Paradise at the Hillcrest Inn

Jan 24th was our 7th anniversary.   It's always a surprise for one of us and that tradition brings with it great fun.  We never go to the same place twice, though we might do some of the same things.  It has taken us outside of familiar places and helped us to find new gems.   It's all about making memories.

However, I don't think that I have ever been surprised as much as this year.  It all began with a leisurely drive to Port Hope, Ontario.  It's the kind of place that I want to keep to myself, it is so special, but it's a new business, and if I do that, then it might not be there later, so I will share it with you.

The Hillcrest

Imagine if you will, arriving at a Victorian mansion, cloaked in the snowstorm that you just drove through. Inside, a friendly woman takes your coat, shows you around, tells you to leave your luggage.  She'll take it up for you (and you immediately regret how heavy your suitcase it).  There is no talk of registration--that will happen later.  Just "relax a little, welcome to your weekend home;  please, treat it as such". We quickly learned that in spite of such a prestigious exterior, there is little that is pretentious about this place.  The goal is relaxation, however that is defined for you.

Then, another woman walks you around, shows you all the areas.  This is where you wait for spa treatment, and she points to the warmth of a fireplace and two sofas.  This is our dining room, and she sweeps her arm in an arc that indicates all the windows.  And so it goes, until she says, 'and here are your keys'.

I walked in...to candles lit everywhere.  There is a log on our fireplace.  The gentle light is washing over kingsize four poster bed and the step to get up to it.  On the table, there are roses, and champagne on ice, glasses, and chocolate covered strawberries.  And a lot more candles  It's an oscar-worthy moment, but it is so much better.... because it's my movie.  There are five huge windows nestled into the antique wallpaper, and the blinds have been drawn because it is the afternoon--but it's been made to look as though it is evening.  There is no one else in the world right then. The man I married has arranged for all of this.

Throughout the course of our stay, we were pampered, spoiled, made to feel as though there were no other guests (and sometimes there weren't--that's one of the perks of off-season travel!).  We were greeted with smiles and hellos, and people used our names.  A delightful little girl, who was so well trained to not speak to the guests, nonetheless waves at me once.  It was such a fun little secret.  We found corners to read, we played backgammon, there was always tea available, and coffee, and snacks.  We were invited into the kitchen, into the dining room.  Any nook we found was our nook to enjoy. We felt as though we had been invited into their home, truth be told.

Dana, our hostess--she is the picture of perfection.  Soft-spoken, but determined to make things perfect.  Little things catch her eye.  She likes to know your opinion. She likes quality.   She fixes anything that isn't quite right.  She is graceful and charming, she is the heart of this place.

Kate, my esthetician is young and enthusiastic.  She wanted to make things wonderful too, and she did.  Her massage put me to sleep, and that is saying something since sleep eludes me so much of the time.  She allowed herself to laugh with us, to enjoy the day.   She helped fix our schedule, which was forever changing because I couldn't make up my mind on what I wanted.  I could literally have anything I even dreamt about.  And I did...I had three different types of massages and two facials.  Kate gave me one of the massages, both facials and my pedicure, while Katelyn gave the man his very first spa treatment ever.  Oh it was fun.  The four of us laughed a lot while we were salted and scrubbed and massaged and spoiled.

Kristy is the RMT who gave me the 'deep tissue massage'.  Oh my.  That woman has the strongest fingers of anyone I have ever met.  I'd never want to be in a vulnerable position if I had to fight with her--nor can I imagine ever wanting to fight.  She is hilarious.  And I'm sure she wouldn't have joked around if I wasn't, but it was delightful.  I think I did get bruised a bit, but it took five whole days before I noticed myself hurting again.  Those who know me well will understand what a compliment that is.  She is a genius.

My last massage was a hot stone massage.  I've always been curious about them, and while Kate was giving one to Martin, Heidi was handling me.  The use of the stones is really rather fascinating for they hold the heat, and when they are rubbed over aching muscles, they just feel so good.  I had stiffened up slightly after Kristy--I think my back was rebelling a little.  But the use of the stones fixed all of that.

One of the things I really appreciated about the Hillcrest is that they apprentice young people.  This is clever, and benefits everyone--the clients, because the technicians are eager to please; the establishment because the employees own the vision; and the employees themselves who are gaining excellent experience.   We had the sense that everyone enjoyed working there, and that they were all moving in the same direction.  And I asked.  I like to know if people like doing what they are doing.  For me, it always translates well to the client.   I also really appreciated that this is a family business, though it is a family that you rarely see.  This is their home, and occasionally we saw glimpses of them eating together in the kitchen.

We will go back for other occasions, or even just to have our massages in the outdoor setting that they have.  We won't likely go back for another anniversary--that is against the rules.  But I have no doubt that all other anniversaries will be compared to this one.

That's no small thing, and we thank you, Hillcrest people, for making it so very special.