The Rossmount Inn focuses on the local side

Over the past four decades the Rossmount Inn has stood tall despite some ups and downs.

Rossmount Inn’s story started in St. Andrews, New Brunswick in 1889.The property was owned by the Townsend brothers but was later torn down by one of the brothers to build a private residence. Ground was broken on September 1, 1889 and the house was constructed as an adaptation of a Queen Anne style. The ten-foot veranda around three sides of the building was 275 feet in length and the entrance hall was 12 feet wide. The carriage house built at that time still remains behind the inn.

In 1902 the property was purchased by Henry Phipps Ross and renamed Rossmount.  Major improvements were made from 1910-1914 both interior and on the grounds.  Ross and his wife lived at Rossmount until their deaths in 1945.

Dick Harris owned the Rossmount during the 1950s. There were six-eight cottages on the estate.

The house was destroyed by a fire in 1961. Soon after the Simes family built the present inn on the magnificent site. The building was built on top of the original foundation, incorporating the still standing chimneys and front steps. The builder John Sime searched the world for the chandeliers, woodwork and the furnishings that grace the inn today.

Over the next 40 years the inn had its ups and downs with numerous inn keepers trying their luck. In 2001, Chris and Graziella Aerni bought the inn and turned it into one of Atlantic Canada’s top culinary destinations.

“The property is situated on 87 acres at the base of Chamcook Mountain – the highest point in the Passamaquoddy Bay, St. Andrews by the sea peninsula. The inn is 11,000 square feet. It is three storeys with 18 rooms. The rooms are each appointed differently with some period antique furniture and art from local artists,” says Owner Chris Aerni.

It is a miniature resort with a fully licensed large swimming pool and deck area. A 100-year-old historic road to its top provides guest with on property hiking possibilities. The great vistas are supported with informational plaques explaining geography and history.

“The Rossmount Inn delivers a unique experience of personalized, friendly, reliable hospitality of high quality. It is focused on local people, local food and local art. Located in the oldest seaside resort area of Canada provides guests with ample choices to enjoy during the day. Dinner at the Rossmount is open to the public in the evening is always a highlight of the stay,” shares Aerni.

The restaurant is award-winning and is only open to the public at dinner. Breakfast at the Rossmount is for guests only. Part of its allure is that the restaurant prides itself on sourcing most of its products from Eastern and Atlantic Canada.

“All fish and seafood are uniquely sourced from New Brunswick, PEI, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, and sometimes game from Quebec,” explains Aerni. “Long-standing relationships with organic farmers from the immediate surrounding area together with our own garden provides the chefs with high quality seasonal produce to create the menu daily. Not to be forgotten are wild foraged foods such as mushrooms, fiddleheads, cattails, lilies shore and sea plants. The restaurant provides lots of seasonally grown flavours, and interested guests often get a tour from our gardener or chef to experience the different flavours.”

The inn’s demographic is described as a well-educated traveller with an interest in art, culture and a strong focus on high quality food and wine.

The architecture of the building is considered Edwardian. The interior with its antics and modern art could easily be described as eclectic.

Looking to the future with the strong culinary focus of the inn in mind a large expansion of the garden on a perfectly sloped south facing field was started during the 2020 season. As part of a planned mixed orchard (haskap berries, sea buckthorn, blueberries, peaches, hazelnut) the first pinot noir have been planted with the first vintage expected in 2026.

With these plans in motion and their strong local focus It is clear that the inn will continue to be part of the community for decades to come.

Nicole Sherwood | Eastern Hotelier Magazine