Sanctuary Support

Policies & Information

Helpful guidelines to prepare for your slow living experience in the forest.

Booking Policy House Rules Cancellation Policy FAQs

Guide Sections

Booking Policy
House Rules
Cancellation Policy
FAQs

Booking Policy

To preserve the quiet tranquility and eco-conscious footprint of Elysia Forest Retreat, we kindly outline our reservation parameters below.

Check-in and Check-out Times

  • Check-In Window: 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Late check-ins must be coordinated with hosts Samuel & Evelyn at least 24 hours in advance to arrange forest path guide lights.
  • Check-Out Time: 11:00 AM. In order to properly refresh the cabins using eco-friendly cleansers, extensions are generally unavailable.

Rates, Deposit & Payments

  • Advance Deposit: A 50% reservation deposit is required at the time of booking to secure your cottage.
  • Remaining Balance: The remaining 50% balance will be automatically charged 7 days prior to check-in.
  • Inclusions: Rates cover breakfast baskets, firewood replenish, yoga kit utilities, and Starlink Wi-Fi access.

Minimum Stay Requirement

A 2-night minimum stay is required for weekend bookings (Friday to Sunday) and a 3-night minimum stay applies during national holiday seasons.

House Rules

We invite you to co-exist harmoniously with the local wildlife and forest ecology by observing the following guidelines.

Quiet Hours

From 10:00 PM to 8:00 AM. We ask guests to turn off outdoor speakers and keep voices soft to respect the nocturnal forest life.

Smoking Ban

Smoking of any kind is strictly prohibited inside the wooden cabins. You may smoke in designated stone firepit areas only.

Waste Management

Sort trash into Compost, Recyclables, and Landfill. Always secure lids tightly on outdoor bins to avoid visits from local bears and raccoons.

Fireplace Safety

Never leave indoor wood fires or outdoor fire pits unattended. Always use the protective screens provided.

Pet Policy

Pets are beloved at Elysia but are restricted to The Streamline Cabin only. A pet cleaning fee of $40 per stay applies. Owners must keep pets on-leash while walking on forest trails to protect native wildlife.

Cancellation Policy

Because we are a small, family-owned nature sanctuary with limited cabins, cancellations impact us significantly. We offer a fair, tiered policy.

14+ Days Before Check-in

Full 100% refund of your advance deposit. No administration charges applied.

7 to 14 Days Before Check-in

50% refund of your advance deposit, or 100% booking credit coupon valid for 12 months.

Less than 7 Days Before Check-in

Deposits and booking fees are non-refundable. Late cancellations or early departures are charged in full.

Severe Mountain Weather Conditions

In the rare event that the local municipal department closes the mountain access road due to severe storms or forest fires, Elysia will provide a 100% credit voucher towards any future stay, regardless of the cancellation window.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions about preparing for your digital detox stay.

Cellular coverage from traditional mobile networks is extremely weak inside the valley. However, all our cabins are equipped with high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi. This allows you to check emails, work remotely, or make internet voice calls. If you wish for a true "digital detox", we invite you to simply leave the router switched off!

We highly recommend bringing:
  • Sturdy, comfortable trail walking shoes.
  • Warm layers (sweaters, windbreakers) as mountain temperatures drop significantly in the evening.
  • Slide-on footwear for slipping off at the cabin doorway.
  • Your preferred natural insect repellent.

The main approach to Elysia is paved and fully accessible by standard two-wheel-drive (2WD) passenger vehicles for most of the year. The final 300 meters is a graded dirt forest driveway. During heavy winter snowfall seasons, winter tires or four-wheel-drive (4WD) are highly recommended. Exact driving coordinates and guide maps are emailed immediately upon receipt of your final deposit.

All cabins feature a fully functional kitchen with a cast-iron stove, refrigerator, french press coffee, and organic seasonings. We provide a complimentary morning breakfast basket containing local organic eggs, fresh sourdough bread, organic forest honey, and mountain berries. For dinner, you can bring your own groceries or request a pre-prepared hot organic local casserole from our hosts.