Chalets Hygge

What happens when Chalets Hygge goes from cozy chalets to owning a boutique motel?  Well, we are about to find out because we BOUGHT a motel! At the start of the year, we set this wild goal to buy a motel, and we didn’t just talk about it—we went for it! 🧽We became total sponges, soaking up every bit of info, 🧠Joined a mastermind focused on motel acquisition (best decision for this journey, more on this later) 💭Dreamed up all the incredible experiences we could create 📦Defined our “buy box” 🏨Toured what felt like a million motels (that made us refine our buy box after a few of them 🫢) 🧮 Ran so many financial models that Philippe was literally spouting formulas in his sleep 🎪Jumped through every financing hoop you can imagine. Then, on May 6, the ONE popped up on the market. It checked (almost) all our boxes. And after a six-month rollercoaster, we finally closed last week. Let me tell you, buying commercial real estate is no joke! We’ve learned so much and still are! 🖌️Now, the fun really begins—learning the ins and outs of operations and getting ready for an epic motel makeover! I know how lucky we are to live this dream that so many people have, so I will do my best to document the highs and lows of this journey as patiently (and honestly) as I can on my Instagram account @kerri_reinvented We’d love for you to come along with us. 

One of the core values of Chalets Hygge is to become an integral part of our community. To achieve this, we must actively advocate for Short Term Rentals (STRs) and share the positive impact they can have on both communities and the families that stay with us. In this insightful interview, our co-founder Philippe Pichette delves deep into the real numbers behind the impact of STRs in Quebec, moving beyond the superficial information often presented to local politicians and journalists. This article is a must-read if you're interested in understanding the detailed data and the importance of thoughtful legislation to eliminate bad actors in the industry.

Video Premiere: Discover the Eastern Townships from Chalets Hygge We are thrilled to finally unveil a video that captures the enchanting essence of our region, the Eastern Townships, from the perspective of Chalets Hygge. This project has been a labor of love, years in the making: 💭 A three-year dream 🎥 18 months of production 🎞️ Countless hours of planning and content review 💰 A carefully budgeted financial investment 🤝 Collaboration with numerous local businesses We partnered with two creators, storytellers, and producers, Carine Liberian and Derek Hamel, who saw our vision and worked as passionately on the project as we did.   _______________ A robust marketing strategy is essential for the survival of any small business. But it becomes extraordinary when the community embraces and participates in that strategy. Enormous Gratitude to Strøm Nordic Spa, Alpagas Sutton, Domaine du Ridge Winery, Escapades Memphremagog, Ski Mont Orford, and Canton Brasse for your warm welcome and for helping us narrate the story of our beautiful region. 🧡 Join us as we explore and celebrate the magic of the Eastern Townships! https://lnkd.in/eQzVfbva

Our founder, Kerri Gibson, was a guest on The Hospitality Edge podcast. She discussed the financial aspects of leaving an established corporate career and building a real estate investment portfolio focused on hospitality experiences. Key Takeaway: One of the cornerstones of their success lies in the financial planning undertaken before leaving their corporate roles. This preparation was crucial in ensuring a smooth transition and laying a solid foundation for their entrepreneurial venture. 🎥 YouTube: https://bit.ly/4cgWURa 🎧 Spotify: https://bit.ly/3zqbBTh 🍏 Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/4czD2bH 🔗 Other platforms: https://bit.ly/47j0fgg

The June edition of the Experience Hygge Newsletter Is out! It's your monthly source for news and updates about The Eastern Townships! Immerse yourself in our chalets' warm and welcoming spirit, explore the best activities in the region, and discover local businesses. This month is one of my favorites because we cover some of the best things to do this summer in The Eastern Townships. Happy Reading! Kerri Sign up here for the English version: https://lnkd.in/ejvW6949 . L'édition de juin de l'infolettre Experience Hygge est sortie ! C'est votre source mensuelle de nouvelles et de mises à jour sur les Cantons de l'Est ! Imprégnez-vous de l'esprit chaleureux et accueillant de nos chalets, explorez les meilleures activités de la région et découvrez les entreprises locales. Ce mois-ci est l'un de mes préférés parce que nous couvrons certaines des meilleures activités à faire cet été dans les Cantons de l'Est. Bonne lecture ! Kerri Inscrivez-vous ici pour la version francais: https://lnkd.in/eNR2-TKi

