When the Stars Align

The Brookside Inn in Abbottsford

When Chris and Sandi Buis stumbled upon an unfinished inn located in a master-planned development in Pepin Brook Estates in west Abbotsford, they immediately saw it as an opportunity. Even better, it had been up for sale for the three years prior.

“It was such a beautiful building even in its uncompleted state,” says Chris Buis, co-owner of Brookside Inn Boutique Hotel.

The walls and drywall were up, but little else.

“My wife and I saw it and immediately thought of how wonderful it would be to run an inn,” adds Chris.

After six months of hard work, the couple officially opened the doors – and realized their dream.

The big picture

Although Chris himself came from a career in forestry and the wood products industry, Sandi had been trained as an interior designer and a chef. Her experience includes running a small B&B in Victoria –which she put to good use at the Brookside Inn.

Sandi lovingly outfitted the six sumptuous suites, taking her time to pick opulent linens and accompaniments to complement the exquisite furnishings and accessories.

“Sandi wanted to make the rooms a little more interesting so she named them after classic movies,” explains Chris. “Each of the six rooms has been inspired by a different romantic movie and has been decorated to capture the essence of that film.”

Take Midnight in Paris, for example. The rooms is described as lavish and comfortable. It features a grand four-poster bed and a luxurious adjoining ensuite. Although the Eiffel Tower may not be visible from the window, there is a stunning view of a rustic vineyard.

Guests are treated to a full-on continental breakfast each morning, which is served in the dining lounge fittingly named Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Just the ticket

Since purchasing the property in 2014, Chris and Sandi have had the pleasure of welcoming guests from all over the world.

Residents from western Canada typically account for about 50 per cent of their visitors, with the other 50 per cent evenly split between the U.S. and the rest of the globe.

“A lot of our guests generally fall in the 30- to 50-year old age group,” says Chris, adding that many are passing through, visiting relatives or are on business. For the latter, the Brookside Inn also offers a meeting room with a capacity of eight to 10 people.

Another popular visitor at the Inn is the birding community. Chris describes Abbotsford’s “Heart of the Valley” as an ideal area for birding. The mild, varied climate, numerous parks and position on a natural migration flyway make it a perfect spot to see fine-feathered friends.

Nearby birder hotspots include: Willband Creek Park, Mill Lake, Matsqui Trail, Aldergrove Regional Park, Fishtrap Creek, Sumas Prairie, and Chadsey Lake via Sumas Mountain.

Over 300 bird species have reportedly been seen in the Fraser Valley.

Although the Brookside Inn attracts guests all year ‘round, summer tends to be the busiest time. Occupancy during July and August usually hovers at around 95 per cent. Occupancy tends to drop to around 70 per cent during the winter and remains at around 85 per cent for the rest of the year.

Repeat guests are high in number.

The sequel

Chris and Sandi operate the Brookside Inn almost entirely on their own, employing only a housekeeper. The couple is almost always onsite, with the building’s design allowing them to live in the north half of the structure. The south half consists of the inn.

The constant need to be onsite has taken its toll over the near decade that the couple has been operating the Brookside Inn. The allure of retirement and the addition of grandchildren have heightened their desire to take time off to enjoy family and friends.

For this reason, Chris and Sandi have put their beloved Brookside Inn up for sale. The couple plans to stay for as long as it takes to find a good buyer, preferably someone who can administer to the property with the same attention to detail that it deserves.

“I was always hesitant to get involved in retail and people,” concludes Chris. “It’s been a pleasant surprise to find it’s been just the opposite of what I expected. Sandi and I always say that we ended up with the best guests in the world.”

- Western Hotelier Magazine