“Do you like oatmeal?” Ian Willis asked me as I checked into Blackstone Bed and Breakfast, the three-unit boutique inn that he and his wife Charlotte own and operate in Fernie, British Columbia.
“Sure,” I replied.
“And do you like pie?” he asked.
“Pie? Of course!”
Ian simply smiled and said, “Wait till breakfast then.”
Welcome to Fernie
On a road trip from Vancouver to the Canadian Rockies, I had stopped to go exploring in Fernie, a fun and funky town in the mountains of eastern BC, popular for hiking and mountain biking in summer and for skiing and snowboarding at Fernie Mountain Resort, a few minutes’ drive from town, in winter.
As I settled into the Blackstone B&B, I was pleased to discover that this stylish property was a comfortable base for adventuring in this mountain region — nothing like an old-fashioned “bed and breakfast.” My stay even came with a surprising slice of pie.
Here’s the scoop:
Blackstone Bed and Breakfast in Fernie, BC
Blackstone Bed and Breakfast is set in a newly constructed wood and stone home in a still-developing residential neighborhood, about a five-minute drive from Fernie’s downtown.
Ian, Charlotte, and their kids live in the front of the house, and they welcome guests to the three rooms at the back, where there’s a separate entrance and a small lot with free guest parking.
Guest Rooms and Amenities
A mix of rustic woods, faux fur throws, and contemporary furnishings make the guest rooms feel more “boutique hotel” than “B&B.”
Guest room, Blackstone B&B
The two rooms on the main floor are spacious and airy with a wall of windows facing a landscaped patio with a burbling water fountain.
In addition to a king bed, these rooms have a sitting area facing a wall-mounted fireplace and a table and chairs, where you can eat your breakfast or plan your day’s activities; Wi-Fi is complimentary.
The third guest room, similarly furnished, is upstairs, accessed via an exterior staircase.
Rooms are stocked with a coffeemaker and tea kettle, along with several varieties of coffee and tea. In the fridge, you can store your snacks or help yourself to both milk or cream for your hot drinks.
In the large open bathroom, the sink is set in a counter made of massive logs, and there’s a large walk-in rain shower. The toilet is tucked into a cubby with a sliding door.
Guests have access to a small infrared sauna in the back hall, as well as the outdoor wood-fueled hot tub. There’s also a small storage room where you can park bikes, skis, or other gear.
Ian provides guests with an information book about the property and things to do nearby. In the section entitled “House Rules,” rule #1 is “Relax.”
Eggs with smoked salmon at Blackstone Bed and Breakfast
Breakfast
Guests in Rooms 1 and 2, on the first floor, have the option to include breakfast, which Ian will deliver to your room at the time you prefer.
If you stay in the upstairs room, breakfast isn’t provided, but it’s a short drive to several cafes in town, including Valley Social, Mugshots, or the Blue Toque Diner, where you can have coffee or something to eat.
One day during my stay, Ian prepared scrambled eggs topped with smoked salmon, served with toast and fresh raspberries.
Another day there was pie — oatmeal pie — essentially oatmeal in a crust. A delicious surprise!
For pie lovers, it’s one more reason to choose this well-designed boutique B&B in this Canadian adventure town.
Oatmeal pie!
Rates
Double room rates at Blackstone Bed and Breakfast range from CAD$110-250/night. You can compare rates at Expedia or Hotels.com.
For more ideas about things to do in Fernie, visit Tourism Fernie or Kootenay-Rockies Tourism.
Hotel review and photos by Vancouver-based travel, food, and feature writer Carolyn B. Heller. Tourism Fernie and Blackstone Bed and Breakfast hosted my stay for review purposes.