🚨Alert: Something fun is coming! Starting a young, small business is a bit like raising our puppy, Lola 🐕🦺 — you're always discovering new things about your brand as it grows up. Last summer, Chalets Hygge hit a fun crossroads where we got to dream big about our future. We realized we're just not ready to settle down into a 'retirement mindset'; we're way too excited about growing in ways that stick to our mission of providing tourism experiences that: 🕯️ Introduce guests to the cozy art of hygge during their stay. 🌿 Let guests soak up the peace of nature and find their zen. 🌎 Inspire a love for all things local, eco-friendly, and sustainable. ⛪ Celebrate the rich French culture and vibes of Orford, the Eastern Townships, and Quebec. 🎨 Weave the talents of local artists and businesses into the very heart of our brand. It's crystal clear that we're set to do more than breathe new life into chalets. We have a whole playground of ideas for what's next, but to bring these to life, we need to step out as more than just "Chalets Hygge." So, after seven fun-filled years, we're diving into rebranding. We've teamed up with the super-talented local artist Julia Pouliot of @juliart to craft a new logo and graphics that capture our evolving, spirited brand. Our new logo embodies the concept of hygge, which we embrace by creating cozy feelings of well-being at the crossroads of design, forests, mountains, and lakes. We have some exciting reveals coming up about what we've been working on, so stay tuned!

Where are we going in 2024? To some pretty cool places 👇🏻

Did you know it's vacation rental week? Me either! At least, I didn't until I saw all the posts and emails about it. Creating vacation rentals is my mission and purpose at this stage of my life. I believe this because I know how important vacations are to our mental and emotional health and our relationships with those we love. They are critical to our well-being and balance. In our culture, we don't get enough vacation time. And often, when we are on vacation, we are still tethered to work in some capacity. So, I take our responsibility to serve our guests and ensure we are good stewards of their vacation time and money seriously. Vacation rentals have transformed the way that travelers experience vacations, making it a way to travel that: 🏔 Creates Personalized Experiences: Travelers can stay in unique accommodations tailored to their preferences, whether a cozy cabin in the mountains or a beachfront villa (sign me up for both!). 🏡Flexibility and Space: Vacation rentals often offer more space, multiple bedrooms, and amenities like kitchens and living areas, allowing families and groups the option to stay together while still having space and comfort during their stay. ✈ Authenticity: Staying in a vacation rental allows travelers to immerse themselves in the local culture and community, providing a more authentic experience. 🏖 Cost-Effectiveness: Vacation rentals can make a vacation accessible and affordable for many people. Instead of booking multiple rooms, eating out for all meals, and paying for daily entertainment, families and groups can spend more quality time together and respect their budget. 🌎 Support for Local Economies: Vacation rentals are typically owned by individuals or small businesses. They contribute to the local economy by generating income for residents and supporting small-scale tourism initiatives. Whether our guests come to us as a group of friends, a small family, a multi-generational family, a couple, or a solo traveler, we are always honored that they chose us. The opportunity to help them create a vacation that heals that piece of themselves in need makes for more profound happiness than words can express. That is why vacation rentals matter and are essential, and we are blessed to be right here, right now. #VacationRentals #TravelExperiences #HospitalityIndustry 🏡✈️

I did a podcast with Heather Bayer of Vacation Rental Formula Business School! 🤝Community (and dogs) lie at the core of our Chalets Hygge business strategy. Feeling a deep connection to the community is one of the reasons I started a small business. Every decision we make is aimed at benefiting not only our business but also our community and region. Our success is intricately woven with the collaborations of fellow local businesses, tourism boards, and influencers/content creators. ❤️Thank you infinitely, Heather, for allowing me to share our journey. https://lnkd.in/ei7ZXCHW #CommunityFirst #BusinessStrategy #Gratitude #PodcastInterview #ChaletsHygge.

✨2023 Reflections - Chalets Hygge turned 5 this year! It still feels surreal that we have the opportunity to create this company for our guests and our local community. Vacation is sacred in our culture because we, quite frankly, don't get much of it. I will never stop being intensely grateful that our guests trust us with some of their most cherished moments in life. This year, we were privileged to welcome: 🏡 304 groups 👫 Over 1,100 people 🐾 Over 200 pets 💫 20% of our guests were return guests Our guests trusted us with their: 💍 Weddings 🎉 Wedding anniversaries 🎂 Birthdays 👪 Family reunions 🎓 Sending kids off to university 🌙 Babymoons 👶 First vacation as a new little family Some of our favorite reviews: 🐶 ""Humans and dogs have completely fallen under the spell [of Chalet Norwegian]!" - Helene 🕊 "Haven of peace. We cannot express to what extent this chalet did us good at a time when we needed it." - Karla & Dany 🌟 "We left dreaming about when we would be back." - Frank & Paula Chalets Hygge isn't just a business; it's a purpose and mission to create these perfect moments for our guests. Thank you for being part of our community - 🧡 Kerri & Philippe