The light fades as the sun slips behind towering trees, their trunks darkening the forest around me. It’s quiet, and I’m alone as I slip off my towel and ease into a cedar hot tub, the water blissfully warm. A bright yellow rubber duck floats by and I smile, resting my head against the rim and looking up at treetops that stretch endlessly skyward. This is the outdoor spa at Rocky Valley Resort, a remote tiny-home retreat tucked away on Texada Island, the largest of B.C.’s Gulf Islands. Even though I live in a forested neighbourhood on Vancouver’s North Shore, the quiet here feels different—with the resort located quite literally in a rocky valley, I’m forced to disconnect, and settle into the serenity.

READ MORE: Soak in a Serene Ofuro Tub in the Fraser Valley

INTO THE WOODS: Tiny homes like the Pine Perch treehouse are thought-fully spaced across more than 10 acres of forested property on Texada Island’s Rocky Valley Resort. Photo Courtesy: Rocky Valley Resort
HEATING UP: The outdoor cedar hot tub at Rocky Valley Resort offers a front-row seat to the forest canopy—a place to slow down, look up and let the quiet of Texada Island do its work. Photo Courtesy: Rocky Valley Resort
Photo Courtesy: Rocky Valley Resort

Wrapped in my towel, I follow a gravel path back to “Montana,” the tiny home that is my sanctuary for the stay. Inside, the space is warm and inviting, opening onto a spacious deck and tastefully laid out with a loft bedroom, four-piece bathroom and fully equipped kitchen. With no restaurant on site, I’ve stocked the cupboards and fridge with the snacks and meal supplies I brought along with me. The quiet here is intentional. When Brian and Shannon Stasiewich returned to B.C. in 2022 after living in Costa Rica, they sought out the same blend of nature and relaxation they had found abroad. They decided to open their own resort, envisioning a retreat where guests could leave the city behind and be fully immersed in nature. When they stumbled upon this forested property on Texada, they immediately saw its potential. Over two years, Brian and the couple’s two sons cleared dense fir and cedar, and, using the wood for construction, built winding walkways and many of the structures that now dot the property.

Photo Courtesy: Rocky Valley Resort

Spread across more than 10 acres, the resort hosts seven main units, thoughtfully spaced out to preserve privacy, plus two tiny seasonal A-frames tucked into a pocket of forest the owners call Glamping and Cottage Village. Each main unit accommodates two to six guests and comes in a mix of shapes and styles, from those cozy A-frames to modern tiny homes. The newest—and perhaps most popular—addition is “Pine Perch,” a treehouse with a terrace and a striking circular window that looks out over Rocky Valley. Each unit’s interior is thoughtfully designed by Shannon, who nods to the natural surroundings through warm textures, soft tones and understated details like bistro-style lighting on the deck and quirky, comical nature photos hung in subtle spots on the walls.

INSIDE OUT: Warm textures, soft tones and small whimsical details bring the natural surroundings into the cabins, while the sauna features a large window framing forest views. Photo Courtesy: Rocky Valley Resort

Not just a place to stay, the resort also offers immersive experiences that extend beyond the grounds and into the surrounding wilderness that makes up most of Texada. Tours on 4x4s explore hidden corners of the island. Movie nights pop up at the outdoor theatre (weather permitting). And, to help foster connection, Brian and Shannon often host group pizza nights in the gazebo, complete with a fire pit, games, a pizza oven and a barbecue with a stove. For those craving solitude, these amenities can be enjoyed privately, too.

Photo Courtesy: Rocky Valley Resort

It takes three ferries and a scenic drive along the Sunshine Coast to reach this remote retreat from Vancouver, but the six-hour journey becomes part of the adventure. Soaking in the cedar tub one last time, listening to nothing but the trees, I feel worlds away—yet I’m still in B.C., where being mostly unplugged is just a short trip from home.

READ MORE: Mushrooms, Cider and Studio Crawls: A Creative Sunshine Coast Escape

While You’re There

Photo Courtesy: Rocky Valley Resort

Sunset Cruise

Climb aboard a zodiac for a wildlife tour with Rugged Coast Expeditions, which offers 2.5-hour cruises between Powell River and Texada. Keep your eyes peeled for seals, sea lions, bald eagles and the occasional dolphin or whale while listening to engaging stories of the area’s hidden history and spotting century-old ships. Sunset tours are best.
4315 Marine Ave., Powell River, ruggedcoastexpeditions.com

Feast of Fish

Back on shore, head to the concession stand at Shelter Point Park for the island’s best fish ’n’ chips.
4919 Shelter Point Rd., Gillies Bay

Rock ‘n’ Fleur

Also at Shelter Point Park, comb the beach for Texada’s legendary “flower rocks”: rare 185-million-year-old volcanic stones unique to the area. 4919 Shelter Point Rd., Gillies Bay

Bianca Bujan

Bianca Bujan