Name: Tumblehome Farm Bed & Breakfast
Address: 1860 Ostby Road Hornby Island British Columbia V0R 1Z0, Hornby Island, Hornby Island, Hornby Island, V0R 1Z0, Canada
Rating: 9

Location

Comox Airport

Tumblehome Farm Bed & Breakfast

Hornby Island

Similar to an earlier July 2016 review, we wondered if Linda & Gary were new the B&B business and guest experience.  First, their relatively newly built B&B and adjoining home are located just under a mile from Hornby's Co-op island center, and on about 5 acres to create - as their well designed website notes - an aspiring farm, with the goal of converting much of the 3 acres of cleared land into pasture and a sustainable garden.

Their stated goal is "...to create an oasis where our guests can rejuvenate with some well-earned rest and relaxation..."  It too is aspiring.

The setting is remote, incredibly quiet, somewhat bucolic and filled with bird sounds, nearby bees buzzing through new plantings.  The house and connected B&B rooms are all very new, tasteful and clean.

Our room was #1 configured for a king bed and the only one with potential for a cross-breeze.  The room overall was relatively new, very clean, tiled radiant-heat floor and “European” sized - very small, compact.  Furnishings were simple, had a minimalist feel involving only the king configured bed, two night stands with lamps, a small, narrow, freestanding closet and one picture over the bed.

As frequent business and pleasure travelers utilizing a range of accommodations, the bed was among the more comfortable we've experienced.  However, it possessed only a nice quality bottom sheet – but no top sheet - only a comforter, which was too warm for summer nights.  The four pillows were all standard size (not king or queen sized) - all soft (none firm).

Perhaps in the theme of their goal of helping guest disconnect from a busy life, also absent was a bedside clock.  The wifi signal at this remote island B&B was among the better we've experienced - including at top rated hotels costing twice or more.

Since the newly landscaped patio afforded no cover (no umbrella or shading structure) from a blazingly bright and uncomfortably hot afternoon sun, our only option to “rejuvenate and relax” was within our small room, sitting on the bed.  We separately wondered if the room had been expanded outwards to the patio just another 2 or 3 feet, it could have afforded a small interior sitting table and chairs.

The bathroom was simple and tasteful.  A modern new small, narrow and long rectangular sink, supported by a new, all white cabinet containing 2 shallow shelves.  The shower was modern with a rain shower head and sufficiently hot water was almost instantaneous.

Having visited Hornby frequently over 20 years, much of the island ground water possesses a sulfuric, mineral quality.  However, it's totally potable and safe - but relatively scarce, so limited use (showers especially) is needed.  From experience, we separately brought a large cache of bottled water.

As the prior reviewer noted, breakfast is at a 4 seated table shared with Room #2 guests.  It's also with Gary & Linda's two large dogs who continuously circle, paw and nose in while dining.  Gary prior offered to set out coffee, toast (delicious island baked bread) and fruit (bananas) around 7A.  Remainder of the breakfast offering was a simple assortment of granola mix, yogurt, hard-boiled eggs and freshly cooked bacon.  Gary offered to prepare fried eggs but we politely declined.

Other:
- What surprised us as a first - there was no key for securing our room upon departure (or a back-up in room safe).  Gary simply noted there is no island crime, so we should trust not to be the first
- A large refrigerator in the adjacent work shop was offered for communal use of food storage and access to ice cubes (from trays)
- There was no room service or change of linen or towels during our 3 day stay.  So 2 small bath towels, 2 hand towels and 2 wash cloths got old after 3 days of continual use….
- Absent are any screens on the windows, although our room seemed free of any crawling or buzzing critters
- One suggestion - the bathroom door hinges could use lubrication to remove an audibly loud and long squeak each time it's used
- After the second night, Gary offered to empty our sole, and by then brimming room trash can
- Neither Gary or Linda made any inquiries into how our stay was - even at check-out, which felt a bit "transactional"

Overall, the B&B’s overall price to value seemed better than other island options.  However, as Gary was a former cartographer, sensing he & Linda may still be new to and therefore, learning the B&B business and overall guest experience.

Good Value, Still Evolving…

We called Gary at 9 a.m. on a Saturday hoping we could switch over to his B&B following a horrible experience at the nearby Sea Breeze Lodge the night before. He agreed to meet us within 10 minutes of our call, took our breakfast order, showed us to our room, and allowed us to occupy it immediately rather than wait for a later check-in time. The room was fabulously comfy with nice decor and modern finishes. Breakfast with another two guests plus Gary and Linda (and their dog!) was lovely - felt like valued guests in their home. Highly recommend.

Great last-minute stay

Pluses: Lovely location in a huge sunny clearing. Cover sheets available so the dogs could go on the beds. Super comfortable beds.Wonderful shower. Rooms tastefully decorated. Nice people own the establishment.

Not so good: We wondered if perhaps Linda and Gary were new to running a B&B,as our experience runs counter to that of other reviewers. We felt overall that while they lived there, they were not hosts in the way we have come to experience B&B hosts in other places. We would suggest:
1. Welcome your guests and show them to their accommodations. If you can't be there upon arrival, leave a gracious note apologizing.
2. Arrange breakfast menu and time before 9 at night. Offer vegetarians more than oatmeal with raisins every day (after 4 days it was too much). Offer tea and decaf. Offer some kind of juice or fruit. Offer every day, not just on Sunday, the muesli, yoghurt, fruit salad other visitors have described in their reviews.
3. Ask your guests at least once if they are comfortable, if they are finding everything okay, how are the rooms, how was your breakfast.
4. Provide recycling bin and extra garbage options: we asked twice but ended up stacking garbage and pop cans in plastic bags outside the rooms, which doesn't do much for aesthetics.
5. Don't join your guests for breakfast unless they invite you to. Saying "Mind if we join you?" could put your guests in an awkward position, especially if they would prefer to be alone during the meal. 
6. After requiring a 50% deposit in advance, don't come on Saturday night wanting your guests to pay the balance of their bill when departure isn't until Monday morning.

As I say, our overall feeling was that being hosts was something new. But we did wonder why our experience was so radically different from other people's.

Very good and not so good

The room was lovely - clean, comfortable and private with our own patio to sit and relax.  Our hosts provided awesome hospitality, a SCRUMPTOUS breakfast and local information.  5 stars!  Our visit to Hornby was greatly enhanced by 'home away from home' feel and the welcome we received at Tumblehome Farm.

Charming hosts, pets, flora and fauna at Tumblehome.

We stayed here for one night during a bike packing trip, and it was a perfect stop over. Our room was private, spotless, and very comfortable, and Linda and Gary were great hosts. We enjoyed a hearty home cooked breakfast and followed their recommendation to check out the nearby Tribune Bay beach (15-20' walk). Would also strongly recommend the Seabreeze (5' walk) for dinner, excellent food and even better views.

Tumblehome Farm Bed & Breakfast

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