For Stephanie Hutchings, running Stef’s Suites has been fulfilling in more ways than one.
Hutchings has been operating Stef’s Suites from her own home on North Street in Corner Brook since 1996.
Stef’s Suites offers two apartments for rental for up to three months or for as little as one night.
Hutchings tries to offer her guests comfort, quiet and affordable accommodations.
As a result of the hospitality she offers, and her sociable nature, the business has brought its rewards, allowing her to establish many long-term relationships.
“I really enjoy it because I’m a bit of a social person and I’ve met people, right from the get-go, who are still friends and acquaintances,” she said. “We’ve had lots of blessings over the years, people that appreciated what you did for them and they’ve certainly blessed us.”
According to Hutchings, Stef’s Suites has established a core of customers from southern Labrador, the Northern Peninsula and the south shore of Newfoundland who have visited for many years.
Hutchings and her husband, Kerry, have received cod fish, baked apples, maple syrup and an assortment of gifts over the years as a show of appreciation.
They give away a little bit as well.
She says Kerry used to work in forestry and often plants little trees in pots to give away to guests.
That friendliness is all a part of their approach to running accommodations.
“When you treat people well, you can’t go astray,” said Hutchings.
Background
Hutchings and her husband bought their current home in 1986. Two apartments were attached to the back of the house.
They decided to use one apartment as a playroom for the children, but for a number of years, they rented out the other apartment.
However, they experienced lots of turnover and Hutchings decided to make a change after receiving a suggestion that there was a need for nightly apartment rentals.
She set out to meet all the standards to be registered under Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador and has never looked back.
“It was maybe two or three people a month in the beginning and then it kind of took off,” she said.
When her children grew up and moved out, they opened the other apartment for accommodations as well.
Pandemic
In the past year, fortunately for Hutchings, business at Stef’s Suites has not really slowed down.
While the pandemic means she’s not seeing any tourists from outside the province, she’s still getting bookings.
When the shutdown was issued in March 2020, there was a man visiting Corner Brook who needed to self-isolate before leaving.
He ended up staying at Stef’s Suites for six weeks.
It’s been much like that ever since.
Hutchings continues to receive people undergoing self-isolations, from places as far away as Dubai and Baghdad.
“They appreciate it so much,” she said. “They have just been a joy to us and I’m sure we’ll always be friends.”
Individuals have also stayed there who have been travelling to Newfoundland for work.
“That has kept us going,” said Hutchings. “We’ve been so lucky.”
