April Point Resort & Spa Reel Reports

Brunch Moms

April Point Resort & Spa - Oak Bay Marine Group — 2012-05-13

The April Point Dining Room saw hundreds of families and couples come through today as we hosted our Mother’s Day Brunch. Guests arrived at the resort by the dozen via the April Point Connector and the Connector 2 from the Painter's Lodge Dock. We had both boats operating because of the large volume of people travelling who were eager for the awesome food. My favourite thing about brunch is that it has no barriers. It seems you can enjoy this hybrid meal anytime between 9 am and 3 pm, it’s not confined to a conventional menu (we served various kinds of seafood, desserts and there was even a ham being carved) and it can be either a relaxed or formal dining experience.

Whatever shape their brunch took, I am confident the moms who joined us went home full, happy and full of vitamin D... that sunshine was something else!

See you in a few,

Joanna

What A Concept

April Point Resort & Spa - Oak Bay Marine Group — 2012-05-10

Guests of April Point Resort & Spa have the ability to choose their own vacation adventure. While some visitors may desire the rush of a rapids tour or the excitement of reeling in a 20 lb. salmon, others may define true adventure as “checking out” – mentally and physically. (I’m looking your way, workaholics!) This “checking out” is often achieved upon “checking in” to our Spa.

The Spa at April Point is an Aveda Spa offering body care, face care, hand and foot care, as well as entire line of services for gentlemen. The Spa is its own separate building and you must cross a small footbridge to get to it, as it sits on a large saltwater pond. In my experience with spas, (and I actually have a lot) most of them play ambient nature sounds in order to mimic the feeling of being outdoors in an exotic, tranquil space. At our Spa, if you want the peaceful outdoors… you’ve got it! The several indoor treatment rooms are modern and tastefully decorated but the most serene space is outside on the sheltered deck. Guests of The Spa may choose to have their pedicure on the deck and set to authentic nature sounds; the ocean lapping the bluffs below you, a gentle breeze blowing off the water and through the trees, birds chirping, and, who knows, maybe an orca breeching!

While I was visiting The Spa this afternoon I overheard two female guests squeal in disbelief that you really could combine foot rubs and panoramic ocean/mountain views. Yes ladies, you really can have it all.

See you in a few,

Joanna

Thank you, Photographers!

April Point Resort & Spa - Oak Bay Marine Group — 2012-05-06

After a gorgeous weekend on Quadra Island, the 7^th Annual Photographers at Painter’s…at April Point wrapped up today. Amateur and professional photographers from all over B.C. arrived at April Point Resort & Spa on Friday afternoon and began a weekend packed with informative workshops. (In years passed, this event has always been held at Painter’s Lodge so this was many guests’ first trip to Quadra!) Taught by some of Western B.C.’s premier photographers, the workshops covered unique topics like shooting weddings in low-light, shooting for news, scanography, copyright, and communicating visually. On Saturday night guests of the event socialized at a wine and cheese reception, then on Sunday morning they took in a Discovery Tour aboard the Pachena Princess. The event culminated with Critique; an opportunity for amateur photographers to have their work critiqued one-on-one by the professionals. Although Critique may sound intimidating, it had an incredibly relaxed atmosphere and was an overall fabulous opportunity to receive (free!) advice.

Throughout the weekend all photographers were welcome to hang their work at the resort. Check out the awesome talent displayed on what turned into the guest photo wall.

So... thank you, photographers! We hope each and every one of you found inspiration on beautiful Quadra Island. Aren't we lucky to live here?

See you in a few,

Joanna

New Resort Video

April Point Resort & Spa - Oak Bay Marine Group — 2011-12-19

We finished our new April Point resort video and posted it on YouTube. Check it out!

http://bit.ly/tWoq9K

See you in the Spring!

April Point Resort & Spa - Oak Bay Marine Group — 2011-09-29

Another season has come to an end for April Point Resort & Spa. We had another great summer on Beautiful Quadra Island with lots of excitement. We shuttled almost 52,095 guests on our 12 person capacity complimentary water shuttle in 4 months!

Live music, weddings on under the fir trees and lots of pedicures overlooking the Discovery Passage. We look forward to sharing all these things with you again starting in the spring of 2012.

Here’s what some of the crew had to say about their summer at April Point…

“Life on Quadra was slightly different than most. It rained through August but was hot in September! This didn’t stop the fish; they were never on schedule but always on time!” ~ ~ Leif, Dock Supervisor

“Another great season has passed at April Point Resort & Spa and I am already looking forward to opening in 2012. Every year brings new challenges – but the staff here at April Point is always ready and willing to face those challenges and to offer some wonderful solutions. It’s raining what can we do – how about the spa – ate too much – how about a bike ride – don’t want to fish – how about a zodiac trip and of course there is always the Gift Shop to browse through. We look forward to seeing all of our returning guests and we will enjoy welcoming all of our new guests and showing them what April Point Resort & Spa has to offer for that well deserved get away"

~ Bridget, Front Desk Manager

“My second season at AP (April Point) Front Desk proved once again to be an incredible experience. From meeting interesting people from around the world, working with a fantastic crew and working in a spectacular environment. I am Fortunate to be able to extend my season by finishing at PL (Painter’s Lodge).”

