Nestled among towering trees on the shores of the Chehalis and Harrison Rivers, is the 160 acre Pretty Estates which includes Rowena's Inn, River's Edge Restaurant and Sandpiper Golf Course.
Now, I'll admit, I am typically a big city, downtown, name brand hotel kind of gal. My dad always used to joke that my idea of camping was a night at the Pan Pacific Hotel, so you can see how a cozy, out-of-the-way Inn is a new experience for me. Not to mention that my winter getaways generally involve heading in a southerly direction to beaches and palm trees.
As we drive up to the Fenn Cabin, one of 4 cottages on the property, I am struck by how cozy and romantic it is. After unlocking the door - with a real key! - we are greeted by the smell of cedar; the inside walls of the cabin are lined with the fragrant wood. I love the smell of cedar!
Two oversized leather club chairs are placed in front of a real wood burning, stone fireplace with an overstuffed, king sized bed to one side. The modern bathroom includes a jacuzzi tub and separate shower with heated tile floors. There's even a little kitchenette tucked just inside the front door. Through the double french doors is a deck that overlooks the river's edge.
We are welcomed with a ready to light fire, a bottle of Rowena's wine from Domaine de Chaberton and a cheese and fruit plate. I was one happy lady for sure!
After a couple hours spent exploring the cabin and relaxing in front of the fire reading, we headed over to River's Edge Restaurant. As it was a weeknight, the restaurant was fairly quiet with only a few tables filled, however on weekends and in the summer there is a line up out the door. Our waiter, Richard, was fantastic and a lot of fun to talk to. Having lived in the area since his mid-teens, he was a wealth of information and you could feel his love for the area.
Now, don't let the relaxed decor of the restaurant's interior fool you, the food is out of this world. Somehow my husband honed in on what we decided was a true "Man Meal"; Prime Rib stuffed Yorkshire Puddings with Gravy, mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables. I chose the 6 oz AAA tenderloin with port and chocolate demi glace. I was intrigued by the chocolates sauce but it was positively divine! You know you're in the right place to eat when you're told that people literally fly their small aircraft up for the day (the resort has their own airstrip) just to have lunch or dinner in the restaurant.
Our evening ended with with a stroll around the grounds admiring the beautiful property and gazing at the stars. I've always wanted a fireplace in my bedroom and for this one night I enjoy falling asleep to the sounds of the fire crackling in the hearth.
Morning brought with it the sounds of birds chirping, frost on the trees and knock on the door just after 9am - breakfast is served! A large picnic basket if delivered to our cabin door filled with fresh fruit and a complete hot meal including eggs, hashbrowns, sausages, bacon and pancakes. Guests staying in the rooms in the Inn enjoy the same homestyle breakfast which is served in the solarium. I felt so spoiled as we sat at the table looking out over the grounds enjoying the food.
After breakfast we met Betty Anne for a tour of the property. She is the most amazing woman I have met in a very long time. A truly elegant and hospitable person that loves to talk about her family history and the story of how Rowena's came to be. Fiesty and full of energy, I know she is a woman I can relate to when I see her jump into the "limo", a seven seater golf cart, in her high-heeled, black studded boots!
Sandpiper Resort covers 160 acres of land in Harrison Mills in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia. Betty Anne toured us around the 18 hole Championship Golf Course. The 15th hole is the course's signature hole with a sandtrap in the shape of a Sasquatch paw print.
Our visit was only a few days before the Fraser Valley Bald Eagle Festival and the trees were full of the majestic creatures. Elbow Creek runs through the property and at this time of year it is teeming with Salmon fighting their way upstream to spawn. This is nature in it's purest form.
Our ride around the property was a chilly one so we headed back into the Inn to enjoy a true English High Tea with Betty Anne and listen to more of the family history. A little note: when Betty Anne's parents first purchased the property back in the 1920's, the only way to reach it was by train and then canoe up the river!
The Inn was being decorated for the Christmas season and looked even more elegant than usual. While Rowena's is a grand property full of history and antiques, some of which were purchased from a castle in England, it is warm, inviting and completely unpretentious. It is the perfect romantic getaway and I can't wait to go back again!
Thank you Betty Anne for sharing your home, telling us your story and for making our stay one that we'll not soon forget.
by Maryanne Lechleiter
Stimuli Magazine Founder & Editor-in-Chief
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