Experience Salt Spring's Finest

If it is VIP treatment you seek for your next special getaway, family vacation, or romantic wedding, there is no need to go any farther than Hastings House on Salt Spring Island.

Hastings House is a country hotel and luxury resort, spa, and restaurant covering 22 acres of countryside at the waterfront of Ganges Harbour. The site has a unique history and many personalized touches, but each suite includes all of the modern-day amenities and finishing touches one would expect from a beautiful destination. “Our luxury resort allows guests to return to an era of grace and simplicity,” says General Manager, Kelly McAree. “Eighteen unique guest rooms and suites, each with its own décor and history, are situated in seven lovingly maintained buildings around the estate.”

The main attraction of the seaside resort is the Manor House, built in 1940 by Warren Hastings, an English naval architect who moved to Salt Spring Island from Sussex, England with his new bride. The pair built the Manor House to resemble Warren’s 11th century Sussex-style family home. Other historic buildings that comprise the Hastings House Resort includes:
The Farmhouse, which was built around the turn of the century and was thought to be haunted because of its colourful history. It was converted into a workshop after the Manor House was built, and finally into a pair of two-storey guest suites in 1980.

The Post Building was the first Hudson’s Bay post on Salt Spring Island where trading for household items was conducted on the honour system. The Post was moved to its present location next to the garden in preparation for building the Manor House, and was also used as a caretaker’s residence for many years.
The Barn was rebuilt to its original exterior dimensions when the estate was converted into a hotel and it now houses five guest suites and the spa.

The current owners of Hastings House, Bonny O’Connor and Jerry Parks, added seven new Hillside Suites overlooking Ganges Harbour in 1999. The following year, a veranda was added over an outdoor patio to increase dining capacity and provide an all-weather spot for weddings and other gatherings.

Whether you are with your family, a wedding party, or a business trip, a day at Hastings House begins with fresh coffee or tea and baked goods delivered to your door. A hearty English breakfast awaits you at the Manor House, and an exquisite multi-course dinner in the dining room or veranda completes the day of fine dining. Guests are always treated to a special menu often featuring locally raised lamb – an item Salt Spring has become known for, fresh local seafood and herbs, and produce from the estate gardens and orchards. The dishes are prepared by European-trained Chef Marcel Kauer, whose daily menus are complemented by an award-winning wine cellar focusing on the best of BC wines and others from around the world.

To further enhance a guest’s experience, the Hastings House also offers luxurious spa treatments, including relaxation massages, purifying facials, and rejuvenating body wraps.

This seaside resort is perfectly situated to offer optimal harbour views and is a ten minute stroll from the shops in the village. A wide range of island activities can also be enjoyed during a stay on Salt Spring Island. If you manage to pull yourself away from the beauty of Hastings House, choose from a hiking adventure, a game of golf, a bike trip, or a tour of a local farm or winery. If you prefer the water, there is always fishing, sailing, or kayaking. 

This article was written by Julie McManus of Island Times Magazine.

The Hastings House Country House Hotel is a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World and is located at 160 Upper Ganges Road on Salt Spring Island. For more information or to book a reservation, please call 800.661.9255 or visit www.hastingshouse.com.

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