Rowena’s Inn on the River…with Mom

When you have a mom that really doesn’t want “things”, what do you get her?  The answer is your time!  Planning some activities and outings together is the perfect way to celebrate your mom’s special day. Today’s post is the first of several Mother’s Day posts and it documents a very special mini getaway to Rowena’s Inn on the River.

Rowena’s Inn aka Pretty Estates Resort

Pretty Estates Resort is home to Rowena’s Inn on the River and it is a local boutique bed and breakfast gem. It is located in Harrison Mills, BC (Canada). For anyone living in the Lower Mainland or Fraser Valley it is a perfect local getaway.  You can stay in the historic inn or in one of the private cottages that are on an estate on the Harrison River. My mom and I stayed in one of the charming cottages.

Our Cottage at Rowena’s

Our charming cottage had heated-slate floors, a private patio, a huge soaker tub and a wood-burning fireplace. Whether you’re staying in the inn or in a cottage, each suite has a room with a view. It was a pretty perfect location for us to spend some time together, explore the estate and eat some amazing food.

Rowena's Inn on the River Pretty Estate Resort

We stayed in the Fenn Cottage. Every little touch is taken care of for you. The fireplace is set up with kindling and wood, there are candles and a Keurig in the kitchen area. Each cottage has a guest book that we enjoyed looking through.

Rowena's Inn on the River Pretty Estate Resort

The entire estate is beautifully landscaped and also includes Sandpiper Golf Course. It is a wonderful place to spend the weekend to relax, read, play golf, lie by the pool and eat some amazing meals!

Rowena's Inn on the River Pretty Estate Resort

Dinner at Rowena’s Inn

Our stay included a gourmet dinner at the inn.  The menu was paired with Fort Berens wines as part of Harrison Uncorked. Before each course of the meal, the chef came out to explain his inspiration for the dish and where the ingredients were locally sourced. My mom and I really enjoyed the meal and agreed that each course of the meal was more amazing than the next.  We had:

  • local roast squash soup with birch wood chantilly
  • roasted beet root salad with farm house chreve and balsamic
  • Harrison River salmon wellington or duck tajine
  • apple and brie tarte tatin
  • avocado chocolate mousse with spicy snickerdoodle cookies (shown below)
Rowena's Inn on the River Pretty Estate Resort

Breakfast at Rowena’s

Breakfast at the River’s Edge Restaurant was included in our stay, too. You can eat in the restaurant or out on the patio with an amazing view of the pool, Harrison River and golf course.

Rowena's Inn on the River Pretty Estate Resort

Even if you don’t have time to take your mom away for the weekend, you can make a reservation at the Rowena’s Inn Mother’s Day brunch.  As well, Mother’s also golf for free from May 6th to 8th at Sandpiper Golf Course. You can find details for the Mother’s Day activities here.

You Might Also Like

Bella Bucchiotti

Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella is a storyteller, food lover, dog mom and adventure seeker living on the Pacific coast. She shares her passion for recipes, dogs, sustainability, adventures, travel and philanthropy, in hopes of encouraging followers to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places and stand for a cause. Bella lives with Type 1 Diabetes and Celiac Disease.

Bella Bucchiotti is a freelance food, travel, and lifestyle writer for MSN and the Associated Press Wire.

Newsletter!

Welcome to xoxoBella! You will find delicious recipes, travel inspiration and all the things that Bella loves.

Leave a Comment

  1. Robin Rue wrote:

    It’s so rustic and charming! I love places like this and it sounds like you and your mom had a GREAT time there.

    Posted 4.27.16 Reply
  2. Shirley Wood wrote:

    Where is the marvelous place located? You are so sweet to take your Mom. It sounds heavenly. Your pictures are beautiful. And spending quality time together is the best gift this Mom would love.

    Posted 4.27.16 Reply
    • Its in Canada around Harris hot springs! Thank you my mom helps me so much!

