Renter Booking Guidelines
The Salt Spring Centre of Yoga has decades of experiencing hosting rental groups that are aligned with the Centre’s aim.
See below for additional information on the Centre’s rental booking guidelines.
Updated: May 15, 2024
Booking Options by Retreat Type
If you would like to book a retreat at the Salt Spring Centre of Yoga during high season (March to November), the following requirements apply.
NOTE: During select weekends, or outside of our peak season, the Centre facilities may be available to book for a Self-Catered retreat.
| - | Multi-Day Retreats with Centre-Catered Meals | Multi-Day Retreats with Self-Catered Meals (limited dates available) | Day Rentals |
|---|---|---|---|
| MINIMUM NIGHTS STAY | 3 nights | 2 nights | n/a |
| ATTENDEES (MINIMUM) | 14 people, including hosts | n/a | n/a |
| ATTENDEES (MAXIMUM) | 25 people, including hosts* | 25 people, including hosts* | Capacity is determined by venue size |
| DEFAULT ACCOMMODATIONS | Program House*. See booking requirements | Program House*. See booking requirements | n/a |
| OTHER NOTES | Renters must supply professional caterers / cooks with experience and Food Safe training to manage the kitchen. | During peak season (Mar - Nov), venues are generally unavailable for day rentals on weekends (Fri - Sun) |
*additional capacity may be available through camping or commuter registration
Centre Guidelines
All general Salt Spring Centre guidelines apply to renters and their guests.
- Alcohol, cigarette/cannabis smoking, and illegal or non-prescription drugs are not permitted on the Centre property
- Other than in the kitchens and for certain ceremonies, no incense, fires, candles, sparklers or camp stoves are allowed on the property or in buildings.
- Meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs are not permitted on the Centre property.
- Guests are requested to refrain from wearing scented or perfumed products to ensure a scent-free environment.
- Outside shoes are not permitted indoors.
- We ask that public nudity is avoided, including in the sauna.
- Please refrain from swearing.
- Quiet hours are observed from 9 pm – 8 am.
Venue Booking Guidelines
- The Program House will be rented as a full facility, regardless of the final number of guests.
- The Program House can accommodate a total of 17 people*, including the hosts and/or facilitators in a mix of shared and private rooms.
- If the renter knows that they are expecting more than 17 people, they can request to add the Garden House to their rental, which can accommodate 7-8 people (depending on room-sharing arrangements).
- From May through September, a renter can offer their guests camping options at the Centre.
- There are no discounts for unused accommodation rooms/beds if the rooms are not filled prior to the retreat. The renter will be charged for the indoor space(s) booked.
- During the rental period, the Centre will continue to use the other facilities for public and internal use. If the host is not renting both the Program and Garden House, the Centre will use the remaining space for B&B and other Centre guests.
*capacity increases to 18 people if two guests share the queen bed in our queen room with ensuite bathroom
Program House & Garden House floor plans
To view a PDF of our rental venue floorplans, click the links below.
- Program House floorplan – guest rooms and capacities
- Garden House floorplan – guest rooms and capacities
Renter Payment & Cancellation Guidelines
- The renter will pay a deposit at the time of booking (total subject to rental type).
- In the case of cancellation by the Renter, all deposits made to date are non-refundable and are retained by the Centre.
- A credit card is required on file to hold the booking, however the renter may opt to pay by either pre-scheduled credit card payments or e-transfer.
- In the event that a cheque or e-transfer is late, the Centre may process payment via credit card. Every attempt will be made to check in with the Renter prior to processing.
- To avoid cancellation by the Centre, subsequent payments as specified in the agreement must be in good standing order by the dates indicated. If the renter fails to make payment by the date specified, the Centre may cancel the retreat. In the case of cancellation due to late payment, all deposits are non-refundable and are retained by the Centre.
Renter Kitchen Guidelines
Caterer / Cook Requirements
Should a renter be approved for a Self-Catered Retreat, they are expected to supply professional caterers and/or cooks with experience and Food Safe training to manage the kitchen. Volunteers may be used to assist kitchen staff, but an experienced supervisor with food safe certification must be present at all times.
Dietary Requirements
The Salt Spring Centre of Yoga has set some dietary guidelines for anyone who prepares food in the Centre Kitchen. These guidelines are based on the tenets of a sattvic diet, which supports the yogic practices we follow at the Centre.
We recognize that not everyone will be used to preparing sattvic food, so we have simplified our guidelines to make them as easy as possible to follow.
Similar to many vegetarian and vegan diets, our Centre employs some slight variations that may not be familiar to you. Please read below for additional information.
Dietary Guidelines
- Meat, poultry, seafood and eggs may not be used in the Centre kitchen. There are no exceptions.
- Dairy is permitted
- Please see below for more information about the use of garlic and onions at the Centre
Support from our Kitchen Team
Welcome to the Centre Kitchen!
To help you feel comfortable in the Centre kitchen, we’d like to share with you some of things we’ve done over the years to make our vegetarian meals so popular.
We’re known for our delicious, nutritious, flavorful vegetarian meals, and have published two cookbooks. We rely on herbs and spices, healthy oils, vinegars and other seasonings, as well as yummy sauces to add a sparkle to our meals.
For decades we’ve cooked without onions or garlic, and invite you to do the same. Leeks and mild onions, like green onions or scallions work well as a replacement. Cooking with onions and garlic is so common that sometimes people wonder whether it’s possible to cook without them and still make meals delicious, but I can guarantee that it’s absolutely possible.
Want some guidance? We’re happy to support you.
Vegetarian basics: No meat, poultry, seafood or eggs. Dairy is fine, although more and more people are asking for vegan options. Desserts, of course, are always a hit.