There is much to celebrate as we welcome our legendary storms as they blow in and shake our ancient rainforest cedars, spruce and shorepines with increasing vigour. As we move further into our storm season and the coming holidays, it is no wonder that we celebrate coming inside to cozy quarters and giving thanks for all that we share, usually while enjoying hearty food in the company of the ones we love. I am reminded of the essence of hospitality in all these things and the exciting way they happen here against the backdrop of the rising and rolling tides and powerful life-sustaining rains that nourish this beautiful place.

We are, as always, incredibly grateful for the kind words of support from our guests and were delighted and honoured to have recently been recognized as a Top Resort in Canada in Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers Choice Awards and it serves as a suitable bookend to have been similarly recognized last month by the Readers of Travel + Leisure as #2 of the Top 10 Resort Hotels in Canada. It is a testament to the tremendous work of our teams, both past and present, that have made us who we are - and I’m thankful to you for celebrating 25 years on nature’s edge with us.

We are equally thrilled to congratulate Chef Carmen, our Executive Chef, for successfully submitting the Cynamoka Berry to the Ark Of Taste, a repository created by Slowfood International of local and endangered foods from around the globe to raise awareness about their existence. A tart, squat berry found on shrubs around the Inn and throughout Vancouver Island and the Pacific Northwest, you can also find it on our fall tasting menu and integrated into the stunning cuisine of The Pointe Restaurant. We are proud to join all other Relais & Chateaux restaurants and hotels working to protect biodiversity and culinary heritage by raising awareness of their local foods through our participation in this campaign.

Speaking of delicious food, one of the most spectacular perches from which to view our winter storms as they roll in is The Pointe Restaurant; the space at the Inn that best represents to me that feeling of being safely inside and sharing an excellent meal in good company while the weather outside rages. Wherever you are, I wish you warm celebrations through the season ahead and hope very much we may welcome you here at the Inn should you find your way to the wild west coast. If you can’t visit in person, our Beachcam atop The Pointe Restaurant awaits your visit; storm sounds included!

On a final note, our Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, introduced the requirement for full immunization to access certain services and businesses throughout BC. In our continued efforts to safeguard our team, community, and our guests, we are open to all fully immunized travellers and require all visitors (11 years of age and up) accessing the Inn to present government-issued proof of full immunization. I remain ever-hopeful that as we work together to keep each other safe, we will eventually transition to a time when we can look back on this pandemic as a fading memory.

Kindest regards,

Charles