Built by two friends during the pandemic, Hope-Wellness Eco-Resort is equal parts Nordic spa, forest retreat, and a story of friendship rooted in Atlantic Canada.
There’s no shortage of beautiful places to stay closer to home. But every so often, it’s worth going a little further. Not just for the change in scenery, but for the shift in pace, in perspective, in how a place makes you feel.
Along the Bay of Fundy—home to the highest tides in the world—everything moves to its own rhythm. Water rises and falls dramatically, and days feel just a little less structured.
And it’s here, just minutes from the Hopewell Rocks, that Hope-Wellness Eco-Resort has taken root.
Wellness Gets a Little More Social
At first glance, the setup feels familiar: wood-fired hot tubs, saunas tucked into the trees, cold plunges that take your breath away in the best possible way. But spend a little time here, and the tone reveals itself.
There’s conversation drifting between pools. Laughter carried through the trees. A group lingering a little longer than planned, wrapped in robes, drinks in hand, somewhere between a sauna and a cold plunge. It’s a Nordic spa experience, but without the quiet rules that often come with it.
As founders Katie Carson and Ashley Ward put it: “We wanted Hope-Wellness to feel like more than just a spa. It’s a place where people can relax deeply, soak in the beauty of the Fundy coast, and connect—with nature, with themselves, and with the people around them.”
Instead, the rhythm is the same—hot, cold, rest, repeat—but the energy is different. More open. More social. The type of place where you come with friends, or leave having made a few. And for travellers used to more traditional spa settings, that shift feels surprisingly refreshing.
Built from the Ground Up (Together)
co-owners of Hope-Wellness Eco-Resort
The story behind Hope-Wellness is woven quietly into the experience, but once you know it, it’s hard to forget.
Founders Ashley Ward and Katie Carson—best friends and longtime coworkers—built this place themselves during the pandemic. At the time, both were single mothers working in hospitality, ready for something different, even if they weren’t entirely sure what that would look like.
When the opportunity to purchase land in Albert County came along, they took it. And then they figured the rest out as they went.
What stands now is more than a well-designed retreat. It’s a reflection of that process: hands-on, community-supported, and deeply connected to the place it sits within. Local trades, regional partnerships, and a commitment to doing things thoughtfully all show up in subtle ways throughout the property.
You feel it in the details, and in the atmosphere. It’s welcoming, a little unpolished in the best way, and grounded in something real.
Cabins, Firelight, and Nowhere to Be
The cabins lean into simplicity, without sacrificing comfort. Private Nature Suites are tucked into the forest, many with wood-fired hot tubs, fire pits, and just enough space to fully settle in. Scandinavian in their design, they feel considered but unfussy—places that invite you to stay awhile.
Days here tend to unfold easily. A walk to the spa in the morning, robe pulled tight against the cool air. A cycle or two through the pools. Maybe a yoga class in the dome, or a cocktail in the afternoon that turns into an unhurried evening.
From romantic escapes to group getaways, it’s the kind of place where plans soften quickly. Not because there’s nothing to do, but because there’s no real need to rush through any of it.
Between Tides and Trails
While the resort has a way of holding your attention, the surrounding landscape is worth stepping out into.
The Hopewell Rocks—those towering, tide-carved formations—are just minutes away. Visit at low tide, and you can walk along the ocean floor; return a few hours later, and the water has risen, completely reshaping the scene.
Further along the coast, Fundy National Park offers trails, waterfalls, and long coastal views that remind you just how expansive this part of the country really is.
It’s this balance that makes the experience feel complete. A day spent exploring something vast, followed by an evening that brings you back into yourself, just a little more slowly.
It’s wild, welcoming, and unmistakably Canadian.
Your Turn
Hope-Wellness Eco-Resort
Edgetts Landing, New Brunswick
Wood-fired hot tubs, Nordic spa circuits, yoga dome, and private forest cabins
Open year-round · Adults only (19+)
Plan your stay: hopewellnessresort.ca
Photos courtesy Tourism New Brunswick, Enchanted Imaging, East & Eve Creative Co.