Barbara Hasenbohler was born and raised in Bern, capital city of Switzerland and gateway to the Swiss Alps. Her study of international hospitality in university brought new friends from across the world, some of whom were from Canada. This led to visits first to Niagara-on-the-lake and, eventually, across Canada. A tour of the Maritimes turned her attention to Prince Edward Island, to the scenic landscape, friendly people, and calm pace of life. This first visit with her life partner, Thomas, occurred in 2015 and lasted two days. They returned to the Island for a full week on her next visit. It was during this trip that they realized an opportunity to fill a gap that existed; at that time, 5-star hotels on the water that offered healthier menu selections were few and far between. Barbara returned to Switzerland to complete her master’s degree and chose to make a potential hotel in PEI the subject of her final project.
Thus began the search for a suitable property. This took three and a half years. Amidst delays due to COVID-19 and extensive renovation to transform the seven-bed property in Goose River into the Nordic-inspired oasis of calm it is today, the doors of 45 Steps Inn opened on July 17, 2022. Now almost two years after its opening, the inn enjoys a sterling reputation for its location, facilities, and quality of service. It is not uncommon to find former guests raving online about the library that overlooks the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the Swiss fondue, the 3-course dinners, and jams and jellies made from scratch. This hands-on approach to hospitality also means that they have been booked solid for the season since April 26.
The success that the inn enjoys today has not come without Barbara and Thomas weathering some storms. Although they purchased the property in January 2020, they remained in Switzerland for 15 more months because of government measures enacted to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Once they crossed this hurdle, they faced another challenge with recruiting staff. In addition to this, financing was difficult to secure, and they lost immigration status because of mistakes made by their immigration lawyer. Then there was the other issue of some damage to their property and alteration of the shoreline surrounding their property in the wake of Hurricane Fiona.
Yet, Barbara and Thomas have persisted and found success by leaning on the community and organizations such as PEI Connectors, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and the Community Business Development Corporation (CBDC) East. They continue to regard those who turn into their inn with utmost care, living their dreams, and ensuring the well-earned rest of travelers.
Written by: Elizabeth Iwunwa
Photography: Mostafa Alizadegan
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