(This story is sponsored by Kingfisher Pacific Resort & Spa)

Nestled along the eastern shore of Vancouver Island, Kingfisher Pacific Resort & Spa offers a distinct blend of natural beauty, purposeful relaxation, and refined wellness experiences. Overlooking the Salish Sea, this 65-room boutique resort has become one of Canada’s most respected wellness destinations—celebrated for its thoughtful design, immersive spa offerings, and connection to the surrounding landscape.

Vancouver Island itself is a destination of wonder. Known for its pristine beaches and waterways, old-growth rainforests, and abundant marine life, it invites visitors into a world of orca sightings, mossy trails, and a stillness unique to this coastal region of British Columbia. Kingfisher places guests in the heart of this oceanside paradise, where every element—from spa to suite—echoes the rhythms of land and sea.

At the centre of the resort’s acclaimed Spa is the Pacific Mist Hydropath, a restorative water therapy circuit that guides guests through sandstone grottos, steam caves, and mineral pools designed to awaken circulation and relieve tension. Yet, it is the resort’s most recent innovation—the Healing Caves™—that now places Kingfisher at the forefront of wellness tourism in Canada.

Featured in CNN Travel’s Best Places to Visit in 2025, the new Healing Caves™ introduce a one-of-a-kind two-phase wellness journey designed to release and restore both body and mind.

What makes the Healing Caves™ unique is the intentional progression of traditional and modern therapies, paired with calming sensory design and immersive visuals that keep guests fully grounded in the present:

Phase One: Detox. Guests begin by releasing physical and emotional stress through heat-driven, circulation-boosting therapies that prepare the body for renewal.

Phase Two: Restore. A sequence of red-light therapy, halotherapy, hydrotherapy, and mineral-rich air infusion works to rebalance, rehydrate, and encourage cellular repair.

At its core lies the Storm Cave, where a mineral infinity pool merges with panoramic cinematic displays to simulate the power and beauty of a coastal storm—an awe-inspiring homage to Vancouver Island’s natural drama, and a favourite among Pacific Mist Spa guests. For those seeking a gentler experience, an immersive rainforest setting is also available.

The resort recently underwent a complete transformation—not only with a new identity but also through a major renovation project. All beachfront suites have been refreshed, and two new penthouse suites have been added—each featuring private terraces, modern coastal interiors, and uninterrupted views of the Salish Sea.

Kingfisher’s dining experience is elevated by a distinguished culinary team: a talented executive chef, a certified sommelier, and a creative mixologist hosted by Ocean7 Restaurant and AQUA Bistro & Wine Bar. Most notably, Dawn Schultz, who joined the team earlier this year as Certified Sommelier, brings deep knowledge of wine pairing and the art of tasting. Together, the trio crafts menus that highlight Vancouver Island’s seasonal and sustainably sourced ingredients—from freshly caught seafood to hand‑foraged edible flowers—paired with thoughtful wines and imaginative cocktails infused with local botanicals.

Guests can also unwind in the Serenity Gardens, a lush, pollinator-friendly landscape of native blooms, meandering paths, dancing fire bowls and tranquil koi ponds designed to harmonize with the natural surroundings.

Whether soaking in the spa, dining oceanside, or watching the tides roll in, every moment at Kingfisher is shaped by the landscape.

For travellers seeking a destination where nature, wellness, and refined hospitality converge, Kingfisher Pacific Resort & Spa is an inspired and accessible choice. The nearby Comox Valley Airport offers direct flights from Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, and Kelowna, with seasonal summer service from Toronto. Year-round, BC Ferries also provide a convenient option for those wishing to bring their own vehicle but car rentals are available at the airport or in Courtenay.

Plan your restorative getaway today and take advantage of Kingfisher’s seasonal offers—available now at kingfisherresort.ca.

Cookson Adventures has teamed up with longevity pioneer Solice to offer ‘stealth health’ wellness experiences for UHNW clients exploring remote destinations. Olivia Palamountain reports

Cookson Adventures has partnered with award-winning private medical and longevity practice Solice to integrate world-leading wellness services into global travel adventures for ultra-high-net-worth clients.

The collaboration responds to growing demand from adventurous clients who want to go beyond exploration, embracing a lifestyle that supports lasting energy, balance and peak performance whilst travelling to the world’s most remote destinations.

As an exclusive members-only practice, Solice will provide Cookson Adventures clients with instant access to its international network of expert practitioners. Services include pre-trip fitness and risk assessments, 24/7 remote and on-trip medical support, real-time analysis of wearable device data, fully integrated wellbeing-focused adventures with longevity treatments, and post-trip aftercare programmes.

Whether exploring Antarctica or on safari in Gabon, the tailored solutions will be fully customisable to trip requirements and provide peace of mind when travelling to remote and off-grid destinations.

Henry Cookson, founder of Cookson Adventures, explains the partnership’s philosophy: “I founded Cookson Adventures in 2009 to take people to see the furthest corners of our planet in style and Dr. Liza Osagie similarly created Solice with the aim to deliver medicine without boundaries. It’s this shared ethos of pioneering the very best in experiential travel, holistic wellness and ultra-personalisation that makes this such an exciting new partnership.”

Cookson describes the approach as “stealth health,” adding: “From my many years of travelling on the ground with our clients, it’s clear to me that when you are in an inspiring location surrounded by nature, you’re much more open to making profound changes in your daily life. You don’t need to go to a punishing clinic to come back a better version of you; often, the most important improvements happen when you’re not noticing.”

The partnership enables bespoke wellness offerings in spectacular locations, from floating hot tubs on Scottish lochs to mobile saunas and cold plunges on frozen glacial lagoons in Iceland’s remote reaches. Services include mind and motion training camps, transformational experiences through multi-activity exploration, and personalised training schedules in breathtaking locations such as Norway’s Lofoten islands or the foothills of the Andes.

Medical support extends to specialist doctors available on trips or on call, with teams able to respond to real-time data from advanced wearable tracking devices, monitoring everything from heart health and oxygen levels to sleep and stress levels.

Pre-trip services include medical checks and training programmes, with expedition doctors conducting full health and fitness assessments. For convenience, doctors can visit clients’ homes or offices, sending off blood samples for analysis and couriering vitamins or medication in preparation for trips.

Post-trip care continues the wellness journey with recovery sessions, therapeutic consultations, and support for integrating new habits into daily life, including nutrition programmes and nervous system reset courses.

Dr. Liza Osagie-Clouard, founder of Solice, says: “The partnership with Cookson Adventures provides peace of mind and the ultimate in personalised wellbeing for truly out of this world travel experiences.”

The Solice team includes specialists such as Rob Rea, head of therapies, who is internationally recognised for his expertise in breathwork and somatic medicine, focusing on nervous system regulation and the relationship between spirit, solitude and restoration.