      Posted 4.27.16 Reply
  3. WhatWouldVWear wrote:

    Bella, this looks like a dream! I need to go to Canada – it’s just breathtaking! How sweet that you were able to go with yin mom! This is so special and both are you are absolutely darling!
    xoxo, Vanessa
    http://www.WhatWouldVWear.com

    Posted 4.27.16 Reply
  4. What a beautiful vacation spot! This muct hav ebeen so fun with your Mom! Xoxo Mindy

    Posted 4.27.16 Reply
  5. This place looks so gorgeous, heated-slate floors and a private patio sounds amazing! The Mousse looks yummy!

    Posted 4.27.16 Reply
  6. Karin Rambo wrote:

    What a gorgeous place to stay! I bet you made your mom feel really special!

    Posted 4.27.16 Reply
  7. Gorgeous! What a wonderful place to spend time with your Mother; such Blessing having that time together

    Posted 4.27.16 Reply
  8. Candy Kage wrote:

    How nice both of you could get away. Wish my mom was still here.

    Posted 4.27.16 Reply
  9. Roy Miller wrote:

    This place looks amazing. What a great place to spend time with your mother. You will always cherish this memory.

    Posted 4.27.16 Reply
  10. Alison wrote:

    This place is so beautiful! I can tell why your mom would love it! I think it is a great place to spend time with family and also eat the beautiful food!

    Posted 4.27.16 Reply
  11. Alli Smith wrote:

    What a great place to spend some time with mom! The cottage is beautiful and the dinner at the inn sounds lovely.

    Posted 4.27.16 Reply
  12. sandeep wrote:

    i can spend my whole life at this place

    Posted 4.27.16 Reply
  13. Kat wrote:

    Looks fantastic! Brilliant idea for any celebration really <3

    Posted 4.27.16 Reply
  14. I really need to try and spend some more time with my Mum – I haven’t been out with her enough of late. This seems like a gorgeous place to reconnect and spend some time together.

    Posted 4.27.16 Reply
  15. Cheyenne Skyeforest wrote:

    What a wonderfully thoughtful daughter you are! For most parents, the most important gift you can give them really IS your time! Now that my two children are grown with families of their own, they make very little time for me and it truly makes my heart ache. I have not had a visit from either one of my children for Mother’s Day, my birthday or any other holiday or occasion for the last 7 years. I only live 90 miles away, but I may as well be living on the moon. 🙁

    Posted 4.27.16 Reply
    • I agree, and my mom gives me so much of her time that I wanted to do the same. Cheyenne, I am so sorry that your family doesn’t visit. A get away with a friend may be in order instead. Hugs.

      Posted 4.27.16 Reply
  16. kathryn Maher wrote:

    Lovely way to spend time with your mum on Mothers Day. The Rowena Inn looks fab. The cottage you both stayed in seems warm and rustic and that menu is to die for. x

    Posted 4.27.16 Reply
    • Yes, the menu was so amazing and all the ingredients were sourced locally. Love that part.

      Posted 4.27.16 Reply
  17. That place looks awesome! You and your mom are so sweet, and the food looks delicious!

    Posted 4.27.16 Reply
  18. What a fun trip with your mom! Looks like a beautiful place!

    Posted 4.27.16 Reply
  19. Emma Messner wrote:

    I’ve heard so much about this place. It was one of the places I looked at for our wedding night! Glad you and your mama had a great time. xo

    Emma
    imhislittle.com

    Posted 4.27.16 Reply
    • Thanks, Emma! It would be the perfect place for a wedding or your wedding night.

      Posted 4.27.16 Reply
  20. Jenny wrote:

    What an awesome trip! The place is so cute.
    xoxo, Jenny

    Posted 4.27.16 Reply
  21. Amy Scott wrote:

    It looks adorable! I’ve never stayed anywhere with that cabin feel and how about that food?! Delectable!

    Posted 4.27.16 Reply
    • Yes, the cabin was so fun. A real fireplace and everything plus a huge bathroom with a vaulted ceiling.

