Yes it's a big blur. 20 years ago now I was buzzing around literally to put out the first Inns Magazine. I remember it ever so vividly. In 1996 my photographer at the time Bob Housser and I flew out to Vancouver Island to feature several inns including my first stop at the Aerie Resort. It was a Relais and Chateaux property, one of the finest inns of the world that closed its doors several years ago. It was never the less outstanding. It was luxurious and white everywhere including white round marble bathtubs in the middle of the suites with columns from the floor to ceiling, opulent! I’ll never forget the breathtaking views as the Aerie is located above the Malahat Summit on Vancouver Island and their viewpoint overlooks the fjords and Olympic Mountains. That was my first country inn experience, which has lead to over 500+ more inn visits in the last 20 years.
On that same trip I met Sinclair and Frederique Philip owners of Sooke Harbour House, a gorgeous ocean side inn located in Sooke, British Columbia. To date that still remains one of my favourite places in my career, I was so close to the ocean I could feel that spray on my face. They were one of the first farm to table establishments and 20+ years ago they were in their prime growing and serving their harvests and promoting locally grown to their guests. They were definitely the pioneers of their time.
editor's note
Mary Hughes, Editor-in-Chief
20 years
WOW where did the time go!
Then it was onward to Humboldt House, which is now being run by the second generation of innkeepers. It is architecturally slim and tall B&B and its design doesn’t allow for a dining room. Each suite has what I refer to as an old fashioned Milkman’s box. The evening before you pre order your breakfast and put the card on your door and in the morning your breakfast basket is delivered through the milkman’s door and you open your door on your side and pull it through. How’s that for breakfast in your room and it’s Fun! That first issue had printing bleeds and errors but never the less we (my team I think three of us) were like proud parents. Still am proud …… but the kid is now grown up and is now 20 and is completely digital!