In the heart of New Brunswick, the charming town of Cocagne is home to Creekside RNR, a luxury glamping retreat where an unforgettable experience awaits. Surrounded by stunning natural beauty, the resort’s geodesic domes offer guests the perfect opportunity to unwind under the stars or relax in the soothing Nordic spa. This peaceful escape provides an ideal setting to reconnect with nature and prioritize self-care.
~
Many entrepreneurs like to separate their work life from their home life, but for Angele, Owner of Creekside RNR, she finds rest and relaxation right on the grounds of her business. It’s not hard when her business happens to be a peaceful retreat – a true Atlantic Canada glamping experience offering luxury in all four seasons, open year-round. “I step into a whole different world, exploring the trails, hiking, and immersing myself in nature. I love biking, cooking, and gardening. With our greenhouse next to Creekside, we grow fresh ingredients for on-site creations. And of course, we have our Nordic spa – what more could a woman need?” says Angele.
Looking back, Angele’s education provided the foundation for her to envision and create this retreat. With a background in nutrition and holistic medicine, she became a holistic nutritionist, studying wellness and natural therapies. While business wasn’t her initial focus, she became an entrepreneur at 20, running other businesses and gaining extensive experience in marketing, sales, and team management. Creekside RNR was born from her passion for travel and her region, allowing her to blend her professional expertise with her love for wellness and nature.
The location of Creekside RNR holds deep personal significance for Angele. Raised in Cocagne, she spent her childhood exploring the very land where the resort now stands. After spending 14 years living in Alberta and then British Columbia, she returned to New Brunswick in 2019, drawn back by a desire to give her daughter the same carefree, close-to-nature upbringing she had. Just two weeks after her move, an unexpected opportunity arose – the land on the opposite side of the creek, where she had spent her childhood, became available for purchase. The seller, familiar with her family’s deep roots in the area, approached her father before listing it on the market. Without a concrete plan in mind, Angele took a leap of faith and bought the land, initially envisioning it as a place for her daughter’s future home. “For me, that’s where I went to find peace – I would go to the Creekside land, disconnect from the busy life, and just be in nature,” Angele reflects.
But soon, the idea of Creekside RNR took shape, turning a cherished childhood landscape into a destination where others could unwind, reconnect with nature and experience the tranquility she had always loved. As a lifelong traveler who had experienced unique stays around the world, Angele wanted to bring that same level of immersive experience to her own community.
Her vision for the dome accommodations came naturally – she imagined a cabin-like retreat with expansive windows framing the surrounding wilderness. Determined to bring her vision to life, Angele consulted with Tourism New Brunswick to gauge the potential for her idea. Their enthusiasm reinforced her belief that she was on the right path. “I just knew in my heart that it was the right decision,” she shares. Angele wasted no time – researching structures, securing a manufacturer and navigating zoning approvals. Everything fell into place, and by March 2020, her domes arrived in Cocagne. But just as they were delivered on transport trucks, the world came to a halt – COVID-19 was announced that same week.
“It was almost like the universe was testing us – here we are, investing in the tourism industry when no one was traveling,” she says. “We stood strong and trusted our gut and hoped that by the time we opened, the world would be ready to explore.”
That belief paid off. By the time Creekside RNR opened in October 2020, it was fully booked with zero vacancy for years – proving that the right idea could thrive even in the most unpredictable circumstances.
While Angele and her team avoided the worst of the COVID impact, they faced some setbacks along the way. One major challenge was constructing the domes, which were more complex than traditional cabins. Domes function like tents, and in Canada’s harsh climate, ensuring they could withstand extreme weather fluctuations was critical. Shortly after opening in 2020, Angele realized that despite following building codes and installing proper insulation, the floors were too cold, and condensation formed on the windows. Less than two weeks after opening, they decided to block off bookings and invest in spray foam insulation for every unit – an unexpected and costly setback. Thankfully, their partnership with a top-tier manufacturer ensured the structures were built to last. With lessons learned and improvements made, Creekside RNR now provides a comfortable, high-quality experience year-round. “To this day, we love listening to our customers’ feedback, and we continuously improve, adding new features and evolving to provide a bigger and better experience all the time,” says Angele.
