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Non-Reciprocal exchange 4 nights Aug 2025

Jessica Verified

6 exchanges19 nights6 feedback

Brent & Cheryl were amazing and their house is equally amazing! They are both very kind people and wonderful hosts who went above and beyond to make us feel welcomed and comfortable. Cheryl is quite the cook! Their home is very clean and so beautiful, their gardens are gorgeous and the easy access to a rocky beach was magical. We saw whales from their deck and made friends with a resident seal lion. It's definitely out of town and a drive from any shops or stores, but we loved it. Thank you!

Hospitality exchange 3 nights May 2025

Robin Verified

17 exchanges155 nights22 feedback

I want to express my gratitude to Cheryl and Brent for opening their home and lives to me during a three night hospitality exchange to their lovely rural, ocean view home in the outskirts Courtenay while my husband was traveling. We are hoping to reciprocate and see them again in Victoria. We "met" through a mutual Australian exchanger, thus expanding our PLU circle of friends. Brent and Cheryl arranged a group bike ride along the quiet country and waterfront roads in the area, and it turned out that we had previously exchanged with another couple! We enjoyed cooking together in the kitchen-with-a-view and Cheryl even took me for a walk in a nearby nature park and introduced me to her favourite shops on Courtenay's charming Main Street. Throughout my time there, I saw deer walking by and eagles, herons, seals and sea lions pass by. There are local farms selling their produce nearby and it's an easy drive to town. I enjoyed a exploring their extensive gardens, and Cheryl treated me to a tour of their art and handicrafts at my request. I slept very well in the quiet neighbourhood and very comfortable bed. The wide-ranging conversation flowed freely, and they inspired my future travels. It was a magical few days and I highly recommend this home and its warm hosts. There is much to do in the area and longer exchanges would be great.

Non-Reciprocal exchange 5 nights Jun 2024

Carol Verified

22 exchanges312 nights30 feedback

My brother and I have just had the most delightful, fun packed, amazing privilege to stay with Cheryl & Brent for 5 nights. Their hospitality and new friendship we will treasure as very fond memories always. Their home is beautiful, so very comfortable and decorated. It is perfectly located on edge of Courtenay BC nestled in beautiful large garden with surrounding fir trees and wandering deer! If not relaxing in garden, we went on numerous walks, drives and even a day out with their friend Tim on his boat. Wonderful assistance with plans and our personal guides. So look forward to them coming to Australia. New dear friends.

Simultaneous exchange 16 nights Apr 2024

Daniel Verified

11 exchanges107 nights13 feedback

We just completed a wonderful exchange with Brent and Cheryl. We live in a condo which is located in downtown Toronto, and Brent and Cheryl’s home is located in a sem-rural setting in British Columbia. Our living environments could not be more diverse. Their home is incredibly picturesque in its Vancouver Island waterfront setting. Situated with-in a quiet and friendly community, minutes to great hiking trails, breath taking waterfront views, and wildlife passing by as part of the landscape. After a long day of travel, we arrived very late. Access was simple and quick, and thanks to our thoughtful hosts a very comfortable bed was ready for us. We woke to the beauty of a sunrise coming up over the eastern water (Georgia Straits) and mountains in the distance, what a wonderful way to start our day! While making coffee we noticed movement in the water, and to our surprise we observed a sealion laying on top of a partially submerged rock. And with their binoculars we got even a better look. Now this only happens in travel advertising. Enjoying your coffee while sitting in some comfy red Muskoka chairs watching the sealions play (by now multiple sealions were swimming around), a perfect start to an amazing vacation. Our stay was everything we hoped and so much more as the appreciation of our new location sunk in. Working remotely with reliable high speed internet service at a desk located in the den which allowed plenty of distraction time staring out the window, viewing the beautiful landscaping, ocean waterfront with distant mountains, it is nature at its best. Such a contrast to working remotely at home in Toronto. So many comfortable places to sit and read, or listen to music with a very nice sound system. Brent and Cheryl’s home has that welcoming feel, full of tastefully placed décor. I am sure everything has a meaning and wonderful memory. Everything displayed just perfectly. The attention to detail and care of their home shows. Beautiful is the word best describing this home. Their home is fully equipped with everything required to prepare gourmet meals, but the ability to visit restaurants is only a short drive away. The towns of Comox and Courteney are short distances and offer some excellent local shopping, dining, and a variety of take-out options. The grocery store we used was Thrifty Foods, and we located some excellent smoked deli ham, which is prepared in store. Very friendly staff, they also have an excellent selection of freshly prepared food for take-out. Brent and Cheryl provided us with guidance for one of their favorite island trips, which was a very scenic and enjoyable adventure. This was to Helliwell Park on Hornby Island. Part of the adventure was getting there taking 2 ferries. The Views were spectacular and certainly worth the drive. Close to home is Seal Bay Park, which is a 10-minute walk to the end of their street, then you can locate well marked trails, some taking you down to the shore. Our last nature experience prior to leaving Brent and Cheryl’s home was a visit from a family of deer, they hung around the upper section of the backyard, mother and 3 fawns. It was too early in the spring for them to be looking at our host’s beautiful gardens. We understand why Brent and Cheryl have a well fenced vegetable garden with all this wildlife roaming daily.