FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The Sentinel Retreat & Wellness Centre is located in the West Kootenay region, just outside of Kaslo, BC, along the shores of Kootenay Lake. One of our most compelling features is our rural location, nestled in nature and not really on the way to anywhere! With that said, getting to The Sentinel is a breeze with the various modes of transportation available year-round.

By Air:
4-hour drive north of the Spokane International Airport, Washington, USA
9-hour drive east of the Vancouver International Airport, Vancouver, BC
8-hour drive west of the Calgary International Airport, Calgary, AB
10-hour drive southwest of the Edmonton International Airport, Edmonton, AB
5-hour drive southeast of the Kelowna International Airport, Kelowna, BC
2-hour drive northeast of the Trail Regional Airport, Trail, BC
1.5-hour drive northeast of the West Kootenay Regional Airport, Castlegar, BC

By Car:
Edmonton, a 12-hour drive
Calgary, a 10-hour drive
Vancouver, a 9-hour drive
Kelowna, a 5-hour drive
Cranbrook, a 3-hour drive

By Bus:
Mountain Man Mike’s Bus Service is an affordable and reliable shuttle service, locally-owned and operated out of Kaslo! Serving the West Kootenays and beyond, this is an excellent option for those seeking travel arrangements to The Sentinel without a personal vehicle. Mountain Man Mike’s Bus Service offers various pick-up and drop-off points, including major cities such as Vancouver and Calgary.

No matter which way you choose to travel to The Sentinel, you can look forward to a scenic route with spectacular views along the way!

Your experience begins the moment you step onto our magical grounds. We love watching the expression on our guests’ faces upon seeing the vast beauty of The Sentinel for the very first time. You’ll be met with a warm, welcoming embrace from the land and nature’s irresistible invitation to relax into serene bliss.

We’ll greet you in the Office with a hug and a brief tour of the property, ensuring you feel right at home. We’ll guide you through the Main Lodge, where you’ll have access to the Great Room – the ‘heart of the home’ – featuring a cozy woodstove, our eclectic library, and a complimentary tea and coffee bar for you to enjoy at your leisure. On the lower-level of the Lodge, you’ll find our Sunroom – an inviting space for guests to unwind, complete with picturesque views of The Sentinel’s captivating landscape.

We’ll show you to the Annex, where you’ll find your private room overlooking Kootenay Lake and immersed in the Purcell Mountains. Your choice of a King or two Single Beds awaits you, along with a luxurious ensuite bathroom with heated tile flooring.

Guests are also welcome to stay in our Deluxe Double quarters, a quaint and cozy space that is conveniently located adjacent to our scenic Sunroom. This option was created with various types of guests in mind; it is perfect for those who prefer a more modest and intimate space, as well as for those seeking a budget-friendlier option.

Our Outdoor Spa is an enchanting space, accessible 24 hours a day and designed to rejuvenate you from the inside out. Featuring a cedar hot tub, a wood-fire sauna, a cold plunge tub and an outdoor shower, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Our Outdoor Spa is only available to registered guests. At The Sentinel, your comfort and relaxation are of paramount importance to us – private access to our spa ensures the space remains uncrowded, providing each and every guest with the tranquil and restorative spa experience they deserve.

We offer our hotel-stay guests an optional gourmet breakfast for $30.00 (plus tax) per person. Our Signature Sentinel Breakfast is prepared fresh daily by our professional in-house chef, and features a beautifully-handcrafted spread of organic dishes to delight your tastebuds!

Lunch and dinner options are available by request. Our in-house chefs are always eager to create delicious meals that you’ll love!

Please advise us if you have any food allergies, dietary restrictions or preferences – we will happily accommodate any and all requests you may have.

All of our retreats are provided with food services based on the facilitator’s itinerary.

Yes, we are – we love pets! We charge an additional $25.00 (plus tax) per pet, per night for our four-legged friends.

Guests are kindly asked to take all personal belongings out of their rooms by 11:00am on their date of departure.

When you reserve a Twin-Shared Room, your room will be configured with two Single (Twin) Beds instead of a King Bed. This option is ideal for travel companions who wish to share a room whilst having separate beds to sleep in.

For hotel-stay guests, this is simply a private room with two Single (Twin) Beds for you and your travel companion.

For our retreat attendees, booking a Twin-Shared Room typically means that you are reserving one of two Single (Twin) Beds in the room. In this case, you would share a room with whoever books the remaining of the two beds.

At maximum capacity, The Sentinel can comfortably accommodate a total of 24 guests. We can accommodate this many guests if everyone shares a bedroom – meaning two guests per room!

This capacity also assumes that our Sunroom Glamping will be fully utilized – which means that four guests will sleep on couches converted into (very!) comfortable Single Beds, complete with high-density foam mattress toppers and luxury pillows/linens.

Guests who cancel their reservation more than 48-hours prior to their scheduled arrival will receive a full refund.

Guests who cancel their reservation between 48 to 24-hours prior to their scheduled arrival will receive a refund, but will be subject to a $75.00 Cancellation Fee.

Guests who cancel their reservation within 24-hours will not receive a refund.

In the warmer months, guests are welcome to take our kayaks, canoes and fishing rods out on Kootenay Lake! Life jackets are always available and encouraged for your safety.

The Sentinel is also home to multiple fire pits, where guests can enjoy campfires at their leisure.

The Maloca is our enchanting, timber-framed roundhouse and sacred temple. Offering a safe and communal space to gather, retreat facilitators and guests alike are invited to experience the transformative energy of this space.

Be it yoga, song, dance, contemplation, private therapy, weddings, communal gatherings or even corporate events – the Maloca will enhance and hold space for any experience that takes place within.

The Maloca can accommodate groups of up to 40 people, and we offer a variety of set-up options to optimize your experience.

The Sentinel offers a designated outdoor smoking area for guests. We require all litter to be correctly disposed-of.

Massages at The Sentinel are based on practitioner availability. If you are interested in booking a massage, bodywork or energy work at The Sentinel, please contact a member of our Guest Services team via email at admin@sentinelbc.ca or via telephone at (604) 358-2938.