The gentle rustle of pine needles, the mirror-like calm of Sunken Lake, the uninterrupted sweep of stars overhead – this is the backdrop for Sunken Escapes. Just a short drive from Wolfville and the Annapolis Valley, the retreat pairs immersive natural surroundings with distinctive design and intentional simplicity, offering guests an experience that feels both unfamiliar and deeply restorative.
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What stands there today is more than a collection of unique accommodations. It’s the result of generational ties to land, years of global exploration, and a clear vision shaped by both experience and instinct. For owner Chesley “Chet” Long, Sunken Escapes is not simply a business – it’s a return, a reinvention, and in many ways, a continuation of something that began long before him.
Chet grew up in Sunken Lake, part of a family with roots in the area stretching back over a century. Like many, he left home at 18, drawn to the energy and opportunity of city life. Toronto became his base, and from there, his career took shape in unexpected ways. He worked across industries – selling heavy equipment, navigating sales environments, and eventually building a business that would take him across North America.
For six years, Chet lived nomadically, running a yoga festival that moved from place to place, bringing together communities in diverse and often unconventional settings. That chapter of his life was defined by movement, exploration, and a constant search for meaningful experiences – both for himself and for the people attending his events. But when the COVID-19 pandemic brought the events industry to a halt, everything shifted.
“It forced a pause,” he reflects. “And in that pause, I saw an opportunity.”
That opportunity wasn’t somewhere new – it was back home. Returning to Sunken Lake meant moving back to the land his family had tended for nearly a century, helping care for his mother, and raising his own family in the place where he grew up. It also meant reconnecting with a landscape deeply tied to his history and rediscovering a property that had once operated as a campground under his great uncle. When the campground closed decades later, the land remained largely untouched – until revitalizing it became Chet’s way to honor his family legacy while creating something entirely new.
“That piece of land always had something to it,” Chet says. “It just needed a new vision.”
The idea that would become Sunken Escapes didn’t arrive all at once. Instead, it formed at the intersection of two distinct influences. The first was deeply personal: a desire to be closer to family and to build something meaningful in a place that already held significance. The second came from years of travel – of staying in unique accommodations across continents, from Latin America to Europe to Australia.
“I’ve always looked for places that felt different,” he explains. “Not just somewhere to sleep, but somewhere that added to the experience of being there.”
Those experiences shaped his perspective on what a stay could be – and what it often lacked. While the rise of glamping had introduced new forms of accommodation, Chet noticed a growing sameness within the category. Domes, in particular, had become widespread.
“There’s nothing wrong with them,” he says. “But I wanted something that people couldn’t compare to anything else.”
That mindset became the foundation for Sunken Escapes. From the beginning, the goal was clear: every structure on the property would offer a distinct and memorable experience – something guests couldn’t easily find elsewhere.
Finding those structures wasn’t simple. It required extensive research, travel, and exploration of suppliers and designs from around the world. The result is a collection of accommodations that range from tunnel-like, transparent retreats to compact cabins nestled among the trees – each one intentionally different, yet unified by a shared philosophy.
Construction officially began after nearly two years of planning, permitting, and approvals. Like many in the tourism and hospitality sector, Chet quickly encountered the realities of building something new within a complex regulatory landscape.
“The red tape is real,” he says. “There are a lot of moving parts, and they all take time.”
From zoning requirements to individual permits for each unit, the process demanded patience – and often, adaptation. Regulations evolved during the approval period, requiring changes to plans and materials that had already been purchased.
“It’s not anyone’s fault,” he adds. “These systems exist for a reason. But it does add pressure – especially when you’re trying to move forward, and everything depends on approvals.”
Despite the challenges, progress continued – thanks in large part to the people around him.
“This wasn’t something I built alone,” Chet emphasizes. “The community built it.”
Local tradespeople played a central role in bringing the project to life. Carpenters, electricians, and plumbers – many of whom lived nearby – contributed their skills, creating something that reflects not just one person’s vision, but a collective effort.
“That’s one of the most rewarding parts,” he says. “Being able to say that this came from the community.”
By September 2024, Sunken Escapes welcomed its first guests.
