Group stay venue for retreat leaders

Yoga and meditation teachers, writing groups, church and community groups, small companies and family gatherings.

A nightly or weekend venue fee, with optional extras such as catering, linen, firewood or activity add-ons.

• Organising and scheduling
• Property upkeep and basic repairs
• Customer service
• Building relationships with group leaders

• Zoning, building and fire code requirements for group overnight stays, check with your municipality
• Provincial or local accommodation registration, and Quebec's own rules, check your province
• Commercial general liability and property insurance that covers hired-out groups
• Water, septic, heating and winter access if you want to operate year round
• Food permit rules if you offer catering, which may be different for self-catered stays
• Damage, noise and neighbour concerns, set clear house rules and a damage deposit

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on the condition of your property, the number of beds and how much furnishing and equipment you need for shared spaces.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how often groups book, your rates and the season. This is revenue before running costs, so it is not the same as profit.

Check zoning, building and fire code requirements for group overnight stays with your municipality. Also check provincial or local accommodation registration (Quebec has its own rules), insurance covering hired-out groups, water and septic capacity, winter access, food permit rules and house rules.