Like many people, as a teen, I spent a lot of time with my friends. We’d watch movies at my house or I’d visit their homes to play games or listen to music.

And of course, I got to know many of my friends parents; I liked most of them and there were a few I admired, but I always felt that I had the best parents.

Other parents were kind, or intelligent, or passionate but it seemed to me that my parents had these qualities in just the right measure. And importantly (from my perspective) they were interested in me and my dreams.

30 years later I still feel that way. When Hailey and I first started talking about a little hotel that adds an aura of magic to a special occasion, they were right there dreaming with us.

This year my parents are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. And we were so pleased to have them stay at our magical little hotel.

Happy Anniversary to my favourite parents!

When I was a child, my mother had a rather extensive collection of books.

But she didn’t always have a library — or even a bookshelf. In fact, as a young woman, she would buy used books and sell them back to the secondhand bookstore once she’d read them. The difficulty however, was that she read so many books she began to lose track of what she had or hadn’t read. She found herself buying books, taking them home; reading the first few pages only to realize she had already read them.

So she started keeping her books and her collection began to grow.

Now, my mother read science fiction and fantasy novels almost exclusively (and does so to this day). And she is such a prolific reader that by the time I was old enough to read the spines on the shelves we had more speculative fiction than any bookstore I’ve ever visited.

My mother taught me the joy, and the value, of reading and her library has left an indelible mark on my life.

Photo by @thecasualceltic

“There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island”

— Walt Disney

This year Hailey and I will celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary.

On our honeymoon, we were lucky enough to stay in a beautifully restored castle just outside Rome. We slept in a tiny tower room, explored the grounds, and drank tea on a rooftop balcony. It was an absolutely magical experience.

Over breakfast, Hailey broached the idea of building our own little castle hotel. I was intrigued and we spent the morning dreaming together; building imaginary castles.

My love and I are still dreaming together, but this weekend a little piece of that particularly crazy dream came true.

I’m looking forward to the next 10 years of dreaming.

Photo by @blushandflora featuring @thecasualceltic

We are still a few years away from finishing construction, but our plan is to open the North Star suite with the Under Hill and Copper Crown suites following close behind.

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According to local legend, the North Star was once the home of Ms. Temperance Longbottom. Best know as the captain of the privateer ship, Avellana (guests will sleep in the captain’s quarters), Ms. Longbottom once discovered pirates’ lair; filled with wonders and relics from every mythical corner of the world. After relieving these rogues of their ill gotten gain, she set off on a series of voyages; intent on returning the artifacts to their various homes. Sadly, Temperance never returned from these travels. As a result, the North Star and its attached private garden are filled with the remnants of the pirates’ trove — ancient statues and arcane paraphernalia. Temperance's ramshackle property is perfect for couples looking for a one-of-a-kind romantic hideaway.

We are going to be at the Pan Pacific Hotel Vancouver on Saturday, February 23, 2019 for the Swank Wedding Show.

We will have the model on display so be sure to swing by our booth if you happen to be in the neighbourhood!

Hazelnut Inn

Hazelnut Inn

An Extraordinary Boutique Hotel

THREE WORLD CLASS HONEYMOON & ANNIVERSARY SUITES

Make your first days of wedded bliss even more memorable with a honeymoon in this once in a lifetime boutique hotel. Choose from the North Star, a whimsical explorer's home, the Under Hill, a fantastic underground cottage, or start your happily ever after in the Copper Crown, a charming little castle.

A stay at the Hazelnut Inn is an experience unlike any other!

The North Star was once the home of an eccentric explorer, and is filled with architectural artifacts from every mythical corner of the world.

By all accounts, the Under Hill has been in old Mister Burrows' family for generations untold. Tucked away behind the walls of its own private garden, this little gem is as grand as they come. 

According to legend, the Copper Crown is the ancestral home of an ancient line of aristocrats who were renowned orchardists, dragon hunters and even (in one telling) dragon riders.

Stay with us!

42402 Yarrow Central Rd.

Chilliwack BC

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www.hazelnutinn.com