Today, the property offers 10 accommodations – each featuring structures brought in from away and finished with locally crafted custom interiors – ensuring no two stays are alike. Some units feature full kitchens, private bathrooms, and multiple bedrooms – ideal for families or longer stays. Others are more minimalist, with shared facilities that allow for a lower price point without sacrificing the overall atmosphere.
Accessibility has also been considered, with at least one unit specifically designed to accommodate wheelchair users. But beyond the physical structures, what truly defines Sunken Escapes is the environment it creates. From the moment guests arrive, the experience begins.
There are no cars allowed beyond the parking area. Instead, visitors are provided with carts to transport their belongings along short, winding paths through the trees. The walk itself – never more than a minute – serves as a gentle transition from the outside world into something quieter, slower, and more intentional.
“It’s about immersion,” Chet explains. “We want people to feel it right away.”
That immersion extends to one of the property’s most defining features: its commitment to preserving the night sky.
Artificial lighting is kept to a minimum, with dimmable fixtures used throughout the property. Guests are encouraged – sometimes required – to use flashlights after dark, allowing their eyes to adjust naturally to the environment.
“When you take away the lights, you realize how much you’ve been missing,” Chet says. “The sky changes everything.”
Each stay includes access to telescopes, as well as complimentary use of kayaks, bikes, and a sauna – elements designed to encourage exploration and connection with the surrounding landscape. Importantly, these are not treated as add-ons or premium upgrades.
“When you get here, everything you need is already part of the experience,” Chet explains.
That philosophy extends to the absence of televisions. While Wi-Fi is available, it’s intentionally deemphasized. Without screens competing for attention, guests are naturally drawn outdoors – to the lake, the trails, or simply the sky above.
One of the most striking accommodations on the property is a transparent, tunnel-like structure – often described as a “spaceship” by guests. Designed to maximize the connection to the outdoors, it allows visitors to lie in bed and look directly up at the stars, surrounded by the silhouettes of century-old pine trees.
On nights when the sky is clear, constellations and shooting stars become part of the experience. On brighter evenings, the moon casts a soft glow through the trees, creating an entirely different, but equally captivating, atmosphere.
“It’s never the same twice,” Chet says. “That’s what makes it special.”
Wildlife, too, plays a role in shaping each stay. Deer move quietly through the property, eagles can often be seen fishing in the lake, and smaller animals – rabbits, birds, and more – add to the sense that this is a space still largely undisturbed.
“It’s their home,” Chet notes. “We’re just sharing it.”
For guests looking to explore beyond the property, the surrounding region offers no shortage of options. Located just 15 minutes from Wolfville, guests are within easy reach of the Annapolis Valley’s renowned wineries, restaurants, and cultural experiences. Rather than offering packaged add-ons, Sunken Escapes encourages guests to engage with the local community directly – whether that means visiting a nearby vineyard, picking up fresh ingredients for a meal, or exploring the area’s natural landscapes.
Looking back on the journey from idea to opening, Chet acknowledges both the challenges and the lessons learned along the way.
“If I could go back,” he says, “I’d tell myself to have more patience – and a bit more grace.”
Building something from the ground up requires constant attention, problem-solving, and resilience. At the same time, it demands the ability to step back, adapt, and trust the process.
“You have to stay on top of things,” he adds. “But you also have to be able to breathe through it.”
As for the future, Chet isn’t focused on rapid expansion within Sunken Escapes itself. Instead, he sees potential in applying what he’s learned to new projects – helping others bring similar ideas to life on their own land.
“There are so many incredible places out there,” he says. “People just need the right approach to make something out of them.”
For now, though, the focus remains on refining what already exists – continuing to shape an experience that feels both intentional and evolving.
Much like the landscape that surrounds it, Sunken Escapes is not static. It’s shaped by seasons, by light, by weather, and by the people who pass through it. Each stay leaves a different impression, but the underlying purpose remains the same.
“It’s not just about staying somewhere,” Chet says. “It’s about experiencing something you can’t recreate anywhere else.”
And for those who make their way down the quiet road to Sunken Lake, that experience begins the moment they arrive – before they even reach their cabin, before they unpack, before they look up. Because here, the escape isn’t something you seek out. It’s something you step into.
by Mary Austin