      Posted 4.27.16 Reply
  22. Brandy wrote:

    This is wonderful, looks like a great place to spend with Mom. I love the decor and relaxing environment.

    Posted 4.27.16 Reply
  23. Liz Mays wrote:

    What a beautiful place. That cottage seemed really cozy. The food looked wonderful too.

    Posted 4.27.16 Reply
  24. Carrie Colbert wrote:

    What a beautiful place!!! And you know I love your mama. So great to see her here. 🙂

    Carrie
    http://www.wearwherewell.com

    Posted 4.27.16 Reply
  25. Kait wrote:

    Wow this looks like a great place!! And how cool to get to experience it all with you mom 🙂

    Posted 4.27.16 Reply
  26. Wow this looks like a beautiful place, my mom would love this !

    Laura | http://www.LauraWears.com

    Posted 4.27.16 Reply
  27. Did they pay for your stay it is absolutely beautiful and I would love to try a spicy snickerdoodle that sounds delicious!

    Posted 4.27.16 Reply
    • That spicy snickerdoodle was so yummy! I need to learn how to make them. An yes…they were so nice.

      Posted 4.27.16 Reply
  28. Yes a nice little get away was very great! Thank you

    Posted 4.27.16 Reply
  29. Suzanne wrote:

    Looks like such a gorgeous place! You look just like your mom. So cute 🙂

    http://mykindofsweet.com/

    Posted 4.27.16 Reply
    • Thanks, Suzanne! My mom used to look a lot like me when she was my age…or maybe I look like her at my age. 🙂

      Posted 4.27.16 Reply
  30. It sure is! We will remember this for a long time, too.

    Posted 4.27.16 Reply
  31. I agree, too! Thanks, Kayla!

    Posted 4.27.16 Reply
  32. Ashley wrote:

    What a fun little getaway!! Definitely a great way to spend time with your mama!

    xo Ashley

    Posted 4.27.16 Reply
  33. Jeanine @ sixtimemommy.com wrote:

    Oh wow this looks and sounds like a perfect getaway. That is beautiful, a perfect mama and daughter trip!

    Posted 4.27.16 Reply
  34. Brittany Crotty wrote:

    Oh my goodness! What a beautiful place. Such a fun idea to get away with mom or is even beautoful for a honey moon!

    Posted 4.27.16 Reply
    • Yes, it would be great for a honeymoon, too. They do a lot of wedding there in the summer.

      Posted 4.28.16 Reply
  35. Alexis Taylor wrote:

    What an incredible way to spend quality time with your mom. Looks like you had a great time!

    Posted 4.27.16 Reply
  36. Kayleigh wrote:

    Such a great place for Mothers Day!
    http://www.kayleighskloset.com

    Posted 4.27.16 Reply
  37. Carrie Chady Rundhaug wrote:

    Looks like a gorgeous place to stay any time of the year! It is such a great thing to spend time with your mom!

    Posted 4.27.16 Reply
  38. This is so cute and so special! You look just like your mom! 🙂 Such a great idea for Mother’s Day and it looks like it was a beautiful escape!

    xo, Jennifer
    http://www.publicistinpearls.com

    Posted 4.27.16 Reply
    • People say that often but I don’t see it a lot. I see it in younger photos of her. Thanks Jennifer!

      Posted 4.28.16 Reply
  39. Tori Gabriel wrote:

    This sounds like a fantastic place for a getaway. I am so annoyed it’s not more local! I’d be there like a shot! The food in particular sounds incredible.

    Posted 4.28.16 Reply
  40. Amber Hill wrote:

    That food, the view, that INN!!!! I’m dying from cuteness overload. It looks like you guys had a blast. 🙂

    Posted 4.28.16 Reply
  41. Heather Gee Davis wrote:

    How fun to get away with your mom for Mother’s Day!

