The Art of Living Retreat Center, surrounded by mountains, offers gardens, a playground, Shankara Ayurveda Spa treatments, yoga classes, hiking, and biking trails. Enjoy the vegetarian buffet restaurant and library for nourishment of body and mind.
Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; check-in end time: 10 PM
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age - 18
Check-out
Check-out before 11 AM
Contactless check-out
Special check-in instructions
The front desk is open daily from 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
If you are planning to arrive after 10:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
For any questions, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Access methods
Front desk (limited hours)
Pets
Pets not allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
2 children, up to the age of 8 years, can stay for free if using existing beds when occupying the parent or guardian's room
Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
Cots (infant beds) are not available
Payment types at the property
Important information
You need to know
This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
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
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Air conditioning is not provided
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector and a first aid kit
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with UK consumer law, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.
We should mention
This property does not have any lifts
Alcohol is not served at this property
Frequently asked questions
Is Art of Living Retreat Center pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much is parking at Art of Living Retreat Center?
Self-parking is free at this property.
What time is check-in at Art of Living Retreat Center?
Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; check-in end time: 10 PM. Late check-in is available during limited hours.
What time is check-out at Art of Living Retreat Center?
Checkout is at 11 AM.
Are there all-inclusive benefits at Art of Living Retreat Center?
Yes, the property is all-inclusive. Food and drinks are included (with some restrictions), and activities include yoga classes.
Where is Art of Living Retreat Center located?
Situated in the mountains, this all-inclusive resort is within 6 miles (10 km) of Boone Golf Club, The Greenway Trail and Arko Dog Park. Appalachian Cultural Museum and Appalachian Soccer Stadium are also within 9 miles (15 km).
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Reviews
Reviews
8.2
Very good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
9.4
Cleanliness
8.6
Location
8.2
Staff & service
8.4
Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 27 out of 61 reviews
10 - Excellent
27
Rating 8 - Good. 18 out of 61 reviews
8 - Good
18
Rating 6 - Okay. 8 out of 61 reviews
6 - Okay
8
Rating 4 - Poor. 8 out of 61 reviews
4 - Poor
8
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 61 reviews
2 - Terrible
0
Reviews
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Christine
22 Mar 2026
Àmazing propy, views, staff, spa and overall accommodations
I have not stayed in a hotel without air conditioning in years. If I had known, I would not have booked. North Carolina summers are too warm to be AC free.
It may be physically close to Boone, but it takes a while to drive there.minutes on winding road). There is no pool, vending machines and our room did not have AC. However, the room was super clean and comfortable. We stayed in late October and open ended widows. Most of all it was quiet. You won’t hear cars or orther people. Just wind through trees. On site cafeteria was non traditional food, so we drove to town.
If you just want peace and quiet this is the place.
Hard to find retreat center pretending to be a hotel. Check-in was difficult. Had I seen room prior I would not have booked and only stayed because unsure of refund. guesthouse room was more like a dorm room. Bathroom was cramped with bathtub shower which had no safety aids. My wife sipped and fell in the tub and we discovered that there was no night staff in the guest house,but at reception half a mile away. When we notified the morning staff of her fall they gave us a rubber mat for the tub and did not seem concerned if she was seriously hurt. She is bruised and still sore two days later. She didn't think that she had anything broken and preferred to leave as soon as we could. There was nobody at the guesthouse for check out and we had to go back to reception. Other than the retreat dinning hall the closest restaurant was seven miles away. We were not pleased and as I stated before, if I could have been assured of a refund I would have refused to stay.
Location is great. Facility is strange. Room was in a building quite far from reception. Had a bit of a "Shining" feel since not many guests were around.
We stayed at Shankara while visiting family in the area so we did not have time to try the spa treatments, but the quiet peaceful atmosphere was just what we needed. We plan to return and take advantage of the spa!
The views from this retreat center are extraordinary.
The vegetarian meals were delicious & innovative.
There are hiking trails for those not into meditation/yoga.
I did not book w/ that intention, but enjoyed the 2 classes I took.
Greatest thing is doing meals/activities ala carte; not just expensive packages.
Friendly, experienced, helpful staff.
Room was beautiful .it was one of the best sleep I have had in a long time! My husband and I had massage for 30. Minutes and at the end, we wish we had a full hour! It was that good. I also love the 24 hour tea room. We met with our friend for a late night tea.
Had a wonderful spa massage, very friendly staff, excellent dinner and breakfast! Absolutely the place to stay for a nice retreat. Yoga, Spa, Nature trails and so much more!!!
Just what we needed. Sufficient for a stay while attending a course nearby. We could have used a more comfortable chair in the room. Otherwise was good.
Verified traveller
Verified
4/10 Poor
Verified traveller
9 Sept 2015
Disliked: Staff & service, room comfort
New Age Resort
No air conditioning in the room.
The Internet didn't work and when we called the front desk to ask about it, no one returned our call.
The desk isn't manned after 6pm so a late check in was difficult. It was extremely difficult to find - took over an hour after dark. It was even difficult to find the correct way to go upon departure! I had ZERO cell signal and the wi-fi signal was weak. They don't have/allow alcohol or meat. The room was clean but not comfortable. The bed was extremely hard.
Verified traveller
Verified
8/10 Good
Anne
15 Aug 2015
Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Peace and quiet in the Mountains
Our 3 nights at the Spa were peaceful. I recommend booking any spa treatments ahead of time; we were able to squeeze in a massage, but not able to book everything we wanted. The vegetarian food was excellent, but be advised, it isn't a restaurant, you get the meal prepared by the chef for each meal - we loved not having to search for a vegetarian friendly restaurant, and never having to leave the top of the mountain. The view from the main dining hall building is the most spectacular thing you'll ever see. For a quiet, peaceful retreat, it was incredible, and was a nice respite in the middle of a more hectic vacation. Map out routes in and out ahead of time; GPS doesn't work in these mountains. No cell service, but you'll have internet while there.
everything was great with the exception of the check out and the TV service.
checkout took too long
TV service, no one told me of any problem with it.
need to communicate more with guest and have knowledgeable staff at front desk.
the views were spectacular, I would go back again
My wife and I stayed there over the 4th of July weekend. The staff were very friendly. The hotel was very clean and rooms were a good size. We enjoyed our stay and in all likelihood will visit again. There was no cell service at the hotel as it is high up on the mountain. We actually enjoyed being able to unplug for a few days. Spa area was very nice. Fitness room was equipped with enough exercise equipment to get a decent workout in. Great place to go if you want peace and quiet
Blue Heaven Spa is a very lovely and relaxing space...located high up in the mountains outside Boone,NC. The staff were very friendly and helpful and I enjoyed three wonderful nights while on a personal retreat. I plan to return in the near future.