The Benedict Community Bed & Breakfast.
A Unique Faith Community that hosts travelers with Inspired hospitality
The Vision
For years, I’ve had this dream that I one day hope to see come to pass. A faith community of owners that live together as neighbours and collectively rent spaces within the building as accommodations for those traveling to the city. The altruistic values of our guest house provide travellers with an alternative to a traditional hotel. The word “redemption” means the act of retrieving something that was lost and we will do our business in such a way that brings back an element of peace, understanding, care and trust for those who spend time on the road.
Summary
Our guests will receive a unique, memorable, and peaceful experience while staying in the heart of the City of Edmonton in a redemptive, attractive and creative environment. We will create an authentic, warm environment where interaction between guests and our owners is encouraged, creating a sense of community. The guest house will reflect an appreciation and an understanding of the history and community that make up the city of Edmonton through its design and the service offered by its staff.
The guest house will be an all-inclusive guest experience where our guests will be able to experience: a room, a great breakfast, an exercise room, complimentary local calls, small business services, and the opportunity to engage in conversation with staff who care about each guest. Each guest will also be thanked for partnering with our local business that is committed to supporting the city of Edmonton and local charities.
The Experience
"if more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world." -Thorin Oakenshield.
Sometime in the future...
A guest will wake up in a warm, comfortable bed in a small but cozy room. She's well rested and woke up naturally without an alarm. The room is old, with brick exposed at various points, indicative that the building is nearly a hundred years old. The morning sunlight is beginning to peak through the blinds, painting a line of gold on the hardwood floor. The guest spends a lot of time on the road, and even though she's a seasoned traveler, there's a split second of disorientation where she reminds herself that she's on a business trip and she's in Edmonton.
The room is not simply quiet. It's peaceful. As the guest sits up in her bed, she takes a moment to enjoy the comfort of the bed and the stillness of the moment. She hasn't slept like that in years. There is a warmth and gentleness of this place that she wishes she could take with her to her meetings later in the day. She places her feet on the hardwood floor, stands up, and prepares for the day.
Before heading down to the main floor for breakfast, the guest opens up her laptop on a small wood table near her bed. She enjoys a fresh cup of coffee from the in-room coffee supplies while she checks a few emails. Once she's responded to the most critical messages, she puts on her shoes, grabs her phone, and heads down for breakfast. The peace she experienced in her guest room extends into the hallway that leads to the staircase that will bring her down to the main floor. Just ahead of her, she can hear the sound of a steamer used in the cafe where breakfast is served. The server at the espresso machine notices her right away as she descends the staircase. "Good morning, Emma. Can I get you another muffin for breakfast, or can I make you something a bit more hearty this morning?" Emma smiles and says, "Sure, what do you suggest?"
The server nods and offers, "How about a breakfast sandwich? It has a friend egg, a thick slice of bacon, a spicy aioli, smoked cheese, and some microgreens." She smiles and says, "That sounds great, I'll have that with an orange juice." The server heads towards the kitchen and says, "Coming right up."
She loves staying at this Bed and Breakfast. It's unique, inspiring, whimsical, and life-giving. There's an immense sense of generosity and community in this space. While completely professional, it remains thoroughly friendly and compassionate. Proceeds from the business go directly into promoting justice and mercy throughout the city. It's also one of the few places Emma stays while traveling where she feels loved by the team. Everyone knows her name, and she almost feels like she’s family. This is the kind of redemptive business that she is happy to support. The kind that truly helps visitors shake hands with the neighborhood.
She once asked the staff if they planned on expanding to other cities, and the response has always been, “There’s only one place like this, and we’re determined to serve here in Edmonton.” This commitment to staying small and local in the face of ever-expanding, dominating brands brings joy to Emma’s heart. It’s evidence that there are ways to do business sustainably and successfully while keeping a healthy soul.