When the Aerie Resort was shuttered in the winter of 2009, a Times Colonist editorial lamented the loss of the fabled mountaintop resort, saying that it had helped put Vancouver Island on the world tourism map.
It also expressed hope that Maria Schuster’s resort that opened atop Malahat Drive in 1991 and earned accolades as one of the world’s best would someday regain its status as a symbol of Island elegance.
That day has come. The secluded European-style luxury resort known for fine cuisine, stellar service and stunning 180-degree views of Saanich Inlet, the Olympic Mountains and Mount Baker has been reborn as Villa Eyrie Resort.
A fusion of old-world charm and modern amenities, this 38-room oasis was purchased last year by the GAIN Dealer Group. Its president, Peter Trzewik, and his partners have gone to great lengths to honour the original’s legacy by preserving its elegant allure, complementing it with their own modern design and style.
GAIN has 13 Island dealerships, representing brands such as Alfa Romeo, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Mini, Porsche, smart, Sprinter, Subaru and Volkswagen.
In June, GAIN opened Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit, its 19-hectare resort at 4063 Cowichan Valley Hwy. with a 2.4-kilometre track, clubhouse, presentation centre and four state-of-the-art pit garages.
Trzewik said when GAIN invested $2 million to renovate and reinvent the Aerie, their objective wasn’t just to open a luxury hotel.
Their goal was to launch one of Canada’s premium destination resorts — a partner hotel to its motorsport circuit.
“If you know us, you know we have the best service people can expect from a car dealership, and it’s the same with the hotel,” said Trzewik, whose slogan for the resort, which opened Sept. 28, is “Escape Into the Clouds.”
Trzewik’s determination to take a Vancouver Island escape to new heights prompted him to hire general manager Daniel Vogel, who was food and beverage manager at Tofino’s Wickaninnish Inn for eight years.
Terry Pichor, former executive chef at the award-winning Relais & Chateaux Sonora Resort, came aboard last month to assume the same position at Villa Eyrie.
His hand-picked culinary team Villa Eyrie’s Summit Restaurant and other dining rooms includes his chef de cuisine Carmen Ingham.
West Coast cuisine and Italian-inspired farm-to-table fare, with ingredients procured in partnership with local farmers and vineyards, are among the specialties at the Summit.
“It has to be spectacular food, but we don’t want to charge crazy prices,” said Trzewik. He said prices are reasonable at the restaurant, and it would appeal to fans of Il Terrazzo, Sooke Harbour House or Deep Cove Chalet.
“We don’t want to be mistaken for something we are not,” Trzewik said. “We don’t want people to think we’re arrogant. We don’t want to be a place for just a few.”
He points out there are casual dining options such as burgers-and-beer at the inn’s motorsport-themed Driver’s Lounge.
In addition to its fireplace, barrel-filled wine cellar and bar, Driver’s Lounge boasts unique furnishings.
Highlights include a glass-topped coffee table with a shiny BMW six-cylinder engine block for a base, a wall clock fashioned from a brake rotor, and a Bluetooth-enhanced vinyl record player.
“That was Peter’s idea,” said Vogel, referring to the coffee table.
“He came up one day and we were talking and it suddenly showed up. He thought it was the coolest idea. He doesn’t waste any time.”
Even the red-and-black hostess stand is unique, painted with Alfa Romeo colours, an automotive element that extends to bed frames adorned with automobile paint in Villa Eyrie’s rooms.
“A lot of the dealerships pitched in, because we have the teams already in place," said Vogel. "They detail and fix and make those things, so they decided to go with that high glossy finish."
The rooms in the resort's three villas - Villa Principale, Villa Aquila and Villa Cielo at the resort's highest perch - vary in size and features, but are uniformly luxurious.
Inspired by Lake Como, they combine Italian architecture and contemporary touches with soaker tubs, in-room fireplaces and private balconies offering breathtaking views.
There are Tuscan-inspired deluxe rooms with wilderness and garden views, deluxe view rooms, junior view suites with therapeutic rain showers, and superior view suites with private covered balconies.
Tuscan-inspired columns are offset by contemporary finishes in the spacious Master Suites, and two-bedroom suites in Villa Cielo on the resort's highest perch provide a mountainside retreat for several friends or family.
Then there's the Penthouse, the resort's most spacious accommodation, with features such as a library and three balconies, including a 543-squarefoot balcony to entertain guests.
Vogel anticipates the resort's Tuscan Spa will be a popular attraction. It will use organic ingredients and Island-sourced herbs, and has three relaxation treatment rooms, a manicure and pedicure lounge, and a private outdoor oasis with a gas fireplace and loungers.
Construction will be completed soon on a large indoor salt-water pool with an outdoor deck with a hot tub and views of Mount Baker that complements other features, including a concierge, meeting rooms and a helipad, Vogel said.
While fans of the Aerie might have been attracted to its literally peachy exterior colour scheme, its successor's outside walls will soon be painted in earthier tones to complement the interiors.
Trzewik sees great importance in ensuring a high level of service.
"My biggest influence has been Disney and their teaching on how to produce phenomenal products," said Trzewik, who is sending Vogel to Disney and the Ritz Carleton Hotel for more training.
In addition to targeting tourists globally, Villa Eyrie is opening its doors to the corporate market. Mercedes-Benz dealers brought in 300 guests recently, a number of whom are still here, dividing their time between the motorsport circuit and the resort. "Drivers come from all over, invited by every Mercedes dealership in the country, and they drive at the circuit," said Trzewik. "It's like a short vacation."
Since Villa Eyrie is a 35-minute drive from Victoria, Vogel and his team have come up with some ways to entice patrons who might be more likely to visit for spa treatments or dine than stay overnight. If you have a group of between eight and 10 people, said Vogel, the resort will dispatch a complimentary shuttle for a round trip to your group's meeting spot within a 20-kilometre radius.
"Drinking and driving is always an issue," Vogel said. "I always discourage people from drinking and driving."
While the Aerie was once known for attracting celebrities seeking a private getaway, Trzewik said his team is acutely aware the local market is of paramount importance, particularly for a dining experience. "We want to see workmen, retirees, people who might want to celebrate a special anniversary, because of the view and the good service," he said.
Vogel added: "Those people [celebrities] are always nice to have but when you have them, people think you're ridiculously expensive. It takes away a lot from who we are - approachable for everyone."
> Online: villaeyrie.com
