As the winter of 2019 turned to the spring of 2020, our Old House and Ohspa team faced a reality that would shake the Valley—and the world—to the core. We hung pink hand-made hearts in our windows to try to spread cheer as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold. The spa had to close temporarily, but, because our suites were fully equipped with kitchenettes, living rooms, and decks, the hotel was approved to remain open for isolated travellers. We were humbled to learn through guest reviews that we helped carry many through some tough days by being a safe, warm, and caring place that felt like “home.”
What home means
Since that time, we have challenged ourselves to define what “home” means. We believe the short answer is “Home is showing that we care . . . about a lot of things.” These things include protecting our fragile environment, contributing to our local economy, supporting our community’s social health, and creating an equitable, diverse workplace.
This is why we made a commitment in 2022 to pursue certification from the Biosphere program—an internationally recognized, highly detailed process aligned with the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. We are proud to say we have been Biosphere certified since 2024.
What caring looks like in practice
We’d like to highlight some of our efforts. Please don’t mistake this for bragging; we just hope to inspire others by sharing some of the small actions we’ve taken that add up to a caring culture in the workplace. We believe this is part of what makes the Old House and Ohspa feel like “home” to so many.
We show our care for our environment through ambitious recycling and composting efforts; eliminating single-use plastics; using natural cleaning products; going paperless, installing energy-efficient equipment; and sponsoring the Kus-kus-sum Courtenay estuary restoration project.
We show our care by educating our team and guests through our work with the Komóks First Nation and Homalco Wildlife and Cultural Tours and creating informative art, a culinary app and graphics about the Valley.
We show our care for our community through fundraising for local non-profits; donating our time and money; cooking for local school lunches; planting part of the Valley’s famed Mile of Flowers; and commissioning local artists and artisans to create art and furniture for our rooms and public spaces.
We show our care for our team through lunch & learn events; educational resources; celebrations; enjoyable break areas; and a family-like atmosphere — where showing up for one another is natural.
Finally, we show our care for our guests in countless different ways. Our warm West Coast hospitality happens naturally, because our team enjoys creating the experience. Nothing says “home” better than freshly baked cookies, a genuine smile, a sincere offer to help with luggage, a well-timed joke, a spotless room, a blissful massage, an insider foodie tip, or an open-arms dog policy that includes a VIP (Very Important Pup) welcome pack.
Our goal is that the Old House will always be a “homey” place to stay relaxed—even playful—and where intentional care comes first.
