VANCOUVER ISLAND, British Columbia -- The opening of Villa Cielo,
or "villa in the heavens," heralds a new era for Aerie Resort, a
29-suite property atop Malahat Mountain here.
Already a host to such high-profile guests as Tom Cruise, Susan
Sarandon, Gwyneth Paltrow and Deepak Chopra, Aerie Resort raised
the bar with this new construction.
The five-suite Villa Cielo, built in the style of the grand
estates of the French Riviera, sits above the Aerie Resort.
Each suite is more than 750 square feet and has views of the
Pacific Ocean and metropolitan Victoria.
Package rates at the Villa Cielo begin at $535 per night in a
one-bedroom king and climb to $610, double, or $690, triple or
quad, for the two-bedroom Dolphin suite.
The Villa Cielo had not yet opened when I visited earlier this
year, but I could find no downside to my stay at the main Aerie
building.
Spread out over several of the property's 75 acres of thick
forest and landscaped terraces, the resort consists of
Italian-style villas linked via hallways, walkways, staircases,
patios and gardens.
Our suite was highlighted by a step-up, two-person Jacuzzi
mounted in front of a wall-to-wall window that overlooks a vista of
islands, water and mountains.
A floor-to-ceiling brick fireplace burned cedar logs, filling
the living room with that unmistakable aroma indigenous to this
area. An armoire hid a TV, DVD and sound systems.
The bedroom topped everything. The chiffon canopy king bed
beckoned with gift basket, fluffy bathrobes and Bernard Callebaut
chocolate truffles. A full bathroom offered a small but complete
bath/shower combo and toiletries.
The decor at the Aerie is an eclectic assortment ranging from
alpine to Mediterranean, where contemporary art mixes with
traditional furnishings and Roman sculptures pose amid antique
collectibles.
Originally started as a bed and breakfast, the Aerie Resort has
developed its service, cuisine and accommodations levels to become
an industry leader. The staff is courteous and outnumbers the
guests.
French-born executive chef Christophe Letard is known for
sitting with visitors on summer afternoons to discuss the dinner
menu and share the history of his kitchen.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in the main dining room,
which is elegant in its own right.
The newly added Bonelli eatery and bar, located on the lower
level of the Aerie, offers a more casual ambience but draws from
the same kitchen.
On-site activities range from a full-service spa to tennis
courts; tai-chi and yoga classes; an indoor swimming pool; and hot
tubs. All amenities and programs are available to Villa Cielo
guests, as well.
The resort has a full program of tours, with arrangements made
through the concierge. This list is headed by Canada's trademark
Gourmet Trail, which offers a culinary adventure touring the luxury
properties and their artisan suppliers in and around Vancouver
Island.
Aerie Resort packages begin with the Getaway package, valid to
Sept. 21 and priced at $305 for two people in a regular room. It
offers a gourmet breakfast and dinner consultation with the chef
followed by a five-course meal.
The Fly Like an Eagle plan, priced at $1,107 for two people
staying two nights in a suite, includes roundtrip flights from
either Seattle or Vancouver to downtown Victoria and either a car
rental or roundtrip sedan service from terminal to resort.
Also included are one gourmet, five-course dinner; a breakfast
basket left outside the room; and a full breakfast in the dining
room.
The resort pays agents 10% commission on rooms. For more
information, call (800) 518-1933; e-mail [email protected]
or visit www.aerie.bc.ca.
To contact the reporter who wrote this story, send e-mail to
[email protected] .