Was I ready for a weekend away or what!

I was tired of all the snow! My shoulders and neck were aching from constantly shoveling the wall of snow blocking our driveway.  I needed a weekend away of total relaxation and indulgence… not to mention a good massage!  I didn’t feel I had the energy or interest in driving to far so our weekend away had to be somewhere close.  Our decision: The much talked about Old House Village Hotel & Spa which is just a one hour drive from my home in Parksville… perfect!

Like a fool, I’ve been driving my Jaguar this winter and it hasn’t been fun.  There’s no way I’m going to risk getting stuck again especially on my weekend get away.  The answer: We dropped into Joe Cunningham Ford in Parksville to test out the All Wheel Drive 2009 Ford Flex. You know, there is something about the look of these I like.  They’re different but oddly familiar. What’s cool about the Flex is that while it comes with standard seating for six and has more than ample cargo space, it drives and feels like a compact.  I could zip around town all day in this vehicle!  I just love the Flex’s multi-panel vista roof with 4 sunroofs. Yes!  Four sunroofs!

Ok, let’s get started and tell you about our weekend away to Courtenay and The Old House Village Hotel & Spa.  When we drive up island we always like to take the old island highway and enjoy the fabulous scenery it has to offer. Although we have driven this highway many times, Gabriela and I never get tired of it.

We arrived at The Old House around 3 pm.  Have they done an amazing job here!  As you enter the main foyer you are greeted right away by the friendly staff. The décor is wonderful and just off to your left you get a sneak-peek of OhSpa.  Once you get this glimpse of the spa and wonder what might be beyond you just can’t help but want to indulge…
and indulge we did!  But first, I want to tell you more about the hotel and our evening.

The Old House Hotel & Spa is often referred to as a boutique hotel and rightfully so. Our room was well appointed with gorgeous leather furniture and a state-of-the-art kitchen with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops, making this place great for an extended stay too!  We stepped out onto our balcony overlooking the Courtenay River and beyond to Comox.  What a view!  As I looked directly down I was amazed to see people swimming in the dead of winter!  Yes, swimming! No, not in the river but in the lusciously warm outdoor heated swimming pool and hot tub. “Throw on your swim suit honey lets go for a dip before dinner!”

After a great swim in the hot tub outside we returned to the comforts of our room, switched on the fire and relaxed with a glass of wine before getting ready to enjoy a dinner with friends at the Old House Restaurant. Gabriela and I had invited Chris Aspin and his girlfriend Michelle to join us for on our weekend away. Glad we did; they are terrific people to be with.

The Old House Restaurant is a 70-year-old heritage home with rough hewn timbers, cedar shakes and massive wooden doors. I love the warm and cozy yet energetic atmosphere of this restaurant.  Lynette Marcus, the restaurant manager, seated the four of us at a lovely table in front of a roaring fire. What a spot to enjoy fine food & wine on a cold winter’s night. And enjoy we did! We laughed, and told stories well into the night. We enjoyed our evening so much, that before we knew it, it was 11:00pm and what was a full restaurant with the buzz of patrons enjoying their evening was now a quiet room with just us remaining.  I haven’t enjoyed a dinner evening like that for a long time. The food was superb, the service sensational!  Thank you to everyone at The Old House Restaurant! A special thank you to Drew Noble – Executive Chef for outstanding cuisine!  Drew, Michelle loved her Halibut!  In fact, we all did! The food was so good that we decided to pass our plates to the right, each taking turns sampling one another’s dinner… What a fun way to enjoy great food with great friends!

As we awoke from a wonderfully restful sleep we couldn’t wait to experience OhSpa!  I wonder, did they name it Oh Spa because you can’t help but saying Ohhhhhhhhhh Spaaaaaaaaaaa when you walk in?  Gabi and I were booked for a wonderful indulgence called OH SPA ROYAL where awaiting us was a relaxing room with warmth of a cozy fireplace, delectable spa cuisine, champagne, an effervescent chromatherapy tub for two followed by a massage… exquisite.

Feeling relaxed and rejuvenated it was time to return home and once again enjoy the short drive home along the scenic island highway while experiencing the amazing 2009 Ford Flex compliments of Joe Cunningham Ford in Parksville.