Nicola Merrells 


Country Charmed

About the Setting

Yes, the setting for Country Charmed is based on a real place. I've changed things around a little bit to suit my story (oh, the power of the pen!), but the place in my mind for this story has always been our family's beloved Quilchena Hotel and Ranch in south central British Columbia.

My husband and I (and now our son too) have had a weekend (or week-long) getaway at Quilchena every summer since ...well, let's just say during our first visit there many years ago a concerned staff member politely enquired, "Aren't you rather young to be travelling on your own?" :-)

Just like Aspen Creek in my story, the Quilchena Hotel is part of the Quilchena Ranch property. The hotel, general store, golf course and ranch buildings -- and the people who live and work there -- make up their own little community, removed (but not isolated) from the hustle and bustle of city life.

The hotel itself is an old Victorian-style inn, built in 1908, full of charm and character and lovingly kept by the Rose family who also own the Quilchena Ranch. The atmosphere is a combination of country charm and what I call "frontier Victoriana". There's a dignified elegance about the place, without a hint of pretentiousness. The hotel's food is to-die-for; the scenery is breath-taking.

If you want to find out more, you can visit Quilchena's website: Quilchena

Back to Home