Recipe for Success

What does it take to create a wonderful B&B experience?

Reflecting on this question while recently returning from a trip to KeriGlen, three essentials come to mind:

   

Location: You are beat. You have been driving for a few hours. You are heading south on Highway 97 and as you are about to turn east into Penticton, you realize your bed is three minutes up the mountain on your right. From KeriGlen you are also five minutes from Starbucks, Quality Greens and T-Bones (ready to BBQ food). KeriGlen sits at the end of the road, overlooks a golf course and is one hundred steps from the KVR hiking trail. You can walk the dogs to the mailbox and back, 1 km return, and not see a car. From the deck, you have an unobstructed view of Lake Okanagan. The closest winery is 12 minutes away. You start to uncoil.

Detail: Did you know that Elsie hand irons the sheets on the beds? That she hand makes fresh quiche tarts in the morning if you have ordered the continental breakfast...I mean whose continent is she from? Continental breakfast is typically coffee, a roll and jam! After your wine touring you can pick up ready-to-BBQ meats at T-Bones store, cook your own supper on the Weber grill and test that new wine- test it in the hot tub if you like. Did you know that as the stars emerge and the lights of Penticton begin to twinkle across the lake, Fred often lights up the propane campfire on the deck and offers glasses of wine, inviting relaxing company and conversation to those guests who are inclined?

    Heart: It’s so simple yet so hard to do well-your hosts have to actually enjoy people! And Elsie and Fred do have a desire for their guests’ well-being and comfort. They understand that for many travellers this trip to the Okanagan is their one shot at their precious annual vacation getaway or an anxiously anticipated and sorely needed weekend of R&R. I often hear Elsie saying, “If there is anything you need-please just ask.” 

      

     But let these words of a guest explain it more

     succinctly:

  

Spring, 2010

Hi Elsie,

I know it’s been a long time and you may not remember me (and my husband E.), but I have been thinking of you and your lovely home for some time now.  It was last Sept/Oct when we came to stay and you gifted us with a bottle of your most wonderful wine.  We stayed in the little queen room, which was just awesome.  E. and I were into the local ice wines and we only could stay a couple of days, but it is one of the most wonderfully memorable trips I have had to date.

I just want you to know that I still think of our stay with lots of warmth and I thought you should know how much I truly enjoyed our getaway at your home.

Blessings on you,

S S