Host profile image
Hello, I am Ezio the owner and operator of Eaglenest Sanctuary. I am originally from Mexico, but have lived in many countries, including France, the US and Canada. I know what it is like to travel alone and with my family and what aspects make a great stay. I live a few meters down the road from Eaglenest in a newly constructed natural building home called Eagleyew.

Why they chose this property

In 2001, while living in France with my family, we decided to move to North America. We sold our house and went to the US, bought an RV and travelled for a year in US, Mexico, Central America and finally Canada, looking for a place to live. When we arrived in the Cowichan Valley, we realized that we had found home.

When researching the necessary steps to immigrate to Canada, I came in contact with a poem by Goethe in which he states that to make your dreams reality, you have to take the first step and the universe will conspire to make them happen.

So we decided to buy a house and after exhaustive search, we came upon Eaglenest. We fell in love with the house and especially the grounds.

Amongst other things, I am a cabinet maker and I have made many changes to the house in the last 10+ years.

In 2010 I started the construction of Eagleyew in a sub division of the original Eaglenest property. After 2 1/2 years, I moved to Eagleyew and renovated Eaglenest as a vacation and workshop rental.

What makes this property unique

The location of Eaglenest Sanctuary is, arguably, one of the most beautiful settings in the world. Bordered by the Koksilah river, the property is embeded in the Shawnigan Lake rainforest. Uniquely secluded, it is surrounded by rainforest with the closest neighbors more than 400 yards away.

The soothing view of the river from the living room, kitchen, dining and master bedroom room is superb and unique.

On the bottom floor you will find a large multipurpose room for yoga, activity, resting or media. Attached to the yoga room you will find a custom made indoor sauna for ultimate relaxation.

You will also find 2 outdoor showers and an outdoor hottub overlooking the river.

The soothing view of the river from the living room, kitchen, dining and master bedroom room is superb and unique.

The best feature of Eaglenest are the grounds. The house is surrounded by gardens. To the east is an enclosed medicinal herb garden, protected from visiting deer.

To the north is an old growth rainforest patch as well as Koksilah river access.

To the south is the flower garden, with lots of grass area for games, with its shrine to Inanna, the Sumerian Goddess. In addition, this path leads to the main swimming hole and to the fire pit.

To the west is the closest path to the beautiful Koksilah river.

Beyond that, 3 kms of paths wind though the rainforest, leading to the four ponds, an old logging road, and the world famous Kinsol tressle, the largest railroad tressle in the Commonwealth and one of the most popular tourist attraction in the Cowichan Valley.

Languages:

English, French, Spanish