Son D.
Aug 2022
★★★★★
Please note, I ALWAYS try to write the best review I can as I trust those that write for the rest of us. The ONE BEST thing about our stay (July 2022), was the gardens and the location - absolutely beautiful.
It is our understanding that the new owner, Si, has owned this B & B for just over a year. He DOES not live on site and in fact, lives in Victoria, over 1.5 hrs away. His brother, wife and child live there, they do not speak English well but were very kind. The past owners obviously took a lot of pride in the B & B as they built what it is today. Sadly, it seems as though the new owner doesn't take the same pride.
We had the largest of the three suites (but did meet the other two couples staying there & they had similar issues). It was VERY hot during our stay, thankfully there is AC.
We had a few issues which we brought to Si's attention when we checked and he basically said 'thank you for the feedback, we will use to it improve future guests stays,' but he did not remedy the issues.
A few things we experienced and a few things to share with those considering this B & B:
This should be an AirBnB - because of the difference in culture (I do not blame those looking after us for this, but the owner should know better), the breakfast was not what you would offer in Canada.... Hot dogs cooked in a frying pan, chicken soup, sweet toast, fake eggs... The one thing that was nice, was a small bowl of fresh fruit. No juice, cream for coffee, no cereal, etc.
If he moves to an AirBnB, then provide some proper kitchen basics.... We had a couple of pieces of mix matched cutlery, no paper towel, no tea towels, no glasses at all even although there is a very small kitchen.
The hot tub - had an out of order sign on and looked like it had been there a while. Perhaps let your guests know this as this is one reason we stayed. Si said nothing even after bringing this to our attention.
The bathroom was not very clean when we arrived and there was still toothpaste around the sink, I cleaned before we used it.
The mini bar fridge had SO MUCH ice built up on it that you couldn't put anything in it, including ice. Again, Si said, 'I will tell my brother,' but nothing changed.
The bed was comfortable and there was a closet but no drawers for clothes (we travel light).
The décor, well, it was something else, some curtains were facing out, some in and with a little attention to detail, this stuff could look great and not thrown together.
There were $ store flowers everywhere with the $ store tags still stuck on them; I have no issue with the $ store, but try to tastefully decorate.
Cost - WAY over priced for what you receive.
This is NOT a place for elderly folks to go and certainly NOT those with big suitcases, you have to turn sideways to get between the garage and the path to take you down the LONG stairs as there is a grotto walk through, a large suitcase on wheels would not fit.
Garbage and recycling - there is NO indication where or how to sort garbage and recycling, this is important in today's world.
While we did enjoy our stay for the most part, I am glad that I booked this in 2021 for our son's wedding in Nanaimo at the old rate (which Si honored) as had we paid the regular new updated prices, I would have been VERY disappointed.
A little pride in ownership goes a long way, understanding the culture and food in the country you host a B & B would go a LONG way for the guests staying there. It simply should not be a B & B, but if it becomes an Airbnb, then more amenities must be added to the tiny kitchen.
Lastly, there was a brand new beautiful BBQ in the common patio area by the lake that we all assumed we could use, however, when the other guests asked if it was ok to use it (and they had brought BBQ food), they were told by Si, it was not for guest use.
If you consider this place, know the owner doesn't live there and actually didn't seem to care about any of our concerns other than a few extra towels.