We’re Michael and Darren, longtime Bowen Island residents who feel lucky to call this place home.
Even though we were both born and raised on the West Coast, Bowen Island was a leap of faith for us—and one that we haven’t looked back on. Raising our twin boys here in a place full of nature, safety, and inspiration has been an absolute joy.
Between the two of us, we bring a mix of experience and passion. Darren’s background is in healthcare, cold therapy, food sustainability, meditation and yoga, while Michael’s experience spans marketing strategy, hospitality, technology, health and wellness, veganism, and mindful tourism.
Together, we’ve traveled to nearly 100 countries, and we love creating connections, sustainable experiences, and thoughtful attention to detail wherever we go.
You’ll likely meet our 13-year-old English Lab, Jedi, who’s always ready for licks and hugs, and Cedar, our 4-year-old Golden Retriever, who is officially our welcome committee.
We love sharing our family journey on Instagram at @daddyandpappa, where we share parenthood, island life, and a few adventures with our boys.
We started The Barnfield Suites in 2019 because we wanted to share not just our beautiful home, but also the magic of Bowen Island. Our goal has always been to create a space that feels personal, intentional, and restorative.
Every detail is curated with care, from the design and amenities to the way we welcome each guest. Having children and dogs ourselves, we made sure the space is both family-friendly and pet-friendly, without ever compromising on comfort or quality.
Over the past seven years, we’ve been humbled to maintain a 5-star rating on Airbnb and Superhost status. For us, The Barnfield Suites is more than just a place to stay—it’s an invitation to slow down and enjoy a little slice of island paradise.
In mid-2025, we decided to expand the experiences we offer at The Barnfield Suites, and that’s how Cedarwood Elements was born. Inspired by Darren’s love for cold plunging and our shared belief in wellness, presence, and restoration, we designed a private contrast therapy circuit: sauna, cold plunge, fireside retreat, and other carefully curated amenities that help our guests rest, reflect, and reconnect.
What makes Cedarwood special is that no two experiences are the same. Instead of offering a standardized therapy session, we invite our guests to enjoy a living, evolving journey. Guided by the Four Elements, each visit adapts to your intentions, energy, and state of being—whether you’re seeking grounding, release, clarity, or transformation.
Alongside Cedarwood Elements, we’ve also elevated the interiors of The Barnfield Suites, adding wooden acoustic panels, fresh paint, upgraded amenities, and luxury bedding and linens—all to make your stay feel even more thoughtful and restorative.
We’re excited to soft launch Cedarwood Elements in mid-March 2026, and we can’t wait to welcome you into a space designed for connection, calm, and transformation.
About Our Home
You are staying at The Crestwood, an award-winning home designed and built by Madrona Fine Homes, a developer based locally on Bowen Island. It is certified Built Green Platinum, the highest standard in design and construction for environmentally sensitive developments. Please enjoy both the suite as well as the outdoor living spaces.
Did you know? The wood posts throughout the home are reclaimed from large fir trees originally on this property. And the large concrete structure at the top of the rock cliff is a cistern that collected rainwater for the community’s main water supply many years ago.