Image: L. Gomes / PML / Peter Sawatzky, owner of Imagination Corporation, is building the Hazelnut Inn, and said it all started with his honeymoon.

By Laurice Gomes

Fairytale Hotel

This Yarrow storybook hotel will be straight out of a fairytale

Aug 15, 2022 | 2:55 PM

CHILLIWACK — A fairytale luxury hotel will soon be open for business in the quaint village of Yarrow in Chilliwack.

Peter Sawatzky, owner of Imagination Corporation, is building the Hazelnut Inn, and said it all started with his honeymoon.

“When my wife and I got married in 2014, we took a honeymoon in Europe, and we stayed one night at a castle in Italy, and it was just really magical,” he said. “And there aren’t very many castles in Canada, so we thought we would build something similar for people to stay here.”

Image: L. Gomes / L. Gomes / A prototype of what the completed fairytale-themed hotel will look like.

Sawatzky remarked that this is a personal project for the family, and hence it fits around the company’s other work.

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“We don’t have a scheduled opening date,” he said. “We may start bookings as soon as next year.”

There are three suites in the castle, and each suite has a very distinct theme and story.

“Starting at the back of the inn is the Copper Crown, which is a fairytale castle,” Sawatzky explained. “It’s built around the story of a noble dragon-riding family. So, this is their little manor.”

The second suite is called the Under Hill, and the creative builder said the theme was a cross between a rabbit’s burrow and a hobbit house.

“Inside is all dug out and there’s a big tree on the top of the hill, so the tree will spread throughout the suite, forming the roof of the suite,” he said.

Image: L. Gomes / PML / Roof of the Under Hill suite.

The third suite is the North Star, which Sawatzky described as an explorer suite, based on artifacts from all the imaginary places in the world.

“Each suite has a private garden and a soaking tub, and they’re designed for honeymoons, or anniversaries, or special occasions,” he said.

Imagination Corporation builds signage and eye candy for theme parks and tourist-based businesses. Projects have been global for the family—anywhere from Dubai, Trinidad, and the U.S. and Canada.

The picturesque boutique hotel is currently under construction, and for more information and updates, people can visit www.hazelnutinn.com.

Image: L. Gomes / PML / Entrance to the Copper Crown suite.