~Lynn, Front Desk

A Taste of April Point

April Point Resort & Spa - Oak Bay Marine Group — 2011-09-25

April Point Resort & Spa’s second Annual Tastes of April Point was nothing but Incredible. We had new faces and familiar faces from all over BC come to indulge themselves on Quadra Island this weekend.

We kicked the weekend off with wine and cheeses from Vancouver Island. Nancy and Ben Gourlay from Little Qualicum Cheeseworks did a fabulous job of pairing their cheeses with wines from South End Winery (Jill Ogasawara and Ben McGuffie), Alderlea and Averill creek Vinyards (Jason Hyde) and Blue Grouse Wines (Jen Gidora). It may have been raining but that didn’t stop anyone from enjoying their evening. Jazz Berry Jam kept the mojo up in the Dining Room for the last time this year.

Saturday started with a Frog Coffee presentation. Perfect! Karla Foster did a great job teaching flavours and origins of coffee from all over the world. Three cups later and everyone was ready for the next event.

Saturday afternoon was a taste of all things decadent. Guests travelled between three venues sipping, smelling and tasting for the afternoon. Thanks to Stacy Talbot from Albion Fisheries and Lesley Brown guests relaxed outside on the Discovery lawn while sipping champagne and slurping 3 different types of oysters. During our second session guests were invited to challenge their senses with Ingo Grady during this “nose-on” presentation. And finally show cased in house 888 we had a house of typical pairings. This was my station favourite! With deep fried crab doughnuts, sangria and beer with ice-cream; this was my favourite station of the afternoon.

After snacking all afternoon as everyone was heading back to the Discovery lawn for a wine crush we were joined by a pod of about 200 Dolphins swimming and playing as they travelled north in the Discovery Passage.

Crushing grapes with a typical pair of fisherman rubber boots was a great laugh. The juice that come out of that barrel did not look at all appetizing but it was a blast watching these guys stomp while everyone sang The Drunken Sailor.

April Point’s Executive Chef Stephanie Dykes was the cherry on this weekend’s cake. Her five course meal was... absolutely breathtaking. Ingo Grady did a great job of presenting the wine pairings and Stephanie’s menu to the dining room for the evening.

To finish things up, guests were invited to enjoy champagne Sunday Brunch at Painter’s Lodge for one final feast and glass of champagne before heading home.

As always it was so great watching all the crew at April Point come together and help create this event that we hope will carry on over the years.

~ Caylin

Going out with a Bang!

April Point Resort & Spa - Oak Bay Marine Group — 2011-09-22

Alright everyone this is the last weekend April Point Resort & Spa will be open. We are closed as of Sunday September 25^th. It has been a great summer with lots of excitement and we will continue with this vibe until the end.

We are going out with a bang!

Our final and most indulgent event of the season is Tastes of April Point. This weekend you can introduce your taste buds to everything international and local Vancouver Island wines and fresh cheeses to exotic coffees, gourmet cuisine, fresh oysters, champagne and more!

Read more about this weekend at http://bit.ly/qtigTC

~ Caylin

Explore Your Creativity

April Point Resort & Spa - Oak Bay Marine Group — 2011-09-15

Our Live and Learn workshop are happening now! The Fun and Free Watercolours group had a great time learning from awarding winning artist, Leslie Redhead. This is just one of many getaways available at April Point Resort & Spa this month.

Leaving today was the Acrylics and Collage workshop, led by Louise Monfette. Louise’s love of colour and texture comes forth in her acrylic and mixed media works.

There was some major creativity going on in the Island View Room this week and there is still more to come!

~Caylin

Back Porch Banjo

April Point Resort & Spa - Oak Bay Marine Group — 2011-09-12

The Back Porch Banjo played yesterday afternoon on the April Point patio and again in the evening. It was such a great for this. The sun was out, there were sea lions swimming around the point and music was awesome!

Next weekend is our BIG event, Tastes of April Point. Everyone is preparing for this weekend of indulgences with lots of care. There are still spots available, if you are interested get more details on our webpage at http://www.aprilpoint.com/resort/events/tastes/ .

~ Caylin

Photography by Dave Barr

April Point Resort & Spa - Oak Bay Marine Group — 2011-09-05

The April Point Resort & Spa 2011 season is slowly coming to its end. With three short weeks left I know it’ll fly by. We are excited to start our fall Live & Learn programs tomorrow with our Women’s Yoga retreat.

We are even more excited for our 2^nd annual “Tastes of April Point” weekend of indulgence. This event was a grand success last year and we expect nothing less than that this month. The executive chef has been working very hard on the Saturday night dinner menu. If it’s anything like her 5 course meal last year it also will be a grand success. This weekend of indulgences starts on September 23^rd and there are still spots available.

We had Pender the transient Orca visit our dock waters this morning which consequently sent the seals to higher ground. 2 more pods of Orca were spotted in Kelsey Bay just north of Sayward. They were joined by a pod of about 200 white sided Dolphins! What a show that must have been.

Speaking of Orcas I was given some pictures taken by Dave & Mary Barr, frequent visitors at April Point. They got some amazing pictures last season during their stay and I have to share these amazing shots.

~ Caylin