A Dome Away From Home: How Paige Willett Built Temple of Eden Dome Retreat With Her Hands And Heart
Nestled in the serene woodlands of Fenwick, just a short drive from Amherst, Nova Scotia, Temple of Eden Dome Retreat offers more than a cozy getaway—it offers a transformative experience. The brainchild of entrepreneur Paige Willett, this unique hospitality venture is equal parts wellness escape and personal triumph, built—quite literally—by the hands of its owner.
Inspiration from a Wellness Bubble
The first seed of Temple of Eden was planted during a stay at a geodesic dome retreat in Hillsborough, New Brunswick.
“I was so inspired by how rejuvenated and recharged it made me feel—it was like I was in a wellness bubble surrounded by nature,” Paige recalls. “I always had it in the back of my mind that I’d love to start this kind of business.”
But ideas are one thing—action is another. In 2021, with determination and a bit of self-coaching, she took the first bold step. “I gave myself a pep talk. I said, ‘Paige, just start making some phone calls.’” One of those calls was to the Community Business Development Corporation (CBDC) in Amherst—a call that would change everything.
Finding Support and Getting Started
With a friend’s recommendation, Paige already knew of the CBDC, but she still wasn’t sure what to expect. The support came quickly. “I pitched my idea and was immediately encouraged and directed accordingly,” she says. The team at the CBDC sent business plan templates and offered hands-on feedback throughout the process. “They were with me the whole way.”
By October 2021, her business plan had been approved and funding secured. That fall, construction began.
But Temple of Eden wasn’t built by a contractor or construction crew. It was built by Paige herself—with vital help from her stepfather, who owns his own business called Gray Concrete Foundations.
“It was just the two of us along with a few close friends and family members for the most part,” she says. “We broke ground, built the driveway, poured the concrete slabs... I did the wiring for the in-floor heating, the septic system, the plumbing, even laid the underground conduit for the power lines. I built the website and all the social media pages too.”
She and a handful of helpers even handpicked every stone used in the interior rockwork.
“If you looked through the photos of the dome, the road sign, the inside stonework—I did it all. My fingerprints are on everything.”
A Retreat for All Seasons
Temple of Eden officially opened its doors to guests in late 2023, and word quickly spread. What began as a few local bookings through social media soon expanded into national interest when Paige listed the retreat on Airbnb.
“I’m just getting people from everywhere now—it’s crazy,” she laughs. Most guests come from across Canada, and some have already returned for a second or even third visit.
The retreat consists of three domes, each equipped with a queen-sized bed and designed for maximum privacy. “I wanted guests to feel like they’re entering their own little bubble,” she explains. “There’s no need to check in with anyone—they can just arrive and unwind.”
Unlike some other vacation rentals, guests at Temple of Eden can stay for as little as one night. “I didn’t want to exclude anyone. Maybe someone’s just passing through, or maybe one night is all they can afford—I wanted to make it accessible.”
Each dome features its own wood-fired hot tub, and Paige promotes a Nordic spa-inspired wellness cycle of heat, cold, and rest. Though she hasn’t yet installed outdoor cold showers or a sauna, they’re on her wish list.
“I’ve played around with the idea of developing a communal wellness space or even adding a sauna to each dome,” she says. “But for now, I’m just focusing on making what I already have the best it can be.”
Community, Collaboration, and the Path Ahead
Despite being a solo operation—with occasional help from family and friends—Paige remains open to collaboration with local businesses. She’s teamed up with others for promotional giveaways, lists other local attractions on the company’s website, and is exploring the idea of offering local snack boxes or charcuterie boards as guest add-ons. There’s also room for future expansion, should she decide to go that route.
While Paige acknowledges that she’s learned a lot—sometimes the hard way—she wouldn’t change much. “There are little things I might tweak and upgrade, but big picture? No. I wouldn’t do it differently.”
A Business Built by Hand—and Heart
What sets Temple of Eden apart isn’t just its natural setting or tranquil amenities (although those are certainly nice). It’s the human story woven into its very foundation.
“I guess I’ve turned into a bit of a Jill-of-all-trades,” Paige reflects. “There were endless challenges, sure—but I grew so much through all of it. My personality, my ability to make quick decisions—it’s all developed through this process.”
And that hands-on philosophy isn’t just a metaphor. From laying conduit in the cold Nova Scotia ground to wiring the floors with care, Paige Willett has built more than a retreat—she’s built a legacy of personal effort, vision, and self-belief.
For her, success is measured in more than bookings.
“It’s not just a business,” she says. “It’s blood, sweat, tears—and love—all infused into everything.”