We are located two hours northwest of Charlotte, North Carolina, in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Our physical address for the retreat center is
639 Whispering Hills Rd
Boone, NC, 28607
The physical address for Shakara Ayurveda Wellness Spa is
913 Rock Cliff Rd
Boone, NC 28607
There are several airports within driving distance from the Art of Living Retreat Center:
- Charlotte-Douglas International Airport (CLT) in Charlotte, NC (100 miles)
- Tri-Cities Regional Airport (TRI) in Johnson City, TN (80 miles)
- Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO) in Greensboro, NC (110 miles)
The Hickory Hop shuttle goes from Charlotte airport to Boone five times daily. Get fare and timings information on their website. Reservations are required—book ahead online at hickoryhop.com. Be sure to confirm shuttle times coordinate with your travel plans.
Refunds are available (less a $50 per person processing fee) up to 15 days before your program or stay. Nonrefundable credit toward a future AOLRC program or stay (less a $50 per person processing fee) is available if you give notice between 14 and one day(s) before your program or stay. Credit may be applied to any AOLRC program or stay for one year following the date of issue. No credit or refund is available if you cancel on the arrival day; if you do not show up; or if you leave an event early for any reason. No refund will be available if you attend a program and are dissatisfied with its presentation or content.
AOLRC reserves the right to cancel a program at any time. If AOLRC cancels a program, you will receive a full refund. Some programs may have special cancellation policies; see individual workshop descriptions.
Because our campus sits on top of a mountain, it’s important to note the grounds are spacious and hilly. While the entire campus is walkable and accessible, you may encounter terrain that is difficult for those in wheelchairs or with mobility issues. We have some grandfathered buildings without elevators but offer numerous ADA-compliant lodging and event venues accessible to all. Please call Reservations (800.392.6870) in advance so we can best accommodate your needs.
To ensure easy access between buildings, we also offer free shuttles that make frequent rounds. And, you may contact Guest Services at any time to schedule a shuttle pick-up or drop-off to any part of the campus.
Our hotel rooms are what you’d expect to find at most hotels—king- or full-size beds, a television, a refrigerator, private bath, and free WiFi. Our retreat rooms are simply furnished for those who desire peace and clarity—twin beds, private baths, and free WiFi.
Find out more about our accommodations here.
Our facility does not house pets. However, we can recommend some nearby kennels to board your furry friends.
Our menu addresses the following allergies: gluten, dairy, nuts, soy. There is always at least one entrée on the buffet line that our guests with these allergies will be able to eat.
Thanks to the cool climate of the Blue Ridge Mountains, air conditioning is rarely needed. For the occasional warm day, there is a fan in each room to help keep you comfortable.
Absolutely! Guests always have the option to reserve all-inclusive accommodations and choose activities and Shankara Ayurveda Wellness treatments in our R&R offerings. Select your room and plan your stay here.
Yes. We offer our Signature R&R retreats and Ayurveda Wellness Retreats—both with flexible dates that allow guests to sample a lot of what we have to offer but at bundled rates.
To encourage a healthy environment, we ask that guests not consume alcohol or meat in our public spaces. However, guests may enjoy these items in their rooms. That being said, our property is always smoke-free.
All of our programs are residential—we have found that this deepens participants’ retreat experiences. We do permit participants to stay off-site with our day pass. It includes meals and amenities; please call us to reserve this way. You will need to book your own accommodations elsewhere.
While we do allow children and offer rooms that can comfortably accommodate families, please be mindful that this is an adult retreat center—our guests have come for a peaceful and meditative experience. Children must be supervised by an adult or guardian at all times. Please note you must be age 18 or older to participate in any of our programming, including Shankara Ayurveda Wellness treatments and therapies, unless otherwise indicated.
We are a short 15-minute drive to ASU’s campus as well as downtown Boone. Most ski slopes are about 40 minutes away from our property.
Not at this time.
Yes! You may purchase them online or by phone. Visit our gift certificates page for more information.
Your safety is our priority. Our spacious, remote mountaintop campus is secure, and proper airflow means it’s safe to leave windows open. Nature is all around—rabbits, deer, turkeys, and other wildlife are common. Please give animals space; do not feed or pet them. We’ve never had a safety incident with wildlife. For peace of mind, leave valuables at home.