Small Business Week – Gravity Luxury Domes

Finding their Dome away from Home

Local business owners Christa and Gary Giddens didn’t always know they wanted to be entrepreneurs. With full-time jobs and family life, the couple thought purchasing a property in Maitland to relax along the Fundy Shore would be an ideal summer getaway.  Once they had experienced the breathtaking views and serenity of the Bay of Fundy they knew they needed to share this experience with the world, and the vision for Gravity Luxury Domes was born.

In October of 2021, Christa and Gary Giddens started their tourism accommodation business by opening two luxury geodomes on their 8-acre property along the Shubenacadie River. The opening of Gravity Luxury Domes made it the first of its kind on Mainland Nova Scotia and a new experience for those near and far. In 2022, two more geodomes were added to the property for a total of four. Rentals are available year-round and are equipped with in-floor heat, heat pumps, hot tubs, propane firepits, barbeques, and kitchenettes. Each dome has a unique design as they are designed by and named after each of Christa and Gary’s four daughters: Ashley, Taylor, Nicole and Kayla.

Investing in the guest experience

Over the past two years, Christa and Gary have been working to find ways to grow business operations and expand their product offerings. Since opening they have partnered with local businesses including Coldstream Clear, to provide beverage box options for guests, as well as Green Oaks Nubians who make the goat soap found in each of the accommodations.

In addition, learning about their target markets and how guests make decisions on booking accommodations led them to update their website and increase their social media presence. Guests can now check availability and make reservations directly online through their website. With many repeat customers from across Canada and guests as far away as Australia this past summer, their dedication to their guest’s experience is helping to drive the addition of more services. To meet the growing demand, their daughter Kayla took on the role of on-site property manager for the summer.

Overcoming challenges

Nova Scotia’s unpredictable weather has been Luxury Gravity Dome’s biggest challenge over the past few years.  Weather events and their impacts on infrastructure, like road washouts, and prolonged power outages, have an impact on the business and guest travel to the area. Despite the challenge of Nova Scotia’s weather, Gravity Dome’s team works diligently to prepare for these events and provide the best possible experience for its guests. Christa, Gary, and Kayla remain enthusiastic about travel and tourism to the region and are committed to sharing Nova Scotia’s beauty with their guests for many years to come.