1. The Guardian (Charlottetown)
Business, Saturday, December 4, 2010, p. B9
Souris
Platter House to reopen as a retreat
SOURIS - Looking at the breath-taking ocean views of the old Platter House
Restaurant, Tracy Saarloos immediately knew she could breathe new life into
the closed eatery by turning it into a one-of-a-kind escape.
"The childhood memories that stand out the most to me are when all of my
sisters, aunts and cousins gathered in the summer, spent time jumping the
waves at the beach and roasting s'mores in the evening," says Saarloos.
"When I saw the Platter House, I knew I had an opportunity to bring people
back to that."
Full schedules and extracurricular activities leave modern two-income
families with very little downtime. Saarloos says she knows firsthand how
important it is to take time reconnecting and getting to know one another.
"I used to travel abroad and come home from vacation tired and often feeling
more stress than when I left."
Saarloos and her husband, Rodi, who has roots on the Island, purchased The
Platter House Restaurant in July 2004. They spent the next number of years
turning her vision for the property into a reality by creating a
one-of-a-kind retreat centre which can sleep up to 17 guests.
The Platter House Ocean Retreat has 4,300 square feet of living space, with
five bedrooms, including a kids' room with five bunk beds and one double
bed, three and a half bathrooms, living room, sitting area, bar area,
commercial kitchen, a dining room that doubles as a meeting area, and a 20'
x 150' wrap around deck with an ocean view.
She plans to customize guests' visits as an experience rather than just a
place to stay. Saarloos has partnered with other professionals who have the
same focus on creating real retreat experiences.
"We arrange for personal chefs to do gourmet cooking demonstrations, provide
tours with local lobster fishermen, take guests clamming, bring in yoga
instructors, golf excursions . . . . you dream it and we will deliver it."
Saarloos says they recently hosted a women's retreat weekend.
"Twelve women participated in a weekend ocean retreat, which included a tour
of Colville Bay Oysters complete with a lesson on how to shuck and eat
oysters with all the toppings, morning yoga that finished with a yogi tea,
exploration of local beaches, distilleries and a winery, private massage,
and creating a gourmet dinner with a private chef."