    Posted 4.28.16 Reply
  42. Amy wrote:

    Such a sweet and fun trip with your mother and at such a beautiful location!! Glad to see that you guys had a wonderful time! (:

    xoxo
    Amy | Pastel N Pink

    Posted 4.28.16 Reply
  43. Dreammerin wrote:

    I love the whole idea of how you spent the valuable time at such a beautiful place. This is so unique and just an amazing tip how you can spent this special day like the Mother’s Day!!! <3

    Posted 4.28.16 Reply
  44. Erin Shebish wrote:

    That looks absolutely incredible! I love that you were on a trip with your mama, I bet she really appreciated that time with you!

    Posted 4.28.16 Reply
  45. kerrblogs wrote:

    i really wish i had more time to plan it out this seems like the perfect mothers day gift.THis is definitly something that i have to try to do for her.Wish i had seen this sooner.

    Posted 4.28.16 Reply
  46. This is such a beautiful place! It looks like you had a great time and ate some delicious food. Quality time with Mom is important.

    Posted 4.28.16 Reply
  47. Michelle Mink wrote:

    i love taking trips with my Mom. this looks like a great place to stay and i love that the floor was heated

    Posted 4.28.16 Reply
  48. Mother Daughter trips are the best and what a cozy and beautiful place to spend quality time together. And, that FOOD!!! Yum!!!

    Posted 4.28.16 Reply
  49. Yes thats the best gift for a mom. You did very good. btw lovely images very heart warming. Breakfast seems to be gorgeous.

    Posted 4.28.16 Reply
  50. Ruya Kirac wrote:

    This place looks gorgeous!! Definitly need to check it out

    -Ruya
    sweetshortandstylish.com

    Posted 4.28.16 Reply
  51. That place is really cool. I wish I was in Canada.

    Posted 4.28.16 Reply
  52. Eloise Maoudj-Riley wrote:

    that place looks beautiful, I’d love to go there with my mom! glad you had a great time!

    Posted 4.28.16 Reply
  53. The estate is beyond gorgeous! It would be a dream to stay there one day.

    Xoxo,
    Amanda
    Trulyyoursa.com

    Posted 4.28.16 Reply
  54. Nicole wrote:

    What a beautiful cottage! My mother is also impossible to shop for I’m sure she would love nothing more than to spend some time together <3

    Posted 4.28.16 Reply
  55. Ana Ojha wrote:

    Wow! Glad to see that you went on a getaway with your mom and spend some good time! Glad to tell you that I am doing a collaboration post for my website Ana’s world (www.anamikaojha.com) as well as Huff Post, US edition. If you want to participate, mail me at ana.ojha.10@gmail.com and I will brief you more about the collaboration. 🙂

    Posted 4.28.16 Reply
  56. MJ wrote:

    Love these pics of you and your mom. It’s a great idea to go away with your mom for Mother’s Day. The inn looks great and definitely relaxing.

    Posted 4.28.16 Reply
  57. Me, too! My mom is the best travel companion.

    Posted 4.28.16 Reply
  58. Thanks, David!

    Posted 4.28.16 Reply
  59. Hi Brittany! Small world! I love that blog conference. I learned so much.

    Posted 4.28.16 Reply
  60. Tamara Goyette wrote:

    This is on my list of must go to places in the area

    Posted 4.28.16 Reply
  61. ASKSonnie wrote:

    You’re sweet! Not everyone I know of the same age as yours will do such thing for their momma. I liked the cottages and the view, it gives you a peaceful, rural ambiance – Sonnie

    Posted 4.29.16 Reply
  62. This is paradise I suppose! I really liked the pictures , I could feel the amazing atmosphere. I wish I couls=d also spend some time with my mom we live miles away.

    Posted 4.29.16 Reply
  63. Dina wrote:

    This is gorgeous! I would love to visit and enjoy some time away!

    Posted 5.1.16 Reply
  64. Wow, if I lived in the area, I’d DEFINITELY go to this resort! It looks so beautiful and peaceful!

    Posted 5.2.16 Reply
  65. awww thanks, Savannah!

    Posted 5.3.16 Reply