Our stay at Rowena’s Inn on the River – Harrison Mills

When Rowena’s Inn on the River gave us the opportunity to visit and stay in one of their NEW luxury waterfront cottages I was thrilled!  Not only do I love a good getaway, but this place holds a very special place in our hearts. I couldn’t wait to go back to this place that I adore so much!  Located just an hour outside the city, it makes for the perfect quick break! It’s not far, but you literally feel like you’ve escaped to another era!In August 2014, Mark and I were married at the Sandpiper Resort, previously known as “Pretty Estates” and home to Rowena’s Inn on the River.  It was truly a wedding out of a fairy-tale.  As soon as I saw the resort, I knew I wanted it.  At the time the resort consisted of the beautiful 1800’s manor house, along with 4 rustic chic cabins.  We booked the entire resort for two nights and all our guests (including out of town family) was blown away by the food, accommodations, and the views!We always knew we would be coming back, and on the eve of our 5 year anniversary, this felt like the perfect time!  We would stay in one of their newly-built luxury 1 bedroom cabins, and this time we would bring our son and daughter along for a couple nights of family fun and relaxation.  I decided to surprise Mark, and didn’t let him know of our destination until we pulled up through the gates and we entered a world of beautiful memories!When you drive through the gates and enter the resort, the stunning Sandpiper Golf Course sits to the right hand side. Mark has golfed here numerous times and loves the course.  The front nine features breathtaking views of the river, and wildlife spotting is common.  He wouldn’t be golfing on this trip, but he did comment how the course looked like it was in great shape!I was so excited to stay a night in one of their newly built cabins.  Since our last visit 5 years ago, they have undergone new ownership and built additional 1, 2, and 3 bedroom cabins able to accommodate larger groups. They have the same rustic elements as the classic cabins, but have been given modern elements such as air conditioning, contemporary kitchens and large smart TV’s.We stayed in the 1 bedroom cabin, and as fate would have it, it was nestled next to the original cabin “Phyllis” where Mark and I stayed on our wedding night.  It hosted a beautiful view of the river, golf course, and pond, nestled among the tall timber trees. It had a large patio and outdoor chairs, and some of the larger cabins even have BBQ’s!We were so impressed by the new cabins, as they really had a cozy feel, with all the comforts of home.  The high ceilings, cozy blankets, and gas fireplace all added to their charm!  When we arrived, we were thrilled to see a bottle of white in the fridge along with a local artisan cheese plate.  Mark (being the cheese lover that he is) ate most of it. I nibbled, knowing that I wanted to save room for dinner at “The Clubhouse” restaurant on site.Of course we walked around the resort and re-visited some of our favourite spots.  The “Phyllis” cabin located next to a little pond was vacant on our first night, so we had a moment on the balcony and admired the view from the rustic porch!  During our wedding, myself and my bridesmaids got ready in the inn, while Mark and the groomsmen used this cabin.

Hudson loved exploring Rowena’s Inn and running around the grounds.  It was so special to spend a couple nights as a family and just un-plug from daily life in the city.  It truly feels like a whole other world out in Harrison Mills – where Rowena’s Inn is located.Located only 20 minutes from Harrison Hot Springs, Harrison Mills is a land filled with trees, mountains & rivers. It definitely has that Western Canadian feel to it.  The area honours the wildlife and salmon that are indigenous and sacred.  Harrison Mills boasts the world’s largest winter gathering of bald eagles (from October through to January). It’s truly a nature lover’s paradise!

What I find so neat about Rowena’s Inn, is the fact that the original owner Betty Anne Faulkner (Pretty), still lives in the manor. She can be seen dining in the restaurant or relaxing on her terrace. The Pretty’s Family history is showcased through the timeless furniture and decor inside the inn and it’s charming rooms. To me, it has always had a bit of a “Gatsby” feel to it.We loved dining at the Clubhouse Restaurant.  The menu is amazing and has memorable plates that I recognized years later.  I would definitely recommend the Sandpiper Salad and the Salmon Wellington (made with wild sockeye salmon of course)! Traditional Eggs Benny was my favourite at breakfast and Mark enjoyed the Lox with Bagel.  We are so fortunate to have a toddler that appreciates being in a restaurant and will quietly colour or read a book while he waits for his meal.  The staff was very accommodating by bringing out his food first, which usually kept him occupied for the rest of the time.  Grace tended to sleep while we dined, which was very convenient.During our visit we were also fortunate to be joined by Melissa from Blume Photo who captured some special family photos during our stay.  We were all in awe of the gorgeous wild flower field in between the inn and the cabins.  One of the highlights of our getaway was our visit to The Kilby Historic Site only a few kilometres away! Nestled on 5-acres, this BC Heritage attraction includes our 1906 General Store Museum, Manchester House Hotel, Post Office and a working farm with many friendly farm animals!

When we arrived we were given some feed for the animals. Hudson was a little hesitant at first and just watched daddy feed the animals out of the palm of his hand, but then he was excited to get involved and especially loved the chickens and cows! It was so fun to watch him run around and sing “Old McDonald had a Farm”.We were treated to a delicious lunch at The Kilby Cafe.  It was like stepping back 100 years and the food and service was delightful.  We each had the daily soup and sandwich, and we left with a yummy slice of homemade pie.We picked up a map of the “Circle Farm Tour” of the area, and if Hudson didn’t need a nap, we totally would have continued on and experienced some artisan cheese, coffee being roasted, hand-crafted pottery, or taken the self-guided tour of a Canadian Pacific Railroad station! There is so much to do in Harrison Mills and we will definitely be back!

Later in the afternoon (after we all had a nap), we went to the pool at Rowena’s Inn.  It was so quiet (we were the only ones poolside) and the water was so refreshing! The pool temperature was perfect for the summer weather, and we all enjoyed the dip! The memories we created on this visit to Rowena’s Inn on the River and Harrison Mills will not be forgotten anytime soon.  It was the perfect little getaway and not too far to travel to.  It was lovely to unplug, relax, and experience the charm of this timeless resort!  Thank you for having us Rowena’s!

Candice, Mark, Hudson & Grace

XOX