Guests glamping in the domes can expect a truly luxurious, nature-inspired experience. Each dome is equipped with a full kitchen, cozy bedroom, wood pellet stove, and a coffee and tea bar. The loft area features custom-built beds, offering even more space and comfort. Outside, guests can enjoy hammocks, picnic tables, private hot tubs, and high-end Kamado Joe barbecues. For couples seeking a unique experience, the Mirror Cabins feature a king bed, a star-gazing dome for night relaxation and a private fire pit. As Angele shares, “We wanted to create a unique, luxurious experience that takes the best elements of camping, like being close to nature, but with the comfort and quality of a high-end resort.”
The elevated experiences don’t stop at the accommodations. Guests can enjoy a range of activities, from kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding on the creek in summer to hiking or snowshoeing along scenic trails. For a truly unique experience, they can dine on fresh local lobster aboard a beautifully crafted fishing boat with a built-in hot tub. The Zen center offers yoga and meditation, while Creekside’s Nordic spa provides a peaceful escape. Guests can unwind in the wood-fired sauna, take a refreshing plunge in the cold tub or shower and soak in the hot tubs for ultimate relaxation.
This deep sense of serenity is at the heart of Creekside RNR’s vision, which Angele and her team are bringing to life through a consistent, trusted brand. What began as a place to unwind has evolved into a full destination, now featuring a café and expanding wellness options. As Angele puts it, “It’s really about building a place where when you come to Creekside, you know you’re getting the comfort, the indulgence, and the service.”
For Angele, the brand is about delivering a high-quality, refined experience that guests can rely on. At industry events, she shares insights on the evolving world of high-end outdoor stays, highlighting its growth and the inconsistency in guest experiences. Creekside R&R stands out by ensuring guests know they’ll receive comfort, excellence, and top-tier service. This commitment has driven plans to expand with new resorts in Canada and the U.S. and even a franchising model. After speaking engagements, Angele would receive many inquiries from those wanting to replicate their success, leading to the decision to franchise and broaden their impact.
This dedication to excellence has earned Creekside multiple awards, including Best Glamping in New Brunswick for two consecutive years and recognition for innovation and partnerships. The resort also maintains a five-star rating with nearly 400 Google reviews. Through award-winning service and immersive experiences, Creekside continues to set the standard in upscale glamping. As Angele puts it, “We’re always trying to push the bar, focusing on the customer experience and making sure they have the best time possible with us.” She says supporting local businesses is key, from featuring local food and artisans to offering private oyster shuckers at guests’ domes.
Building on that focus on customer experience, Angele strives to uphold the same dedication to quality and service across all the businesses she runs. While Creekside RNR is rooted in hospitality and tourism, her other ventures focus on natural products, beauty and business consulting. As the founder of Abundant by Design, a natural products brokerage operating across Canada, she helps brands scale, navigate imports and exports, and develop strategic growth plans. She also leads Inca Glow, a beauty brand she formulated, manufactures and now sells internationally. Though these businesses differ from Creekside RNR, they share common threads – marketing, sales, leadership and a dedication to wellness. “Whether in hospitality, beauty or natural products, my vision remains consistent: building brands, championing quality and fostering growth,” says Angele.
For those who would like to explore New Brunswick’s natural beauty and unique charm, Angele Miller recommends taking in the beautiful beaches along the coast, sampling the fresh local seafood and embracing the vibrant Acadian culture. “If you can be in New Brunswick on August 15, it’s quite a celebration with singing, dancing, and the banging of pots and pans!” she says. The Acadian people, pioneers and builders of the country, have celebrated Acadian Day on August 15 since 1881, when the first national Acadian convention was held in Memramcook, New Brunswick.
Poised to build on New Brunswick’s spirit of adventure and relaxation, Creekside RNR continues to grow with several exciting developments set to open in 2025. Last fall, a treehouse was built and will welcome guests in May, offering a unique nature retreat. In March, construction will begin on a café-restaurant, a large wellness center, and a significant expansion of the Nordic spa, enhancing the experience for visitors seeking relaxation and rejuvenation.
by Lauren Reid